The silence inside the council chamber was shattered like glass.
"What!"
"Elder Hiruzen… defected?!"
The words fell like thunder.
Gasps and shouts followed in waves. Patriarchs and elders leapt to their feet, their expressions twisting in disbelief. The Third Hokage—once the pillar of the village—betray Konoha? To many, the idea itself was unthinkable.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!" an elder from the Sarutobi side barked, his voice trembling with anger and denial. "Kakashi, are you fabricating this nonsense to slander Lord Hiruzen? Did you use the chaos as cover to murder the Third Hokage and now attempt to smear his name?!"
His accusation sliced through the room, striking nerves raw. Many Anbu—loyal shadows once under Hiruzen's direct command—looked shocked, some even hostile. Their faces hardened, suspicion burning in their eyes.
To them, this had to be a conspiracy. Kakashi, the young prodigy now serving under the Fourth Hokage, had always been distant and difficult to read. Could he really have plotted against their master?
But Kakashi only sighed.
"Believe it or not," he said flatly, "this is the truth."
His tone carried neither rage nor defensiveness, only tired exasperation.
Inside, however, his mind burned. What kind of logic is this? Do they really believe I staged a duel to kill the Third Hokage? As if sealing himself with the Dead Demon Consuming Seal could be faked?
Kakashi's single visible eye narrowed. If I truly wanted to kill him, I could have done it in front of all of you. Why waste time weaving conspiracies?
His gaze swept across the crowd, cold and sharp.
"By the way," he continued, his voice level but commanding, "a pursuit squad will be organized immediately. Its task will be to track down the Third Hokage. If you doubt his betrayal, then I suggest you sign up yourselves and ask him face to face."
His words sliced through the noise, silencing the room.
"Those unwilling to participate," Kakashi added, his voice suddenly icy, "will be dismissed on the spot and await investigation."
The weight of his authority pressed down on them like an invisible blade.
---
The First to Step Forward
"I'll sign up!"
The declaration rang out. Xiang—once the very man who had been used to test Kakashi's skill during his Jōnin evaluation—stepped forward boldly. His jaw was tight, but his eyes blazed with determination.
"I'll sign up too!"
One by one, others followed. Many still struggled with doubt, but the choice was clear—sign up and investigate for themselves, or be cast aside as suspected traitors.
Seeing the tide shift, Kakashi nodded.
"Good. Register your information with Mao Yue Xiyan."
His gaze lingered on Xiang. "From this moment, you are the leader of the hunting team. Lead them to track down the Third Hokage. Whether alive or dead…"—his voice sharpened like the edge of a kunai—"…he must be brought back."
At that instant, Kakashi's aura flared. A killing intent surged outward, suffocating the chamber. Even hardened shinobi felt a chill in their bones.
"Yes!" The word burst from their lips, some more steady than others.
Xiang clenched his fists. He understood all too well—the moment he accepted this mission, he and the others had essentially placed themselves under Kakashi's command. They were no longer the loyal Anbu of the Third. They were subordinates of the Fourth Hokage's right hand.
Still, deep in his heart, Xiang swore a vow: I will find Lord Hiruzen. I will uncover the truth. And I will bring him back alive.
Kakashi crossed his arms, eye narrowing in quiet satisfaction. Allowing them to "prove" Hiruzen's betrayal was both tactically safe and politically brilliant. If they succeeded, the truth would be undeniable. If they failed, their loyalty would still be bound to Minato's new regime.
A perfect checkmate.
---
Filling the Power Vacuum
Once the pursuit team was dispatched, the chamber quieted again. Kakashi turned to the Hokage, his expression calm but respectful.
"Hokage-sama," he said, "Danzo is dead. Sarutobi Hiruzen has defected. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura have been arrested. Three elders gone, and the chief elder position vacant. This is the time to act."
Minato's blue eyes flickered. Kakashi's meaning was clear—the village's governing system could not remain in chaos. New appointments must be made immediately, both to stabilize Konoha and to consolidate his regime.
Minato inclined his head. "You're right, Kakashi. The chain of command must be restored."
He rose from his seat and turned to Akimichi Chōza, known in formal setting as Elder Qufeng.
"Elder Qufeng," Minato said warmly, "you were of the same generation as Lord Hiruzen. In terms of seniority and prestige, the role of chief elder rightly belongs to you. Would you accept this duty?"
The massive man blinked, then burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! Hokage-sama, I am just a blunt, simple man. You honor me too much!" His laughter echoed, but his eyes gleamed with pride. "Still—since you ask it of me, how could I refuse?"
Minato smiled gently. "You are too humble, Elder Qufeng. You have safeguarded Konoha's defenses for many years. You have earned this seat. The village will be in good hands with you."
---
A New Advisory Council
Next, Minato's gaze shifted toward the two clan heads who represented the pillars of Konoha's bloodline families: Uchiha Fugaku and Hyūga Hiashi.
"Chief Fugaku, Chief Hiashi," Minato said respectfully, "I wish to invite you both to serve as advisors to the Hokage. Will you accept?"
Fugaku's heart leapt. For years, the Uchiha had been pushed into the shadows, scorned and excluded from true power by Hiruzen and his circle. He had gambled everything by siding with Minato during this crisis, bringing the Uchiha Police Force to show their support.
Now, the gamble had paid off beyond his dreams.
"Hahaha, Hokage-sama, I accept!" Fugaku said, barely containing his excitement. "I will serve faithfully and fulfill my duties!"
Inside, his chest burned with triumph. The four elders who had weighed down on the Uchiha like a mountain—Danzo, Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura—had all been swept away in a single day. And he, Fugaku, now stood at the heart of power.
For him, this was the dawn of a new era.
Hiashi, more reserved, was caught off guard. His role in the crisis had been minimal, almost passive. And yet, Minato was offering him a seat of immense influence.
For a moment, hesitation flickered in his eyes. But reason quickly prevailed. Fugaku has already accepted. To decline would be political suicide.
Bowing his head, Hiashi said firmly, "Yes, Hokage-sama. I too will serve with all my strength and strive to be worthy of this position."
Minato's smile widened. "Excellent. From this day forward, I rely on you both."
---
The Resourceful General
Finally, Minato's eyes turned to Nara Shikaku.
"As for Chief Shikaku," Minato said, his tone grave, "I ask you to serve as Hokage's assistant. What do you say?"
The room stilled. Among the Ino-Shika-Chō alliance, Shikaku was always the strategist, the one whose mind could turn the tide of war. For years, however, his brilliance had been overlooked by the Third, overshadowed by Danzo's influence.
Shikaku's lips curved in a faint, sardonic smile. "Since the Hokage himself requests it, how could I refuse? I will give my all."
Inside, his heart stirred. Finally. A leader who sees my worth. No longer a decoration to be brought out only in war. At last… my talents will be recognized.
Minato's face lit with joy. "Good, good! With your guidance, Konoha will prosper under steady order."
---
The New Order
With calm precision, Minato distributed responsibilities:
Finance Department → Nara Shikaku
Education Department → Uchiha Fugaku
Torture and Interrogation Department → Yamanaka Inoichi
Defense Department → Akimichi Chōza
Intelligence Department → Aburame Shibi
The framework of a new government took shape before their eyes. In a single day, the old order was swept aside, replaced by Minato's fresh leadership team.
A new Konoha was being born.
---
Ruthless Justice
At last, Minato's gaze hardened. His gentle aura dimmed, replaced with the steel of command.
"Kakashi," he ordered, "take the Anbu and join forces with Chief Fugaku's clan."
"Your task is to seize all illegal assets of the Sarutobi, Tateshina, Mitokado, and Shimura clans. Arrest every conspirator involved."
He paused, his voice dropping to a chilling calm.
"If any dare resist the law—eliminate them."
"Yes!" Kakashi bowed sharply, his voice as cold as his master's command.
The message was clear to all present: kindness and fairness for those who cooperated, but unrelenting force for those who resisted.
Minato Namikaze, the gentle Fourth Hokage, had shown his other side—the commanding general who wielded both compassion and ruthlessness.
And with that, the new era of Konoha began.
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