Village-wide celebrations

"Hmph, it must be that Ryuuzaki Eiji caused this trouble. I knew that young people who have just gained power are unreliable. You know, when we followed the Second Hokage into battle—"

Utatane Koharu began reminiscing about their glorious past, but Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention was entirely focused on the scroll.

The intelligence is divided into three pieces.

1. Ryuzaki Eiji killed more than two thousand Sand Village ninja at the Sand Village headquarters on the border of the Land of Wind.

2. Ryuuzaki Eiji killed the Third Kazekage, who had come to attack the transport team, within the Land of Fire.

Third, Hatake Sakumo killed the Sunagakure troops who came to attack Konoha within the Land of Fire.

So even the Kazekage has finally been killed?

Ryuuzaki Eiji had gone to such lengths, it wasn't surprising to Hiruzen Sarutobi. However, when he actually saw the news, the shock he felt was still overwhelming.

He knew Hatake Sakumo's strength very well, and achieving this result was a great accomplishment, but it paled in comparison to Ryuuzaki Eiji's battle report.

That's two thousand Sunagakure. Even counting the enemies killed by Hatake Sakumo, how many Sunagakure Ninja can they still send to the Frontline?

Now that even the Third Kazekage has been killed, is there any point in continuing this war?

"That's why I said that your decision to designate a Future Hokage candidate so early is highly problematic; you should be more cautious—"

Utatane Koharu was still firing off like a machine gun when Hiruzen Sarutobi handed her a scroll that silenced her temporarily.

She took the scroll, continuing to chatter on and on, "I bet Tsunade can't cure the Sunagakure's poison. She talked a good game in the meeting, but when it came to actually doing it—"

After carefully reading what was written on it, Utatane Koharu, stared wide-eyed, making an indescribable sound from her throat.

Mitokado Homura took the scroll and flipped through it, his expression equally interesting.

Upon seeing the battle report, Koharu and En were devastated, as if they had lost their parents. Both knew that after this battle, Ryuuzaki Eiji's reputation had become even more terrifying.

◇

Konoha residential area

To boost morale, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately had the Anbu spread the news of the great victory at the Frontline throughout the village. The Konoha residents who learned Frontline the news were all excited, and there were discussions about Ryuuzaki Eiji and Hatake Sakumo everywhere.

"Eiji is truly amazing! With this, we're sure to win this war!"

"I'm already planning to go to Akimichi BBQ Restaurant to celebrate. The Village's victory this time, and the reparations we received, will allow us to live a better life."

"Future Eiji leading us, Konoha will definitely become stronger!"

"But Lord Sakumo isn't bad either. After all, he protected our Village, and he's more suitable in terms of age than Eiji. I think he's more qualified to be Hokage."

"That's true. If it weren't for Lord Sakumo, we might have been in mortal danger."

"What nonsense are you talking about! Eiji even killed the Third Kazekage, his achievement is the greatest!" a Ninja who had retreated from the Frontline said.

"You're getting anxious. I'm just stating the facts. Just because he saved your life on the Frontline, you're starting to side with him, right? We were also saved by Lord Sakumo."

"Looks like you deserve a beating!"

The two sides began to fight fiercely, and soon the Konoha Military Police Force arrived at the scene, and the crowd quickly scattered.

Looking at the noisy scene in the village, Eiji's classmates felt proud, but also felt powerless.

◇

The young masters of the Ino-Shika-Cho Families gathered at the Akimichi Clan's Barbecue Restaurant, with sizzling smoke rising from the Grill in front of them.

The Barbecue Restaurant was packed today, with so many customers that the sounds of villagers and Ninja discussing the war filled the air.

The store manager had to temporarily add a few tables outside the store, but even then, demand still exceeded supply.

"Come on, let's drink! This meal's on me!"

"Two thousand Sunagakure! Two thousand! Eiji is already the strongest Shinobi World, isn't he?"

"My son came back from the Frontline last month. He said that Eiji saved his life with Medical Ninjutsu, and he tells everyone that his technique can make severed arms grow back."

"That's wonderful. My daughter also attends the Konoha Academy. I wish she could have met Eiji sooner."

The guests at the next table weren't trying to hide their conversation from outsiders, and they could hear it all clearly.

"This is unbelievable! They're the same age, but the difference in their appearances is just too big."

"I'm flipping the grilled meat with tongs," said Akimiichi Chōza as he did so.

"Don't forget he's a Kekkei Genkai user, and Kekkei Genkai also have varying levels. Eiji himself is a genius, and when combined, they become like this."

Shikaku rested his chin on his hand, glancing at the group of jubilant residents, his tone tinged with a hint of helplessness.

Inoichi Yamanaka spoke up, "The clan has already held an emergency meeting today, and it will continue tonight. The elders all take this matter very seriously."

"It's the same here, and it started last month. It's never-ending, it's so annoying."

Shikaku complained.

It was nothing more than a topic about Ryuuzaki Eiji, which he, as the young Clan Leader, had no choice but to attend.

There is now only one voice within the clan: Full Power supporting all of Ryuuzaki Eiji's next decisions.

As for Hatake Sakumo, the Nara Clan judged that although he had enough strength, he was not suitable to become the village's kage.

He is too rule-abiding in his personality; he is better suited to carrying out tasks than to sitting at his desk issuing orders.

Eiji, on the other hand, has a personality that leans towards innovation.

Even before Eiji became famous, Shikaku had been passing on information about Ryuuzaki Eiji within the clan.

He said that Eiji's ideas were very novel, and he could always come up with some novel ideas, some of which amazed Shikaku.

Now, Eiji has enough power to fulfill the vision he was given back then.

From the moment Eiji distinguished himself in the Ninja Graduation Exams, Shikaku was determined to support Eiji, and he looked forward to a revitalized Future for Konoha.

◇

Uchiha Clan Compound

As soon as news from the Frontline reached the Village, Uchiha Somei urgently convened a clan meeting.

"You've all heard the news from the Village, haven't you? There are already two opposing opinions within the Village. We Uchiha can't afford to take the wrong side on this matter," Uchiha Somei said.

He had originally planned to go to support the Frontline in another month, since so many of his Clan Members had already gone to the Frontline, and it wouldn't be right for him, as the Clan Leader, not to step forward.

I also planned to take Fugaku to the camp to experience the brutal battlefield atmosphere, but who knew that would be the end of it.

"Regardless, I still support Ryuuzaki Eiji. Hatake Sakumo is indeed very competitive, but he is far from reaching Ryuuzaki Eiji's influence."

Fugaku was the first to speak. He had little contact with Hatake Sakumo, but at this point, it was crucial to clearly choose sides.

"But why can't we Uchiha become Hokage?" a young Uchiha Clan Members questioned.