News about the selection of the Fourth Hokage spread quickly throughout the entire village.
Orochimaru!
A student of the Third Hokage, one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha. He shone brilliantly during the Second Great Ninja War, and during the Third Great Ninja War, he turned the tide of battle, defeating Iwagakure and forcing the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, to sit down at the negotiation table with Konoha.
Among the various ninja clans and the jōnin of the village, there was little objection to Orochimaru becoming the Fourth Hokage.
At most, a few people sighed in regret for another potential candidate—Minato Namikaze.
It wasn't that Minato wasn't exceptional. It was just that, in terms of status and achievements, Orochimaru already had the upper hand and a sense of being the natural choice.
After Konoha had settled on the candidate for Fourth Hokage, all that remained was the formal approval from the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.
Whether the Hokage went to meet the Daimyō in person or the Daimyō sent an envoy to the village, once the formal process was complete, Orochimaru would officially and publicly become the Fourth Hokage.
And that moment was drawing near.
Inside a barbecue restaurant run by the Akimichi clan.
The three Sannin had gathered in a private room.
Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru, who had become familiar again after all this time, and spoke with a bit of emotion.
"So in the end, out of the three of us, it's still you who becomes Hokage, Orochimaru! It's just a shame about Minato—he truly dreamed of becoming Hokage."
"Minato-kun? He's an excellent ninja. Sensei already recommended him to me, to serve as a Hokage advisor in the future."
Orochimaru had no objections or ill will toward Minato Namikaze.
Because Minato truly was an almost perfect ninja—powerful, bright and optimistic, and able to get along with nearly everyone around him. His reputation among the villagers was also very high.
Most importantly, he was the husband of the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. He was her emotional anchor.
So regarding Sensei's recommendation and promise to appoint Minato as an advisor, Orochimaru had no reason to oppose it.
He was even quite satisfied with this choice.
At least when he wanted to slack off and do some research, Minato Namikaze would be a trustworthy and helpful assistant.
"This isn't bad," Jiraiya said. Though he felt regret for his disciple, with his recommendation, Minato still lost to Orochimaru in the competition. As the competition was nearing its end and everything seemed settled, Jiraiya remained quite open-minded about it.
"I spoke with Minato. Though he's a bit down, if you need him, he won't reject your invitation or arrangements."
"Enough, you two, shut up!" Tsunade slammed the table and gave them a disapproving glare.
Orochimaru and Jiraiya immediately stopped talking. They both understood that Tsunade's irritation was her way of easing the tension in the room.
Uchiha Clan Grounds.
At the Naka Shrine.
The atmosphere at the Uchiha clan gathering was filled with excitement and joy.
Even Fugaku Uchiha, the usually stoic clan leader who had always kept his emotions hidden, was unable to suppress a smile on his face.
Beside him stood young Itachi Uchiha, his delicate arm tightly gripped by his father.
Feeling the painful pressure on his arm, Itachi glanced at his father, who was unusually emotional, then looked around at the enthusiastic faces of his uncles and other clan members, his expression filled with confusion.
It wasn't until his eyes met Shisui's that he calmed down. Shisui's expression was calm, and he seemed out of place among the excited clan members.
"The old man Third Hokage finally stepped down!"
"Orochimaru-sama is the Fourth Hokage!"
"Once Orochimaru officially becomes Hokage, the village surely won't continue to exclude the Uchiha from the core of power, right?"
"The Uchiha were the first Kekkei Genkai clan to firmly stand by Orochimaru's side!"
"Orochimaru-sama promised us Uchiha, right? He wouldn't reject an Uchiha from becoming Hokage! As long as that Uchiha is talented enough!"
"The Fourth has been decided, and without a doubt, the Fifth will be Nara Kagetsu. It's clear that both Shisui and that woman from the Mitarashi clan, Anko, were excluded from being successors by Orochimaru."
"Itachi is the first student taken by Nara Kagetsu after he led the team! He even gave Itachi one of his best jutsu as a gift. This is obviously Orochimaru telling us Uchiha that he hasn't gone back on his promise to us."
"That's still too early to say, Itachi is still young!"
"That's exactly why he needs more training! Right now, Itachi carries the future and hopes of the entire Uchiha clan!"
"It has nothing to do with Itachi. Orochimaru-sama becoming the Fourth Hokage has already helped ease the tension between the village and Uchiha. Given the Uchiha's deteriorating situation, that's worth celebrating."
Fugaku, seeing the conversation inevitably turning to Itachi, coughed a couple of times and spoke up to stop it.
Whether Itachi can become the Sixth Hokage seemed like something far off, but what mattered more to Fugaku, as the clan leader, was the easing of relations between the village and the Uchiha.
High-level communication was becoming more effective and close.
As long as the village no longer excludes the Uchiha from the power core, no longer remains suspicious of them, and treats Uchiha ninjas equally with other ninja clans, even if Itachi doesn't become the Sixth Hokage by chance, it wouldn't mean the Hokage position would be closed to the Uchiha again.
"Additionally, last night I had a conversation with Lord Orochimaru, and the Uchiha Police Force will be opened to other ninjas and clans.
Likewise, important village departments, such as the Anbu, will also be opened to Uchiha ninjas.
The Technology Development Department will conduct targeted research and maintenance on the Uchiha's Sharingan.
Finally, Lord Orochimaru has given our Uchiha clan an extremely important mission."
Fugaku released his grip on Itachi's arm, stood up, and scanned the surroundings. His Sharingan activated instantly, and powerful chakra radiated from his eyes.
For a moment, the people who had objections or were shocked by the announcement about the Police Force fell silent, waiting for Fugaku to elaborate on the mission.
"Keep a close eye on Root and Shimura Danzo!"
As Fugaku's words landed, it was like a bomb exploding, leaving the clan members stunned. Many Uchiha jonin were confused.
Shouldn't it be the Root ninjas who are monitoring us?
Why are we tasked with watching Root ninjas and Shimura Danzo?
But the Uchiha ninjas quickly came to their senses, eagerly looking towards their clan leader. After receiving a confirming look from him, nearly manic smiles appeared on their faces.
One by one, Sharingan eyes activated as emotions surged. Many Uchiha, overcome with excitement, mentally chanted:
"As expected of Lord Orochimaru!"
As for the discussion about opening the Police Force or other matters, with this mission at hand, did that even matter?
****
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