"Tsk, Lord Hiashi, I can hear your little calculation from a mile off. Aren't you just saying that to make yourself the Fifth Hokage? Stop pretending to be a peace - lover!"
Hiashi averted his eyes towards the arrogant man beside him. His expression was slightly displeased, but he didn't want to entangle with such a person and continued.
"After this attack on Konoha, many residential buildings have been severely damaged. The top priority is to rebuild. We should put aside those grudges first! Secondly, if we need someone to be the Fifth Hokage, I recommend Lord Jiraiya! Just in case some petty people keep gossiping about others behind their backs!"
"Humph!"
A cold snort sounded. Hiashi Hyūga had named the best candidate for the next Hokage in the village according to most people's opinions. And currently, it was really not suitable for Konoha to continue a war of attrition with Sunagakure. That would only let other ninja countries benefit from the situation.
"Hey, I've told Jiraiya about Lord Hiashi's idea, but he refused!"
Homura Mitokado said this with a bit of helplessness. Jiraiya was used to being free - wheeling, so his refusal was understandable.
"So, what should we do now?"
"Really? In that case, I recommend Lord Fugaku Uchiha to take the position of the Fifth Hokage!"
A strange silence instantly spread across the whole place. Fugaku Uchiha also didn't expect that someone would recommend him. His eyes widened in disbelief.
The person who spoke looked around the room smugly, completely ignoring the awkward atmosphere. Then he kept chattering.
"In terms of strength, Lord Fugaku is absolutely unparalleled! Moreover, there are many outstanding young talents in the Uchiha clan. Lord Fugaku's two sons are also extremely excellent, thanks to his wise leadership. He is the most suitable candidate!"
Everyone in the room kept silent. It wasn't that they doubted Fugaku Uchiha's ability, but the Uchiha clan, which had been on the political periphery of the village just a few years ago, was now about to step onto the center stage of politics?
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado also hunched their backs and said nothing. Had the Uchiha clan developed so rapidly a few years after Tanzō's downfall? At this moment, there really was no better candidate in Konoha than Fugaku.
Fugaku frowned, and there was no trace of joy in his eyes. Some people's minds became active after the Third Hokage's fall. They were eager to form cliques and divide up their spheres of influence, but this wasn't a good sign for the Uchiha clan.
After all, it had only been a few years since they truly integrated into the village, and they hadn't yet gained the full recognition of everyone. Moreover, the Uchiha clan wasn't there to fulfill someone's ambition.
"I appreciate your kindness, but please allow me to decline here!"
Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. After all, if Fugaku Uchiha really took over, the delicate balance among the various clans in Konoha that had been formed over a long time would be broken, which was bad for everyone.
"Lord Fugaku, I know you're being modest, but The current situation is obvious to everyone. The village lacks a leader, and people are panicking. So, for the stability and peace of Konoha, please accept the position."
The man's words were filled with sincerity, and his burning eyes were filled with a sincerity that seemed to scorch one's soul. However, only he knew what was really on his mind.
Fugaku looked solemn. He didn't want the Uchiha clan to become the target of public criticism. He had to decline!
"Hey - I'm sure you're all aware of my family's situation. Itachi has an incurable illness, and my wife and younger son are always in low spirits. As a father, I have so many things to take care of. So, please allow me to decline."
After Fugaku said this, everyone fell silent. After all, they'd got the intel on Itachi's condition. It was said to be grim, and he might not have many years to live.
The death of any outstanding young man who could carry the future of the clan would be a fatal blow to the entire clan, let alone if that person was his own child.
"Actually, Jiraiya also said that he plans to go out and find Tsunade, asking her to come back and take over as the Fifth Hokage."
Homura Mitokado seized the opportunity presented by Fugaku's words and quickly brought up the second suitable candidate in his mind.
"Princess Tsunade! She's the granddaughter of the First Hokage - sama and the sole female among the Konoha Sannin!"
"Indeed, if Tsunade takes over this position, we have no objections!"
"I have no objections either!"
Everyone seemed to reach a consensus on Tsunade succeeding as the next Hokage.
"Well, let's wait until Tsunade takes over before talking about this again!"
...............
"Lord Jiraiya, I heard you declined to become the Fifth Hokage."
"Oh, it's Kakashi. Why? Are you interested in this? Do you want to be the Hokage?"
Kakashi shrugged nonchalantly. He hated such a hassle - filled title. He'd much rather read Make Out Paradise and banter with Gai now and then.
"I'm planning to take Naruto under my wing. Sorry, Kakashi, for stealing your student."
"No way! That little rascal Naruto should count himself lucky to study under someone like you. I just can't figure out why you made this decision."
Jiraiya casually picked up the wine cup beside him, looked at the boundless moonlight, and took a sip. The sharpness of the potent liquor seared from his throat to his stomach. After the burning, a faint, sweet after - taste lingered on his palate.
"Since Orochimaru left, I've been secretly observing his movements. That guy won't just stay quiet after being defeated. He'll definitely come back for revenge. Sure enough, not long after he left, he joined a mysterious organization called Akatsuki."
"Akatsuki? I haven't heard much about this organization."
"This organization is based in the Rain Village. The terrain and politics there are very complicated. It recruits S - rank rogue ninjas from various ninja villages. They thrive in the Rain Village, working in pairs as mercenaries in wars and throwing some countries into turmoil."
"Lord Jiraiya, do you mean that the recent rebellion in Konoha is also related to this organization?"
"It's possible. But recently, they've shifted their targets. For some reason, they're inquiring about the intelligence of the tailed beasts."
"Hold on, Lord Jiraiya. Do you mean..."
Hearing this, Kakashi's scalp went numb instantly. The power of each tailed beast was terrifying. Back then, the First Hokage distributed the tailed beasts among the five major ninja countries to use their power to end the wars. But now, there was an organization targeting them. What on earth did these lunatics want to do?