Uchiha Ran led the young and able-bodied members of the Uchiha Clan, following Nara Shikaku as they headed toward the former Uchiha Clan Compound.
A servant of the Mitokado household was sweeping the entrance when he suddenly looked up and saw a group of men in black and dark-blue Uchiha robes approaching.
Each of them wore a standard ninja sword at their waist. Their steps were heavy, their expressions fierce and impatient.
The servant's face went white. He dropped the broom and rushed into the courtyard.
At that moment, Homura Mitokado was playing shogi with Utatane Koharu.
The two were old comrades. When the newspaper had first been released, they had intended to support Hiruzen Sarutobi. However, Root ninja under Shimura Danzo had appeared instead, delivering a personal letter.
"Koharu, Homura—long time no see. How have you been? Konoha has been turbulent lately. I advise you not to get involved. Once everything settles, your positions will remain unchanged. Whatever Hiruzen can give you, I can also provide."
After delivering the letter, the Root ninja left.
From that moment on, the two of them understood they were being watched. If they chose to act now, it would mean openly breaking with Danzo.
Offending Hiruzen was one thing—at worst, a reprimand. Offending Danzo was another matter entirely. That could cost them their lives.
Danzo had changed. He was no longer the ambitious man of old. Now, all he cared about was seizing the Hokage position.
If not for Hiruzen's lingering sentimentality, Danzo would have long since gone to meet the Second Hokage.
"Koharu," Homura said as he placed a black piece, "do you think Danzo will succeed this time?"
Koharu captured a piece, scanning the board as she replied, "I don't know. But this time, Hiruzen is in real danger."
"The Konoha Daily exposed too many of his misdeeds. At least seventy percent of it is true. That's a fatal blow to his authority."
"If a Hokage loses prestige, who will still listen to him?"
She sighed and placed a piece at random.
Homura paused, then calmly filled the gap. "You're right. I heard that the ANBU split into two factions this morning."
"Oh?" Koharu asked. "Which two?"
"The Pro-Hokage faction and the Neutral faction. The ratio is one to five."
Koharu raised an eyebrow. "And the Neutral faction?"
Homura chuckled. "They're under Kakashi Hatake—more accurately, under Minato Namikaze."
"Minato left a contingency within Uzumaki Naruto. His chakra and soul reside there, only emerging when Naruto faces mortal danger."
"This time, Minato took control of Naruto's body. Not only did he injure the Third Hokage, he also killed more than a dozen Root and ANBU operatives."
Koharu froze. "Then doesn't that mean the Hokage position will return to Minato?"
Minato Namikaze wasn't a threat to them—but he was too clean. With him in power, there would be no room for personal gain.
"No," Homura said with a laugh. "Who knows how long Minato's soul can last? That's why they won't fight for the Hokage seat."
Koharu nodded, sipping her tea. "Then Danzo is safe?"
Homura's expression turned serious. "No. Danzo is the one in danger."
"The next Hokage is most likely to be from the Uchiha."
"This issue of the Daily was used by the Uchiha to topple Hiruzen. The Uchiha and Danzo are mortal enemies. Without Uchiha support, Danzo has no chance."
Koharu's face paled. "Homura, that can't be allowed. Don't forget—the compound our families live in now is the original Uchiha Clan Compound."
"If the Uchiha take the Hokage position, what happens to us?"
Before she could finish, the servant rushed in.
"What is it? Why are you panicking?" Koharu snapped, instinctively putting on the air of a Hokage advisor.
Homura straightened his back and nodded to the servant.
The servant spoke quickly. "Clan Head! Clan Head Utatane! A large group of Uchiha have arrived at the gate! All armed with ninja swords—they're heading straight here!"
Both elders stood up.
"What? How dare they!" Koharu exclaimed. "Didn't Hiruzen order them to stay at the village entrance?"
Then she realized—
Hiruzen's authority no longer reached beyond the Hokage Tower.
If the Uchiha wanted to reclaim their compound, no one would stop them.
"You may leave," Homura said quietly, adjusting his glasses.
After the servant left, Homura sighed. "Now it depends on Danzo. If he doesn't intervene, today we—and our clans—will become Konoha's laughingstock."
Koharu slumped into her seat. "Danzo is trying to win over the Uchiha. Why would he offend them for two old relics like us?"
"Loyalty matters to Hiruzen. To Danzo, nothing matters more than the Hokage seat."
"You know as well as I do—he's leaked intelligence, contacted enemies, and tried to get Hiruzen killed more than once for that chair."
She looked at Homura in despair.
Homura opened his mouth to reply—
A figure suddenly rushed forward.
"So you're the one called Homura Mitokado?" a cold voice said. "Pretty arrogant, aren't you?"
Smack.
Homura was sent flying. His glasses shattered across the floor. With a sickening crack, he screamed, unable to get back up.
"Who are you?!" Koharu cried, her face pale as she hurriedly formed hand seals. "How dare you attack a Hokage advisor of Konoha!"
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