Konoha had countless shinobi clans, large and small.
But only a few could truly stand at center stage.
The Uchiha.
The Senju.
The Hyūga.
The three great bloodline clans—
Like towering mountains overlooking the village.
Beyond them, smaller clans formed alliances to resist that pressure.
The Ino–Shika–Chō alliance.
The Inuzuka and Aburame.
Each with their own bonds.
And now—
The stage had changed.
With Tobirama Senju dead—
The Senju had lost their lead role.
And the Uchiha—
Who had long remained in the background—
Now had a chance to step forward.
A real chance.
Hyūga Takuma wasn't willing to wait any longer.
He wanted to move forward.
He wanted a place on that stage.
—
Early in the morning, before the village grew busy—
He arrived.
To meet Uchiha Ren.
"Truly, a hero in his youth," Takuma began with a smile. "To shoulder the burden of an entire clan at such an age."
Flattery first.
Always effective.
Ren simply smiled faintly.
"Not at all. Former Clan Head Raizen insisted on stepping down. Wouldn't even stand up unless I accepted. I had no choice."
Neither man addressed the truth.
Both understood it.
And neither cared.
They exchanged idle words.
Tea was poured.
Cup after cup.
Time passed.
Takuma shifted slightly.
His legs rubbed together.
A subtle sign—
He was getting impatient.
He hadn't come here to drink tea.
Why wasn't Ren speaking?
Didn't he want the Hokage position?
Takuma had come personally.
That should have been enough of a signal.
Ren watched him quietly.
Noticing every small movement.
Then—
He smiled.
"Another cup?"
"…No, no."
Takuma waved it off quickly.
Enough was enough.
"Brother Ren," he said, leaning forward slightly, "I'm a bit older, so allow me to address you this way—it feels more familiar."
"It's time we spoke plainly."
"Now that Tobirama-sama has fallen, Konoha stands without a leader."
"What we need is someone capable."
"Responsible."
"Strong enough to stabilize everything."
His tone was sincere.
Earnest.
At the end, he even gave Ren a subtle look—
An invitation.
Pick it up.
Say it.
Take the initiative.
Takuma had thought this through carefully.
The Hyūga were powerful—
But lacked top-tier dominance.
The Hokage seat?
Unlikely.
But influence—
That could be gained.
Especially now.
War had drained everyone.
The village owed the clans heavily.
Once compensation arrived—
There would be a division of benefits.
If one side took more—
Another would get less.
Everyone was waiting.
Waiting to claim their share.
And Tobirama's promises?
Worthless now.
A new Hokage—
A new deal.
The Senju?
No.
Too cold.
Too distant.
But Ren—
Powerful, yet politically weaker.
This was the moment.
Not to add flowers to brocade—
But to offer help in a snowstorm.
Together—
They could secure the position.
Ren took a slow sip of tea.
"…Takuma, you do know the Second Hokage already named a successor before his death."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Takuma blinked.
Then scoffed.
"Him?"
He hadn't even considered Hiruzen.
Some nobody clinging to Tobirama's shadow.
With Tobirama gone—
What was he?
Nothing.
"Brother Ren, let's not joke."
"Those who abandoned the Hokage and fled back—who knows if their words are even true?"
Takuma's tone carried open disdain.
Then—
He leaned in slightly.
"Tell me honestly."
"Do you want to rise?"
There it was.
Direct.
Clear.
Ren set down his cup.
"Well… about rising…"
"It's not that we can't do it."
"But nothing is ever absolute, you see."
"Not impossible."
"Just… a matter of how we approach it."
He spoke in circles.
Carefully.
Deliberately.
Without giving a clear answer.
Takuma's eyes lit up.
Brilliant.
This kid—
Was born for politics.
This was the right move.
He had come to the right place.
No more circling.
Takuma straightened.
"The Hokage seat—"
"The Senju have held it twice."
"It's time for the Uchiha."
He pointed directly at Ren.
"You—Uchiha Ren—should be the Hokage."
"The one to bring peace to Konoha."
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then—
Ren smiled.
Finally.
"You really believe that?"
"Of course," Takuma replied instantly. "Every word from the heart."
Confidence.
Sincerity.
Calculation.
All perfectly blended.
Ren extended his hand.
"Then… shall we call this cooperation?"
Takuma didn't hesitate.
He took it.
"Cooperation."
The deal—
Was sealed.
From here—
The real game began.
—
What followed was inevitable.
Mutual praise.
Shameless.
Effortless.
"The future Third Hokage."
"The only one who can lead Konoha to prosperity."
"The most perceptive Hyūga clan head."
"—"
Words were cheap.
Reputation was not.
And this—
Was how it was built.
—
In another world—
The man known as the strongest Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi—
Might have silently approved.
—
At last, Takuma departed, thoroughly satisfied.
Before leaving, he even invited Ren to visit the Hyūga compound.
Ren watched him go.
Then turned—
Toward the Uchiha Police Force.
After all—
Today was his first day as clan head.
He couldn't be late.
And now—
His title had changed.
Uchiha Police Force Commander.
The next step—
It had already begun.
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