"Captain, that joke isn't funny."
"Remember the first-release website domain: "
"The Shadow Guard Squad's duty is to protect the Hokage with their lives. Even if the entire squad dies, the Hokage must survive."
"There's no way the Hokage would sacrifice himself to protect the Shadow Guard Squad."
Inabi wasn't as steady as his older brother, Tekka. He spoke his mind, and the death of the Second, Tobirama Senju, was already unbelievable enough. The way he'd died was downright horrifying.
"Inabi, you have to understand: stories need to make sense. Reality is often absurd."
The people present looked at Uchiha Nan, who was wearing a serious expression. Their instinct was to think he was talking nonsense, just messing with them out of boredom.
But in the end, they chose to believe him. Given Uchiha Nan's position, he wouldn't spout nonsense in the Military Police Force or make up stories about the Hokage's death.
Uchiha Tekka suddenly remembered something, and an inexplicable fire began to burn in his heart.
"Captain, since the Second has fallen, has the Third been chosen?"
Uchiha Tekka's simple question was like a spark hitting kindling. A flame ignited in the heart of every Uchiha present.
The Second was dead, so who would be the Third?
Surely it couldn't be another Senju?
The Uchiha had helped found Konoha, too. Even though their ancestor, Madara Uchiha, had defected, no one could erase their contribution to the village's founding. The Senju had produced two Hokage; surely it was the Uchiha's turn this time.
The Uchihas present began to breathe more heavily. Their captain had received the news of the Hokage's death first, then summoned them in such a hurry. Could he have his eye on the Hokage's position?
After all, Uchiha Nan had the Uchiha Clan Head, Uchiha Tomita, above him.
Uchiha Nan's strength was beyond question; he'd already proved himself on the battlefield.
Even Clan Head Uchiha Tomita might not be able to beat him. It wouldn't be strange for Nan to bypass Clan Head Tomita and try to become Hokage. What young man in Konoha didn't dream of becoming Hokage?
What's more, the Uchiha were a straightforward bunch. They believed the strong should rise and the weak should fall: whoever had the biggest fist got to talk.
No matter what, the Third's position had to stay within the Uchiha's own camp.
"It's been decided."
Uchiha Nan's four simple words were like a basin of cold water, dousing the flames in everyone's hearts.
Another member of the Senju Clan?
Only two people in the Senju Clan had the authority to win the village's support. One was Mito Uzumaki, the widow of the First. Although she lived in the village and kept a low profile, no one dared underestimate her.
The other was Toma Senju, the First's son. He came from impeccable stock, and his strength was among the best in Konoha.
This was bad. Was their captain planning a coup?
A terrifying thought occurred to Uchiha Tekka. If their captain planned a coup, he would have to stop him. He couldn't let the captain throw his life away.
"Who is it?"
"Mito-sama, or Lord Toma?"
"This is too unfair. The Senju Clan has already had two Hokage. It should be our Uchiha Clan's turn."
"."
While Uchiha Tekka was pondering Uchiha Nan's intentions, Uchiha Inabi couldn't hold back his complaints any longer.
"Neither. It's Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Huh?
The captain was joking again.
That thought flashed through everyone's minds at once.
"Who?"
"Captain, I'm starting to think you've been messing with us this whole time. If it comes to it, come with me to the clan doctor. You're a pillar of the Uchiha Clan. You can't let anything happen to your head."
Uchiha Inabi spoke without thinking, and Uchiha Nan instantly felt a flash of anger.
I was seriously discussing this important matter with you, and you think there's something wrong with my head? Have I been too nice to you? Are you itching for a beating again?
Uchiha Nan glanced around and saw that everyone present agreed with Uchiha Inabi. One or two even looked at Nan with sympathy.
So Uchiha Nan turned around, drew the Ninja Blade he used in battle, and smiled at Uchiha Inabi.
"Inabi, I think you need another beating. I'm seriously discussing the Uchiha Clan's future with you, and you think there's something wrong with my head?"
"After the meeting, you and I are going to find somewhere to spar. I'll beat you until you have to see one of the clan's Medical Ninjas."
Uchiha Inabi saw the menacing look in Uchiha Nan's eyes and took a few frightened steps back. Then he nudged his brother, Uchiha Tekka, with his elbow, asking him to save him again.
If the captain really gave him a beating, wouldn't he be stuck in bed for ten days or half a month?
Uchiha Tekka looked helplessly at his foolish little brother. Why did he say everything that came to mind without thinking?
"Captain, don't take him seriously. That's just how he is."
"Captain, you said that the Second had named Hiruzen Sarutobi as his successor. Is that really true?"
Uchiha Tekka tried to smooth things over while once again confirming whether Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to become the Third.
"Of course it's true. I've been serious this whole time, discussing matters with you."
Uchiha Nan sighed inwardly. Tobirama Senju's incredible move before his death had been so outrageous that whenever Nan told the truth, it sounded like he was cracking a joke.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi? What is he supposed to be?"
"I, Inabi, could take on three of him at once. What makes him think he's fit to be Hokage?"
"If he can become Hokage, I'll be the first to object."
Uchiha Inabi was the first to speak up. If Lord Tobirama had appointed Mito-sama or Lord Toma as Konoha's Third, the Uchiha and Senju Clans could have bargained for a bigger share of the village's benefits, then held their noses and accepted it.
But what was Hiruzen Sarutobi? And what was the Sarutobi Clan behind him? During the Warring States Period, they had been no more than a small clan dependent on the Senju. Back then, the Uchiha could have wiped out the Sarutobi Clan whenever they pleased.
And now they wanted to climb over the Uchiha? Having the Senju over them was already miserable enough. If the Sarutobi were added to the mix, how were the Uchiha supposed to live?
The Uchiha weren't some insignificant little clan. They were a shinobi clan with a thousand-year legacy, and they had their pride.
Well, Inabi, that actually sounds like something a person would say.
Uchiha Nan glanced at Inabi, looking pleased. If you liked to talk, this was the time to say more.
"That's right! We won't accept this!"
"I don't believe the Senju Clan would accept it either, letting a coward like Hiruzen Sarutobi become Hokage."
"If the Shadow Guard Squad couldn't even protect the Hokage, what right does he have to be Hokage?"
"."
The room was soon filled with clamoring voices. The Uchihas, who'd been quiet before, were all worked up.
In the Uchiha's eyes, the Hokage of Konoha had to come from either the Senju Clan or the Uchiha Clan. No one else was qualified!
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