Andrew's words slammed into the Hokage conference room like a shockwave.
"We Uchiha are not interested in Hokage."
For several seconds, not a single sound followed. The once-polite smiles on the faces of Konoha's elders, advisors, and clan heads froze into disbelief.
Even Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi blinked, uncertain if he'd heard correctly.
The Uchiha clan had always been hungry for power. That was the common belief. They had fiercely controlled the Police Force, pushed for more authority, and even in darker whispers, there had once been talk of a coup. Now, after the village itself offered the position of Fifth Hokage, the Uchiha simply… refused?
This was too strange. Something didn't add up.
Did this mean they were breaking ties with Konoha completely?
But they hadn't announced independence. Uchiha still had a physical presence in the village. Sasuke, the son of the patriarch, still studied at the ninja academy. Surely that meant they still valued Konoha?
"Andrew of Uchiha," Elder Koharu stood, her face tense, "you can't reject the Hokage title so easily. Even if you don't want it, does that mean the entire Uchiha clan feels the same?"
Andrew didn't flinch. He had expected this pushback.
"Elder Koharu, as the official director of Uchiha's Office in Konoha, I have full authority to represent our clan's stance on any matter related to this village," he said clearly. "If I say we are not interested in Hokage, that's the voice of the entire clan."
A collective gasp rose from those unfamiliar with the Uchiha's current structure.
"In the past, the Uchiha fought for power because we believed in Konoha," Andrew continued. "But the village didn't believe in us. So we moved on. Now, we have nothing to prove. No power here tempts us anymore."
The elders looked stunned. The offer of Hokage—once the dream of many—had just been tossed aside like loose change.
"You... What gives you the right?" Koharu snapped. "Where is Fugaku? Why didn't the clan leader attend this meeting himself?"
Andrew shrugged, as if the answer was obvious.
"Fugaku is busy being the CEO of the Uchiha Group. Running a growing enterprise, managing millions of ryo per day. He doesn't need to sit here and listen to the same old people who once turned their backs on him."
He tilted his head playfully. "If you're bothered by titles, I can change mine. Acting Clan Chief of Konoha-Uchiha Affairs, perhaps? It's just a name. The authority stays the same."
A murmur spread among the ninja clans. Uchiha had changed—and it was clear that Andrew was now the face of that change.
"That's enough, Koharu," Third Hokage interrupted firmly. "The Hokage must be someone willing to lead. If Uchiha refuses, then that's their choice."
He looked at Andrew seriously. "But you know the village is in crisis. We need someone strong enough to guide Konoha through these times. Even if there has been bad blood… surely you don't want to see the village collapse?"
Andrew nodded solemnly. "Of course not. We still remember that Uchiha helped build this village from the ground up. We don't wish for its destruction."
He stepped forward, voice calm but firm. "But you also know our clan is emotional by nature. Putting us in the Hokage seat now, after everything that's happened, would only make things worse. There's still too much resentment, too much distrust."
He gestured toward Tsunade and Jiraiya. "Besides, you have better candidates. Legendary Sannin with experience, strength, and ties to the people. Why force a risky decision when the safe ones are already here?"
Then he added with a small smirk, "And in terms of pure strength… well, I'm not too bad either."
"I'll stay in Konoha. My Mangekyō Sharingan is enough of a deterrent to outsiders, and a shield to protect the village."
The weight of his words was not lost on anyone. Having a Mangekyō Uchiha in the village was no small thing. Especially with most of the clan relocated to the harbor zone.
But Andrew wasn't done yet.
"You're not just lacking strength," he continued. "You're also broke."
The room stilled again.
"The recent attack cost you dearly. Your budget's drained. The economy's collapsing. You're barely holding things together."
Hiruzen didn't argue. It was true. The damage to infrastructure, payments for repairs, ninja deaths—all of it had put the village on the brink.
That's when Andrew made his real offer.
"Our Uchiha Group has started a project called the Rural Revitalization Plan." His voice was steady, full of quiet confidence.
"The goal is simple: to rebuild and empower smaller struggling villages across the Land of Fire—and beyond."
He let the silence stretch, then delivered the kicker:
"We're willing to include Konoha as a top-priority support site."
The jaws of half the room nearly dropped.
"Under this plan, we provide funding, materials, reconstruction resources, even security assistance." He smiled. "In return, we only ask for fair cooperation—streamlined permits, reasonable local support, and transparency."
Tsunade sat up straighter. "Wait. You'd fund Konoha?"
Andrew nodded. "Absolutely. But only if you want it."
He continued, "We'll even bring in support from Uchiha Security Company. Hire them to supplement your own patrols and checkpoints. You'll have manpower and funding."
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened. "What's the catch?"
Andrew raised his hand in reassurance. "No hidden conditions. The only thing we ask is that we supervise where the money goes. A member of our team must be granted a seat on the village advisory council—strictly to manage fund allocation."
"We won't tolerate embezzlement. We're not here to rebuild noble compounds with our money. If even a single ryo goes missing, the deal's off."
There it was. A fair, transparent, powerful offer—but with clear boundaries.
The entire room buzzed.
"We can't afford war without money," Andrew said bluntly. "Right now, you couldn't even fund a border skirmish."
"But if Konoha joins the revitalization project, you'll stabilize faster than any of the Five Great Nations."
Hiruzen looked thoughtful. "And you'll treat us… the same as the other villages?"
"No," Andrew replied. "Better. Because we still have history with Konoha. You helped make us who we are. And even if we don't trust the leadership anymore… we still care about the people."
Hiashi, watching from the side, muttered under his breath, "They don't want the title of Hokage… but they hold the power to save or sink the village."
He wasn't wrong.
The room slowly began to shift. The elders, once rigid, were now contemplative. The clan heads, once curious, were now respectful.
Andrew took a final step forward and said:
"We Uchiha are not here to rule Konoha. But we are willing to help Konoha rise again—if you're ready to let us."
--
----------------------------------------------------
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
-----------------------------------------------------