Who Did Nara Shikaku Want to Support?

"Why did you come here so suddenly?" Uchiha Fugaku asked.

He is an elder; one must maintain proper decorum.

"Oh, is that so?" Uchiha Shingen was about to speak when he saw Uchiha Fugaku wave his hand, gesturing for him to "go outside and talk."

He had no choice but to shut up and follow Uchiha Fugaku out of the study.

"Shingen, I have a question for you."

"Chief, please speak."

"After you came back, some bad rumors suddenly started circulating in the village, did you know that?"

"Hmm? Chieftain, what kind of rumors are these?"

"Talking about the Uchiha Clan head and such, of course, I personally don't mind, but such rumors are detrimental to the clan's image..."

Oh dear? It's spread all the way to the village?

Sigh... the gossip spirit of the Leaf Village residents is really something...

Uchiha Shingen was deeply moved and was about to say something to comfort him when he noticed Uchiha Fugaku staring at him with a rather amused expression.

Wait a minute!

This is a sign of doubt about him!

How can you do this without any evidence?!

"Clan leader, you know me!" Uchiha Shingen said indignantly, "I can't tolerate rumors. I will investigate thoroughly, and once I catch that scoundrel, I'll hand him over to you for punishment!"

"Forget it..." Uchiha Fugaku withdrew his gaze and let out a long sigh. "People can say whatever they want, why get angry?"

He was actually very angry.

It's not that I'm angry about the rumors, but...

This little brat is so shameless, why doesn't he run for clan leader!?

Is he the kind of person who won't give up his seat to a younger person?

Don't you know how much the young people in the tribe admire you?! You'd better tell me right now that you want to be the clan leader!

"As expected of you, such a mentality!" Uchiha Shingen gave a thumbs up. "In our clan, I only recognize you! You say who to kill, and I'll kill them!"

Would you rather cut yourself?

Uchiha Fugaku sneered inwardly.

"Spit it out!"

"Yes, Chieftain, actually I just heard about something..."

"Hokage's assistant? I won't compete for that. Don't you always say we should wait for the right opportunity? I don't think the time is ripe now, so there's no hope for me to run." Uchiha Fugaku waved his hand; he was genuinely uninterested.

Actually, he feels very good about things as they are now.

The Hokage of Hokage, Namikaze Minato, is becoming more and more to his liking.

The Uchiha Clan's reputation in Leaf Village is steadily improving, their relationship with the Hokage Building has eased considerably, and even now, there are quite a few members of the advisory group who speak out in support of the Uchiha Clan.

Ultimately, everyone saw what the Uchiha Clan had done for the village.

This really made him very happy.

"No, clan leader, you've misunderstood," Uchiha Shingen said.

"Hmm?" Uchiha Fugaku was puzzled; this didn't sound like something Uchiha Shingen would say.

He was well aware that Uchiha Shingen had his sights set on the position of Hokage's assistant from the very beginning.

"Chieftain, the reason we're running for election is precisely because we can't win it."

"Nonsense." Uchiha Fugaku was displeased, his words carrying a double meaning, "Stop getting involved in crooked and unethical things."

"Clan head, this is truly a great opportunity." Uchiha Shingen completely ignored the stoic clan head's hint, saying, "Nara Shikaku told me today that some people want our clan not to participate in the election."

"Nara Shikaku ..." Uchiha Fugaku couldn't ignore this name; he took it seriously. "He said that?"

"Yes, they cleaned up Nara Clan very thoroughly, and I pretended to be very angry."

"I understand. The Upper Clan will discuss this matter further." Uchiha Fugaku made his decision. "If the clan needs me, I will go."

Chapter 5: Whom Nara Shikaku Want to Vow To?

Having left the Uchiha Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan were in high spirits and left first.

Old Gou, no, I mean the stoic handsome guy has finally stopped being so stoic and is willing to come out of retirement.

What's this talk about the upper clans holding a vote? The Uchiha Clan haven't had a seat in the decision-making level for decades. They'd be considered morally upright if they didn't lift their feet to manipulate the vote count.

This position was also created by Senju Tobirama.

With the Senju of the Forest and Uchiha Clan as formidable starters, and the subsequent arrival of a host of powerful ninja clans, Hidden Leaf Village's organizational structure was complex from the very beginning, forming multiple internal factions and harboring numerous hidden dangers, which were simply overshadowed by the strength of the God of Shinobi and the Leaf Village Asura.

As the one who actually governed the village, Senju Tobirama felt increasingly uncertain the longer it went on, as if he were sitting on a powder keg.

Oh, he's not worried about his generation, he's worried about the next generation.

Thus, the position of Hokage's assistant came into being.

The role of the Hokage's assistant was defined from the beginning as "a person who assists the Hokage in exercising power," which also implies the setting of "ensuring that the village does not become a place where the Hokage power."

The Hokage and Hokage assistant, one in charge and one in charge, jointly govern Leaf Village.

This design was actually intended to prevent the various interest groups in the village from turning against each other over the Hokage Position, which could lead to the village's internal collapse.

It's not surprising at all that this kind of thing happens to ninjas.

To ensure that the Hokage's assistant has sufficient power and status to quell discontent with the Hokage position is also filled through an election process, just like the Hokage's election: the Jonin Council votes, and the Daimyo then appoints the successor.

Furthermore, the Hokage cannot directly dismiss the Hokage's assistant; he can only nominate a new candidate to run for Hokage's assistant again, while the original Hokage's assistant can still participate in the election.

Shimura Danzō abdicated because the head of their interest group was Sarutobi Hiruzen, forcing him to step down.

The news that Uchiha Fugaku was running for Hokage's assistant caused a public opinion storm within the Uchiha Clan that very day.

The entire clan was shaken.

Many people couldn't believe it.

So, for the first time, no one was late for the clan meeting that evening; everyone arrived at the meeting hall early.

This clan gathering was extremely formal, held in the clan's largest hall, with everyone voluntarily arranging their seats.

The clan chief and elders sat on the platform, as was the old custom.

The first row then consists of the clan's Jonin, followed by Chunin and Genin, arranged in that order.

Everyone was very serious. Hundreds of the Uchiha Clan ninjas filled the hall to capacity, and some Genin couldn't find seats simply stood in the empty spaces.

All the ninjas came, regardless of whether they had activated their Sharingan or not.

Even the clan's territory was silent; ordinary clansmen who didn't work as ninjas were quietly waiting for news at home.

These ordinary clan members could also understand the Uchiha Clan's situation in Leaf Village over the years and the recent changes.

From an environment where everyone was always tense and lifeless to one filled with laughter and joy, no one wants to go back to the past.

However, this change actually left all the tribespeople feeling uneasy.

That is, the Uchiha Clan has no place in the Hokage Building, and the higher-ups have no channel for them to speak out.

So everything before our eyes could still vanish into thin air at any moment.

This is also a major reason why the Uchiha Clan is so obsessed with the Hokage. Everyone is smart; the atmosphere of the clan and the village drifting apart before was suffocating for everyone.

The Police Force was able to expand because most members of the clan accepted Uchiha Shingen's saying, "You have to give up something to gain something."

If Uchiha Fugaku can run for and successfully become the Hokage's assistant, then everyone can finally rest assured.

They will no longer be "outsiders" of Leaf Village.

Thump... thump...

Footsteps came from the doorway.

Whether kneeling or standing, the clansmen all turned their gaze toward the entrance of the hall.

Uchiha Fugaku and the elders appeared at the doorway.

The kneeling crowd rose to their feet and made way for them.

Uchiha Shingen, as a Jonin of the clan, sat in the first row and stood up along with everyone else.

Together they watched as Uchiha Fugaku and the elders walked into the path cleared by the clan members, heading towards their seats on the stage.

Uchiha Fugaku and the elders walked slowly, giving each person a careful look at their expression as they passed.

Both sides wore solemn expressions.

When Uchiha Fugaku walked up to Uchiha Shingen and Uchiha Shisui, he looked at them with a smile on his face, then stepped onto the platform and knelt down in his place.

Several elders did the same thing as they passed by. Uchiha Setsuna was the last one. He patted the shoulders of the two of them, said "Well done" to Uchiha Shingen, and then went up to the stage to take his seat.

Seeing that the elders were all seated, the clansmen gradually sat down again.

"Let's begin the meeting now," said Uchiha Fugaku. Looking at the enthusiastic gazes in the room, he nodded. "As you all know, the only matter to be discussed today is whether our clan should participate in the election for the position of Hokage's assistant, and who should participate."

"Everyone, please speak freely," Uchiha Setsuna added. "The significance of this matter to the clan is clear to everyone, so let's not distinguish between Jonin and Genin here."

As soon as Uchiha Setsuna finished speaking, the Uchiha Clan members began to discuss it.

The clansmen around Uchiha Shisui also asked him for the opinions of the current higher-ups in the Hokage Building on this matter.

In Leaf Village, nomination is required before any election can take place.

Those with the right to nominate are the Hokage, Hokage assistants, and advisors/elders.

The advisory board itself can also nominate one person after reaching a consensus.

There's no need to even consider that; it would be a miracle if the current advisory group could reach a consensus.

Every time they argue during a meeting, the whole neighborhood can hear them.

More people are asking about Uchiha Shingen's side. Currently, there are only two members of the Uchiha Clan who can openly enter and exit the Hokage Building. Uchiha Shisui is in the ANBU, while Shingen is in the Jonin Council. Once nominated, the Jonin Council's vote is decisive.

"Shingen, what is the current attitude of the Jonin Council towards the clan?"

"That depends on who it is." Uchiha Shingen recalled his achievements in building relationships with the Jonin Council during this period. "Don't even think about the Sarutobi Clan. They're rivals and won't side with the Uchiha Clan. The Ino-Shika-Cho Clans always side with the same person. Basically, whoever Sarutobi Clan sides with, they'll side with. However..."

"Isn't that a guaranteed loss?" a Jonin clansman angrily criticized. "Using underhanded tactics is the most despicable thing!"

"So it's basically," Uchiha Shingen sighed. "Let me finish. I'm saying that all three families will definitely vote for the same person, but it's just 'basically' and who Sarutobi Clan vote for."

It's just a vote, not a war. The relationship between the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans is different from their alliance with the Sarutobi Clan.

"Today, Nara Shikaku told me that he hoped we wouldn't run for office, so..."

"Nara Shikaku? He's the leader of the Jonin Council!" The Jonin clan member took a deep breath. "So, there's still not enough time? As expected, no one in the Jonin Council supports our clan."

"...Big brother, what I mean is, Nara Shikaku actually wants our clan to participate in the election..." Uchiha Shingen looked at him helplessly, "Can you please stop interrupting me and let me finish what I'm saying?"

The other person shut up in frustration.

Uchiha Shingen cleared his throat and continued.

"I've been going to the Jonin Council Tenten these past few days, so I've got a pretty good idea of the situation. The Hyuga Clan has the most members, followed by the Sarutobi Clan, and our clan has the fewest... Anyway, that's obvious. In short, apart from those two clans having a few more, the other clans have roughly the same number of members. Then there are the commoner Jonin. These are the ones who vote for whomever the Fourth Hokage nominates."

"What does this have to do with Nara Shikaku wanting us to run? Why did he tell you not to run?"

The speaker was the Jonin, named Uchiha Yundou. According to rumors, when his mother was pregnant with him, she couldn't stand the terrible name his father had given her. She looked up to get some fresh air and happened to see a cloud drift by...

Regardless of whether it's true or not, Uchiha Yundou was indeed skilled in Wind Release.

Moreover, he was known in the family for being reckless; everyone believed that he had put all his intelligence points into combat.

"If he really doesn't want us to run for office, he'll try to persuade the clan head through the Akimichi Clan." Uchiha Shingen didn't elaborate further, but offered his guess. "I think Nara Shikaku probably wants the Fourth Hokage to nominate the clan head, so we can take away some of the votes from the commoner Jonin."

"What if the Fourth Hokage didn't nominate us?"

"Yes, the only ninja clan member the Fourth Hokage might nominate is the clan head," Uchiha Shingen said confidently.

"Who will Nara Shikaku vote for?" Uchiha Yundou.

"Is there even a question..." Uchiha Shingen looked at him. "Have you forgotten that the Third could also nominate someone? The Third would never nominate the Sarutobi Clan; he would definitely Nara Shikaku himself."