Early the next morning.
Xuandou opened his eyes, feeling refreshed.
He turned his head for a look.
Kurenai had already left.
Xuandou got dressed and pushed the door open.
He had barely stepped outside when a figure landed in front of him.
It was an Anbu who served directly under the Hokage, wearing an animal mask and kneeling on one knee.
"Lord Xuandou, Lord Hokage has summoned you."
Xuandou nodded and followed him toward the Hokage Building, deep in thought.
By the time Xuandou entered the conference room, almost everyone had arrived.
Xuandou found a seat and glanced over those present.
Xuandou keenly noticed that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was sitting to the side, leaving the head seat empty.
From the arrangement, an important person was clearly coming.
Danzo sat in a corner, his face expressionless.
A little while later, the door was pushed open.
A middle-aged man in an extravagant kimono walked in, a sword at his waist.
He had a fair complexion, slightly upturned eyebrows, the hint of a smile on his lips, and a condescending look in his eyes.
Two guards followed him. One was a blond young man with a cigarette in his mouth-Asuma Sarutobi.
The other was a bald young man in monk's robes, Chiriku.
The moment Hiruzen saw the man enter, he stood up and introduced him to everyone.
"This is Lord Iwayama Kōmon, a close attendant to the daimyo of the Land of Fire. Please welcome him."
Everyone rose to bow.
Iwayama Kōmon merely gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
He walked to the head seat but did not sit down. Instead, he drew a scroll from his sleeve, unfurled it, cleared his throat, and read aloud.
"By decree of the daimyo of the Land of Fire: the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, has served for many years, with both achievements and failings during the war. In recognition of his labors, he is permitted to remain Hokage for one more year. Upon completion of that year, he shall retire, and a new Hokage shall be selected."
After reading it, he rolled up the scroll and casually handed it to Hiruzen beside him.
The conference room fell silent for a moment.
Hiruzen accepted the scroll with a calm expression, showing neither joy nor anger.
The setbacks in the war had long since led him to expect this.
Getting another year now was thanks to Minato and Xuandou, and was already far better than he had expected.
Danzo, however, was a different story.
His head was lowered, but his eyes lit up, and he could barely suppress a smile.
If a new Hokage would be selected in a year, didn't that mean he had a chance too?
Iwayama Kōmon showed no intention of sitting down. His gaze swept across the crowd, his tone as casual as idle conversation.
"Are Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Xuantou here?"
A blond young man stood with a gentle smile. It was Minato Namikaze.
Xuandou also stood and nodded to him.
Iwayama Kōmon looked the two of them up and down, appreciation appearing on his face.
"The daimyo has heard about your performance during the war, and he is very pleased. He intends to make you both candidates for the next Hokage. Keep up the good work."
Minato bowed slightly.
"Thank you for your high regard, my lord."
Xuandou also bowed.
Iwayama Kōmon nodded and looked away from them, seemingly ready to leave.
Danzo suddenly stood.
"My lord, during this war, I joined forces with Hanzo of the Salamander to defeat an organization in the Land of Rain called the Akatsuki, and even killed their leader, Yahiko. Surely that was no small achievement? Did the daimyo mention allowing me to compete for the position of the next Hokage as well?"
Iwayama Kōmon turned his head and glanced at him.
His gaze was indifferent, as though he were looking at an insignificant passerby.
"Hmm... what was your name?"
The corner of Danzo's mouth twitched.
"I am Shimura Danzō."
"Oh, the daimyo never mentioned you."
Iwayama Kōmon waved a hand.
"Besides, you're too old."
Danzo clenched his fists, his lips moving as though he still wanted to say something.
But Iwayama Kōmon gave him no opportunity, turning straight toward the door.
"My time is valuable, so I won't stay any longer."
The two guards followed him, and the door closed behind them.
Everyone exchanged looks, but no one spoke.
In the end, Hiruzen broke the silence.
He gave a light cough, his tone calm.
"It is time for me to retire. But during this final year, I will still see to everything that needs to be done."
Xuandou sat in his seat, his thoughts racing.
In the original story, Hiruzen had been forced to step down as soon as the war ended.
Now, because of the changes he had brought about, Konoha had defeated the Land of Wind, and Hiruzen had actually gained another year in office.
It seemed the daimyo wanted to give him a dignified departure in recognition of his hard work, even if he had achieved little.
Hiruzen continued.
"The war is over, and many ninja have returned to the village. After spending so long on the battlefield, some have brought those savage habits back with them. Public order in Konoha has deteriorated considerably lately, with fights and harassment of civilians occurring from time to time."
He looked at Xuandou.
"The Konoha Military Police Force will have to put in some extra effort. Increase patrols and stamp out these unhealthy tendencies."
Xuandou stood and lowered his head as he replied.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. Once I get back, I'll urge Fugaku to keep a closer watch."
Hiruzen nodded.
"All right, meeting adjourned."
Everyone rose and left.
Danzo watched Minato and Xuandou leave, his eyes vicious.
He returned to the Root Base and waved a hand. A masked figure emerged from the shadows and knelt on one knee.
"Send a few people to investigate Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Xuantou."
"Look into everything they've done in the past, one incident at a time. Compile it all and bring it to me."
"Yes."
The shadowy figure flickered and vanished into the darkness.
Meanwhile, Xuandou left the Hokage Building and walked down the street toward the Uchiha Clan Compound.
As he walked, he thought about what had just happened.
A new Hokage would be selected in a year, and both he and Minato were candidates.
Minato was upright, powerful, and popular. Not only had he earned military merits on the battlefield just as Xuandou had, but more importantly, he was the student of Hiruzen's student.
Under the unwritten rules governing the Hokage position, his own chances were probably slim.
But that was fine. The Hokage position was a hot potato right now, hardly a desirable post.
As he was thinking, a commotion came from up ahead.
Xuandou looked up and saw a noisy crowd gathered at the street corner.
He walked over, pushed through the crowd, and looked inside.
Two young men wearing Konoha Military Police Force vests were pinning a drunken man to the ground. The man was still struggling and swearing.
A woman sat on the ground nearby, her clothes disheveled and her head lowered as she sobbed quietly.
Xuandou frowned and stepped forward.
"What happened?"