Was he laying the groundwork to compete for the position of Fifth Hokage?
"It is a pity," Shikaku Nara thought as he glanced at Yunchuan Hyuga's forehead protector. "No matter how strong he is or how great his prestige, a Branch Family is destined to never become a Hokage."
Otherwise, if it were anyone else, even a civilian-born Jonin, with Yunchuan Hyuga's current strength, reputation, and contributions, they would be qualified as a candidate.
At least in Shikaku Nara's view, if the factor of the Caged Bird Seal could be erased, Yunchuan Hyuga would be the most promising successor to the Hokage.
But it was impossible. From the Warring States period until now, the Caged Bird Seal had no solution, and even the Hyuga Clan's Main Family could not remove it.
So Yunchuan Hyuga would never have anything to do with that seat.
"Hey, Shikaku."
Beside him, Inoichi Yamanaka noticed Shikaku Nara's gaze and leaned slightly closer, using a silent mental technique. "Who do you think has the best chance to become Fifth Hokage?"
"Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi Hatake, Danzo Shimura, or maybe Yunchuan Hyuga, or someone else?"
These words could not be overheard by others. After all, the Third Hokage was still in office, even if it was already clear he would not remain there much longer.
Shikaku Nara gently shook his head and named no one. "That has nothing to do with the Ino-Shika-Cho. Thinking about it is too troublesome."
The three clans of the Ino-Shika-Cho had always been firm supporters of the Hokage Faction. They did not care who became the Hokage, as they would stand with the Hokage without hesitation.
That also meant whoever took the position would need those three clans, so they would never be sidelined. For them, it made little difference.
With that thought, Shikaku Nara looked toward the two figures seated near the front. He was not the only one, as many others did the same.
Tsunade sat there with her arms crossed, looking displeased, while Jiraiya wore a shameless smile as he tried to curry favor.
In Shikaku Nara's view, Kakashi Hatake was still too young. If these two continued to refuse the position of Hokage, then there really would be no one suitable to shoulder it.
The most likely outcome would be Hiruzen Sarutobi stepping down and appointing a nominal acting Hokage, while real power remained in the hands of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the three advisors.
As everyone sat in silence with their own thoughts, the meeting room doors were pushed open again, and all eyes turned at once.
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked in wearing the Hokage Robe and the Hokage Hat, his steps slow but seemingly steady. Yet the weariness that seeped from his very bones made him appear as if he had suddenly aged ten years.
"Third Hokage!"
When Hiruzen Sarutobi entered, everyone in the meeting room stood up in unison to show respect, except for Tsunade. Jiraiya was not at his seat. Chairs scraped softly as people rose, their attention fixed on the doorway. The sudden movement made the room feel orderly and tense at the same time.
Tsunade still sat casually, one hand propping up her chin, not even lifting her eyelids. Her golden hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and the boredom in her expression was obvious. She looked like she had no interest in the formality happening around her.
Hiruzen Sarutobi swept his gaze across the room and paused briefly on Tsunade. His eyes held a mix of helplessness and fatigue, and perhaps a trace of guilt that was hard to notice. He said nothing about it, only raising his hand slightly and speaking.
"Sit down."
His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone clearly. The people followed his words and sat, leaving only the faint sound of chairs moving in the meeting room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked toward the main seat, and behind him came the three advisors, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo Shimura. Their presence made the air feel heavier, especially as they took their places without speaking. Several eyes shifted toward them in silence.
Danzo Shimura was still wearing his usual kimono, his right eye wrapped in bandages and his left eye lowered. His face showed no expression at all, like a silent shadow standing behind the others. Yet the cold feeling around him could not be hidden.
As he passed by several Jonin, those people shivered without meaning to, a chill running through them. He no longer felt like a living person, but more like a body taken from a morgue freezer. His entire presence carried a cold and lifeless feeling.
Yunchuan Hyuga seemed to notice something, but he did not look at Danzo Shimura. His eyes stayed lowered, though a faint light flickered within them. His expression remained calm on the surface.
"Is that the aura of 'Xu'?" he thought. "Did Danzo Shimura fail to get the Sharingan and turn his attention to 'Xu' instead?"
The combination of Hashirama Cells and 'Xu' came to his mind. If that was the case, then Danzo Shimura was truly reckless. Even knowing that Danzo Shimura would never let go of such a strange existence, this level of madness still surprised him.
Was he really not afraid of what might be born after such a fusion? Judging by his current state, it seemed he had actually succeeded.
"That makes it easier for me to settle things with him later," Yunchuan Hyuga thought with a quiet smile.
A secret human experiment gone wrong, the fusion of Hashirama Cells and 'Xu', turning Danzo Shimura into a monster that lost control and slaughtered people in Konoha. As a member of Konoha Ninja, risking one's life to protect the people and comrades of Konoha by driving it off or killing it would sound completely reasonable.
While Yunchuan Hyuga was thinking, Hiruzen Sarutobi reached the main seat but did not sit down immediately. He removed the Hokage Hat and placed it on the table. His aged face was fully revealed under the light.
He looked around at every Jonin present, his gaze heavy, as if it carried the weight of all of Konoha. The room fell into a deep silence under that look.
"Everyone," Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly, his voice low and tired, as if he had finally set down a burden. "You should all know that I will not be sitting in this position for much longer."
As soon as he said this, the atmosphere became even heavier. All eyes locked onto Hiruzen Sarutobi at once. It was something everyone understood without saying, but no one expected him to state it so directly.
"The tragedy of the Uchiha Clan caused by Itachi Uchiha, and the subsequent attack by 'Espada', have brought unprecedented disaster and loss to Konoha." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and sighed. "The responsibility lies entirely with me."
"I failed to see Itachi Uchiha's actions in time and failed to stop the tragedy. It was my lack of ability and wrong judgment that caused the village to suffer such a heavy blow." His voice trembled slightly. "I truly regret that I did not die later in the battle against 'Espada'."
The moment those words left his mouth, the expressions of everyone present changed.
"Third Hokage, please do not say that!"
Shikaku Nara was the first to stand up, his face full of urgency and worry. "Konoha cannot be without you right now."
"That's right, Third Hokage," Inoichi Yamanaka immediately followed. "This is not your responsibility alone."
"Please take care of your health."
"Konoha still needs you to hold things together."