The moment Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, the entire hall erupted.
"What does the Third mean? You're still in your prime!"
"If not for the Third's leadership, Konoha wouldn't be what it is today!"
"It's Konoha's blessing to have you!"
Voices overlapped in praise and consolation.
But if one listened carefully, something was off.
There was admiration.
There was courtesy.
Yet very few spoke of retention.
Some had already begun referring to him as "the Third" rather than "Lord Hokage."
And beside him, Shimura Danzō sat stiff-faced—
Though the faint upward twitch at the corner of his mouth was impossible to suppress.
Hiruzen noticed.
He sighed inwardly.
"Enough."
The room quieted.
"This matter is decided."
"In three days, I will travel to the Daimyō's court and formally submit my resignation."
"Until the Fourth Hokage is selected, I will temporarily retain executive authority to maintain stability."
Expressions varied throughout the hall.
Some nodded as if this were natural.
Others' eyes flickered—calculating.
Then—
A light cough broke the silence.
All heads turned.
It was Uchiha Jin.
"Third-sama," Jin asked calmly, "when will the Fourth Hokage selection begin? And what will the procedure be?"
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Even those who disliked the Uchiha couldn't help but think—
Bold.
To raise such a question at this exact moment.
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.
"You are Uchiha Jin, correct?"
"You seem rather eager."
"Are you planning to run yourself?"
A faint ripple of amusement passed through the hall.
Jin smiled easily.
"Hardly. With the elders and so many distinguished seniors present, the Hokage's seat is far beyond my reach. I'm not that delusional."
"I'm simply curious about the process."
"I'd like to cast a vote and share in the festive spirit."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And whom would you vote for?"
Jin tilted his head thoughtfully.
"No fixed target yet."
"But I once heard Elder Danzō say he intended to lead Konoha to the moon."
"So if Elder Danzō stands as a candidate, I'll definitely give him my vote."
The hall froze.
All eyes shifted to Danzō.
Danzō himself blinked.
He had said what?
Then, as realization dawned, several people shook their heads.
Everyone knew the Uchiha and Danzō were at odds.
This was mockery—thinly veiled.
Classic Uchiha audacity.
Danzō's eyes flared.
"You brat, what are you implying?"
Jin looked genuinely puzzled.
"I'm only offering you my support, Elder."
"If you don't wish to be Hokage, then forget I said anything."
"There's no need to glare at me."
"You—!"
Danzō nearly choked.
Did he want to be Hokage?
Of course he did.
He wanted it desperately.
But he could not openly declare it.
Everyone in this room knew his methods.
If he admitted ambition now, half the hall would oppose him on the spot.
If he denied it—
And one day he did ascend—
He would be branded a hypocrite.
For a rare moment, Danzō found himself trapped.
Hiruzen coughed lightly, cutting in.
"The Hokage selection is not a trivial matter."
"It will not proceed until the majority of frontline forces have returned."
"In approximately ten days, we will discuss formal procedures."
"Each of you may consider suitable candidates in the meantime."
"We will nominate several finalists and conduct a vote among the jōnin."
The room relaxed slightly.
This was reasonable.
Rushing the decision now would risk legitimacy.
Hiruzen continued:
"Now—regarding compensation for fallen shinobi, stipends for the wounded, and merit rewards."
Once again, the atmosphere shifted.
Many eyes drifted toward the right—
Toward Uchiha Fugaku and Jin.
Everyone knew the recent turmoil stemmed from this very issue.
Several returning clan heads and civilian-born jōnin looked toward Fugaku with subtle gratitude.
They understood the truth better than ordinary villagers.
Had the Uchiha yielded first—
Others would have been pressured to follow.
Unlike the Uchiha, they did not possess the luxury of absorbing that loss.
Hiruzen spoke evenly, as though unaware of the room's shifting currents.
"Previously, the village's finances were strained."
"We made certain… unreasonable attempts."
"If they were unreasonable, they shall not be repeated."
"When I submit my resignation to the Daimyō, I will request additional reconstruction funds."
"Therefore, remain patient."
"Compensation and rewards will be finalized upon my return."
Relief spread visibly across several faces.
Money.
At the end of the day, that was what mattered.
Hiruzen nodded.
"That concludes today's assembly."
"Dismissed."
Chairs scraped softly against the floor.
Outside, the sun continued its slow descent—
And within Konoha, the struggle for the future had quietly begun.
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