Hearing Jie Uchiha's words, Fugaku's eyes lit up. He knew Jie would never betray the clan. If they could seize control of the Finance Department, who would want the thankless mess of the Police Force anyway?
"Jie, since you have your own plans, I'm relieved," Fugaku smiled. As long as he had a solid explanation for the rest of the clan, the heavy burden on his shoulders would finally lighten.
"Besides, we aren't giving away the Police Force's power for nothing," Jie continued, noticing Fugaku's relaxed demeanor.
"The Uchiha can pick and choose partners to cooperate with. We can use the Police Force's authority to win over other ninja clans. In the end, the Uchiha will still hold the core power of the Police Force, but we'll also integrate into the village and live peacefully with the civilians. Isn't that better than blindly clinging to our old ways and waiting for others to dictate our fate?"
Fugaku nodded in agreement. "True. I'll head back to the compound and pass on your intentions. It'll stop those elders from nagging and giving me a headache." With a smile, he turned and left the Hokage's office.
Soon, the official appointment from the Fire Daimyo arrived in Konoha, formally naming Jie Uchiha as the Fifth Hokage.
To Jie, however, it was just a useless piece of paper. He wasn't some naive native of this world who treated a Daimyo with deep reverence. In his eyes, political power came from absolute strength. Nothing else.
Right now, Jie held the most terrifying power in the entire ninja world. The forces under his command far surpassed any other hidden village. As for the Daimyo? If he ever dared to dictate terms to Konoha, Jie wouldn't mind replacing him—or just having Konoha take over the Land of Fire entirely.
Even though Jie didn't care about the Daimyo's stamp of approval, Minato Namikaze and Shikaku Nara suggested otherwise. They wanted him to use the succession ceremony to make a formal declaration to both the village and the ninja world.
It was time to let everyone know who was truly calling the shots in Konoha. It was no longer Hiruzen Sarutobi.
It was him—the Fifth Hokage, Jie Uchiha.
Besides, both Izumi Uchiha and Sasuke wanted to see him standing atop the Hokage building, addressing the village. After a bit of thought, Jie agreed to Shikaku's suggestion.
He didn't just do it to indulge Izumi. Jie knew that if he wanted to be a hands-off Hokage in the future, Shikaku would have to handle all of Konoha's daily affairs. When you had such a perfect right-hand man, it was best to keep him happy.
That day, Jie issued his very first order as Hokage: assemble the entire village.
Wearing the white Hokage haori and a bamboo hat painted with the kanji for 'Fire', Jie stood on the roof of the Hokage building. Fugaku and Shikaku stood respectfully behind him. He took off the hat, stepping right up to the railing.
Looking down at the massive sea of Konoha shinobi and civilians, his chest swelled with pride.
"From today onward, I am the village's Fifth Hokage!" he shouted. His voice echoed out, brimming with absolute confidence.
A deafening wave of cheers erupted from the crowd. They looked up at his youthful but resolute face without a single shred of doubt.
He had crushed Hiruzen Sarutobi's rebellion. He had even received the direct approval of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. His rise to power was exactly what everyone expected and desired.
Down in the crowd, Izumi stared up at him. To her, Jie looked like he was glowing. Her heart overflowed with pure joy.
'Jie is already the Hokage. I can't let myself fall behind', Izumi swore to herself. 'I have to get stronger. I will stand by his side and prove I can be his greatest support!'
Nearby, young Sasuke watched Jie's silhouette with stars in his eyes, his heart full of boundless admiration.
"One day, I'm going to be just like him," Sasuke muttered. "I'll stand on that roof and earn everyone's respect!"
Beside him, Itachi Uchiha held his little brother's hand. He gazed at Jie's radiant figure with a faint, peaceful smile.
'Brother, have you already realized your own Will of Fire?' Itachi thought. 'Then I need to speed up my own growth, too. I will make sure the entire ninja world bathes in your Will of Fire. When that day comes, war will never touch the ninja world again.'
With that thought, Itachi solidified his resolve.
Meanwhile, the moment the Hokage succession ceremony ended, Jie was thrown right back into an endless, suffocating mountain of busywork.
That evening, Minato Namikaze arrived at the office with Naruto.
"The jutsu's time limit is almost up. It's time for me to leave," Minato said. He was smiling, but his voice was heavy with reluctance...
"The villagers know Naruto's true identity now. The tragedies of the past shouldn't repeat themselves... but Jie, I still have to ask. Please look after Naruto in the years to come."
Minato bowed deeply.
Seeing the former Hokage bow to him, Jie offered a helpless smile.
With Hiruzen dead, Naruto's identity had been made public immediately. When the villagers learned the child they had cursed for years was actually the son of their hero, the Fourth Hokage, they were overwhelmed with profound guilt. Now they treated Naruto like their own, though walking on eggshells around him for now.
Honestly, Jie thought, Minato shouldn't be worried about Naruto being bullied. He should be worried about the village spoiling the kid rotten.
Still, Minato had been a massive help over the past few days. Jie had no reason to refuse such a simple request.
He nodded. "Don't worry. From now on, Naruto will be like a little brother to me, just like Sasuke. I'll make sure he's well taken care of."
After all, if guided properly, Naruto's potential was limitless. Once he befriended the Nine-Tails, Konoha would gain a Kage-level powerhouse. Having that kind of deterrent in the village would make Jie's life a whole lot easier.
Just a few days as Hokage had already left him physically and mentally drained. The village reconstruction was a heavy burden, but the real nightmare was the micromanagement. Even approving simple C-Rank missions required his personal signature.
For a brief second, Jie actually admired Hiruzen Sarutobi. To endure this suffocating desk job for forty years? The old man's obsession with power was truly terrifying.
Because of this, Jie was desperate for Naruto to grow up fast. He needed someone else strong enough to take the Hokage seat so he could retire early.
Hearing Jie's promise, a bright, relieved smile spread across Minato's face.
Slowly, his Reanimated body began to flake away.
"Naruto, I'm sorry. Dad can't stay with you anymore," Minato said softly, looking down at his son with a deep apology in his eyes. "Listen to the Fifth Hokage. Grow up to be a splendid ninja for the village. If you do that, Mom and Dad will always be happy, even in the Pure Land."
"Don't worry, Dad! I'll take good care of myself!" Naruto choked out. He sniffled hard, fighting desperately to hold back his tears.
Seeing his son putting on a brave face, Minato smiled gently.
With a final flash of white light, his Reanimated body completely dissolved, and the Fourth Hokage's soul returned to the Pure Land.
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