Two days later, as usual, the clan-head conference was convened in Konoha.
This time, Ryosuke did not attend. After all, he had already chosen to yield the Hokage position to Tsunade. He had no further goals tied to this particular political gathering, so there was no need for him to appear.
Instead, Fugaku attended as the Uchiha clan's official representative. For him, this meeting was more than procedure—it was an opportunity to gauge something vital: how much trust and recognition the Uchiha truly commanded in the eyes of the other clans. Would they be accepted as equals? Would they finally be seen as an integral part of the village, rather than isolated and distrusted?
Soon, the heads of the other great clans began arriving one after another, their footsteps echoing down the polished corridors until the meeting chamber gradually filled. Tsunade too arrived, accompanied closely by her attendant, Shizune.
The moment she walked in, Nara Shikaku, the ever-observant strategist, noticed something peculiar. Just the day before, Tsunade had seemed worn—like a woman weathered by age, her aura somewhat dry and fatigued. But today, she radiated vitality. Her skin carried a healthier flush, her posture carried renewed energy. She seemed… luminous, like a flower in full bloom.
Shikaku's sharp mind immediately caught the oddity. Such a transformation didn't happen overnight without reason. His analytical instincts told him the obvious answer—only the affection of a man, the intimate bond of passion, could bring about such a visible change. Yet who in Konoha, he wondered silently, could possibly conquer a woman as strong and untamed as Tsunade Senju? He kept the suspicion locked behind his calm, unreadable expression, but the thought nagged at him.
Before long, the chamber was full, and naturally, whispers circulated: Where was Uchiha Ryosuke? The village's strongest shinobi, the one who had struck down the Third Hokage and exposed Danzo's crimes, was absent from such a pivotal meeting. Could it mean he had no intention of seeking the Hokage seat? Perhaps Fugaku, the clan head, would stand in his place? The speculation buzzed quietly among the gathered leaders.
Fugaku, however, sat with composed calm, betraying none of their expectations. He already knew the outcome. He and Elder Yatsushiro had soothed the more radical voices within the clan. Their people accepted Ryosuke's decision, even if not all understood it. There would be no rebellion, no outcry—the Uchiha's course had been set.
At the front, Shikaku, who had been asked to temporarily oversee village affairs after the fall of Hiruzen and Danzo, rose to address the assembly.
"Since everyone is present, let us begin the clan-head conference. The matter before us is one of great importance: the selection of Konoha's Fifth Hokage."
He paused, letting his gaze sweep the room. "Each of you may nominate candidates. Afterward, a vote will decide the outcome, as is our tradition since the time of the Second Hokage."
The democratic process was well established in Konoha—though always influenced by hidden currents of power.
Immediately, several clan heads rose in support of Tsunade.
"We nominate Lady Tsunade for the position of Fifth Hokage," one declared.
"During the Second Great Ninja War, she played a critical role against the forces of Iwagakure and Sunagakure. Together with her comrades, she even confronted Hanzō of the Salamander, that so-called demigod of the ninja world, and helped stave off devastation for our village."
Another added, "Not only that, but she is the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the grandniece of the Second, Senju Tobirama. By lineage, achievements, and ability, she has every qualification to lead Konoha on the correct path."
Murmurs of agreement followed.
Beeut then came voices from the other side—the clan heads who supported the Uchiha.
"While Lady Tsunade's merits are undeniable," one countered, "the Uchiha clan's recent contributions cannot be overlooked. Who was it that rid us of the Third Hokage, whose inaction allowed disasters to unfold? Who was it that eliminated Danzo, whose twisted experiments endangered us all? These men might have targeted the Uchiha and the Hyūga first, but had those clans fallen, the rest of us would not have been spared."
Another stood to add:
"During the Third Great Ninja War, the Uchiha proved themselves again. Have you forgotten the battles against Kumogakure? It was the Uchiha who repelled their forces and secured our borders. Peace at our frontiers today is owed to them. On merit alone, I say Uchiha Fugaku deserves consideration for Hokage."
Their words carried weight, and more than a few voices echoed the sentiment, standing to lend their support to Fugaku.
Fugaku himself, though outwardly composed, felt a flicker of surprise—and, quietly, satisfaction. For so long, the Uchiha had been treated with suspicion and mistrust. Yet here were clan leaders openly backing him for Hokage. It was proof, small but undeniable, that the Uchiha were beginning to be accepted as part of Konoha, not apart from it.
Across the room, Tsunade raised a brow. She hadn't expected so many to rally behind the Uchiha. Clearly, things had changed from the days when her grandfather's generation struggled to keep them in line. This was Ryosuke's doing—that damn brat.
Her gaze softened slightly. Even if Fugaku was the one sitting there, everyone knew the true driving force behind the clan's new power and influence was Ryosuke. He wasn't present, but his shadow loomed over the chamber. His absence itself was proof: he had made a promise to her, and unlike most men, he kept it. He wouldn't contest her claim to the Hokage's seat. For all his arrogance, that much she could respect.
Still, the debate continued, each side listing strengths and weaknesses.
"Tsunade is the granddaughter of the God of Shinobi!" cried one of her supporters. "Do you forget the sacrifices of Hashirama and Tobirama? Will you deny their legacy by questioning her worthiness?"
But an Uchiha supporter countered swiftly:
"With respect, Lady Tsunade's bloodline is not in question. The issue is her condition. She abandoned the village for years, and worse—she suffers from hemophobia. A Hokage must lead from the front in times of crisis. How can one who faints at the sight of blood fulfill such a role?"
The words struck the room like a blade. A murmur spread among the clan heads, even those inclined to support her shifting uncomfortably. It was true—her crippling fear of blood had long been known, a weakness unfit for a shinobi, much less a Hokage.
The man who raised the objection bowed low toward her after speaking, his tone respectful despite the sting of his words. "Forgive me, Lady Tsunade. I mean no insult, only to state the reality as it stands." He knew better than to make an enemy of the Senju name—it still carried weight even in its decline.
For a moment, silence filled the chamber. Even Tsunade's allies had no ready rebuttal. The point was undeniable: a Hokage who could not fight was a contradiction in terms.
Then Tsunade stood. Her voice, clear and steady, carried through the room.
"That weakness no longer binds me."
Her eyes swept the assembly with confidence. "I no longer fear the sight of blood. That ailment is gone."
A ripple of surprise coursed through the chamber. Shikaku's sharp gaze flicked to her again, noting not just the certainty in her words, but the vitality radiating from her presence. Something about her had indeed changed. Whatever the cause, the legendary sannin was no longer crippled by fear.
The room grew tense—the battle for the Hokage seat had just entered a new phase.
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