Behind them sat the village's five hundred-odd Jonin. As the head of the Hatake Clan, one of Konoha's great clans, Chihane naturally sat in the front row.
At that moment, however, the most excited people in the meeting room were not Orochimaru, but Danzo and Uchiha Fugaku.
Sitting among the elders, Danzo was positively thrilled. He had spent half his life striving for the Hokage's seat, and today, he finally had a chance to fulfill that dream.
All he wanted now was for Hiruzen Sarutobi to announce the start of the meeting. He could hardly wait.
Uchiha Fugaku was far from calm, either. Ever since Madara Uchiha had defected, the Uchiha Clan had been suppressed by the village.
When the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju was alive, Tobirama Senju had suppressed the Uchiha Clan. After his death, Hiruzen Sarutobi had continued doing the same.
Now, at last, Fugaku saw hope. Orochimaru had promised him that once he became the Fourth Hokage, Fugaku would become Konoha's new elder.
As for the position of Fifth Hokage that Orochimaru had promised his father before the war began, he no longer had his sights set on it.
As long as Chihane Hatake was around, no one else could possibly become the Fifth Hokage.
Of course, everyone else had their own thoughts as well, but there was no need to dwell on them here.
As Hiruzen Sarutobi announced the start of the meeting, a faint smile appeared on Danzo's normally stiff face.
The excited Danzo first looked toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sat in the center.
Unexpectedly, when Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed his gaze, he gave him a strange look-one of pity.
Normally a cautious man, Danzo found that a little odd. But in his excitement at the prospect of becoming Hokage, he quickly pushed it out of