Hokage Rock Oath

The moment Shimura Danzō said those words, he realized something was wrong and sat back down. Yet his face remained grim, making it clear that the substance of what he had said was absolutely not mere impulsiveness.

"Uchiha are frivolous and unfit to lead Konoha?"

You really shouldn't say that, Danzo.

The heads of the major ninja clans around them froze for a moment, then immediately understood. Their faces all took on indescribable expressions.

Everyone knew, and tacitly followed, the policy of suppressing the Uchiha. But saying such things in private was one thing. Saying them right in front of them—wasn't that treating the Uchiha Clan with far too much contempt?

And that excessive reaction... why did it feel like someone had touched Danzo's cheese?

Could it be that Konoha's Root wanted to sprout as well?

On the other side, Uchiha Homura's expression also darkened when he saw Danzo's reaction.

He had not expected Danzo to react so strongly merely because he had proposed that the next Hokage be an Uchiha clansman. He had known there was prejudice against the Uchiha in the village, but he had never imagined it had become this severe.

What did "Uchiha are frivolous and unfit to lead Konoha" even mean? How were the Uchiha frivolous?

You, Shimura Danzō, were the truly frivolous one, weren't you? You were this agitated because you wanted to become Hokage, weren't you?

The Uchiha clansmen beside him also grew restless after hearing those words, immediately clamoring to teach Danzo a lesson.

"Danzo, shut up! Say another word and go back to Root for three months of confinement!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen had not expected his old teammate to fall out of line at such a moment. Could those words be said in this setting? After shooting him a glare, he immediately tried to smooth things over, considering how to address the Uchiha's demands.

"The position of Hokage... Homura, you know as well that the Hokage is jointly selected by everyone. How could I promise you something like that at a time like this? Wouldn't that be using public power for private favors? But if the Uchiha Clan has such intentions, then you should disband even more and explain to everyone that this is a misunderstanding! Only by actively working for the collective can you earn everyone's respect, isn't that right?"

However, Uchiha Homura did not buy any of it. He had only one question.

Would they agree or refuse?

"The Uchiha have only this one demand. If you agree, the Uchiha will withdraw now and continue serving the village as we always have. But if you refuse..." Following the advice of that expert from the Land of Water, Uchiha Homura hesitated for a moment before making up his mind.

"If you refuse, then it means Konoha has never considered the Uchiha Clan part of itself. In that case, the Uchiha Clan can simply return to the mountains and forests, find a place, and establish a village of our own. The Uzumaki Clan could establish Uzushio Village, so naturally the Uchiha Clan can do the same."

The moment he heard this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze turned icy. They absolutely could not allow the Uchiha to leave the village!

Meat could go rotten in the pot if no one ate it, but it absolutely could not leave the pot!

What if the Uchiha opposed Konoha after leaving? As their own people, they knew all too well how powerful the Uchiha's Sharingan was. It was truly formidable!

Besides, if the Uchiha left, who would they fool in the future?

Without the Uchiha as a shared target, wouldn't the ninja clans below become divided? Wouldn't they start entertaining their own little thoughts and become less supportive of his work than before?

No. Absolutely not!

At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally agreed with his teacher's view. The Uchiha truly were an evil clan!

Couldn't they just obediently let the village exploit them and remain in the Police Force for the rest of their lives? Why did they have to cause trouble for the village? Couldn't they understand the village's difficulties?

Yet openly, they had no reason to oppose the Uchiha leaving. After all, they suppressed them on one hand and gave them no hope, then stopped them from leaving on the other. Unless they resorted directly to force, nothing they did would be proper.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sank into thought.

Shimura Danzō, seated beside him without saying a word, opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something. But after Sarutobi Hiruzen glared at him, he closed it again and remained silent.

When Uchiha Homura saw this, he began to panic a little. Judging by their expressions... had the negotiations really fallen apart?

He had only said it for effect. Leaving was impossible, and even if the Uchiha did leave, they had to leave in glory. They could not be driven out of Konoha like homeless dogs!

"What are you all gathered here for? Disperse, disperse!"

Just as the three sides fell silent and found themselves in an awkward impasse, an aged voice rang out.

An energetic old woman walked over. Her once-vibrant red hair had become dull and faded, with buns tied on either side of her head. Most eye-catching of all was the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead.

The newcomer was Uzumaki Mito, wife of the God of Shinobi Senju Hashirama, lifelong enemy of Uchiha Madara, and a widow.

"Lady Mito!"

Everyone present, including the heads of the ninja clans, the Uchiha clansmen, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Shimura Danzō, lowered their heads and respectfully greeted the old woman.

The immense respect Uzumaki Mito received was not merely because she was Senju Hashirama's wife. As the perfect Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, she could absolutely be considered one of Konoha's strongest fighters at present, the pillar that steadied Konoha.

"It is rare for everyone to be in such high spirits. What are you all gathered here discussing?" Uzumaki Mito asked with a smile and a nod.

Uchiha Homura hesitated before laying out everything that had happened, including the recent rumors within the village.

If there was still anyone with the ability, status, and qualifications to settle this matter, it truly could be no one but Uzumaki Mito.

"I see... Hiruzen, you have done a far worse job as Hokage than Tobirama!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head and accepted the rebuke. Of course, he knew that Uzumaki Mito meant more than what she said on the surface. Her deeper meaning was—during the Second Hokage's time, even though he disliked the Uchiha Clan so much, nothing like this had happened. So why had it happened under your leadership? And even if it had happened, why could you not resolve it yourself, instead making me clean up your mess?

Uzumaki Mito glanced at Shimura Danzō, who sat beside them without saying a word, and sighed inwardly once more. But things had come to this, so she could only do her best to make amends.

"Hiruzen was in a special situation at the time. And as Hiruzen said, the position of Hokage cannot simply be promised so casually. Besides, if we agreed to it so easily, you would not believe us either, would you?"

Uzumaki Mito raised a hand to stop Uchiha Homura from speaking and continued, "Of course, since things have reached this point, the Uchiha Clan must be given an explanation. First, the village must immediately clear Kagami Uchiha's name, solemnly grant him the title of hero, and properly recognize the Uchiha Clan's sacrifices in the Konoha Chronicles. Second, from today onward, no Konoha department may impose additional restrictions on the Uchiha Clan, and they must be allowed to serve outside the Police Force. Lastly, Hiruzen, choose a child from the Uchiha Clan and take him as your disciple. When you step down, you must guarantee that you will do everything possible to recommend him. How about it?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen considered it, then ultimately accepted the proposal.

The first condition was easy enough. It was only reputation, after all. Besides, as long as the other ninja clans' views of the Uchiha remained unchanged, it did not matter how good their reputation was in books. The second was no issue either. At worst, they could arrange a few marginal positions for the Uchiha Clan. If they were only assigned tedious, repetitive tasks, then given their temperament, they might get angry and leave on their own. As for the third... that was acceptable too. His recommendation did not mean the other ninja clans would approve. If the Uchiha had the ability, they could earn the other ninja clans' recognition as well. Could a Hokage who was not recognized by the Jonin Meeting truly be called Hokage?

The clan heads present naturally understood the implications behind these conditions, so they silently acquiesced one by one.

After hearing this, Uchiha Homura nodded unwillingly. Clearly, he had thought of that as well.

Although he was deeply unwilling to accept that after mobilizing the entire clan and taking advantage of the right time, place, and people, they had gained only such weightless promises, he had no choice but to accept.

Unless he truly intended to lead his clansmen out of Konoha, what else could he do?

If he kept making trouble, did he really think Uzumaki Mito was some gentle old woman?

"Still, we have taken a huge step toward our goal. As long as a true genius appears in the clan, he will surely be able to lead the clan to fulfill our wish, right?"

Uchiha Homura thought of the child in the clan named Uchiha Fugaku. He was quite a promising prospect.

"Since you agree as well, this matter is settled. Uchiha Homura, hurry and take your clansmen back!" Uzumaki Mito nodded in satisfaction.

"Wait!"

However, Uchiha Homura's sudden action once again made Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart tighten.

"Sarutobi, do you dare swear upon Hokage Rock that you will absolutely carry out every guarantee you just made?"

Though a ninja's oath was worth less than a fart, as Hokage, unless Sarutobi Hiruzen truly intended to cast aside all shame, it was unlikely that he would swear upon Hokage Rock and then refuse to carry it out.

That was what Uchiha Homura was gambling on.

But clearly, like Uchiha Madara, he was a political idiot.

Did politicians have any credibility to speak of?

Sarutobi Hiruzen silently looked at the statue of his teacher, Senju Tobirama, beneath the setting sun, imagining what choice his teacher would make upon hearing those words.

Very soon, he knew the answer.

Sarutobi Hiruzen pointed at the imposing Hokage Rock beneath his feet and the great river flowing endlessly in the distance. Before the many ninja clan heads present, Uzumaki Mito, and the Uchiha clansmen, he repeated his earlier words one word at a time.

"I swear... Though the river shrinks to a ribbon and Hokage Rock crumbles away, the clan shall know eternal peace, and this love shall extend to its descendants."