The Uchiha clan had entered a new phase. With their independence solidified and a roadmap for their growth laid out, they began planning long-term goals for their clan's prosperity. But while Uchiha surged forward, Konoha remained mired in internal problems.
Though the village had survived the recent wave of external attacks, it came at a cost. The Third Hokage had chosen to concentrate Konoha's forces near the village itself rather than meeting enemy invasions at the Fire Country borders. This decision spared lives, but the village infrastructure paid the price.
Entire sectors of Konoha had been damaged or destroyed, especially after the aggressive assault by Iwagakure, which was more about destruction than conquest. And while civilian casualties were minimal, the repairs required were extensive and expensive.
Adding to the problem, Konoha had paid a massive 500 million ryo compensation to the Uchiha clan, as part of the agreement following their move and economic partnership. The Fire Daimyo's administration was already uneasy about this decision, and now funds were running dry.
And yet, the elder families still demanded money to rebuild their properties and strengthen their private forces. With everything combined—compensation, construction, defense, and economic fallout—Konoha was once again nearing bankruptcy.
On top of that, a storm was brewing inside the village. The Third Hokage had finally begun reforming Anbu, a decision he had postponed for too long. For years, he believed the civilian shinobi under his direct command were loyal to him, bound by the ideals of the Will of Fire.
But that belief was shattered the moment he ordered a thorough investigation.
The results stunned him.
Anbu, the elite force that answered only to the Hokage, had been thoroughly infiltrated. The two elder advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, had placed loyalists throughout the organization. Even worse, Danzo—despite being dead—had left behind a loyal sleeper unit buried within Anbu.
The Hokage felt a chill down his spine. If he hadn't initiated this reformation now, the remnants of Root might have betrayed Konoha all over again, especially with Danzo publicly denounced. The consequences could have been fatal.
Who knew what these Danzo loyalists were capable of? Given their blind loyalty, they might have handed over the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki to another village in protest or attacked the leadership from within.
Inside the Hokage office, Tsunade stood quietly, her expression unreadable. She had returned only to help stabilize the village, but the more she learned, the more disillusioned she became.
Jiraiya stood nearby, scratching his head in frustration, clearly unsure how to even speak on the matter.
Everything happening now—the infiltration of Anbu, the economic collapse, the Uchiha exodus—was due to one thing:
The Third Hokage's poor leadership.
It was one thing not to know what Danzo had been doing in the shadows—Danzo had always been a master of secrecy. But to let Anbu fall into enemy hands? That was inexcusable.
Suddenly, the office doors slammed open.
The two elder advisors barged in, their faces flushed with anger.
"Hiruzen!" Utatane Koharu shouted, "Why haven't the funds been released to support the clans?"
"And what is this sudden Anbu reform about? Why weren't we informed in advance?" added Mitokado Homura. "Also, the entire Uchiha clan has relocated! Are you just going to let them do as they please? What happened to your Hokage authority?"
The Third Hokage looked up at them, his eyes calm but sharp.
"I am reorganizing my Anbu," he said slowly. "Do I need to ask your permission for that?"
His words cut like a blade.
The two elders froze. Cold sweat beaded on their brows. Technically, Anbu fell under the Hokage's exclusive command. They had no say in its operations. And judging by Hiruzen's tone, he had discovered things—things that could threaten their own influence.
The Third Hokage continued, his voice firm.
"I won't pursue past offenses, but I will not allow this to continue. The village has suffered enough. We need funds to repair it."
"And as for the Uchiha, they're executing tasks assigned by the Fire Daimyo. There's nothing inappropriate. If you two have so much free time, go help calm the villagers."
With that, he dismissed them outright.
The elders had entered with righteous fury but left in silence and shame, unable to argue. They knew they had overstepped, and worse, they might be found out soon enough.
When they were gone, the Hokage looked at his two most trusted students—Tsunade and Jiraiya.
He sighed deeply.
"Tsunade, Jiraiya… the village is in trouble. I've made too many mistakes. It's time for someone stronger to lead Konoha. One of you must become the next Hokage."
But Jiraiya shook his head immediately. "Don't even finish that sentence, old man. I'm no good at politics or leadership. Missions and battles are fine, but the Hokage's desk? No, thank you."
Tsunade followed suit. "I'm just here temporarily. Once the crisis dies down, I'm gone."
Her voice was cold, her eyes distant.
After losing her brother Nawaki and her lover Dan to the Hokage curse, Tsunade had come to believe that anyone close to the Hokage position was doomed. Her hemophobia had only deepened that belief.
"I can't be Hokage, and I don't want to be," she added.
The Third Hokage lowered his head slightly. He understood. But he also knew that no one else in the village had the strength, reputation, or clarity to lead in these dark times.
Unless...
"Old man, why not look at someone else?" Tsunade said suddenly. "There are still talented people in the village."
She paused.
"In fact... if you're really desperate, why not consider someone from the Uchiha?"
Her words shocked the room.
Even Jiraiya turned to stare at her in disbelief.
Tsunade smirked. "I'm serious. The Uchiha clan is flush with wealth, and from what I've seen, they're more stable than most of Konoha right now."
She walked to the window and looked out at the half-destroyed buildings still under repair.
"They've got Mangekyō Sharingan users—at least three of them. That's three Kage-level shinobi right there. They're allied with Kirigakure and have no bad blood with the Daimyo. If an Uchiha becomes Hokage, Konoha's problems would disappear overnight."
The Third Hokage's jaw clenched slightly, but he didn't speak.
Tsunade turned back to him. "Of course, the real question is—can you accept that?"
The room fell into silence.
What she said made sense. Economically, Uchiha could stabilize the village. Militarily, they could deter other villages from provoking Konoha further. Politically, their relationship with the Daimyo and Mist Village gave them leverage.
But... they were still Uchiha.
The clan that had once been feared, distrusted, and nearly wiped out in secret plans. The clan Hiruzen had watched suffer under Danzo's paranoia and Konoha's internal bias.
The very idea of an Uchiha sitting in the Hokage chair would be controversial—possibly even spark rebellion from some of the old guard.
But was that reason enough to deny them a chance?
Third Hokage stared down at his hand
s, worn with age and guilt.
He had no answer.
-----------------------------------------------------
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
-----------------------------------------------------