Chapter 5: Shadows Over the Leaf
In the grand hall of the Land of Fire's daimyo residence, a high-level meeting was underway to discuss Konoha's reconstruction.
A long table stretched through the center of the room. At the head, facing south, sat the daimyo of the Land of Fire—Mitsuhide Akechi—calmly fanning himself.
To his left sat five of his personal counselors, all dressed in ceremonial black robes and tall top hats. To his right were five representatives from the Hidden Leaf: village elders Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, both wearing solemn expressions; the masked captain of the Anbu; Nara Shikaku, calm as ever; and finally, the one who cast the heaviest shadow in the room—Shimura Danzo, leader of the disbanded Root.
Mitokado Homura began the discussion. "Our allies are aligned with us. The previous policy against Akatsuki should be upheld moving forward."
Across the table, the head counselor adjusted his glasses and nodded politely. "The Congress of the Land of Fire will fully support Konoha's reconstruction. We'll begin with approving the budget. After that, steps will be taken to restore diplomatic relations with the other nations."
Danzo suddenly interrupted, voice slow but deliberate. "There is something far more important than reconstruction… the selection of the next Hokage."
Shikaku's eyes narrowed. As expected, Danzo was making his move.
Before the meeting, as the official representative of Konoha's Jonin, Shikaku had recommended Kakashi Hatake to succeed Tsunade. But everyone knew Danzo had been eyeing that position for years. Kakashi was respected, yes, but Danzo had influence, tactics, and the ability to strike when the village was at its weakest.
The daimyo gently tapped his fan against his palm. "Wouldn't it be best to wait for Lady Tsunade to recover?"
Koharu responded with a quiet but firm tone. "My lord, Tsunade remains in a coma. There's no telling when—or if—she'll wake. In the current state of the village, we cannot afford indecision. Besides, she bears some responsibility for the attack."
What she meant was clear. Tsunade had hidden Naruto away on Mount Myoboku, which led to Pain invading the village in search of him.
The daimyo sighed. "Originally, I had hoped to appoint Jiraiya. I always admired him... but he's gone now. Who else is there?"
Danzo leaned forward, ready to speak.
"I recommend Hatake Kakashi," Shikaku said quickly, cutting Danzo off without hesitation. He ignored the cold glare that followed.
"Oh, the son of the White Fang?" the daimyo perked up. "Yes, I remember him. A fine candidate. What do the counselors think?"
"He has the strength, the wisdom, and the moral integrity."
"But isn't he a bit too young?"
"Well, the Fourth Hokage was even younger when he took the title…"
The debate turned favorable toward Kakashi.
Then one counselor asked, "Kakashi Hatake—whose student was he?"
Homura answered, "He trained under the Fourth Hokage."
The daimyo nodded. "Ah, Minato was Jiraiya's apprentice. And Jiraiya was taught by the Third Hokage. That makes a clear line of succession."
It seemed settled.
But then Danzo spoke again.
"That so-called legacy of the Third Hokage… has done nothing but lead this village to ruin."
Everyone turned to him in surprise.
Danzo's eyes were cold and sharp. "The leader of Akatsuki, the very man who destroyed Konoha, was Jiraiya's student. The product of misguided sympathy and sharing our secrets with foreign nations. That's where idealism leads."
"Those naïve teachings brought betrayal from our allies. Orochimaru, a former student of the Third, was allowed to run free, and look how that turned out. Now even the younger members of Akatsuki are tied to that legacy—Uchiha Sasuke, a traitor, one of our own."
Shikaku's jaw tightened.
And then Danzo dropped the final blow.
"But worst of all… is another of Jiraiya's students. Uzumaki Naruto—the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki—has betrayed the village."
Gasps filled the room. Even the daimyo's fan stopped mid-wave.
The head counselor stammered, "Wait—Naruto? But he's the hero who defeated Akatsuki's leader. Isn't he resting with full honors right now?"
Danzo smirked and glanced at Shikaku.
"You'll have to ask our Jonin representative… Nara Shikaku."
All eyes turned to him.
Shikaku wiped the sweat from his brow. As expected, Danzo had discovered the truth. But he forced himself to remain calm.
"Your Excellency," he began. "After the battle, Naruto didn't return to the village. But we cannot conclude he's betrayed us. His whereabouts are still unknown."
Danzo's voice cut through the room. "We've received intelligence that Naruto is in contact with the second leader of Akatsuki—likely plotting harm against Konoha."
"Is the source reliable?" one counselor asked.
Danzo didn't miss a beat. "Credible enough. In fact, I suspect Nagato's attack was coordinated with Naruto from the beginning."
The daimyo's fan dropped slightly. "That can't be… Naruto has always been a kind and loyal boy. He's admired by many…"
"There's no such thing as pure innocence when it comes to a Jinchuriki," Danzo said coldly. "He carries the Nine-Tails inside him. That's a being of chaos and destruction. No matter how good a boy seems, darkness can twist him."
"And who let him grow like this?" Danzo's voice grew louder. "Jiraiya, who failed to guide him. Tsunade, who blindly protected him. Kakashi, who overlooked him. All three failed this village."
The room was silent.
The head counselor adjusted his glasses. "Even if these claims aren't fully confirmed… perhaps Kakashi should be disqualified for now."
Shikaku wanted to speak, to push back, but the momentum was gone. Danzo had flipped the narrative.
Then Danzo rose from his seat and slammed his hands on the table.
"In times like this, we need a leader who can act. Someone who can restore order, who can reshape the world and enforce new laws. That person is me."
Silence again. All eyes went to the daimyo.
Shikaku scrambled to recover. "Your Excellency, please don't decide based on unverified accusations. The Anbu are already tracking Naruto's location. We'll bring him back soon—"
The daimyo raised a hand. His eyes were clear.
"It's decided."
He turned to Danzo.
"Shimura Danzo… I hereby name you the Sixth Hokage."
Danzo gave a shallow bow, the corner of his mouth twitching in triumph.
Inwardly, he laughed. He had originally planned to use the Sharingan in his right eye to manipulate the daimyo if things went poorly. But in the end, he didn't need to.
Just by turning Naruto's situation into a scandal, he had destroyed Kakashi's chances. Even Shikaku couldn't stop him.
As he left the hall, Danzo leaned on his cane, flanked by two Anbu in white robes.
"How's the public situation?" he asked without looking back.
"As instructed, we've spread word that Naruto and the leader of Akatsuki were allies. That their battle was staged to gain the villagers' trust. But Lord Danzo saw through the lie, and Naruto fled the village before he could be arrested."
Danzo smiled.
The Anbu hesitated. "But sir, the truth still isn't clear. Naruto was one of our strongest forces, second only to Jiraiya. Isn't this risky?"
Danzo replied without emotion. "Whether he betrayed us or not doesn't matter. As a Jinchuriki, he's a variable. And variables must be eliminated before they become threats."
He paused, then added, "Power is only valuable when it can be controlled. If it can't serve the village—or me—it's a liability."
Danzo's fingers touched the bandage over his right eye.
"Once Naruto is out of the picture, the Nine-Tails will be under my command. And then…"
He smiled faintly.
"I, Shimura Danzo, will become the greatest Hokage in history."
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