After the election ended.
Some were happy, while others were dejected.
Orochimaru came out laughing, especially happy and full of energy.
He was so delighted that he had no way to share his joy with anyone else.
The dejected crowd could only keep their distance from him, looking at Orochimaru with deep envy.
"Congratulations, congratulations!"
Meanwhile.
Some people had already begun congratulating the young Minato Namikaze... no, the young "Fourth Hokage."
The Hyuga Clan kept a very low profile, walking inconspicuously to one side.
Hyuga Sho automatically joined up with Hyuga Hiashi, avoiding any conversation with Orochimaru.
The Uchiha Clan looked as though they had suffered a crushing defeat.
Uchiha Yashiro and the others wore dejected expressions.
Even Uchiha Fugaku's steps had grown much heavier...
This situation.
Made Hyuga Sho frown inwardly.
It added fuel to his thirst for power.
"I originally thought only Shimura Danzō was corrupt, but now it seems... the entire Konoha High Command is in league with one another..."
Hyuga Sho shook his head.
His alienation from Konoha increased by 99.
The Hokage election.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not appear.
Having retired, he no longer involved himself in affairs.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had manipulated this election.
After returning to the Hyuga Clan compound.
The cries of children came from inside.
The gloom on Hizashi Hyuga's face changed slightly.
He quickened his pace and found the source of the sound.
It was a one-year-old child.
His name was Neji Hyuga, and he was Hizashi Hyuga's son.
Neji's mother had died in childbirth.
Kekkei Genkai clans commonly suffered from all kinds of problems because of close-kin marriages.
Difficult childbirth...
Was one of the greatest fatal weaknesses of Kekkei Genkai clans.
"Neji..."
As Hizashi Hyuga took the child into his arms.
Neji slowly stopped crying.
But...
The melancholy