Soon, a shocking new rumor spread across Konoha.
"Did you hear? Last night, Hokage-sama was actually fighting the shadowy mastermind who controlled the Nine-Tails!"
"Told you so! Hokage-sama would never run away in the middle of a crisis!"
"But Hokage-sama still failed to capture that person and has decided to take responsibility and resign."
"Huh? That seems excessive!"
"It's said that Hokage-sama stepped down specifically to personally chase down that hidden enemy."
"Then who will be the new Hokage? Seiki-sama?"
"It's said to be Elder Danzo."
"Huh?! No way!"
Within the Uchiha clan's territory.
Fugaku listened to his subordinate's report with a complex expression. After a long silence, he sighed deeply. "You may leave now."
"Yes, sir."
After his subordinate left, Mikoto approached from the side. "What luck for the Uchiha to have someone like Seiki-sama as a friend!"
"Friend?" Fugaku shook his head wistfully. "I've always tried hard to befriend them, but what about Seiki? He gave up the position of Hokage for someone as unworthy as me and was even forced to leave the village! Someone as despicable as me doesn't even deserve to be called his friend!"
"Don't say that about yourself," Mikoto comforted him with a pained expression. "You did it for the future of the Uchiha clan. And do you really think Seiki, with his wisdom, couldn't see through your intentions all along?"
"That's exactly why I feel even worse!" Fugaku sighed, gently patting Itachi's head. "Itachi, your failure of a father has little to teach you. But there is one thing I hope you'll promise me."
"A real man will always protect his true friends and beloved family, no matter what difficulties they face!"
"No matter how difficult the road ahead may be… I hope you become a man like that!"
Itachi nodded reverently. "I will definitely become a man just like Seiki-sama!"
...
Within the Hyuga clan's territory.
"Phew! What a relief!" Having received the news about the Uchiha clan, Hiashi exhaled deeply, as if a heavy burden had finally been lifted from his shoulders.
"That's indeed fortunate!" Hizashi, for once, agreed.
As Konoha's second most powerful clan, often compared to the Uchiha, one might expect them to resent the Uchiha—who constantly overshadowed them—and secretly hope for the Uchiha's downfall.
But in reality, that wasn't the case.
It was true they didn't hold any particular fondness for the Uchiha, but at the same time, they certainly didn't wish to see the Uchiha fall into ruin.
Thanks to the Uchiha acting as the vanguard and drawing most of the hostility, the Hyuga had been able to develop peacefully.
Without the Uchiha, they couldn't be sure the village's leadership would remain as lenient toward them as before.
"I never expected Seiki-sama to sacrifice so much for the Uchiha," Hiashi remarked with admiration.
"That's because Seiki-sama truly loves this village!" Hizashi replied passionately. "He never hesitates to sacrifice his own interests—for his friends, for the village!"
"That's right! Seiki-sama is exactly the kind of broad-minded man we speak of!"
Hiashi agreed.
"What a man! I'd follow him anywhere, no matter the cost!" Hizashi's eyes sparkled. "I believe he's the one who can change this world!"
Hiashi looked at Hizashi in surprise. This was the first time he'd seen such brilliant determination in his twin brother's eyes.
"Perhaps it's because of the fate of the branch family that he longs for someone to bring change," Hiashi mused before saying seriously, "Don't forget, you still have Neji!"
"That's right, I still have Neji!" Hizashi took a deep breath and declared firmly, "I'll raise Neji well, and let him realize my dream in my place!"
...
At the Konoha village entrance, Seiki's friends surrounded him.
Since they had already scolded Danzo many times, they simply ignored him now.
"Seiki, can we leave with you?" Kurenai asked, batting her eyelashes hopefully.
"Yeah, we can help you too!" Shizune nodded rapidly, her head bobbing up and down.
"Don't say silly things," Seiki gently ruffled their hair, "I'm leaving to complete a mission. How could I possibly bring you along? Besides, I'm only leaving temporarily. I'll definitely come back. Maybe you'll even go on a mission yourselves and return to find me already in the village!"
In comparison, Asuma and the others appeared more carefree... if one ignored the tears in their eyes.
"You better keep training while you're away!" Asuma bumped fists with Seiki, "Don't let me catch up to you next time you come back!"
Seiki smiled, "I'll remember that. If I come back next time and find you haven't improved much, don't blame me for giving you a hard time!"
Guy flashed his signature bright smile and gave a thumbs up, "Senpai, youth never stands still! Even though we can't train together, as long as we're under the same sky, I can feel your burning heart!"
Seiki couldn't help but smile wryly, "Got it. I won't forget to train."
Kakashi came out looking cold and distant. He hesitated, as if trying to find the right words, then finally managed to say stiffly, "Take care, senpai."
Seiki smiled, "Don't always dwell in the past. Look forward more."
...
After everyone had sent their blessings, Seiki left without looking back.
He wasn't made of stone. Leaving everyone behind was an extremely difficult choice for him.
However, he couldn't stop moving forward.
"Sorry, but I must follow the path I've planned. Before the Otsutsuki arrive, I... must become much stronger!"
As the saying goes in his past life, it's like being "between a rock and a hard place — holding the gun means I can't embrace them, but laying it down means I can't protect them."
After Seiki left, the atmosphere became very quiet, with many people quietly sobbing.
Seeing this, Asuma gave a forced laugh and turned to Mizuki, "Mizuki, I thought you'd chase after him no matter what!"
Mizuki glanced at him sideways, "Idiot! Staying in the village is the best way to help Seiki!"
"You called Haku...?" Asuma narrowed his eyes, then suddenly paused. "Wait, what do you mean staying in the village is the best way to help Seiki?"
"Seiki will definitely return!" Mizuki said firmly. "Until he comes back, I'll manage everything in the village for him!"
"Manage?"
"People tend to forget easily. Isn't Danzo trying to erase Seiki's traces and eliminate his influence over time? As long as I remain in the village, nothing like that will ever happen!"
Hearing him say that, everyone felt fired up.
"That's right! We can help Seiki too by staying in the village!"
"It's settled then. Let Danzo see what we're made of!"
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Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!