"Of course it's..." Fugaku Uchiha began reflexively, but the words died in his throat as he suddenly froze.
He was right. There didn't seem to be a single ninja currently in the village suitable to become the Fifth Hokage. The only two viable candidates, Tsunade and Jiraiya, were wandering outside the village. Heaven only knew when they would return.
Jie Uchiha smiled as he watched the stunned patriarch. This was the distinct advantage of knowing the plot—a few casual words were all it took to leave these locals completely bewildered.
"Tsunade and Jiraiya meet the power requirements, but they are out of the village and won't make it back in time," Jie explained. "As for the other clans loyal to the Hokage faction, none possess a standout powerhouse capable of suppressing the rest. And you, Father... while your strength is more than sufficient, your status as an Uchiha completely disqualifies you from the Hokage's seat."
Jie sneered disdainfully. Tobirama Senju must have been kicked in the head by a donkey. Despite the Uchiha being co-founders of the village, the Second Hokage had taken every opportunity to guard against them. He had chosen a grand conspirator like Hiruzen Sarutobi as his successor, a decision that ultimately led to the ruin of his own Senju clan. Jie wondered what Tobirama would think if he knew the truth of his legacy.
But he was getting sidetracked.
Noticing Fugaku still waiting for his conclusion, Jie spoke with absolute certainty. "Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi has no other choice but to step back into power himself!"
Looking at his son's absolute confidence, Fugaku couldn't help but sigh internally. It seemed he really was getting old.
"The future of the Uchiha clan will rest in your hands," he said. With a deeply gratified expression, Fugaku patted Jie's shoulder, then turned and walked out of the study.
For years, the escalating conflict between the village and the Uchiha clan had rested squarely on his shoulders, never allowing him a single moment of rest. Now, having Jie by his side to help strategize, Fugaku felt a sense of relief he hadn't experienced in a very long time.
That evening, after returning home from his shift at the Konoha Military Police Force, Fugaku drank himself into a stupor. Yet, the smile on his face never faded for a second.
Armed with Jie's analysis, Fugaku completely calmed down. Since a new Hokage wasn't going to be selected anyway, any major political maneuvers would just be wasted effort.
Consequently, while the various clans across Konoha buzzed with heated debates over the Fifth Hokage candidates, the Uchiha clan remained entirely motionless. They were so quiet that it felt entirely uncharacteristic of the Uchiha.
"Just what is Fugaku Uchiha thinking?"
"In terms of strength and prestige, he's clearly the most viable candidate to inherit the Hokage's seat."
"So why hasn't he made a single move yet?"
During a secret meeting between the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Inoichi Yamanaka voiced his confusion to Choza Akimichi and Shikaku Nara.
Shikaku pondered the situation for a moment before a trace of sheer shock washed over his face. "Everyone has underestimated the Uchiha!"
The Ino-Shika-Cho clans had always been staunch supporters of the Hokage faction, and the Nara clan in particular had long served as the Hokage's primary brain trust. Aside from the village's deepest, darkest secrets, no one understood the inner workings of Konoha better than Shikaku.
Because of this deep understanding, Shikaku was able to piece together a conclusion in a matter of moments—one that he himself found hard to believe. "When it comes to this matter, Clan Head Fugaku is the one who sees the board most clearly!"
Shikaku couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. It seemed they needed to completely reevaluate their stance on the Uchiha clan moving forward.
"Our three clans will not participate in the race for the Fifth Hokage," Shikaku declared. "As for the reason... you'll both understand soon enough."
Shikaku's cryptic words left Inoichi and Choza scratching their heads in confusion. However, their lifelong bond and mutual trust meant they would follow Shikaku's judgment without question.
'Fifth Hokage?' Shikaku thought to himself. 'There isn't going to be a Fifth Hokage.'
...
Meanwhile, deep underground in the Root base beneath the mountains behind Konoha, Danzo Shimura had shed his usual gloomy demeanor. His aged face twisted into an excited grin.
"The moment I've been waiting for has finally arrived! The seat of the Fifth Hokage will undoubtedly be mine!" Danzo gripped his cane tightly. "Sensei, I will finally prove to you that you chose the wrong person all those years ago! I, Danzo Shimura, am the only one fit to take over as Hokage!"
...
Three days passed in a flash.
Screeeech! The piercing cry of a messenger hawk echoed as it soared across the skies above Konoha. It was the village's standard signal: a strict summons for all Jonin to gather at the Hokage Tower for an assembly.
However, as the various ninja arrived at the newly repaired Hokage Tower, their expressions morphed into masks of utter bewilderment.
"Clan Head Fugaku... what is the meaning of this?"
Fugaku offered a perfectly crafted look of helpless resignation. "The boy heard that the Jonin meeting would gather the village's absolute elite, and he threw a tantrum demanding to come broaden his horizons," he sighed. "Mikoto is busy looking after little Sasuke right now and just doesn't have the time or energy to wrangle him. I had no other choice but to bring him along. Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on him. He won't make a peep during the proceedings."
Right on cue, Jie flashed the gathered Jonin a brilliantly innocent and completely harmless smile.
Seeing the boy behaving so obediently, and considering Fugaku's personal guarantee, the surrounding ninja swallowed their objections. It was completely against protocol, but nobody wanted to make a fuss over a child.
Once the entire assembly was present, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Konoha Elder Council slowly filed into the conference room.
"Hmph!" Seeing Jie's obtrusive presence among the Jonin ranks, Danzo immediately scoffed. "Some clans are becoming increasingly undisciplined. To bring a mere child to an event of this magnitude..."