Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind was racing.
Right now, the factions supporting him included the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans — four in total — along with the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi (the Ino–Shika–Chō trio), plus the Aburame and Inuzuka clans.
While none of these were the most powerful clans individually, together they formed a considerable force.
This wasn't just the result of his frantic lobbying over the past two days; far more important was the will of their late teacher, Tobirama, and the fact that Hiruzen had long been nurtured as the chosen successor to the Hokage's seat.
Senju Mori, on the other hand, had only three major blocs behind him — the Senju clan, the Hyūga clan, and a handful of minor clans aligned with the Senju. Yet even with that, his number of jōnin supporters still slightly exceeded Hiruzen's.
The thought of competing head-on with a giant like the Senju clan made Hiruzen's head ache.
What made it worse was that this delicate near-balance between the two camps didn't even factor in the Uchiha.
If the Uchiha chose to intervene and back either side, their immense power — second only to the Senju — and their thirty-plus jōnin would be enough to completely tip the scales.
And even if the Uchiha decided to stay neutral, Hiruzen still wasn't confident he could secure victory.
In other words — the Uchiha clan had now become a group he couldn't afford to ignore.
"What a blunder," Hiruzen thought bitterly. "I should never have agreed to let Kagami distract the enemy that day. He had the same eyes as Madara Uchiha — and still, he died at the hands of Kumogakure…"
For the first time, Hiruzen felt genuine regret.
Looking back, if it had been anyone else who died that day — anyone but Kagami — things wouldn't be nearly this difficult now.
To put it coldly, even if Danzō, Homura, or Koharu had died, their clans — Shimura, Mitokado, and Utatane — would have continued to support him regardless.
But losing Kagami meant losing his only bridge to the Uchiha, as well as his access to their information and influence.
Now, the fate of the Third Hokage's seat might actually come down to the Uchiha's decision…
It was almost absurd.
If the Uchiha — that clan of battle-obsessed maniacs — ever learned that they held the deciding vote in the Hokage selection, they would probably gloat for months.
Still, frustration aside, Hiruzen had no choice but to face the cold truth before him.
"Let's discuss it," he said finally, tapping his fingers against the table. "At this point, is there still any chance we can repair our relationship with the Uchiha — or even try to win them over?"
And with that, a new round of debate began.
...
Another night passed.
By the next afternoon, Senju Mori had arrived at the Nara Clan compound.
Compared to Hyūga Sōgo's old-fashioned, imposing demeanor, Nara Shikajō appeared far younger and more easygoing. In his early thirties, with a calm and composed bearing, he could almost have passed for Mori's peer.
The Nara clan's compound also lacked the excessive stiffness and ceremony of the Hyūga residence. With a bright smile, Shikajō personally came out to greet him at the gate.
"It's been a while, Jonin Mori," he said warmly. "Your visiting card yesterday was quite the surprise."
His tone was lively and friendly — a sharp contrast to the distant, formal wording of the reply letter he had sent.
Since Shikajō had welcomed him so openly, Mori naturally reciprocated with a smile of his own.
"Shikajō-san, there's no need for such formality. We're both jōnin of the same village — it's only proper that we keep in touch."
"Quite so," Shikajō replied, his grin widening. As he spoke, he stepped aside and gestured invitingly. "Please, come in."
"After you."
...
As they walked side by side through the Nara compound, the two men chatted easily.
The air was filled with the fresh scent of medicinal herbs, and Shikajō proudly pointed out the newly planted varieties along the path.
Mori responded with just the right degree of interest, offering thoughtful comments at intervals — as though the two really were old friends reuniting after many years.
Once they had walked all the way to the inner courtyard, and not a single other member of the Nara clan could be seen, Nara Shikajō finally spoke — in a tone that seemed almost casual.
"Funny coincidence — Torifu was just here this morning.
We talked a bit about the village's future.
He said that once Hiruzen becomes Hokage, he'll be made one of the village's advisors."
Shikajō chuckled softly.
"I'll admit it, Jonin Mori — I'm a little jealous of him."
Hearing this, Senju Mori couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.
"Come now, Shikajō-san, don't joke like that. Everyone knows that the Ino–Shika–Chō trio always advance and retreat together.
That advisor position wasn't offered to Akimichi Torifu alone — it was meant for the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans as a group."
"If you're really feeling restless staying at home," Mori continued lightly, "why not talk with Hiruzen about taking a post in the Intelligence Division?
With your intellect, I'd say becoming the department head wouldn't be any trouble at all."
A faint flicker crossed Shikajō's eyes, but his voice remained politely modest.
"Oh, hardly. You overestimate me — truly, you do."
Just then, the two arrived at a low wooden building in the center of the Nara compound. Shikajō stepped forward, sliding the door open and gesturing invitingly.
"My humble home is rather plain — please, don't hold it against me."
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare," Mori replied with a smile.
...
By the time the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Shikajō once again walked Mori personally to the front gate, still full of warmth and courtesy.
Only then did this meeting finally come to an end.
The two clasped hands in farewell — polite and flawless in every gesture.
In truth, once they'd entered the house, the conversation had become all surface-level pleasantries — nothing substantial at all.
All the real words had already been exchanged during that seemingly casual stroll through the garden.
Though neither said it outright, both men understood perfectly what the other meant.
Shikajō had implied that the Ino–Shika–Chō trio acted as one, and that Hiruzen had already promised Akimichi Torifu a single advisor's seat.
Mori, in turn, had made an extravagant offer:
"If you turn your back on Hiruzen and support me instead — not just an advisor's seat, Shikajō. The Head of the Intelligence Division could be yours."
Shikajō was clearly tempted, but he still held several reservations.
First, the Nara were a respectable, honorable clan.
This was an election for the Third Hokage, not some auction. They couldn't simply throw their support to whoever paid the most.
A clan as reputable as the Nara had to uphold a measure of integrity and principle.
Second, there was the matter of the Ino–Shika–Chō unity.
Even though the Nara — being the most strategic of the three — were regarded as the "brains" of the alliance, it was still made up of three separate families.
Before making any major decision, Shikajō would need to consult with the Yamanaka and Akimichi clans — mutual respect and understanding above all.
That, rather than sentiment or friendship, was the true reason their alliance had endured for centuries.
Still… while Hiruzen's original offer hadn't included anything like a division-head position, Mori's visit had changed the equation.
If Shikajō simply relayed Mori's offer word-for-word to Hiruzen's camp, there was a good chance that they wouldn't even need to take any action — the better terms would soon come to them on their own.
After all, if they stood firm and resisted the pressure of the great Senju, shouldn't their loyalty be rewarded at a more suitable price?
And if Hiruzen truly wished to lead the village, he couldn't afford to let his allies grow disheartened, could he?
As dusk fell, Nara Shikajō watched Senju Mori's figure recede into the distance, a faint, knowing smile curving his lips.
"Don't disappoint me, Hiruzen…"