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The meeting's conclusion was swift. Hiruzen Sarutobi offered himself to retake the Hokage's seat, stating clearly it was only a temporary measure.
Danzō was about to explode. The rage boiled in his gut—the feeling of being used as a pawn, played for a fool by people he thought were allies. A deep, cold sense of betrayal.
Homura Mitokado spoke first. "I support Hiruzen resuming the position. Given the current situation, only he has the stature to stabilize things."
Koharu Utatane nodded in agreement. "As do I. Hiruzen should serve as Hokage again. What say the rest of you?"
One by one, the clan heads voiced their support—Shikaku Nara, Chōza Akimichi, Inoichi Yamanaka, Hiashi Hyūga… All fell in line behind Hiruzen Sarutobi's return.
Qianyu and Orochimaru said nothing.
Qianyu didn't care who wore the hat. If Danzō hadn't inexplicably provoked him today, he wouldn't have bothered with this circus at all. His time in Konoha was already on a countdown. Frankly, if Kushina Uzumaki weren't pregnant—close to giving birth and needing a stable environment to recover—he'd have flipped the table and walked out the moment this farce began.
As for Orochimaru, he found the whole affair… tedious. Why even call him to such meetings? Ever since Qianyu revealed the plans of figures like Madara Uchiha, the petty squabbles of the village had felt like children playing house. Whoever became this 'village head' was irrelevant. He just wanted it over so he could return to his research.
In the entire chamber, only Qianyu, Orochimaru, and Danzō refrained from endorsing Hiruzen. No one was foolish enough to ask for their opinions. Right now, the fact that Qianyu and Orochimaru remained silent was a blessing.
Homura declared, "Since there are no objections, Hiruzen will serve as acting Hokage until the next suitable successor is ready!"
The meeting adjourned.
Qianyu moved. He planted himself directly in Danzō's path. His Sharingan whirled to life, three tomoe glinting with cold malice. "Next time you seek trouble with me," he said, his voice low and deadly, "I'll show you what real trouble looks like. You know I have the capability. Or would you like to test that theory?"
Danzō's face was a mask of icy fury. "Do not forget. This is Konoha."
A cold smirk touched Qianyu's lips. "Yes. This is Konoha. And we know each other… quite well, don't we? When it truly comes down to it, do you think either of us will care where we are? It will end only when one of us is dead. Isn't that right?" He leaned in slightly, the smirk vanishing. "But here's the difference. I am confident I can kill you. Are you confident you can kill me, Danzō?"
Danzō's cheek twitched. He remembered. The sheer, overwhelming presence when Qianyu had activated Sage Mode before him. That casual, terrifying power. Killing Qianyu… Danzō truly couldn't think of a way to achieve it now.
Hiruzen, watching from across the room, saw the confrontation. A twinge of guilt over today's events pricked at him. Without Danzō playing the foil, if Qianyu had seriously contested the Hokage position… while he, Koharu, and Homura would have blocked it, his own plan to retake the mantle would have been delayed. Opposing Qianyu only to immediately propose himself would have looked far too much like a naked grab for power. Seeing Danzō's face contorted in a frustrated snarl, clearly on the losing end of the exchange, Hiruzen decided to intervene.
"Enough, you two." Hiruzen walked over, placing himself between them. "I know there is history between you. But Konoha is in a critical state. We must set aside personal grievances, unite, and see the village through this crisis."
Qianyu turned to Hiruzen, a polite, empty smile on his face. "Congratulations on your return, Lord Third. However, I will be taking some personal leave. I trust that meets with your approval?"
Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "Understood. Very well, Qianyu. Take the time you need."
This request was a double-edged sword for Hiruzen. The benefit: Qianyu was now a completely uncontrollable variable. How to utilize his strength without it backfiring spectacularly required careful thought. His absence provided a buffer. The drawback: Konoha's precarious situation desperately needed powerful shinobi like Qianyu for high-risk missions. The Hokage was the village's backbone, but legendary figures like the Blood-Eyed Asura were its iron will. His presence reassured the village and deterred enemies from testing Konoha's limits. The Yellow Flash might be gone, but the Asura remained. Yet, with Qianyu asking directly, refusal was not an option.
Qianyu rejoined Orochimaru, and the two left the Hokage Tower without a backward glance. Danzō did not appreciate Hiruzen's 'help'. He shot the new-old Hokage a look brimming with icy, simmering killing intent, then turned and stalked away.
Meanwhile, in the Uchiha District.
Fugaku Uchiha sat in grim silence. He had bet the clan's future on Minato Namikaze. He saw a promising path forward. Now, Minato lay in a coma with no known time of awakening. The Uchiha's position in Konoha had just become treacherous.
Minato's fall meant their sole bridge to the village leadership was shattered. The refusal to let the Uchiha fight during the Nine-Tails' attack was a blatant sign of distrust. And now, this meeting—one that included every major clan head—had been held without him. The isolation was deliberate. He didn't know the meeting's exact agenda, but with that attendance, it had to be about Konoha's future following Minato's collapse.
And Danzō… Danzō would seize this chance to crush the Uchiha clan into the dirt.
Fugaku's deepest worry now was that if Minato did not wake soon, a new Hokage would be chosen.
And if the Fifth Hokage was Qianyu…
Fugaku's eyes narrowed, a cold calculation flashing within. If Qianyu became Hokage, the Uchiha would have only one path left. Break everything to pieces and hope to rebuild from the ashes.
A clansman entered and bowed. "Patriarch, I have news."
Fugaku demanded, "The meeting. What was its purpose?"
"Lord Patriarch, the meeting… was to decide the next Hokage."
Fugaku's face paled. Already? Minato had been comatose for only seven days, and they were already choosing his replacement?
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