Everyone got what they wanted: the position of Hokage Advisor.
Even though Renya had no interest in the post, Danzo still forcefully appointed him as a Hokage Advisor.
Perhaps Danzo thought that if everyone had one, Renya couldn't be left out!
And so this group of people who had been friends with Danzo since childhood gained considerable standing in the village.
The happiest of them was Uchiha Kagami.
He felt that by obtaining an advisor position, the clan's unhappiness would be eased.
And, in fact, that was what happened.
When the Uchiha found out, much of their resentment melted away.
It seemed that Hokage Shimura Danzo was better than Senju Tobirama after all — at least he had secured an advisor position for the Uchiha in the village.
A Hokage Advisor — that must carry real power, right?
Many clan members allowed themselves to hope: now that an Uchiha held an advisory post, it wouldn't be impossible for one of them to become Hokage in the future!
The conflict between the Uchiha and the village appeared to be slowly easing.
Uchiha Kagami was delighted by the change, but he didn't dare tell the clan the truth: his advisor role was essentially symbolic.
He had only the right to make suggestions, not to decide.
He was, in effect, just a strategist — he could make recommendations, but whether they were adopted was up to the Hokage.
Fortunately, the Uchiha didn't press the issue and simply assumed the Hokage Advisor had real authority.
This elevated Kagami's status within the family: from an ostracized marginal figure to the pride of the Uchiha.
Kagami felt both flattered and anxious at the sudden turn of events.
He feared the clan learning the truth…
...
Senju Tobirama's residence.
"You mean… you want to be an advisor with real power?" Renya asked, somewhat shocked as he looked at Uchiha Kagami.
Since when had this guy started caring about the size of his authority?
In Renya's impression, Kagami had been as uninterested in power as he was.
He hadn't expected that only a few days after becoming an advisor, Kagami would start jockeying for influence.
Power really does corrode the will!
"Um, Renya—could you help me think of a way?" Uchiha Kagami scratched his head awkwardly.
He didn't dare approach Danzo alone, so he came to Renya for ideas.
He didn't want the clan to learn the truth and thereby reignite the conflict between family and village.
If he could obtain real authority, such trouble might be avoided.
Kagami told Renya the whole story.
"So you mean… you want real power only to steady the Uchiha?" Renya's expression was strange.
He hadn't expected the Uchiha to be so easily satisfied — placated by a mere advisor post without real authority.
Come to think of it, Konoha had already treated the Uchiha well: they had been allowed to keep their police force after being defeated and joining the village — a position that could be said to wield actual law-enforcement power!
Later-arriving families didn't get such privileges.
Renya had assumed their ambitions were far-reaching, but they had been appeased by an advisory post.
And even if that post came with real power, it still wouldn't compare to the Hokage!
"If I give you real authority, you can steady the clan?" Renya couldn't help asking.
Weren't those Uchiha shouting about staging a coup to become Hokage? How could they be content with an advisor position now?
"Ever since I became a Hokage Advisor, the discontent in the clan has gradually faded," Uchiha Kagami smiled. "As long as I have real power, I believe the clan won't entertain thoughts of a coup."
These past days, the clan's behavior had clearly changed; their complaints had noticeably decreased.
"You must understand: human desire is never satisfied," Renya said while looking at the hopeful Kagami. "Right now the Uchiha have suppressed their discontent because you became an advisor."
"But after a few years, they'll want more. No matter how much power an advisor holds, it won't surpass the Hokage's authority."
"By then, they'll think about a coup again."
Never underestimate human nature and desire!
The present peace was only temporary; a more intense conflict would surely erupt in the future.
Hearing this, Kagami's smile froze.
He had never considered this; Renya's words were very reasonable.
Given his knowledge of the clan, Kagami realized such a thing would happen sooner or later — it was only a matter of time.
There was a way to change the situation, but it would be extremely difficult.
That way was for an Uchiha to become Hokage!
Kagami knew this possibility was vanishingly small.
Unless the Uchiha launched a coup, but that would bring things back to square one — the fundamental clash between clan and village.
"Renya, I understand." Uchiha Kagami bowed his head, clenching his fist in frustration. "But I… want to try!"
If he truly held real power in the village, he could gain the clan a voice.
Then he could use his own influence to dispel the hawkish extremists' ideas!
"Fine." Renya didn't argue further. "I'll go with you to see Danzo."
If Kagami had made up his mind about something, it was almost impossible to dissuade him.
Rather than waste words, it was better to let him see the truth for himself.
...
Hokage's office.
"You say granting you real authority will stop the Uchiha from rebelling?" Danzo looked at Kagami skeptically.
Since becoming the Hokage's aide and handling affairs for sensei, Danzo was aware of the Uchiha hawks.
He didn't believe those Uchiha would give up the idea of a coup for something so small.
"Yes, Danzo, please trust me!" Uchiha Kagami looked earnest. "I can handle the village's conflict with the clan!"
"Please!"
Danzo glanced at Uchiha Kagami, then to Renya standing silently at his side.
After a moment of silence, Danzo finally agreed,
"I can give you real authority, but don't let me down."
"Thank you, Danzo!" Uchiha Kagami said excitedly. "I won't let you down!"
From then on, he became the only one among the four advisors to hold real power.
"Hmm. You can go back for now; I have matters to discuss with Renya."
Kagami left the office with a joyful expression, not thinking much of anything else.
"Do you think he can succeed?" Danzo asked softly.
He didn't think Kagami could change the Uchiha's situation; that sort of matter was better handled by the Hokage himself.
"Who knows." Renya shrugged lightly. "You can try to trust Kagami, but don't have too much hope."
If a mere position with real authority could stop the Uchiha from rebelling, that old Senju Tobirama would have done it ages ago.
Danzo's eyes flickered; he said coldly,
"I hope the Uchiha don't do anything excessive, otherwise I won't let it slide!"
"They probably won't in the short term," Renya murmured.
"Hmph. Who knows what might happen?" Danzo snorted.
In his view, an Uchiha rebellion was inevitable — it was only a matter of time.
If that day truly came, he wouldn't hesitate to eradicate the Uchiha completely!
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo
