Chapter 10

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Meeting rooms

Hiruzen looked at Toki coldly and asked, "Patriarch Toki, don't you care about your clan?"

Toki looked at Sarutobi with a strange expression and said, "Sarutobi, you are not Hokage yet. A group of elders who have already retired—what kind of big-tailed wolf act are you putting on here?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone stared at Toki in amazement.

In the past, the village and Uchiha had conflicts, but they were never spoken about openly. Now that the Uchiha clan has a new patriarch, it seems they've grown bold!

Mito shouted in anger, "Bastard! Is the Uchiha clan trying to judge the village, daring to be so disrespectful to the elder group?!"

Uchiha Setsuna, standing nearby, suddenly grew sharp and angrily reprimanded, "Shut up! I think it's you who have betrayed the village! Konoha was founded by my Uchiha clan and the Senju clan! Now the Senju clan has been deliberately sent to their deaths by that old guy from the Third Generation, leaving only Tsunade, who was forced away."

"Then, you suppressed the ninja clans that came to join us!"

"Patriarchs, will you continue to sit and wait? The losses in the Third War are obvious to everyone, and that's why Sarutobi resigned."

"Now, the Fourth Hokage was only in office for a year before he was taken out in a major incident. It's hard not to suspect that there was a plot behind his death."

"Konoha was built by us Uchiha, and we Uchiha represent Konoha. You villains who occupy the nest dare to say we've betrayed Konoha?"

"Our patriarch has already made his position clear—Hokage and our Uchiha clan will not participate!"

"We're only here to ensure that Konoha doesn't fall into the wrong hands!"

"Look at what Sarutobi has done—he faces enemies, betrays allies, and seeks to control the entire village."

"If he takes charge again, Konoha may crumble under his manipulation!"

"We refuse to stand by and let Konoha, which our Uchiha clan helped build, be destroyed! We swear to protect Konoha's interests!"

"Anyone can be Hokage, but Sarutobi cannot!"

"You see, Lord Danzo is highly capable, with a strong reputation, and his mastery of the ninja world's darkness is formidable."

"The Hokage's most important role is deterrence, to make our enemies tremble in fear. I think Lord Danzo is very suitable, and the Uchiha clan is willing to give up our position in the Konoha Police Force to support him fully as Hokage!"

"Good!!!"

At that moment, Danzo stood up excitedly, "Well said! I, Danzo, will not let everyone down!"

Nara Shikaku stared at the excited Danzo in disbelief, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Could this guy be serious?

Is his political awareness that low?

The Uchiha clan is clearly here to cause trouble. If they don't participate in the Hokage election, then anyone else could be elected.

However, if there's one group in Konoha that won't be chosen, it's the Uchiha. And second in line for that dishonor is definitely Danzo.

Sarutobi may have offended some ninjas, but the Uchiha clan offended both ninjas and civilians.

And Danzo has offended all of Konoha's darker elements.

But Danzo is obviously on a high now, and some other ninja clans seemed to be swayed by Uchiha Setsuna's words, creating a strange atmosphere.

If this keeps up, the Hokage position might really not end up with Sarutobi.

In the original timeline, the Sarutobi clan grew into one of the largest after the Uchiha, but the rest of the ninja clans suffered heavy losses. The clans, formed during the Warring States period, couldn't form a strong alliance like the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and didn't dare challenge Sarutobi.

As a result, Sarutobi regained control of Konoha while the others hesitated.

But this time is different.

In the original story, the Uchiha clan never had a chance to secure the Hokage position, and their arrogance kept them from even attending such meetings.

But now, Toki not only attended but had his clan publicly challenge Sarutobi.

With the Uchiha leading the way, other clans began thinking. Why should Sarutobi automatically take the Hokage seat?

Originally, the older generation of Ino-Shika-Cho planned to retire once Sarutobi became Hokage, but now they were rethinking their decision.

In the past, each clan had only one Jonin left.

If they were tricked again, they might lose their clans' businesses entirely.

Everyone knew Sarutobi had his eyes on their medicinal herbs and barbecue supplies.

Now, with the Uchiha blocking Sarutobi, it didn't seem so unreasonable to struggle for more time.

Nara Shikaku, tugging at his mustache, thought:

"Sarutobi might not end up as Hokage, but Danzo definitely can't either."

Not only did Danzo lack public support, but his hawkish policies would likely reignite war with Iwagakure.

Sarutobi glared at Toki, no longer as relaxed as before. His tone was cold, and his eyes flashed with malice as he said indifferently, "Since everyone disagrees, let's ask the daimyo."

Uchiha Setsuna: "I disagree!"

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