When Uchiha Chen spoke up in opposition, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not get angry at once. After their recent interactions, he had come to admire this talented young man, who was somewhat different from the other Uchiha.
Since Chen had a different opinion, Hiruzen would let him explain it. That would help him judge whether it made sense. So Hiruzen smiled slightly and said, "Chen, if you have a different view, then explain it in detail."
The people present did not give the Third's words much thought.
After all, Lord Hokage had always been so humble and kind, and had always been willing to accept different suggestions.
Shikaku Nara felt this especially keenly. Even so, quite a few people watched Uchiha Chen with amused expressions, apparently eager to hear what sort of proposal he could come up with.
At that moment, Uchiha Chen felt the mocking gazes of most of the people in the room. A few, confident in their own status, looked at him coldly and with contempt. Only a handful, including Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shikaku Nara, listened to him seriously.
Under the scrutiny of so many people, Uchiha Chen felt no pressure.
After all, only great strength could give someone confidence.
Even the mighty Nine-Tails was nothing more than a toy for his Mangekyō Sharingan. What could these people before him do to him, even if there were a lot of them?
If he were strong enough right now, and did not care whether Konoha survived intact, he could overcome every obstacle with sheer force.
After all, once you had power, even a dog would disdain so-called wisdom. You could simply take action and solve the problem.
With that thought, Uchiha Chen's mind gradually returned to the present, and he focused on the main point he had raised.
"Third, the reason I thought it was unwise wasn't that I resented your two prized students. It's that, given the current situation, we can no longer afford to wait for them to return before holding the ceremony."
Uchiha Chen analyzed the situation calmly. "Last night's incident caused such a commotion that information about Konoha has probably already been laid out on the desks of every other shinobi village. If we keep waiting, it will be too late."
There was urgency and concern in Uchiha Chen's voice. "Every day the Hokage position remains vacant, the potential losses for Konoha will continue to grow."
As he spoke, Uchiha Chen looked around at those who had been secretly laughing at him, but were now silent. His voice rose a little. "Therefore, I suggest that the Third return to office and once again shoulder the responsibilities of the Hokage.
"At the same time, we can send out two teams to search for the two lords. Only by having both sides work together can we preserve as much of Konoha's strength as possible."
I believe that under the Shinobi Hero's formidable reputation, the other villages won't dare to bet heavily against Konoha.
Even if they do, it will only be a small, tentative move.
If anyone dares to attack us, thinking that Konoha can be bullied now that we've lost the Fourth Hokage, then I, Uchiha Chen, will take to the battlefield and fight for Konoha!
I'll make the enemy understand with their blood that death is their final destination!
As he spoke, an incredibly powerful aura suddenly erupted from Uchiha Chen.
Though he was deliberately restraining it, the aura still wasn't quite at Kage Level, but it was already enough to cow most of the people present.
He glanced around at their grim expressions, then noticed Hiruzen Sarutobi gesturing for him to calm down. Uchiha Chen slowly reined in his aura, changed his tone, and spoke again.
"Also, once the news gets out, the villagers will be reassured as quickly as possible if the Third returns to power.
"That's all I have to say. I hope the Third will carefully weigh the pros and cons." With that, Uchiha Chen raised his head and fixed his gaze on Hiruzen Sarutobi, waiting for his answer.
After hearing Uchiha Chen's heartfelt words, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt comforted by the Will of Fire Chen had shown in thinking of Konoha at every turn. He was also even more convinced that Uchiha Chen was worthy of his regard—his strength and resolve were indeed worlds apart from those of an ordinary Uchiha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment and decided that time was pressing; they could not afford to delay. After all, there was no telling when his two students would return. Once they were found, if everything went smoothly, Hiruzen intended to say that he agreed. But just then, someone nearby suddenly interrupted him.
Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have decided to reclaim the Hokage position, Danzo appeared unable to hold back any longer. He spoke decisively. "Wait!
"I believe my contributions to Konoha are no less than those of these three. Since Hiruzen doesn't want the position, and Tsunade and Jiraiya aren't in the village, there's no reason I can't become Hokage. What do you think?"
As he spoke, his sinister gaze slowly swept over everyone, as if threatening them and forcing them to lower their heads.
His gaze lingered on Uchiha Chen a little longer than on the others. Anyone who didn't know better might have thought he was particularly displeased with Chen. But who could have guessed that, in private, Danzo was Uchiha Chen's dog?
As many people began to sweat under the pressure of Danzo's almost tangible stare and slowly lowered their heads, Uchiha Chen, who had been waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi's response, turned without fear and stared straight at Shimura Danzō with a sharp, icy gaze.
"Elder Danzo, you want to become Hokage? I, Uchiha Chen, am the first to object!
"Last night, when so many shinobi and the Third were risking their lives to fight the Nine-Tails, where were you? Why didn't we see you at all? And where were the members of Root under your command? Why were they nowhere to be seen either?"
Uchiha Chen's voice was full of suspicion and accusation.
"Don't tell me you were evacuating the villagers. Root's elite weren't needed for something like that. If our Uchiha Clan hadn't risked everything last night to fight the enemy for control of the Nine-Tails and restrain it, minimizing casualties, who knows how many more people would have died? Now, Elder Danzo, tell me loudly: where exactly were you?"
Uchiha Chen's words pierced the silence. Only then did everyone seem to come to their senses and recall what had happened the previous night. They truly hadn't seen Danzo anywhere.
They raised their heads and looked at Danzo with growing suspicion.
The shinobi who had once revered Danzo for his status as an elder could not help feeling doubtful and dissatisfied. Even Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, standing to one side, were caught in the backlash because of their close ties to Danzo, drawing plenty of scornful looks and criticism.