Nara Shikaku's Flaw / Unanimously Approved ...

In the original timeline Nara Shikaku, who served as the tactical commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces, was, in Uchiha Shingen's view, the most likely person to be chosen as Hokage's assistant.

He is excellent in every way.

As someone personally trained by the Third, he is a quintessential Hokage supporter.

His age was not much different from Namikaze Minato's. When Namikaze Minato was still in the Jonin Council, he helped Minato come up with ideas on many occasions. He was fully recognized by Namikaze Minato in terms of ability. As long as he got the most votes, Namikaze Minato would not hesitate to appoint him as the Hokage's assistant.

The Ino-Shika-Cho developed very well during the Third's reign, maintaining relatively harmonious relations with all the ninja clans, which provided them with a foundation for campaigning.

Taking the Hyuga Clan, which has the largest population, as an example, the Hyuga Clan's pursuit has always been to become a ninja clan trusted by the Hokage. Nara Shikaku, who has a good relationship with the Third and Fourth Hokage, would be the most trustworthy person for them as an intermediary, and they would also trust his abilities.

Nara Shikaku's opponent in the election will likely be the nominee from the Sarutobi Clan are also very strong at garnering votes.

Nara Shikaku would first eliminate those uncertain factors, and the biggest uncertainty factor is the votes of the commoner Jonin.

Commoner Jonin are not bound by clans, and voting is entirely based on their own thoughts, making them the most decentralized group and easily becoming the last straw that breaks the camel's back.

They are also most likely to pool their votes. For example, if the Hokage nominates someone, the commoner ninjas will vote for whoever the Hokage nominates, and if the Hokage doesn't nominate anyone, they'll just vote randomly.

Rather than letting them vote randomly, it would be better to have the Fourth Hokage nominate the Uchiha Clan and then invalidate those votes. This would be the best approach. The remaining votes would then be a game between the ninja clans, a familiar area for everyone, in which Nara Shikaku have a significant advantage.

Uchiha Shingen believed that, in order to ensure that the Uchiha Clan would not use the power of the Police Force to win over other ninja clans, Nara Shikaku would definitely introduce other candidates to reduce the Uchiha Clan's space for campaigning.

Those who rely on tactics are rarely pure of heart.

While running for Hokage's assistant may not have been Nara Shikaku's own idea, that's how it is in the ninja clan—individual will must yield to collective interests.

The alliance of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, having undergone ample development during the Third era, has now reached a critical juncture, transforming from quantitative to qualitative change, with a wealth of talent emerging.

Not everyone in the Nara Clan is afraid of "trouble".

After expressing his opinion, Uchiha Shingen fell silent.

He glanced to the side and saw Uchiha Shisui with a furrowed brow—he was stumped by the question.

The ANBU under the Fourth Hokage was not as well-informed as before.

He was probably completely clueless about the movements of those people in the Hokage Building.

However, Uchiha Shisui's mental state is much better now than in the original timeline. At least he is no longer worried that the conflict between his clan and the Hokage Building will escalate to an irreversible point.

So right now he's just completely bewildered.

His clansmen, after questioning him, gradually realized this as well, and their gaze towards Uchiha Shisui changed—becoming one of pity.

"Shisui, I think you should quit the ANBU," someone said, a sentiment echoed by many.

"That's right, you might not even know what's going on in the village."

"Shisui, you're not cut out for this. Go back to the Police Force; the Police Force is much better now."

Hearing his clansmen's well-intentioned advice, Uchiha Shisui was bewildered and couldn't help but feel distressed.

He started to wonder if he was really that bad...

Uchiha Shingen couldn't stand it anymore and came to his rescue.

"Shisui does overseas assignments, which means he doesn't have much contact with upper management."

"Oh~~"

"As expected of Shingen, so easy to understand!"

The tribesmen all showed expressions of "I see" or "I see" in their expressions.

Uchiha Shisui hung his head, dejected.

On the stage, Uchiha Fugaku and several elders remained silent.

The discussion among the tribespeople gradually subsided.

Everyone was providing as much information as possible, and the answer was already in everyone's hearts.

"Chieftain, please run for office yourself!" someone said.

Once the first person spoke, the others began to follow suit.

"Everyone can choose a representative to speak. If you all speak at once, it will be impossible to hear each other," Uchiha Setsuna reminded from the stage.

"Elder, there's no need for such trouble," Uchiha Shingen said. "I believe the vast majority of the clan members agree that they hope the clan leader will run for Hokage and be assisted by him."

"Even if it's a failure?" Uchiha Fugaku finally spoke, looking at Uchiha Shingen.

Uchiha Shingen has now effectively become the Uchiha Clan's representative outside the clan, as evidenced by the fact that the clan members fall silent as soon as he opens his mouth.

It wasn't just because of his strength; Uchiha Shisui was also very strong, but he didn't have Uchiha Shingen's charisma.

Ultimately, as the Uchiha Clan's situation gradually improved, Uchiha Shingen's presence was always there.

Unconsciously, the tribespeople now place a great deal of trust in him.

"Even if we fail, it's not a bad thing." Uchiha Shingen turned around and faced all the clan members. "The purpose of the election is to make our voices heard. In this process, we will have the opportunity to meet many people and build deeper connections with them. With this opportunity, we can change other people's stereotypes about the Uchiha Clan with greater force."

"Things might not go as smoothly as you think, Shingen," said Uchiha Fugaku. "Our opponent is Nara Shikaku."

"Clan leader, putting aside Nara Shikaku's personal thoughts, there's one thing I'm certain of," Uchiha Shingen smiled, "He also has flaws, and these flaws are quite serious."

"What defect?"

"Strength," Uchiha Shingen said, enunciating each word clearly. "Even if someone is Hokage's assistant, they are still a 'Kage,' which requires a certain level of personal strength. This is Nara Shikaku's weakness; he lacks the hard strength corresponding to the 'Kage' level."

"The Hokage rarely has the opportunity to fight personally." Uchiha Fugaku smiled. "Your reason might not hold water. Nara Shikaku is quite strong, being the leader of the Jonin Council."

"But you are stronger, clan leader." Uchiha Shingen pointed to his eyes. "I gained something from this trip, clan leader. I can sense that your eye power is the same as Shisui's, it's also the Mangekyō Sharingan. When the difference in strength reaches a certain level, all the advantages that Nara Shikaku currently possesses will become a hindrance."

He turned back to face the crowd and said loudly, "The Uchiha Clan, possessing two pairs of Mangekyou Mangekyō Sharingan and having opened up the authority of the Police Force, will not be left empty-handed even if they lose the election. What do you all think?"

The hall was completely silent.

After a while, the whole place erupted in uproar!

Chapter Seven passed unanimously.

After a brief silence, the hall erupted in a cacophony of voices. Although the Uchiha Clan used different words, they were all conveying the same message.

Holy crap! Chieftain, are you really that awesome!?

Uchiha Shisui also stared in astonishment at Uchiha Fugaku remained calm.

It turns out he wasn't the only one with the Mangekyō Sharingan. No wonder Uchiha Fugaku asked him if he had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan after he returned.

Hmm? Why am I feeling a little excited?

"Fugaku, is what Shingen said true?" Uchiha Setsuna asked.

"Yes..." Uchiha Fugaku nodded, somewhat saddened. "I gained this power during the war."

"Well then, a new question arises." Uchiha Setsuna suppressed his excitement and looked at Uchiha Shingen. "Shingen, as an old man, I have some authority to speak on this matter... Only the Mangekyo Sharingan can sense another pair of Mangekyo Sharingan. Have you also obtained the Mangekyo Sharingan?"

Everyone's eyes immediately focused on Uchiha Shingen.

There is anticipation and excitement.

"Elder, you're mistaken. I really don't have any." Uchiha Shingen shrugged.

But Uchiha Setsuna didn't believe it.

"I think you have it," the stubborn old man revealed his wicked side, "Maybe it's already activated but you don't know it? Here's what we'll do: have Shisui use the Mangekyo Sharingan Genjutsu on you once, and it'll definitely appear."

Come out here, my foot!

Seeing that Uchiha Shisui seemed a little excited, Uchiha Shingen quickly put his hand on Shisui's shoulder and used his superhuman strength to hold him down so he wouldn't get up.

"Elder, you must be joking. You can't do that with Mangekyo Sharingan."

"It's never a bad thing to try." Uchiha Setsuna recalled the figures of the two brothers. "Shingen, being too cautious might cause you to miss opportunities. If there's a chance, you should be bold and try."

"Try it and you'll die!" Uchiha Shingen's attitude was firm. "Stay put, develop steadily, don't be reckless, that's my ninja way."

"The Way of the Ninja..." Uchiha Setsuna's expression was somewhat wistful. "That's a very serious statement, but every time you talk to us about the Way of the Ninja, you say something different. Don't you consider settling on a fixed Way of the Ninja? Set a small goal, like awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan first, I think that would be good..."

"Elder, can we talk about serious matters?"

"Alright..." Uchiha Setsuna to look at Uchiha Fugaku, "Fugaku, you say something too."

"Yes, actually, I had the same idea." Uchiha Fugaku nodded and stood up from the tatami mat.

Looking at the people of his tribe before him, he took in their expressions.

"Perhaps everyone remembers that when we gathered here before, we were powerless to change the status quo. Back then, you all hoped that I would run for the Fourth Hokage, but as you all saw, even if I were nominated, no one would vote for us."

The tribespeople, who had been filled with excitement, gradually regained their composure and began to recall the past.

"At that time, I asked everyone to be patient, and I was patient too. Even after obtaining the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, I dared not reveal it, because I was worried that everyone would lose hope and patience for the village. After all, we know the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan best."

Everyone listened in silence.

"When did things start to change? It was during the Nine-Tails' rampage. That time, the Uchiha Clan became heroes. Oh, right, before that, we held an ice and snow exhibition. Maybe people didn't feel it much, but from that time on, the villagers' perception of the Uchiha Clan began to change."

As Uchiha Fugaku recounted his story, the clansmen began to recall the past.

"This time, I will nominate myself to the Lord Hokage and hope that he will nominate our clan to run for Hokage's assistant. As a token of my sincerity, I will not hide my Mangekyō Sharingan from the Hokage Building, and I will also further open up the Police Force. This time, it's not just the Konoha Military Police Force that will be open, but also the Police Force headquarters. It's not just for ninja clans, but also for civilian ninjas. I hope everyone is mentally prepared."

Uchiha Fugaku scanned the entire room, clearly seeing the changes in everyone's expressions.

Most of the tribespeople did not resist, but were bewildered; only a small minority not only did not take it seriously, but were actually quite excited.

"Now that you've decided to get involved, don't hesitate!" Uchiha Fugaku shouted. "Think about it! What kind of impression does the Uchiha Clan want to give everyone in this election?"

"What is the clan chief?" someone asked.

"It's not 'the Uchiha Clan want to become Hokage's assistants,' but 'the Uchiha Clan want to return to the village.' I believe that's our goal," Uchiha Fugaku answered the question. "Perhaps some people will leave the Police Force, but there will be a wider scope for development. Don't you have confidence in that?"

"Of course, Chieftain!"

"That's right! I'm so tired of staying in the village all the time!"

The crowd immediately started talking all at once, their voices growing louder and louder, and the look of confusion on their faces was fading.

The Uchiha Clan of the Warring States period was always known for its belligerence.

People in this family generally have a good ability to adapt when faced with challenges.

The more you struggle, the stronger you become.

On the contrary, a monotonous environment will make them lazy, weak, and develop some inexplicable behaviors.

"Well said." Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "However, things must be done step by step. The Police Force is still very important to us right now, and I won't just throw it away. In the future, I will gradually change the organizational structure of the Konoha Military Police Force. Everyone will have to start to adapt, because the comrades around you may not all be family members anymore."

"Don't worry, Chieftain! We're ready!" someone in the crowd immediately responded.

By this point, no one was confused anymore; everyone was full of energy.

This feeling of being ready to take on challenges really got everyone excited and energized.

Those with more imaginative ideas have already started "envisioning the future".

"Shingen, is there anything else you'd like to say?" Uchiha Fugaku looked at Uchiha Shingen again.

"No, clan head." Uchiha Shingen wasn't concerned about the election results; what he cared about was the Uchiha Clan's election method. Now it seemed that Uchiha Fugaku had had this idea for a long time.

They used to act so realistically.

They're all veteran actors, bullying the younger generation.

"Well, I'll give you a suggestion then." Uchiha Fugaku nodded, "Take care of Shisui more often; you two will be supporting each other in the future."

"Yes, Chieftain."

"So, the matter to be voted on today is..." Uchiha Fugaku paused, then, under the expectant gazes of the crowd, clearly and loudly declared, "From today onwards, the clan will devote all its efforts to the election for the position of Hokage's assistant. Those who agree, please raise your hands."

Whoosh!

Everyone raised their hands high at the same time, including the elders behind Uchiha Fugaku.

"Voting concluded, unanimously approved!"

Chapter 8: The Fourth Raikage Learns the Truth

Kumogakure, Raikage Building.