The Gradually Out-of-Control Situation

Hiruzen Sarutobi had successfully become the Third Hokage, but when he came to his senses and prepared to face Kumogakure, he discovered that something was wrong.

The internal wrangling over the Hokage position had wasted far too much time. As a newly appointed Hokage, many powers still remained in the hands of the major clans, especially the Uchiha. Though they had begun to be suppressed during Senju Tobirama's time, with much of their authority shifted to the Konoha Military Police Force, the foundation Uchiha Madara had left behind still remained.

Especially during wartime, they still wielded considerable influence within the Ninja Department.

And at this time, the Uchiha seemed somewhat unwilling to cooperate. Their thinking was understandable enough: they had lost the struggle for the Hokage position, so since the others were so capable, they could go face the enemy themselves. In any case, the first wave of their clansmen at the front had already been defeated, so this was the perfect time to withdraw and recover.

At this point, Konoha's Uchiha were essentially throwing a bit of a tantrum. Some even wanted to see Hiruzen Sarutobi make a fool of himself.

Of course, Konoha's Uchiha had no intention of rebelling. They were still willing to go out and fight the enemy, but they had a grievance bottled up inside with nowhere to vent it, so they chose to take a passive attitude instead.

Having only just become the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only grit his teeth and press on in the face of the Uchiha's passive response. He was still young. The pressure of being Hokage, the pressure of the village, and the pressure of war all came crashing down on him at once, leaving him feeling overwhelmed.

But everyone in the village was watching him. He had