The Third's Considerations, Ryosuke's Decision

"You've done things that I already know all about. To be honest, I didn't expect this either."

The Third turned to look at Shisui.

"So it's true. Konoha really reached some kind of agreement with the Cloud Ninja, and wanted to trade Team One for this so-called peace? Was everything a plot from the start?"

Shisui's voice grew agitated, and his Sharingan activated without him realizing it.

The Third didn't deny it. Instead, he sat back down at his desk.

"I never thought even the Raikage's personal intervention would fail this time. It seems I really underestimated you. So now, to settle the fallout from this incident, I've decided to make you the Fifth Hokage."

The Third took a puff from his pipe, then spoke to Shisui.

"You're doing this for Konoha's peace, too, aren't you? Lord Hokage hopes to mend the rift between Konoha and the Uchiha, right? Then what about the Cloud Ninja?"

Shisui said coldly.

"You're right. That's one of the reasons I'm considering it. But your abilities are plain for everyone to see, too. As for the Cloud Ninja, you can handle that after you take office."

The Third sighed.

"So I have no choice? I can't help feeling that you're holding me hostage under some pretext, Lord Third."

Shisui's tone grew colder.

"You can refuse the appointment. In that case, Konoha may take special measures against the Uchiha. Danzo and the two advisors made that decision. Even I can't stop them."

The Third said helplessly.

"But I believe you can understand, just as Minato did, that I'm protecting the village's peace. Once you're in this position, you'll understand."

"I need time to think."

Shisui didn't accept right away.

"Of course. You have the next day to rest. But Team One had better not return to the Uchiha compound. I don't know what might happen otherwise."

The Third stared at Shisui as he spoke.

"I understand."

Shisui nodded, then vanished from the spot.

After Shisui left, the Hokage's office door was violently shoved open.

Danzo strode in.

"Hiruzen, how could you decide on the Fifth Hokage by yourself? Even if you don't want the job anymore, I should be next in line. I won't let you make decisions unilaterally this time."

Danzo spoke with anger written all over his face.

Only in front of the Third did he show his true colors.

The Third took a puff from his pipe, then stood up. "Danzo, I've seen everything you and Root have done for Konoha. I thank you on behalf of the village, but you aren't suited to become the Fifth Hokage."

"Why not? Have you gone senile? I was a disciple of the Second Hokage, too. I'm more qualified than you to become Hokage. You took everything from me, and now you still dare to say that?"

Danzo flew into a rage. Two of his subordinates suddenly appeared behind him, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons.

At a single word from Danzo, they would attack the Third without hesitation.

But the Third acted as if he hadn't seen them.

"Danzo, you're still the same as ever. You can't understand the Will of Fire. If Konoha were handed over to you, it would soon become a lifeless dead tree. Leave."

The Third merely glanced back at Danzo.

Danzo's body immediately began to tremble.

"Hiruzen!"

Shisui left the village and headed to the place where he was supposed to meet up with Ryosuke and the others.

He gave a special birdcall, and the three of them jumped down from the tree.

"Teacher Shisui, how did it go? Did we get it wrong?" Sanhe was the first to ask.

Shisui didn't answer. He looked at Ryosuke instead.

"Ryosuke, the Third wants me to become the Fifth Hokage. Do you think I should accept?"

"What?"

"No way!"

Sanhe and Miyuki exclaimed at the same time.

This was explosive news. If it reached the Uchiha, it would surely draw everyone's attention.

But Ryosuke seemed to have expected it.

"That was a clever move by the Third. It could ease tensions with the Uchiha and shut the Cloud Ninja up at the same time. But I can't make the decision for you, Teacher Shisui. It has to be up to you."

Ryosuke said with a smile.

"I once had the resolve to sacrifice myself for the village, but now that resolve seems to be wavering. I don't know if I'm suited to become Hokage."

Shisui sighed as he looked at the three of them.

"Teacher Shisui, why not? This is an incredibly rare opportunity. If you become the Fifth Hokage, the Uchiha won't resent the village anymore, and people in Konoha won't look at us differently."

Sanhe said urgently.

That was the greatest significance of Shisui becoming the Fifth Hokage.

"Sanhe, calm down. Teacher Shisui has his own reasons. Don't try to sway his decision. The problems you mentioned do exist, but even if Teacher Shisui becomes the Fifth Hokage, they won't be solved overnight."

"Miyuki is right. Besides, the village's power factions are complicated. There are the two advisors, Danzo and Root, and the Third probably won't give up his power or his Anbu either."

Shisui gave a wry smile.

In other words, even if Shisui became the Fifth Hokage, he'd be little more than a figurehead for a while. He would need to build his own Anbu and contend with the other factions. It wasn't like in other villages, where the Kage had the final say.

"Also, the Third told us not to return to the Uchiha compound yet. Something may really have happened. The more he says that, the more worried I am. So you three should stay here tonight while I go back and check."

Shisui started to leave, but Ryosuke stopped him.

"Teacher Shisui, leave this to me. Word that you might become the Fifth Hokage has probably already reached the Uchiha. They could take any number of extreme measures, and it's not safe here either. You should stay and protect Sanhe and Miyuki."

"Ryosuke?"

"Ryosuke?"

The three of them stared at Ryosuke in surprise.

Shisui froze for a moment, but the corners of his mouth soon lifted.

"Ryosuke, you've really impressed me. This time, too. All right, I'll leave this to you. Make sure you come back safely."

Shisui patted Ryosuke on the shoulder and urged him.

Sanhe and Miyuki looked at him expectantly as well.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to die that easily. I'll be back before dawn."

Ryosuke turned and ran toward the Uchiha compound.

Shisui, Sanhe, and Miyuki hid again.

The three exchanged some information, then began to rest.