Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
The firm, steady rhythm at the door pulled Sarutobi Hiruzen out of his thoughts. He straightened slightly as the door opened.
"Lord Hokage."
Namikaze Minato stepped inside with his usual gentle smile. After closing the door behind him, he stood respectfully before the desk and bowed.
Hiruzen looked at the young man—radiant, composed, the embodiment of the next generation—and allowed himself a faint smile.
"You're back, Minato. No trouble on the way?"
Minato shook his head lightly.
"Kumogakure has been quiet lately. Our withdrawal went smoothly."
He smiled wryly.
"Though you did summon us rather urgently. We marched almost without rest. The men are exhausted."
A brief pause.
"Lord Hokage… you called us back in such haste. Has something happened in the village?"
Minato's gaze was steady, though a subtle glint flickered in his eyes.
In truth, he already knew.
Through his connection with Uchiha Jin, he had been kept informed of Konoha's unrest. His question was not ignorance—but measure.
Hiruzen sighed heavily.
"Minato… you have no idea."
"There are those within the village stirring trouble."
"Certain members of the Uchiha are acting recklessly. I had no choice but to recall you and part of the frontline forces as precaution."
Minato's brows drew together slightly.
"We are all of the same village. The Uchiha fought bravely at the front. It should not have reached this stage."
"What exactly happened?"
Hiruzen did not hide anything. In his heart, Minato was already the Fourth.
He explained everything—from the attempt to pressure the Uchiha over compensation funds, to the rumors spiraling out of control, to Uchiha Setsuna's radical stance.
"In truth," Hiruzen concluded, "it was never a major matter. But certain individuals within the Uchiha twisted it, and now it teeters on the edge of losing control."
Minato nodded slowly.
Yet inwardly, he disagreed.
"Lord Hokage," he asked carefully, "if the Uchiha themselves did not initially act out of line… why did the village target them?"
Hiruzen studied him, then spoke in a tone almost paternal.
"Minato… you are still young."
"For a village to develop, balance is paramount."
"No single clan can be allowed to dominate."
"The Uchiha are no exception."
Minato tilted his head slightly.
"Because of their strength?"
"That is part of it," Hiruzen replied.
"The Uchiha are Konoha's foremost clan. Exaggeratedly speaking, they could even be called the foremost clan in the shinobi world."
"And precisely because of that, they have long harbored obsession with the Hokage's seat."
"When the village was founded, everyone supported the First Hokage. The Uchiha did not object—because he was stronger."
"But after him, they began to regard the Hokage position as something that ought to fall to them."
"Yet Hokage is not decided by numbers or fists."
"If that were so, we might as well hold a grand tournament and crown the last man standing."
He exhaled smoke slowly.
"The First Hokage was not chosen for his power—but because he had the trust of all."
"The Uchiha do not understand that."
"They were restless under the Second Hokage."
"They even attempted a coup."
"When I ascended, they were among the loudest dissenters."
"A clan with great strength but little political sense is dangerous."
"Without guidance, it easily spirals."
"This incident is no different. Setsuna's obsession with the Hokage position blinds him to reality."
"He even dares to speak of founding a 'New Konoha.'"
"In such circumstances… if we do not suppress them, whom should we suppress?"
Minato's expression showed thoughtful understanding.
But within, he remained unconvinced.
He knew well this chaos had not originated with Setsuna alone.
Without Jin's intervention, the Uchiha would likely have swallowed the humiliation in silence—as they had before.
Hiruzen, seeing Minato's contemplative look, nodded in satisfaction.
Then his tone shifted.
"Minato, I called you back for another reason."
"Yesterday, Elder Utatane Koharu finalized a ceasefire with Iwagakure."
"The war is officially over."
"I believe… it is time for me to step down."
"This afternoon, I will announce my resignation and begin preparations for the Fourth Hokage election."
"You should prepare yourself."
Minato blinked.
"So soon?"
That, at least, was genuine surprise.
Hiruzen blew out a slow ring of smoke.
"It cannot wait."
"The village needs something uplifting."
"Morale is low. The treasury is strained."
"We require a legitimate reason to request reconstruction funds from the Daimyō."
He looked at Minato steadily.
"You need not worry. Though I step down as Hokage, I remain an elder and advisor. I will assist you."
In truth, Hiruzen's situation was more precarious than he revealed.
Concessions had been made to Iwagakure. Reparations from Kumogakure would not arrive immediately. Frontline troops were returning in waves—compensation and rewards had to be paid.
Under ordinary circumstances, delays were manageable.
But not now.
Not when rumors tied every grievance directly to him.
Stepping down first—framing it as transition rather than failure—
That was retreat advancing forward.
"The matter is decided," Hiruzen concluded.
"Return home. Rest."
"Reassure Kushina."
"And attend the Jōnin council this afternoon."
"Yes."
Minato's thoughts churned quietly.
He bowed once more and left the office.
Outside, sunlight flooded the corridor.
The future stood before him.
But the path was anything but simple.
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