The crowd froze at the revelation.
The Third Hokage, a traitor?
It was too explosive, too absurd—something their minds resisted believing.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had been the village's highest authority for decades. Even if the Uchiha were powerful, even if they wielded unmatched force, they weren't the Hokage. What reason could Hiruzen possibly have had to betray his own people?
"Is this really true?"
"Why would he do such a thing?"
Speculation rippled through the villagers.
"Plenty of people know. It came straight from the clan leaders' meeting."
"Ridiculous or not, that's the truth."
"The Uchiha were always mistrusted by the upper ranks. After the Second Hokage died, the high council began scheming. This must have been part of that old feud."
"And the Hyūga? Probably because they clashed with Hiruzen over the Hidden Cloud incident years ago. The leadership turned on them as well."
The people seethed.
To sacrifice Konoha's interests out of petty internal grudges? Was that the standard of the Hokage?
"It's madness! How could the Third Hokage do such a thing?"
"The Second Hokage must be rolling in his grave—what a disastrous choice of successor!"
"The village has birthed a traitor Kage! This is the first time in shinobi history something so shameful has happened. Word will spread to the Land of Fire's daimyō. If he slashes our military funding, what will we do?"
Rage swelled among the people. Konoha's wealth and resources were tied to the daimyō's coffers. A scandal of this size would give him every excuse to cut their funding.
But one voice cut in, full of confidence:
"Don't worry. Even if the Third was a disgrace, the Uchiha clan is here. The next Hokage will definitely come from them. With their strength, there's no way the daimyō could suppress Konoha's power by cutting funding."
Relieved murmurs followed. Faces eased.
Yes… under the Uchiha, Konoha would no longer be humiliated. Other villages would have to think twice before daring to provoke the Land of Fire again.
Meanwhile, back in the Uchiha district, Ryosuke was invited to Fugaku's home.
Fugaku had prepared tea in advance, waiting with purpose. The next step was clear: within seven days, the clan leaders would meet again to elect the next Hokage.
For Fugaku, the choice was obvious. Among the Uchiha, only Ryosuke and himself were viable candidates. As clan head, Fugaku believed it was his turn.
Ryosuke was young, dedicated to training, uninterested in politics. Naturally, the Hokage's mantle would fall on Fugaku's shoulders. The thought thrilled him—his name carved into the Hokage Monument, the Uchiha clan finally ascending to the village's throne.
When Ryosuke arrived, he accepted a cup without ceremony. Taking a sip, he asked casually:
"Clan Leader Fugaku, what matter brings me here?"
Fugaku spoke bluntly:
"At the next council, all the clans will support the Uchiha. The daimyō will not oppose it. So tell me, Ryosuke—do you intend to become Hokage?"
He didn't mind stepping aside if Ryosuke wanted it. After all, Ryosuke's reputation and power far outstripped his own. The Uchiha would flourish under him.
Ryosuke paused, considering. For a moment, the thought of being Hokage stirred some interest—but he quickly dismissed it. The role was tedious, weighed down with constant responsibilities. If he accepted, he'd probably quit within days.
Better to let someone else carry the title, while he remained free to pursue true strength.
Once, he might have chosen Shisui. But with Shisui gone, there was only one other candidate worth the role.
"No. I won't take the position. Clan Leader Fugaku—you should." Ryosuke set his cup down. "I'll focus on training, on becoming the shield behind Konoha and the Uchiha. This world is far from peaceful."
Fugaku's heart leapt with joy, but his brow furrowed at Ryosuke's words.
"What do you mean, not peaceful? With your strength—you've opened all Eight Gates, your power rivals Hashirama Senju himself. Who in the shinobi world could possibly be your enemy?"
Fugaku listed the other Kage in his mind:
Ōnoki of Iwagakure, wielder of Dust Release, once formidable but now weakened by age.
Rasa of Sunagakure, master of Gold Dust, competent but far from legendary.
The Fourth Mizukage, an average ruler bound by politics.
Even the Fourth Raikage, powerful and explosive, was still a step below Ryosuke.
The Kage were the peaks of the shinobi world. Yet Ryosuke had crushed Hiruzen as if an adult swatting a child. Surely, there was no equal left.
But Ryosuke's gaze drifted to the horizon.
In his mind flickered names: Orochimaru, Nagato with the Rinnegan—powerful, but ultimately stepping stones.
The true storm lay further ahead: Madara, Obito. Enemies who could warp the world itself.
And beyond even them… the Ōtsutsuki clan, lurking in the unseen reaches of time. They would descend eventually, their might greater than anything the shinobi world had yet faced.
But for now, they slept.
Ryosuke had time. Time to grow, to prepare.
"The shinobi world runs deep, Clan Head Fugaku," Ryosuke finally said with a faint smile. "Even power equal to Hashirama's is not enough to guarantee our safety. Stronger foes will come."
Fugaku's face paled. Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, was the pinnacle of legend. To hear Ryosuke speak of forces greater than even him was staggering.
If it had been anyone else, Fugaku would have laughed it off. But from Ryosuke, it was chilling truth.
Madara, Hashirama—they were gods. And yet Ryosuke spoke of others who would dwarf them.
He swallowed hard.
"What kind of enemies will we face in the future?"
Ryosuke only smiled.
"Enemies? No. Merely challenges I must take seriously. That's all you need to know. Your duty is to govern the village well. This is the home of the Uchiha now. Protect it."
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