That same year, after successfully ascending to the position of Hokage, you began vigorously promoting your trusted allies, appointing many civilian ninjas to important roles.
Your close friend Minato Namikaze was even directly transferred to serve by your side.
However, after taking control of Konoha, you discovered that a vast amount of the village's resources had already been squandered by the Third Hokage and Danzo, all used to support their respective clans.
You grew increasingly aware that to truly control Konoha, you must thoroughly purge these two clans. Your anger only strengthened your resolve.
"The more I see, the angrier I get!"
"These two old bastards are utterly wicked!"
"They've monopolized Konoha's resources all for themselves, no wonder their originally small clans developed so rapidly!"
Everyone watched the content on the light screen, with Senju Hashirama and the others filled with righteous indignation.
A ninja village like Konoha should prioritize overall development, not favor individual factions. Recalling the clansmen purged in their own world, they became even more determined to investigate and reform thoroughly upon their return.
"Minato, you must gather evidence of their crimes when you return!"
"With your Flying Thunder God Technique, exposing their misdeeds will be effortless!"
The Second Hokage nodded gravely in agreement, his gaze firm as he looked at Minato. He understood better than anyone that a Hokage must act decisively.
Minato had fully grasped the lesson from Aoki's experience and nodded solemnly. His mission was now clear. Thinking of the future his child might face, he resolved to expose the Third Hokage and Danzo's atrocities without mercy upon his return.
At sixteen, you became the group owner of the Konoha Hokage Chat Group. To rapidly enhance Konoha's strength within three months, you accelerated your plans.
After the first group assembly concluded, you began laying out your schemes.
Soon, you gathered more than enough damning evidence, all pointing directly at the Third Hokage and Danzo.
You immediately led the Anbu to surround the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. After announcing their crimes to the entire village, you ordered the execution of both clans' members.
"After purging these two clans, Konoha's combat power faced a gap, so you turned your attention to the other clans."
"If all of Konoha's clans could unite in purpose, the village's strength would not diminish but instead reach new heights."
"Young Aoki, aren't you wary of the Uchiha Clan?"
"Such formidable power must be kept under strict vigilance at all times!"
Watching the content on the light screen, the First and Second Hokages had already discerned your thoughts. The Uchiha Clan, having co-founded Konoha with the First Hokage and possessing the heaven-defying power of the Sharingan, had always been viewed with caution by the Second Hokage.
Although they showed no overt signs of rebellion for now, a rift inherently existed between the Uchiha and Konoha. Dissenting voices within the clan only sharpened this conflict.
Moreover, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo had distorted the Second Hokage's original intent, relentlessly oppressing the Uchiha Clan. After all, the Senju Clan had already been driven to extinction by these two.
Upon learning that you had set your next target as the Uchiha Clan, both the First and Second Hokage were greatly shocked. The Second Hokage's apprehension stemmed from his fear that the Uchiha Clan still harbored ambitions for the Hokage position in Konoha.
Aoki offered no further explanation, his gaze fixed on the slowly advancing images on the Light Screen.
After settling accounts with the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, you summoned Uchiha Fugaku, the head of the Uchiha Clan. In the ensuing confrontation, you skillfully employed political tactics, executing a combination of "making an example of one to warn the many, then bestowing honor and favor."
Under such methods, Uchiha Fugaku was left with no room to resist. In an instant, the entire Uchiha Clan felt gratitude toward you, bowed in submission, and pledged their loyalty.
Watching the scenes on the Light Screen, Senju Hashirama and the others froze in place, their faces filled with disbelief.
The proud and powerful Uchiha Clan had willingly surrendered just like that!
Some also noticed the key—the methods you used to subdue the Uchiha Clan.
"Making an example of one to warn the many?"
"What does that mean exactly?"
Seeing their confusion, Aoki explained, "Actually, the method is quite simple."
"First, 'honor and favor' refers to using generous rewards and promises to win over influential figures within the clan."
"Second, 'making an example of one to warn the many' is the follow-up to the first step. If temptation fails, decisively eliminate a small portion of dissenters to intimidate the rest and achieve your goal."
"Third, after applying pressure, extend additional favors to the remaining members. This way, you can firmly secure their loyalty."
After Aoki's explanation, everyone looked back at the scenes on the Light Screen, and everything aligned perfectly with what he had described.
"After returning the Uchiha Clan's territory to them, the entire clan became utterly devoted to you."
Not only that, you also took Shisui Uchiha and Uchiha Itachi as your disciples.
From then on, the Uchiha Clan remained fiercely loyal to you, never harboring any disloyalty.
"This… this is simply unbelievable!"
"To subdue the proud Uchiha Clan so easily?"
Watching Aoki's actions on the Light Screen, Senju Hashirama and the others were left speechless.
No one had ever imagined that the Uchiha Clan could be subdued in such a manner.
"No wonder you secured the top spot."
Even Senju Tobirama couldn't help but feel admiration, his eyes firmly locked on the scenes unfolding on the Light Screen.
Meanwhile, the images on the Light Screen continued to shift, revealing a brand-new scene before everyone's eyes.
"This is… the Hyuga Clan?!"