Meeting Vote Passed

Regarding the proposal put forward by Uchiha Gōka.

With the Land of Fire's daimyo present, Danzo Shimura could not fly into a rage on the spot.

So, the wily Danzo Shimura came up with the rotten idea of holding a vote among everyone present.

In Danzo Shimura's eyes, Konoha's upper ranks had a firm grip on leadership of Konoha.

During a full vote.

As long as Konoha's upper ranks opposed Uchiha Gōka's proposal.

The clan heads and jonin of the other clans in Konoha Village would follow the will of the upper ranks and oppose Uchiha Gōka's proposal as well.

Upon hearing Danzo's suggestion, the Land of Fire's daimyo smiled faintly and agreed:

"Hmm... this is rather interesting."

"Let all Konoha Village personnel vote on whether the Uchiha Clan should move back to Konoha's central district."

After pondering for a moment, the Third Hokage's gloomy expression eased considerably.

"Hmm, that would be fine."

"After all, relocating the Uchiha Clan to the village's bustling central district would have a major impact on the village."

"We need to hear the opinions of everyone attending."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Danzo Shimura had thought of the same thing.

In a full vote, the clan heads and jonin of Konoha would all support the will of Konoha's upper ranks.

That way, the Third Hokage would have more than enough pretext to justifiably reject Uchiha Gōka.

The Land of Fire's daimyo covered her mouth with her fan and smiled gracefully.

"Then let the vote begin now!"

"Mm!"

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, nodded lightly.

"Now, all Konoha attendees will vote by raising their hands on Uchiha Gōka's proposal."

"Those in favor of Uchiha Gōka's proposal, raise your hands!"

The venue immediately fell into a deathly silence.

Some people wavered, seemingly unable to make up their minds, and turned their eyes toward Konoha's upper ranks.

The attitude of Konoha's upper ranks seemed especially important within the hall.

Uchiha Gōka raised his hand without the slightest hesitation.

Since the Uchiha Clan had gradually moved away from Konoha's core circle.

The Great Elder in the corner, Uchiha Setsuna, did not have voting rights.

In the past, he had not even been qualified to attend the meeting.

This time, thanks to Uchiha Gōka, the two of them had the fortune of taking part and witnessing everyone vote on the clan head's proposal.

Great Elder Uchiha Hōka wore a grave expression. He clearly understood Danzo Shimura's scheme.

That damn old bastard Danzo!

If Konoha's upper ranks don't raise their hands, it'll be difficult for the other clan heads and jonin to support the clan head's proposal.

At this moment, the Great Elder felt mostly disappointment and helplessness.

Uchiha Setsuna's face darkened as rage burned in his heart, making his teeth itch.

Damn Danzo!

Konoha's upper ranks really are a bunch of hypocrites!

The clan head is fighting Konoha's hypocritical upper ranks all by himself!

Uchiha Setsuna did not have much faith in this full vote either.

Konoha's upper ranks would control the initiative in this vote!

Or rather, in Uchiha Setsuna's eyes, there was simply no way such a vote could pass.

A tense atmosphere filled the air in the hall.

Only Uchiha Gōka had cast his vote.

A moment later.

Suddenly, a pair of delicate hands rose into the air.

It was Tsunade who had raised her hand.

"I also agree that the Uchiha Clan should move to the area where the Senju Clan once lived!"

Everyone in the hall was stunned when they saw Tsunade raise her hand.

The Third Hokage and Danzo Shimura were both slightly taken aback...

Though they were somewhat displeased, it was within expectations.

After all, Tsunade was Uchiha Gōka's woman. It was understandable that she would support him.

Danzo Shimura wore a sour expression as he swept his slanted gaze across the hall, snorting inwardly.

Hmph! A woman of the Senju Clan actually married an Uchiha.

What a disgrace to the Senju Clan.

I bet Tsunade is the only one supporting Uchiha Gōka.

After hesitating briefly, Senju Chengshui raised his hand as well.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Koharu Utatane frowned slightly at the sight.

Before Konoha's upper ranks could even react.

Might Duy, Hatake Sakumo, Yūhi Shinku, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Kato Dan, Gekkō Hayate's father—Gekkō Yoru—and Mitarashi Anko's uncle—Mitarashi Zixiao—also raised their hands one after another.

Moreover, led by Might Duy, Hatake Sakumo, Yūhi Shinku, and the others.

The clans of Shino, Ino, Chōji, Shikamaru, and the others also raised their hands.

This outcome was something the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Konoha's other upper ranks had never expected.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, frowned as he looked at the many people raising their hands around him, utterly puzzled.

Why are so many people supporting Uchiha Gōka's proposal?

Could it be that everyone wants the Uchiha Clan to move to the village center?

Hah...! This is all because of Danzo's rotten idea.

Danzo Shimura was equally dumbfounded. His old eyes widened in disbelief.

How is this possible?

The Uchiha Clan has clearly already been isolated.

How could they suddenly gain the support of so many people?!

Koharu Utatane was also deeply shocked. Her wrinkled old face looked exceptionally unpleasant.

The Land of Fire's daimyo swept her gaze across the hall, then nodded lightly.

"Oh! Most people support Clan Head Karmic Fire's proposal!"

"Hokage-sama, let us settle the matter this way."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, felt his heart jolt, and his expression turned awkward.

"This..."

The Land of Fire's daimyo said decisively:

"Then it is decided!"

"Relocate the Uchiha Clan to the village center—to where the Senju Clan once lived!"

Danzo Shimura had been the one to propose the show-of-hands vote.

No matter how unwilling they were.

The Third Hokage and Danzo Shimura could only swallow this loss over the matter.

Even Great Elder Uchiha Hōka and Uchiha Setsuna found this matter extremely surprising.

The Great Elder stared in astonishment at everyone who had raised their hands.

Our Uchiha Clan has clearly been isolated.

How could... so many people suddenly support us?

Uchiha Setsuna was also deeply startled. His mouth crooked as a smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

"Hehe! Karmic Fire, what method did you use to persuade so many people to support you?"

"I have to say, this newly appointed clan head, Karmic Fire, has truly given me a delightful surprise!"

After the meeting approved Uchiha Gōka's proposal.

They briefly discussed several other matters.

However, compared to "the Uchiha Clan moving to the village center," the other issues discussed at this regular Konoha meeting seemed insignificant.

The meeting lasted the entire morning.

After it ended.

The news that "the Uchiha Clan would move to the bustling central district of the village" quickly spread throughout Konoha Village.

The villagers all found it somewhat unbelievable.

Ever since the era of the Second Hokage, Tobirama, the Uchiha had lived in the remote outskirts, isolated and lingering on Konoha's fringes.

Why would Konoha's upper ranks suddenly allow the Uchiha Clan to move back to the village center?

For a time, "the Uchiha Clan moving back to the village center" became the hottest topic in Konoha Village.

The Uchiha Clan was the most shocked of all.

At that moment, many Uchiha clansmen had gathered in the hall of Uchiha Nanga Shrine, waiting for the clan head's return.

The clansmen were all sharing this good news with one another.

The moment Uchiha Gōka entered the hall of Nanga Shrine with the Great Elder and Uchiha Setsuna.

The waiting clansmen erupted in cheers and applause.

Before this.

The clansmen had never believed that Konoha's upper ranks would allow the Uchiha Clan to relocate to the village's core district.

Most of them believed it was completely impossible and utterly unreliable.

Yet this newly appointed clan head had accomplished it.