When he heard the words "Hokage."
Danzo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, and for a moment, it felt as if he saw the figure of Senju Tobirama from years ago.
Back then, their teacher was the Hokage.
He had led them out alive during the coup in Kumogakure.
When the situation became so dangerous that someone had to stay behind and buy time for the others to escape.
Their teacher had done exactly that.
He willingly stayed behind for their sake and sacrificed himself to save them.
And now, Hiruzen Sarutobi had stepped forward.
He wanted to become the bait!
What about himself?
He was still arguing over the position of Hokage.
An overwhelming sense of shame surged through his heart.
Twice!
Twice, such an opportunity had been placed right in front of him!
Yet he had failed to seize it both times...
Why was he so useless?
No wonder their teacher had chosen Hiruzen to become the Third Hokage...
No wonder!
Danzo slowly loosened his clenched fists, and the gloom in his eyes was gradually replaced by complicated emotions.
"Hiruzen..."
Danzo's voice was hoarse and low, as if he had forced the words out of his throat.
"You always do this... You always walk ahead of me."
Hiruzen was slightly stunned.
Looking at Danzo, he noticed a trace of hesitation in his old friend's eyes, something he had not seen for a long time.
He patted Danzo on the shoulder.
He thought Danzo was still troubled by what had happened earlier.
His tone was calm but firm.
"Danzo, Konoha needs all of us."
Chiya's gaze moved between the two of them, and the corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile.
As expected of such close friends.
"As the Hokage in the open, how could there not be Root in the shadows, striking mercilessly at our enemies?"
Danzo's eyes immediately locked onto Uchiha Chiya.
The dimness in his eyes disappeared instantly, replaced by sharpness.
"Uchiha Chiya, what... what do you mean by that?"
"Root specializes in secret operations. Danzo, you should lead the Root ninja and support Lord Hokage from the shadows.
The more fiercely you harass the enemy and the tighter their defenses become, the more they will believe Lord Hokage's unit is the key target, and the stronger their desire to pursue him will be."
Danzo remained silent for a moment before letting out a cold snort.
"Hmph, of course I understand that. Root will fully cooperate."
He paused before adding,
"But if this plan fails, Uchiha Chiya, you will bear full responsibility!"
Chiya smiled lightly and said nothing.
Seeing the atmosphere ease, Jiraiya spoke up.
"Then how should we handle the village's internal affairs? The fighting on the front lines is intense, so the rear must remain stable."
Chiya had already prepared an answer.
"The successors of the major clans, together with representatives of the civilian ninja, will manage the village's internal affairs.
War is no small matter. Every decision must be discussed by the major clans and decided through voting.
That way, fairness is ensured, and power will not become concentrated."
Hiruzen nodded in agreement.
"That is a good proposal. Konoha belongs to everyone, and everyone should protect it together."
Although Danzo was unhappy about the Uchiha taking part, he had nothing to say at this moment.
After the meeting ended, Chiya left the Hokage Building alone and headed toward the Uchiha Clan compound.
After a simple reunion, he would head to the battlefield with them.
The setting sun cast its golden light across Konoha's streets, covering the village in a layer of gold.
He looked up at the sky, his thoughts drifting.
Konoha did not belong to him alone.
Some things could not be solved by personal strength alone.
They required everyone's efforts.
Only such a future would make everyone cherish it even more.
Just like the Fourth Great Ninja War!
Only when the threat of death truly faced everyone.
Could the ninja world enjoy lasting peace afterward.
...
Inside Chiya's home in the Uchiha Clan compound.
The kitchen was filled with the aroma of food as Uchiha Mikoto focused on frying meat in the pan, with a few strands of hair on her forehead dampened by sweat.
In the living room, Uzumaki Kushina and Sara sat facing each other.
The two red haired girls stared directly at one another.
A subtle tension filled the air.
"How did you meet Chiya-nii?"
Kushina looked Sara up and down with a questioning expression.
"Before asking someone else, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"
"Besides, what does my relationship with Lord Chiya have to do with you?"
Sara's queenly demeanor began to show.
Kushina's momentum was pushed back, leaving her at a loss for words.
She pouted as she glared at Sara through gritted teeth.
"Chiya-nii said my rice balls are his favorite!"
Kushina crossed her arms over her chest, her red hair blazing like flames.
Sara refused to back down and smiled faintly.
"Really? Last time he clearly said the tea I made suited his taste the best."
"You!!"
Just as the two remained locked in a standoff, a figure suddenly appeared in the middle of the living room.
"Chiya-nii?!"
"Chiya-kun!!"
Before Chiya had even steadied himself, he heard their voices.
Sara? Kushina?!
The next moment, the two girls rushed toward him at the same time.
One hugged his left arm, while the other hugged his right.
"Chiya-nii! You're back! I missed you so much!"
Kushina smiled brightly, her eyes filled with joy.
"Lord Chiya, welcome home."
Sara's voice became gentle as she shot Kushina an annoyed glance.
However, the grip on his arm did not loosen in the slightest.
Their enthusiasm caused Chiya to stumble slightly.
Looking at the two of them.
Was he... here at the wrong time?
At that moment, Mikoto poked her head out from the kitchen.
Seeing the scene, she could not help covering her mouth with a laugh.
"It looks like I'll have to prepare more food. The house is very lively today."
Chiya noticed the playful look in Mikoto's eyes.
He coughed once and took the chance to free himself from their "grasp."
Walking over to Mikoto, he casually took the plate from her hands.
"Thanks for your hard work, Mikoto."
Mikoto's cheeks reddened slightly.
"It's enough that you're back."
Not long afterward.
The four of them sat around the dining table.
Kushina and Sara were still secretly competing, each trying to place more food onto Chiya's plate.
Meanwhile, Mikoto quietly sat beside him, her eyes full of warmth as she looked at him with a gentle smile.
Being spoiled by the two girls at the same time was both painful and enjoyable for Chiya.
No matter what.
He treasured this family atmosphere very much.
"Oh, right, Chiya-nii!"
Kushina suddenly spoke with a serious expression.
"How is the situation on the front lines?"
Chiya put down his chopsticks and briefly explained the current situation.
When they heard that the allied armies of the Four Great Nations had surrounded them, all three of them became serious.
"Do you need us to do anything?"
Sara asked.
Determination flashed across her eyes.
Chiya shook his head.
"You should stay in the village and protect yourselves.
I will personally end this war."
A trace of disappointment flashed through Sara's eyes.
Although she had once held a noble status, she could not do anything for Chiya now.
A desire to become stronger quietly arose in her heart.
After thinking for a moment, Mikoto spoke softly.
"Chiya, if you need anything, you must tell us."
Chiya nodded.
"Mikoto, this home cannot do without you.
I'll have to leave everything here to you during this time."
Hearing those words, Mikoto's heart warmed.
Meanwhile, Kushina, who had been quietly competing with Sara, noticed the change in Sara's mood and gently held her hand.
She gave her an encouraging look.
Sara was briefly stunned before understanding.
A complicated emotion flashed through her eyes as she looked at Kushina.
But Kushina had already turned back toward Chiya and did not notice it.
"Chiya-nii, don't underestimate me!
I'm much stronger than before!
Take me to the battlefield this time!"
Chiya smiled and gently rubbed her red hair.
"The village has its own plans. Even if you want to go to the battlefield, you'll have to wait a few more days."
"A few more days?"
Kushina's eyes lit up.
A few more days?!
Did that really mean she would get the chance to fight?
"I can go to the battlefield?! Chiya-nii, you're not lying to me?"
Chiya smiled and nodded.
"Yes."
Allowing Kushina to go to the battlefield was a decision he had carefully considered.
Kushina could protect the Konoha ninja on the battlefield.
And after returning to the village, all the negative opinions about Kushina, and even all Jinchuriki, would disappear.
She would truly become Konoha's hero!
Kushina's eyes widened, and excitement spread across her face.
"Yay!"
"Chiya-nii, I knew you're the best!!"
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