The New Hokage Advisor

In Konoha Village.

A crowd had gathered, and the atmosphere was heavy as water.

Hearing Zhengye's question, everyone could not help but look toward the ANBU captain.

Mikawa Ze had gone completely rigid.

He had risen to the position of captain because he was no fool. After hearing Zhengye's earlier setup, how could Mikawa Ze dare utter another word?

If he answered that he was a spy, he would die.

If he answered that the Third Hokage had sent him to stop the Uchiha, the consequences would be even worse.

The Uchiha Clan might even use it as grounds to demand the Third Hokage step down.

Mikawa Ze sank into immense fear and inner conflict.

As ANBU, protecting secrets was already an instinct.

But when death was staring him in the face, how could he not be afraid?

He turned his head with difficulty and looked at the Third Hokage. The other man's eyes were like a deep pool, their emotions impossible to discern.

Yet Mikawa Ze recalled the kindness the Third Hokage had shown them over the years.

He thought of his young child and wife at home.

A fierce look flashed across Mikawa Ze's face. His jaw moved as he tried to bite through his poison capsule!

But how could Itachi, who had been watching him the entire time, give him that chance!?

"Trying to die!?"

A hand like an iron clamp seized his jaw.

Itachi's Sharingan spun. Empowered by both genjutsu and taijutsu, he had pinned Mikawa Ze firmly in place!

Then he punched Mikawa Ze in the cheek and reached into his mouth, digging out a poison tooth.

Itachi himself was an ANBU elite. How could he not know the methods ANBU used to commit suicide?

With genjutsu controlling him now, Mikawa Ze could no longer move at all.

Zhengye gave Itachi an approving look, then turned his gaze back.

"Looks like this ANBU captain would rather die than reveal the intelligence."

A faint, unreadable smile appeared on Zhengye's face as he swept his gaze over the Third Hokage and the large group of ANBU elites behind him.

"How about this? I don't like forcing people."

"Since the ANBU are unwilling to speak, then the Third Hokage can explain it."

"Did you order the ANBU to stop the Police Force from rescuing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, or..."

Zhengye stared into the Third Hokage's eyes. "Were they spies!?"

Everyone present stirred. They all understood Zhengye's viciousness.

If the Third Hokage admitted it had been his order, it would confirm that he wanted sole control over the Nine-Tails.

But if, in front of so many ANBU, he falsely accused this ANBU captain of being a spy—

A large number of ANBU would lose faith in him, and the Third Hokage's control over the ANBU would plummet straight to the bottom.

The crucial point was that this ANBU captain was still alive. If the Third Hokage's answer failed to satisfy Zhengye—

Handing him over to the Yamanaka Clan would still uncover the truth.

It was just that the ANBU had done who knew how much dirty work in secret. If the Yamanaka Clan searched his memories and uncovered something else, it would be even more detrimental to the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage's pipe trembled slightly in his hand. He could not bring himself to speak. He was riding a tiger now—unable to advance or retreat.

For a moment, the air itself seemed to freeze.

Konoha's other higher-ups all looked at Zhengye with complicated expressions: admiration, wariness, and a faint trace of fear.

Only Hyuga Aoba of the Hyuga Clan had a heated gleam in his eyes.

What an incredible scheme. If we could use such political methods to help our branch family...

"Third Hokage-sama, if you cannot bring yourself to speak, then I will have the Yamanaka Clan read his memories."

Zhengye had no intention of wasting time standing around with the Third Hokage. He pressed forward directly.

"Wait!"

The Third Hokage's expression darkened, and a look of resolve appeared on his face.

"I was worried that your Uchiha Clan would control the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, so I ordered the ANBU to stop the Police Force from approaching."

"This allowed spies from other villages to incite the villagers into attacking the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, nearly causing him to go berserk."

"The responsibility for this matter lies with me."

"..." An uproar swept through the crowd. No one had expected the Third Hokage to take the blame himself.

Zhengye's eyes shifted slightly.

This old fox is no simple man. He actually chose to make a last stand.

The Third Hokage had clearly traded his reputation and a political blunder for the ANBU's support.

The ANBU standing behind the Third Hokage now stared at him with blazing eyes, as though they wished they could die for him!

Zhengye could not be called infallible, but whenever he devised a plan, he always considered multiple possible variables.

Making the Third Hokage step down at a time like this is unrealistic. It's better to gain some political benefits.

Seeing the situation, he immediately adjusted his strategy.

"Since the Third Hokage has made such a grave mistake, I propose that we immediately select a Hokage Advisor, someone who can promptly correct any mistaken orders the Third Hokage may issue in the future."

Everyone around them drew in sharp breaths.

A Hokage Advisor indeed had the authority to correct the Hokage's decrees.

But the previous Hokage Advisor had been Shimura Danzo. They had been cut from the same cloth, so no one could stop them from running rampant through Konoha.

Now, the Uchiha were trying to place one of their own at the highest level!

The Third Hokage's jaw tightened as he looked at Zhengye in disbelief.

"You want to choose a Hokage Advisor immediately!?"

Zhengye smiled faintly. "That's right. As I recall, one of a Hokage Advisor's duties is to correct the Hokage's mistaken decrees, correct?"

The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe. "Correct..."

Mitokado Homura suddenly interjected from the side.

"Uchiha Zhengye, you have only just regained your status as honorary elders. You are still a step short of being eligible to run for Hokage Advisor."

Zhengye shot him a sideways glance. "Who said I wanted to be Hokage Advisor?"

I have plenty of things to do. I don't have time to sit in an office and scheme against the Third Hokage.

"I hereby nominate Nara Luhe for Hokage Advisor. Those in favor, raise your hands."

Though this was not a high-level meeting, nearly all of Konoha's higher-ups were present.

There was no issue with holding a vote.

The Ino-Shika-Cho members were stunned. They had thought this was the Uchiha's attempt to seize power, but instead, a windfall had suddenly fallen into their laps!

Zhengye tilted his head. "Do the elders of Ino-Shika-Cho object?"

His slightly teasing voice brought the Ino-Shika-Cho group back to their senses, and they hurriedly raised their hands.

Hyuga Hiashi's gaze moved between the Third Hokage and Uchiha Zhengye before he raised his hand as well.

Seeing that both Ino-Shika-Cho and the Hyuga Clan were in favor, many honorary elders from other ninja clans also voiced their support.

Zhengye looked directly at the Third Hokage. "Does the Third Hokage-sama disagree?"

The Third Hokage's face darkened. He had just admitted the matter was his fault, and selecting a respected person capable of correcting the Hokage's mistaken decrees was perfectly reasonable.

He had no choice but to raise his hand as well.

With even the Third Hokage in agreement, there was no longer any suspense.

And so, Nara Luhe was elected Hokage Advisor by an overwhelming majority.

Nara Luhe was a deeply calculating man. Though he was pleased inside, he did not show it completely.

He merely nodded to the surrounding ninja clans.

"From now on, I will fulfill my duties and assist the Third Hokage in governing Konoha."

"And..." His gaze shifted to Zhengye, and their eyes met. "Correct the Third Hokage's mistaken decrees."

Clearly, after Luhe returned, he would thoroughly review which decrees concerning the Uchiha were unreasonable.