"I've thought it through."
The Third smiled, removed his Hokage robes and hat, and handed them to Genma Shiranui. "I'll have to trouble you to keep these for now, Genma."
Genma Shiranui accepted them blankly, somewhat at a loss.
He had not expected the Third to entrust him with the Hokage robes and hat.
No matter who became Hokage in the future, this arrangement would ensure that he, a remnant of the Fourth Hokage's faction, retained a connection to the office.
Their faction would be brought back into use as well.
What a move, Third, Genma Shiranui inwardly sighed.
Even though he knew this was merely the Third offering a sweetener, much of the resentment he had felt from being forced into the Uchiha compound had dissipated.
It was not just Genma Shiranui.
Seeing this gesture, the jōnin present also lost most of the hostility and fury in their eyes.
As the saying went, once a man was gone, his debts were settled.
The Third was using his resignation—and an immediate one at that—to save Danzo.
It was not a deal that could not be made.
Young man, you're still lacking in experience. The Third secretly reveled as he looked at Junichi with a genial smile.
You didn't expect me to have this move, did you?
Heh, you're only fifteen, yet you managed to force me this far. That's frightening enough. Fortunately, I was better prepared and had thought more deeply.
As he pondered this—
A chill flashed through the Third's eyes.
Junichi Uchiha was only fifteen. What kind of terrifying monster would he grow into?
But...
The coldness in the Third's eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by a faint smile.
He would not give Junichi Uchiha the chance to grow any further.
Though he was stepping down as