There were many shinobi clans in Konoha—large and small—but only a handful were truly capable of dancing freely on Konoha's grand stage.
The Uchiha, Senju, and Hyūga—three great bloodline clans—were undoubtedly the heaviest hitters, looming over the village like three towering mountains.
Beyond them were the secret-technique clans, who tended to band together to resist the pressure imposed by those mountains. The most famous example was the Ino–Shika–Chō trio, whose clans had sworn generational alliances and supported one another through thick and thin.
Then there were clans like the Inuzuka and Aburame, who were inexplicably close—one raised dogs, the other insects. No one really knew how that partnership had started in the first place.
Now, however, the center-stage dancer had fallen.
Senju Tobirama was dead.
And the Uchiha—who had long remained on the sidelines—finally had a chance to step into the leading role.
A very real chance.
Hyūga Takuma decided he could wait no longer.
He wanted progress.
He wanted to dance too.
So early that morning, while foot traffic was still light, he went to meet Uchiha Nan.
"Truly, a hero rises young," Takuma began with a smile. "At such an age, you're already carrying the weight of an entire clan on your shoulders."
Flattery first. No matter how you sliced it, praising someone was never wrong.
"Oh, not at all," Nan replied with a modest wave. "It was Clan Head Tomita who insisted. He practically begged me—said he'd kneel and never get up if I refused. I really had no choice."
Nan had no idea what Takuma's true intentions were, so he chatted idly, matching pleasantries blow for blow. One thing was certain, though—
This old fox definitely wasn't here with good intentions.
They talked like that for quite some time. Cups of tea came and went.
Takuma was starting to feel an urgent pressure building in his lower abdomen. Age was unforgiving, and his prostate wasn't what it used to be.
Why isn't he getting to the point?!
Is Uchiha Nan really this good at holding his nerve?
Doesn't he want to be Hokage?
I came personally—this is already giving the Uchiha plenty of face. Isn't it time to discuss the Hokage position?!
Nan watched Takuma shifting back and forth in his seat, calves rubbing together—clearly restless.
Nan, on the other hand, was young.
Very young.
His prostate was in its absolute prime.
He smiled faintly.
"Another cup?"
"No, no!" Takuma waved his hands frantically. "I didn't come here to drink tea."
"Brother Nan," he said quickly, switching tactics. "I'm a few years older—let me call you that. Feels closer."
"There are things that need to be said now. Lord Tobirama has passed, Konoha is leaderless, and the village urgently needs someone capable, responsible, and powerful to stabilize the situation."
Takuma spoke with deep sincerity, looking every bit the man ready to throw himself into the fire for Konoha. At the end, he even raised his eyebrows meaningfully—clearly prompting Nan to take over the conversation.
Takuma's thinking was simple.
The Hyūga were one of Konoha's three great clans, yes—but they lacked top-tier combat power. Becoming Hokage themselves was unrealistic.
Still, taking another step forward—securing more benefits for the clan—that was absolutely possible.
Everyone was poor right now. Clan fijinces were tight.
When the cannons fired, gold flowed by the thousands. Eight years of war had drained everything. Konoha owed the clans enormous sums, and once war reparations and Fire Country funds arrived, it would be time to divide the spoils.
If you took more, I got less.
The clan members were all waiting to be paid.
Tobirama's promises were effectively void now. Any real assurances had to come from the next Hokage.
As for the Senju—Takuma didn't even consider them.
Why press a hot face against a cold backside?
In terms of raw strength, Uchiha Nan was clearly superior. Politically, the Uchiha were weaker—but only because Tobirama had suppressed them for so many years.
Better to provide charcoal in the snow than flowers on brocade.
Entering the game now was perfect timing.
If the Hyūga and Uchiha joined forces—
They could absolutely take the Hokage seat.
"Tch," Nan clicked his tongue, sipping his tea. "Brother Takuma, didn't the Second Hokage already decide on a successor before he died? Sarutobi Hiruzen."
He gave Takuma a strange look. This news had already been deliberately leaked.
…What?
Sarutobi Hiruzen?
To be honest, Takuma had never even paid attention to that name. Some nobody crawling out of a back alley—did he really think clinging to Tobirama would turn him into a phoenix?
When Tobirama was alive, fine—he could give Hiruzen some face.
But now?
Sorry—who are you again?
I'm the head of a noble bloodline clan. Don't come trying to hitch a ride.
"Brother Nan, don't joke around," Takuma sneered.
"Everyone knows that group abandoned the Hokage and fled back alone. Who knows if the information they brought back is even real?"
He clearly had no intention of taking Sarutobi Hiruzen seriously.
"More importantly—Brother Nan," Takuma leaned forward.
"Do you want to advance?"
There it was. The dagger finally revealed itself.
"Advancement," Nan said slowly, choosing his words with care.
"It's not that it can't be done. But no matter what we do, nothing is ever guaranteed. Still… things are done by people. There are ways. Methods."
He spoke without committing to anything.
Now Nan fully understood—Takuma was here to place a bet.
Previously aligned with the Senju, now looking to switch sides.
At first, he'd even hoped Nan would open negotiations himself, giving Takuma the advantage. Naturally, Nan had no intention of letting that happen.
Good. Very good.
Takuma was stunned.
People could talk like this?
Uchiha Nan—you were born to eat political rice!
This trip was worth it.
"Konoha's Hokage," Takuma declared decisively, "has already come from the Senju twice. I believe it's time for the Uchiha."
"You—"
"Uchiha Nan will be Konoha's Hokage of Peace!"
"The Hokage who brings true stability to the village!"
No more beating around the bush.
Finally, some straightforward talk.
"Do you really think that?" Nan asked.
"Absolutely," Takuma replied earnestly. "Every word comes from the heart."
With the Mangekyō Sharingan on one side and the Hyūga's power on the other, Takuma honestly couldn't see how they could lose.
"Then—happy cooperation?"
Nan finally smiled, extending his hand.
Takuma had already come knocking on his door—there was no reason to push the Hyūga away.
Taking the Hokage seat was only the first step of a long journey. The real challenges lay ahead.
The Uchiha would inevitably need the Hyūga.
"Happy cooperation."
Takuma clasped Nan's hand firmly, sealing the agreement. Today's goal had been fully achieved.
What followed was nothing but shameless mutual flattery.
"The greatest Third Hokage in history!"
"The only man who can lead Konoha to prosperity!"
"The most visionary Hyūga clan head!"
"…."
Bragging was free, after all. You praise me, I praise you—reputation builds itself.
(Somewhere in another world, the man later known as the Strongest Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, silently gave this scene a like.)
In the end, Takuma left Nan's home thoroughly satisfied. Before departing, he even invited Nan to visit the Hyūga compound sometime.
After seeing him off, Nan headed straight for the Uchiha Military Police Force.
It was his first day on the job as clan head—he couldn't very well be late.
And by the way—
He'd been promoted.
His new title was Commander of the Uchiha Military Police Force.
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