NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Decision
The war ended with Konohagakure's decisive victory over Kirigakure. The "Yellow Flash," Minato Namikaze, had crushed Kirigakure's forces with unmatched skill, driving them out of the Land of Fire. Even the Third Mizukage was forced to retreat, leaving the Land of Fire alongside the remnants of his defeated troops.
Of course, while the main battle was over, a formal peace treaty hadn't yet been signed. The large-scale fighting had ended, but true peace was still a distant hope. Konoha had defeated both Iwagakure and Kumogakure on the battlefield, but no peace agreements had been reached. Minor skirmishes continued along Konoha's borders with both villages.
In particular, Iwagakure and Konoha were still engaged in sporadic battles within the Land of Rain. Despite the lack of a treaty, Konoha had withdrawn most of its forces, leaving only a small contingent of shinobi stationed at the frontlines as a precaution.
Back in Konoha, the village was buzzing with excitement. Nearly every villager lined the streets to welcome their returning heroes. Amid the crowd stood Akira, mingling among his fellow clansmen as he watched the procession.
At the front was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, flanked by his advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. Behind them stood the white-haired Jiraiya and the stoic, intimidating Orochimaru. They awaited the approaching forces at the village gates, smiles lighting their faces.
Leading the group was Minato, followed by Fugaku and Shikakua. They returned the crowd's cheers with bright smiles, waving to acknowledge the outpouring of gratitude. That day, Konoha held a grand celebration, and everyone joined in the joyful festivities.
Later that night, after the festivities had calmed, the Uchiha clan gathered in the underground meeting room of their shrine. It wasn't a secret coup in the making, though the Uchiha had grievances with the leadership, these were merely frustrations, far from thoughts of rebellion. Gathering in the shrine was simply an old tradition.
One clan member excitedly turned to Fugaku, asking,
"Clan Head, will you run for the Fourth Hokage position this time?"
"We'll support you all the way! The Uchiha clan has earned a powerful reputation on the battlefield, making invaluable contributions to the village. Surely this time, you have a fair shot at the Hokage title!"
"Exactly! We're long overdue for a Hokage from the Uchiha clan. We helped found this village alongside the Senju, after all…"
Another member added, "It's true, the position's stayed within the Senju line for three generations now. Isn't it about time for the Uchiha to take a turn?"
"Quiet!" Fugaku raised a hand, signaling for calm, then spoke firmly, "I won't be running for Hokage this time. Compared to the Yellow Flash and the Sannin, I'm still a step behind."
At his words, the previously eager clan members fell silent. The Sannin's and Minato's reputations were untouchable, Fugaku couldn't compare with them in terms of notoriety.
"Well… I guess we'll just have to look toward the Fifth Hokage."
"The Fifth Hokage has to be from our Uchiha clan! Our clan has no shortage of talented shinobi. Shisui is only twelve now, but he'd be perfect for the position when the time comes!"
"Akira, what do you think?" Tiekka, a friend of Akira's, called out to him, pulling him out of his thoughts on sealing jutsu.
Akira shrugged. "I think we should focus on improving our strength first. Once we're powerful enough, everything else will fall into place."
"Everything else is just talk. Strength is what's real," Akira added with a slight smile. "If someone from our Uchiha clan had power like the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, we wouldn't have to worry about the Hokage position. They'd offer it to us without us even asking."
Tiekka's mouth twitched, and he replied awkwardly, "Come on, Akira. Everyone knows that strength is what matters, but Hashirama was one of a kind."
"Even Madara, with the strongest Tailed Beast, the Nine-Tails, wasn't a match for the First Hokage," he said with a sigh, shaking his head. "It's impossible to reach that level…"
Akira shook his head, looking a bit exasperated. He'd noticed the Uchiha had a tendency to see things in black and white.
"I meant that if we raise the clan's overall strength, our chances at the Hokage position will naturally increase. All we need to do is be patient."
"You're right! The Hokage line can't always produce worthy successors." Tiekka's face lit up in sudden realization, then he looked at Akira with newfound determination. "We have Shisui, Clan Head Fugaku, and you—our clan only grows stronger. The village leadership will have to consider the Uchiha for Hokage!"
"Good that you understand." Akira patted him on the shoulder, smiling. Though Tiekka's interpretation was slightly off, he had the general idea.
After venting their thoughts, the room gradually emptied, leaving only Akira, Fugaku, and Mikoto Uchiha.
"Clan Head, Mikoto-san," Akira greeted them.
Now, it was time to discuss the real issue.
"Akira, the Six-Tails has disappeared," Fugaku said, getting straight to the point.
"Disappeared?" Akira blinked in surprise.
Fugaku nodded grimly. "Our scouts found signs of it deep in the forest. It seems like it vanished without a trace."
The Six-Tails had vanished. Only the Seven-Tails among the Tailed Beasts was known to have the ability to fly.
"Could it have been Obito?" Akira wondered, thinking of Obito, who had access to White Zetsu and the Kamui. With those abilities, he could've easily captured the Six-Tails undetected.
"There were no signs of battle, and the Six-Tails appeared to offer no resistance," Fugaku continued, his face darkening as he met Akira's gaze. "You must have some idea of who could've done this."
Akira nodded. "The one who attacked Kakashi and Rin of Konoha's team not only had Wood Release but also the Mangekyo Sharingan."
"Wood Release and the Mangekyo Sharingan in one person?" Mikoto's eyes widened, her disbelief plain.
Fugaku looked her way, his tone grave. "As strange as it sounds, the evidence all points to this being true."
"So the higher-ups in Konoha have gained control over both Wood Release and the Mangekyo Sharingan…" Mikoto frowned. "Wood Release and the Mangekyo Sharingan in one individual—they must be incredibly powerful."
Fugaku sighed, then looked at Akira with resolve. "Perhaps it's time we seriously consider researching the transplantation of the First Hokage's cells."
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