The night that made countless people sleepless finally passed, and time quickly came to the day of the Jonin confidence vote.
The morning light pierced through the thin mist, illuminating the Hokage Rock faces of the First and Second Hokage with a golden hue. Konohagakure, usually bustling, was filled with an unusual solemnity today.
Today would decide the Village's future.
Although it wasn't time for the Jonin meeting to officially begin, figures were already gathering from all over the Village, as if by prior agreement.
Nara Shikatsune was one of the first to arrive. Seeing that most of his Clan members had not yet appeared, he quietly stood in an inconspicuous corner, habitually observing everyone.
A few minutes later, Hiruzen Sarutobi's figure appeared first.
His steps were steady, his expression solemn, and at the end of a street, he walked side-by-side with Danzo Shimura, Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado, Akimichi Torifu, and others.
With Hiruzen Sarutobi's appearance, many Ninja immediately seemed to find their backbone, quickly gathering behind him, soon forming a large, dense crowd.
Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but reveal a smile.
A moment later, Nara Shikatsune's gaze was drawn to a newly appearing group—
Uchiha Isshin was leading his Clan members forward with large strides.
The Clan Head's face still held its usual arrogance, but upon closer inspection, his steps were a bit heavier than usual.
Although the Uchiha Clan's contingent arrived late, their formation was the most orderly, with over thirty Clan members uniformly dressed in crisp Police Force uniforms, the fan Clan crest on their backs particularly striking.
It was clear that they were quite proud of their identity as the "Uchiha Police Force."
Just then, Senju Mori and his group also arrived.
Senju, Hyuga, Hatake, Gekko... the Jonin of various Clans naturally gathered behind him, quickly forming a force that could rival Hiruzen Sarutobi, creating a stark contrast with the still isolated Uchiha Clan.
Senju Mori's gaze swept across the entire scene, finally settling on Uchiha Isshin nearby, and he took the initiative to approach him.
"Clan Head Isshin, good morning."
Uchiha Isshin stopped, his brow slightly furrowed.
Senju Mori's smile appeared particularly composed in the morning light, but when it fell into Uchiha Isshin's eyes, it only made him feel quite an eyesore.
"Do you have any instructions, sir?"
His voice carried a hint of his characteristic pride.
Senju Mori slowly raised his hand, pointing to the Hokage Rock in the distance: "I wonder if Clan Head Isshin has noticed, there are an unusually large number of birds on the Hokage Rock this morning."
Hearing this, Uchiha Isshin subconsciously looked in the direction of the Hokage Rock, but didn't notice anything different from before, secretly cursing Senju Mori for making a fuss over nothing.
However, in that fleeting moment, he happened to take in the vast contingent behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his expression immediately turned somewhat grim.
Senju Mori spoke at the opportune moment, his voice gentle yet profound: "It seems what I said yesterday was indeed true."
Uchiha Isshin remained silent for a moment, finally just nodding stiffly, then bypassed Senju Mori without a word, leading his Clan members quickly towards the Hokage Building.
After crossing the entire plaza in front of the Hokage Building, Uchiha Isshin still only had Uchiha Clan members closely following him, with no one else joining this proud procession.
Looking at the Uchiha Clan's gradually departing group, a faint, almost imperceptible smile flashed across Senju Mori's face.
What a straightforward fellow... Time passed in anxious waiting. As the warm morning sun rose high, continuously emitting even hotter and more dazzling light, this Jonin meeting, which would decide the Village's future, finally officially began.
In Konoha's current situation, finding an absolutely neutral Ninja to preside over this meeting was undoubtedly a very difficult task.
After a fierce debate, it was finally decided that Hiruzen Sarutobi's father, Sarutobi Sasuke, and Senju Touka, a rare female Jonin of the Senju Clan, would co-preside.
Inside the Hokage Building's conference room, there was a solemn atmosphere.
Light streamed in diagonally from the high windows, casting geometric patterns of light on the polished floor.
At the front of the conference room, a presidential platform, slightly raised from the ground, stood solemnly. On the wall behind the platform, portraits of First Hokage Senju Hashirama and Second Hokage Senju Tobirama hung quietly.
Their gazes seemed to pierce through time and space, watching this gathering, which would decide Konoha's future, from somewhere in another world.
Below the presidential platform, several dark long tables were neatly arranged. For today's Jonin meeting, over one hundred forty additional seats had been specially set up, almost filling the room.
Sarutobi Sasuke had already appeared on the presidential platform. This old man, who had participated in the Sengoku period conflicts, slowly began to speak, his voice as steady as an undisturbed ancient well:
"Today, we gather here for Konoha's future. I hope you all will uphold the Will of Fire, think carefully and discern clearly, and build upon the past for the future."
Senju Touka then took over, her clear voice resonating throughout the venue:
"The Jonin meeting now begins! As per custom, please, all Jonin, nominate Hokage candidates."
After a brief silence, the short, stout Akimichi Torifu was the first to stand up, saying in a deep voice:
"I nominate Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen is steady and capable, deeply familiar with Village affairs, and is the unparalleled choice to maintain the Village's stability and legacy. For him to succeed to the position of Hokage is also Tobirama-sensei's dying wish."
However, no sooner had he finished speaking than a faint sneer came from somewhere:
"Hmph! Abandoning the Hokage..."
"Silence!" Sarutobi Sasuke and Senju Touka shouted in unison, "No shouting or discussion allowed except for nominations!"
"The meeting continues."
Subsequently, to the astonishment of many, Hyuga Sogo proudly stood up and declared loudly:
"I nominate Senju Mori. Jonin Mori is brave and resolute, with extraordinary strength. He slayed Kumogakure's Kinkaku in a crisis, avenging Second Hokage. His strength and prestige are sufficient to lead Konoha."
To firmly seize this opportunity to enter Konoha's upper echelons, the Hyuga Clan spared no effort.
Immediately following, a Jonin from the Uchiha Clan also impatiently stood up, coldly stating:
"Uchiha Aoba, I nominate Jonin Uchiha Isshin."
After speaking, he cleanly sat back down.
"?"
Compared to the earlier Hyuga Sogo, Uchiha Aoba undoubtedly attracted more gazes filled with surprise and curiosity.
But after a brief period of confusion and speechlessness, the Jonin quickly withdrew their attention, no longer focusing on the Uchiha Clan, who all wore cold expressions.
Of course, the Chunin responsible for recording did, according to the rules, write down Uchiha Isshin's name.
After another brief silence, Senju Touka asked again: "Are there any other Jonin who wish to nominate other candidates?"
Seeing that no one rose to answer for a long time, Senju Touka turned to exchange glances with Sarutobi Sasuke, after which both of them announced in unison:
"Then, the Jonin confidence vote officially begins!"
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