Inside the Hokage's office.
"Kaede has made contact with the Uchiha clan…" Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes darkened with concern as he listened to the intelligence report from his Anbu subordinates.
It seemed Kaede had not given up on supporting Orochimaru's bid for the Fourth Hokage position. And his ties with the Uchiha clan were inherently dangerous.
With Kaede's strength, combined with the Uchiha clan's power, launching a coup to seize control of Konoha was by no means impossible. Especially now that Nohara Rin, who was close to Kaede, had become the Jinchūriki of the Three-Tails.
Hiruzen rubbed his temples, troubled.
Just as he expected.
Now that the war had calmed down, any move by Kaede would immediately raise alarms, because his power was simply overwhelming.
"Hiruzen, we need to prepare early," Danzo said in a low voice from beside him. "This contact with the Uchiha is a clear signal. Ignoring it now will only make things harder to handle later."
The Konoha leadership, along with most people, supported Namikaze Minato to become the Fourth Hokage. In their previous discussions, Minato was seen as the better fit.
Orochimaru was talented, no doubt, but in many aspects, he fell short compared to Minato.
Since the decision to support Minato had basically been made, it was crucial to watch both Orochimaru and Kaede closely. Especially Kaede, who was even more dangerous.
"You want to control Kaede… Danzo, I don't agree with that," Hiruzen replied firmly.
Danzo's approach was too extreme.
Kaede was a hero of Konoha and had never done anything against the village. To try to control him simply because of possible future threats was going too far. Besides, Kaede's power was not easy to control.
"At times like this, you must be decisive," Danzo pressed. "Unless you want Orochimaru to become Hokage."
Hiruzen, pipe clenched between his teeth, took a long drag and let the smoke curl around him. After a moment of silence, he sighed deeply. "You can leave for now, Danzo."
"Hiruzen…" Danzo's expression shifted slightly. He wanted to argue further, but when their eyes met, he took a deep breath and said, "Then it's up to you to handle this."
With that, Danzo turned and left.
Hiruzen remained alone in the office, taking a few more puffs from his pipe. Amid the swirling smoke, he finally made a decision. He set down the pipe and left the Hokage's office, heading straight to Orochimaru's research base.
….
Two days later.
At Kaede's home.
After hearing the detailed account from Kaede, Kakashi, and Rin about their encounter with Obito, Namikaze Minato fell silent for a moment, then nodded in acknowledgement.
"I understand… Thank you for your efforts, Kaede."
"No need to thank me. Kakashi and Rin are important to me. I can't just stand by when something happens to them," Kaede replied with a smile.
Minato glanced at Kakashi and Rin. "I'll be going then."
"Okay."
Kaede stood up, and Kakashi escorted Minato to the door.
Once Minato left, Kakashi turned to Kaede, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
"Big brother, Konoha should be deciding on the Fourth Hokage soon, right?"
Kaede glanced at Kakashi, then sat back down on the sofa.
"So you want me to support Minato?"
"No."
Kakashi shook his head. "You're Orochimaru's student, so naturally you'd support him. But to me, Minato seems more suited to be the Fourth Hokage."
Kaede closed his eyes briefly.
Rin looked between Kakashi and Kaede but didn't try to join the conversation. She knew this topic wasn't one to casually voice her opinions on, though in her heart, she agreed Minato was the better choice.
Orochimaru did have many supporters, especially before the Third Great Ninja War, when support for him was nearly unanimous. But Minato's brilliance during the war was undeniable.
Both were geniuses. Both are exceptional shinobi.
When two talents collide, one inevitably seems to shine less brightly.
A heavy silence filled the room.
Kaede opened his eyes and met Kakashi's gaze.
Under Kaede's intense stare, Kakashi's confidence visibly wavered. After all, this man before him was not just his elder brother, but the legendary Silver Flash of the ninja world.
"Who you support doesn't really matter, Kakashi," Kaede said, noticing his younger brother's tension. He smiled suddenly. "This isn't a decision that depends on just your support or stance."
Hearing this, Kakashi visibly relaxed.
He'd been a little scared.
Though he'd always looked up to Kaede, he'd never before found himself completely at odds with him on any viewpoint.
Standing behind Kaede, Kakashi felt the overwhelming strength and effortless confidence of his brother. But standing face-to-face with him brought an equal measure of pressure.
This was the first time he'd openly voiced a difference in opinion, and it was about something fundamental.
"Why so tense, you two?" Kaede chuckled, seeing the nervous looks on Kakashi's and Rin's faces.
Clearly, his authority as their elder brother was extraordinary.
Kaede had thought about Kakashi's position a long time ago, but hadn't minded it. After all, the closest person to him in this world was his younger brother Kakashi.
And only after him, everyone else.
Rin, relieved that the tension had eased, laughed softly. "That atmosphere just now was really intimidating."
"Well then, big brother…" Kakashi hesitated, looking at Kaede.
Kaede picked up an apple, took a bite, and leaned back on the sofa.
"Of course I still support Orochimaru. Our positions conflict, but that's fine. People will always have different opinions."
"I see…"
Kakashi exhaled. He could understand Kaede's decision, after all, Kaede was Orochimaru's student.
….
Half a month later.
Konoha's leadership gathered for a high-level meeting.
Only elite Jōnin and heads or representatives of the major clans were qualified to attend.
The attendees were numerous, all influential figures in Konoha, including the Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, his assistant Danzo, two advisors, two of the Legendary Sannin (Jiraiya and Orochimaru), as well as Namikaze Minato, Hatake Kaede, Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Hizashi, and many others.
Some were absent due to external missions or war preparations, and others, suspecting the meeting's topic, chose not to voice their opinions.
But almost everyone else was present.
After a brief overview of the ninja world situation, Sarutobi Hiruzen got to the point.
"So… what are everyone's thoughts on the successor for the Fourth Hokage?"
==========
You can find much more on my Patreon: Patreon.com/Veltoria
There are currently 5 active fanfictions on Patreon, with over 418+ advanced chapters available across them!
From Naruto Onwards, I Control Time — Up to Chapter 274
Haikyuu!!: Rise of Sengoku — Up to Chapter 203
Danmachi: Is It Wrong To Aspire to Be An Adventurer? — Up to Chapter 97
Legend of Hogwarts (Harry Potter x League of Legends) — Up to Chapter 116
I Am Luffy: Partner System Online (One Piece) — Up to Chapter 99