You're Underestimating Me!

"Everyone, the Third Hokage won't be retiring or stepping down anytime soon, so forget about it. Unless something major happens in Konoha, or the Third Hokage's health truly fails, there isn't the slightest chance."

"Isn't this ridiculous?!"

"Are we all being played for fools?!"

"This is simply unbelievable."

Hikaru's words immediately made the elders cry out in speechless frustration. They had been full of excitement, ready to throw themselves into action, only for Hikaru to dump a bucket of cold water over them. Now their enthusiasm was gone, their motivation to strive was gone, and they might even be treated like monkeys. Only an idiot would do such a thing.

Bang! Bang!!!

Seeing the elders grow more and more agitated, with some even unable to hold back their curses, Hikaru could only knock on the table and call out, "Everyone, while that is indeed the situation, please exercise some restraint. The Third Hokage's retirement is impossible in the short term, but the inspection itself is real."

"I'm not asking everyone to do anything, but I do hope you won't do anything unacceptable that will tarnish the Uchiha Clan's name. Small matters can be discussed, but major matters... none of us will look good."

The Third Hokage definitely would not step down anytime soon. Since he would not be stepping down, what was the point of all this pointless fuss? It was a waste of effort. Hikaru warned these elders first, lest they become overly excited and do something that would embarrass the Uchiha Clan.

He could cover up minor matters himself. He could settle major matters too, though everyone would lose face. As for something even Hikaru could not handle, then they could all take the blame together.

After all, retirement was a pretense, but the inspection was real. If