Inoichi Yamanaka, Shikaku Nara, and Choza Akimichi exchanged glances, a hint of realization and relief in their eyes.
The position of Acting Hokage had fallen into their laps, and the three had been immersed in joy. Only now did they realize that this enormous windfall had nearly clouded their judgment.
Fortunately, Torifu Akimichi had enough experience and insight to set them straight in time.
One did not gain everyone's recognition by becoming Hokage; one became Hokage by gaining everyone's recognition.
The Ino-Shika-Cho Clans were more than capable of preserving what they had, but lacked the ability to forge ahead.
Seeking the position of Fifth Hokage was like a snake trying to swallow an elephant out of insatiable greed. If it backfired, the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans would be doomed beyond recovery.
Torifu Akimichi patted his belly and chuckled. "Choza, prepare two generous gifts."
"Understood."
Choza Akimichi nodded slightly, but soon thought of something and asked in confusion, "Father, which two ninja clans are we visiting?"
"The Uchiha and Hyuga, of course. And we shouldn't publicize this. Send someone to deliver them privately on behalf of the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans."
On the surface, Torifu Akimichi had become Hokage because Hyuga Hiashi had nominated him, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi no choice but to select him to take charge.
But he keenly sensed that the Uchiha might very well have had a hand in this.
Even if, for argument's sake, the Uchiha had not been involved.
With the Third stepping down, Konoha's power structure would undergo reform, and the Uchiha Clan would step onto the village's political stage.
As Acting Hokage, he would have to deal with the Uchiha, whether for personal or practical reasons.
This generous gift represented the goodwill Torifu Akimichi was extending.
After this upheaval, the Uchiha, a sleeping lion, would rise to its feet.
His effort to befriend the Uchiha Clan was also a plan for the future of the Ino-Shika-Cho. Perhaps they would even have to rely on the Uchiha Clan someday.
What Torifu Akimichi did not know was that his appointment as Acting Hokage was, naturally, the result of Douyang's instructions behind the scenes.
And the Fifth Hokage would be Tsunade...
When the time came, Douyang, the disciple who defied his master, would only need to win Tsunade over.
The next morning, Torifu Akimichi took office in a hastily made Hokage robe.
The first thing he did was lead the implementation of the series of policies to appease the Uchiha that the Third had drawn up before stepping down.
The two elder advisers, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, were unwilling to accept this.
But Uchiha Fugaku was now also an elder adviser, equal in power and status to Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
On top of that, Torifu Akimichi intended to favor the Uchiha.
The two wanted to obstruct the policies, but lacked the power to do so.
Implementing the new policies was not something that could be accomplished overnight.
But as long as the overall direction was established, the remaining details could be left to their subordinates.
Torifu Akimichi was only the Acting Hokage.
He sought no achievements, only to avoid mistakes; avoiding mistakes was itself an achievement.
As long as no major trouble arose in Konoha before the Fifth Hokage was selected, he would be perfectly satisfied.
As the new policies were slowly implemented, Torifu Akimichi issued his second order: establish the Special Operations Department.
Every Hokage had formed a personal Anbu unit after taking office.
The Anbu were the Hokage's private armed force.
In theory, even after stepping down, a Hokage had the right to keep that department independent without disbanding it.
In the original story, Hiruzen Sarutobi's Anbu had continued operating independently after Minato Namikaze took office as the Fourth Hokage.
Torifu Akimichi was the Acting Hokage, a position without precedent.
Should he establish an Anbu unit? That was the question.
After much deliberation, he decided to establish the Special Operations Department. In name, it would be a different department from the Anbu, but its functions would be the same.
Once the Fifth Hokage was selected, the Special Operations Department could be disbanded at any time.
Having made up his mind, Torifu Akimichi immediately instructed his assistant to make the arrangements.
Members of the Anbu directly under the Hokage had to pass the Hokage's rigorous screening.
Considering that the Special Operations Department would not last long, its screening need not be as stringent as the selection process for the Anbu.
There were only two steps.
First, voluntary applications. Any Konoha Ninja under twenty-five who held the rank of Special Chunin or higher could apply.
Second, a personal interview with Torifu Akimichi.
Two days later.
As he looked at the application list his assistant handed him, a hint of surprise appeared on Torifu Akimichi's face.
Applications had not yet closed, but the number of applicants had already reached two hundred, far exceeding the planned twenty.
Every ninja clan had sent its outstanding ninja, including even the Sarutobi, Shimura, Mitokado, and Utatane Clans.
Torifu Akimichi studied the application list for a moment, marked four names, and handed it to his assistant. "Have these four come here."
"Understood."
Soon, four ninja appeared in the Hokage's office.
They were Kakashi Hatake, Uchiha Douyang, Shisui Uchiha, and Might Guy.
Torifu Akimichi tapped the desk, his nearly invisible eyes narrowing slightly on his plump face as he assessed the four.
Of the four, Kakashi Hatake was already an Anbu squad captain directly under Hiruzen Sarutobi. Even under the strictest selection criteria, his admission to the Special Operations Department was unquestionable.
The only uncertainty was whether Hiruzen Sarutobi had instructed Kakashi Hatake to leave the Anbu and join the Special Operations Department this time.
Uchiha Douyang was Tsunade's disciple. Although he was only a Chunin with unremarkable combat strength, his Medical Ninjutsu was masterful, and he had once saved Torifu Akimichi's life during the Nine-Tails' Attack.
In all fairness, joining the Special Operations Department would be something of a waste of his talents.
Personally, Torifu Akimichi did not want Uchiha Douyang to wade into the murky waters of the Special Operations Department.
But this was also Uchiha Douyang's personal choice.
Rules were rules.
Torifu Akimichi could hardly refuse him.
Shisui Uchiha needed even less discussion.
The Uchiha Clan's foremost prodigy had made a name for himself with his Body Flicker Technique during the late stages of the Third Shinobi World War. His abilities were beyond question.
Of the four, Might Guy was the one who appeared unremarkable.
He came from a civilian family and had little reputation in the village.
But Might Guy was no ordinary Special Jōnin.
Only a very few people in all of Konoha knew that Might Guy was the village's sole inheritor of the Eight Gates Armor Escape.
How terrifying was the Eight Gates Armor Escape?
After opening the Gate of Death of the Eight Gates Armor Escape, Might Guy's father, Might Duy, had kicked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist down to a lucky trio.
His combat strength had surpassed that of ordinary Kage Level fighters.
Torifu Akimichi carefully assessed the four for a moment, then chuckled and said:
"You are among Konoha's finest ninja, and you are also the village's future. You are fully qualified to join the Special Operations Department.
But becoming a member of the Special Operations Department means dealing with danger, with the possibility of dying at any moment.
The loss of any one of you would be a major loss for the village.
Besides, your talents can be put to use elsewhere, where you can still protect the village.
You still have a chance to change your minds."
As he spoke, Torifu Akimichi kept his gaze on Uchiha Douyang. His meaning was clear.
He wanted Uchiha Douyang to withdraw.
Uchiha Douyang understood Torifu Akimichi's meaning, but offered no response, a smile lingering at the corners of his mouth.
The Ōtsutsuki Isshiki template could only be unlocked through training and combat.
But training unlocked it slowly, while combat unlocked it quickly.
His status as a medical ninja earned him respect wherever he went, but because he was so respected.
He never even had the chance to take on more dangerous missions to hone himself.
Before you continue