Will of Fire, Become Clan Head?

Will of Fire, Become Clan Head? Konoha, Hokage's Office.

"Chiyo."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Chiyo Uchiha, who had returned to Konoha. Smoke from his pipe curled through the wrinkles on his face.

"Sunagakure surrendered, and you crushed Cloud's attempt to use a Jinchuriki in battle. Your contributions were indispensable."

Chiyo's expression remained calm as he replied seriously.

"It was all for Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe.

"Just as expected of Chiyo. You always put people at ease when you handle things."

"However, I heard that during the war, you secretly helped some orphans from Amegakure?"

Hearing that, Chiyo's expression did not change.

"You mean Lord Jiraiya's disciples? I'm not clear on the exact circumstances of those three.

I happened to encounter them before. They said they were Lord Jiraiya's disciples, so I took care of them for a while.

If you wish to ask about them, Lord Jiraiya should know more about the matter."

Chiyo tossed the question back to Jiraiya.

Jiraiya's reputation as one of the Sannin was resounding now, and he was also Hiruzen Sarutobi's direct disciple.

He was unquestionably part of the Hokage's faction.

Jiraiya?

Hearing his disciple's name, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment.

He lightly tapped his pipe against the desk, his gaze studying Chiyo through the drifting white smoke.

That temperament... it was so alike!

A brief look of daze flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, as though he had seen his former companion, Kagami Uchiha.

"Chiyo!"

"You participated in this war. What are your thoughts?"

Chiyo stood at the boundary between light and shadow, the red of the Hokage's robes reflected in his black pupils.

He had been waiting for this question.

What the Third Hokage wanted to hear was never the truth, but an answer that would put him at ease.

"War..."

Chiyo lowered his head slightly, letting the loose strands over his forehead conceal the mockery flashing through his eyes. When he looked up again, his eyes were filled with grief.

"It is like a wildfire burning through a forest, and every one of us... is a leaf struggling within it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi froze.

He could not help feeling that the metaphor was far too familiar, far too fitting for him.

Wasn't this the very question he had contemplated in his youth?

"But you taught us."

Chiyo stepped forward, allowing the sunlight to fully illuminate his young face.

"When leaves burn away, they become nourishment, allowing new saplings to grow even stronger."

"Where the Leaves Dance..."

"Fire Will Keep Burning."

His fingers brushed over the Konoha symbol on his forehead protector.

"Our fallen comrades... surely hoped their sacrifices would bring true peace and protect our village!"

The office suddenly became terrifyingly silent.

Chiyo could hear the faint sound of the Third Hokage's fingers rubbing against his pipe, and he could see the glimmer of tears in his eyes.

He had clearly been moved by Chiyo.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had not expected his governing philosophy to be so completely articulated by Chiyo Uchiha.

Perfect!

Chiyo sneered inwardly at the sight. This old man really fell for this sort of thing.

"Child."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice suddenly became much hoarser as he turned toward the Memorial Stone outside the window.

"If Kagami were still alive... he would definitely be proud of you."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, he walked up to Chiyo and pressed heavily on his shoulder.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Chiyo walked through Konoha's streets.

He looked at the happy faces of the villagers on both sides as warm sunlight fell across his face.

Only then did the taut string that had been wound tight ever since he headed for the battlefield finally loosen.

No matter what, the war was over!

Chiyo Uchiha headed toward the Uchiha Compound.

Tsunade was still teaching at Konoha Hospital and simply could not get away.

Though the war had ended, every village now understood the importance of Medical Ninja.

Not just Konoha—other villages would likely begin training Medical Ninja as well.

Before long, nearly ten Clan Members wearing Uchiha attire appeared on the stone path of the Uchiha Compound.

Yashiro Uchiha, who led them, wore a serious expression.

"The Elders want to see you."

Chiyo swept his gaze over them.

They were actually all elites of the clan.

"Fine! Lead the way!"

Chiyo followed them all the way to the most central residence of the Uchiha.

Upon entering the Japanese-style room, he found seven Elders seated upright like blades.

Nearly twenty people from the younger generation of the Uchiha stood behind them. Chiyo's cousin, Fugaku Uchiha, was among them.

Aside from Fugaku, the one Chiyo knew best was probably Mikoto's Grandpa, Sosuke Uchiha.

The Great Elder seated in the main position had white hair and beard.

Had these old men developed objections again because he had gone to the front lines?

"Do you know why you were summoned here?"

Chiyo's gaze swept across the Uchiha Clan Crest hanging on the wall. Beneath it were the names of several Uchiha Clan Members. On the final Scroll, he discovered that his "achievements" in reforming the Uchiha had been recorded on the newest Scroll.

Hmm? Something seemed wrong!

"Because of the Guard Unit reforms?"

Chiyo asked tentatively.

Under Chiyo's puzzled gaze, the Great Elder snorted coldly.

"Of course!!"

"During this time, the Uchiha's reputation among the villagers has improved."

"The villagers actually took the initiative to bring rice balls to the Guard Unit!"

"..."

As the Elders spoke, the younger generation standing behind them all wore excited expressions.

The way they looked at Chiyo held even more admiration.

The Third Elder heavily planted his cane against the floor.

"Alright, alright, everyone quiet down!"

Only after they stopped discussing did the Third Elder look at Chiyo.

"Chiyo, that 'Smile Enforcement' you proposed... has greatly raised the Uchiha's prestige in the village.

Before, Clan Members generally believed that the village had assigned this offensive job to us Uchiha merely to restrain us..."

"Your proposal not only gave the troublesome Guard Unit room to shine, it also changed the Uchiha's image!"

"Chiyo, you have rendered a great service to the Uchiha this time!"

Chiyo raised an eyebrow.

"So?"

The Great Elder suddenly stood up.

"So from today onward, you will be the new Uchiha Clan Head."

The air instantly froze.

Yet Chiyo did not show the slightest hint of happiness.

Chiyo examined their faces one by one.

Did these people truly want him to become Clan Head?

Chiyo's gaze fell on his cousin, Fugaku Uchiha.

"My cousin Fugaku is the acknowledged genius of the Uchiha. Why not let him take the position?"

Upon hearing Chiyo's words, Fugaku Uchiha raised his head and met Chiyo's gaze.

Chiyo clearly saw the surprise in Fugaku's eyes.

"Fugaku may have decent talent, but he does not possess your vision!"

The Great Elder seemed to have expected Chiyo to refuse.

He continued at an unhurried pace.

"Chiyo, you answered the village's call and went to the front lines this time. Your military achievements were outstanding, and you are a hero of the village.

Combined with your contributions to the clan, you are undoubtedly the foremost among the younger generation!"

They were praising him this highly. Were these old men trying to flatter him to death?

Chiyo's gaze fell on Sosuke Uchiha, carrying a trace of inquiry.

Sosuke Uchiha gave Chiyo a slight nod.

Was he telling him to accept?

"Since the Elders have nominated me to serve as Clan Head..."

He spoke slowly, his voice neither loud nor soft, yet it caused the air in the Ancestral Hall to suddenly freeze.

"Then I will accept the position."

A gleam of triumphant cunning flashed through the Great Elder's eyes. Just as he was about to speak, Chiyo continued.

"A clan is a clan because there is a family first.

A family cannot be formed through effort alone; it comes into being naturally.

So if there are any issues in the future, I will still need the Elders' cooperation..."

"If anyone refuses to cooperate, then do not blame me for being discourteous."

Hearing that, the Great Elder's brows furrowed slightly.

The words at the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down as well.

"Elders, are you willing?"