Chapter 248: The Village Pleads for Him to Become Hokage

With Danzō's mental breakdown, the trial assembly came to a satisfactory conclusion.

With the Fifth Hokage gone, the pressing matter was to select the Sixth. The Leaf Village couldn't be without a Hokage.

As for the choice of the Sixth Hokage, who else but the unanimously desired—Uchiha Dan?

The problem was, Dan claimed he had no interest in becoming Hokage.

At this moment, Kakashi spoke up again, kneeling in front of everyone, making a plea to Dan:

"Lord Dan, please become the Sixth Hokage and rule over the Leaf Village!"

The last time Kakashi made a request to Dan, it was to save the Leaf Village. But now, Kakashi realized that Dan had no interest, let alone any obligation, to "save" the village.

"Why should I save you all? Are you even worth it?"

Realizing this, Kakashi didn't use the word "save" this time but instead chose "rule."

He asked Dan to rule over the Leaf, even if it meant treating the villagers as slaves. Their lives would still be much better than before.

Moreover, from the way Dan conducted the trial and executed the criminals from the four major ninja villages, avenging the Leaf villagers, it was clear:

Dan might just become an extraordinary Hokage.

Compared to the weak and ineffective Third Hokage, Dan's decisive actions and dominance naturally earned him the genuine support of the Leaf villagers.

Furthermore, Dan possessed power surpassing even the First Hokage. His mere presence kept the major ninja villages in check.

This man was colder and more ruthless than the Second Hokage, and had more leadership qualities than the Fourth.

And comparing him to Danzō, the worst Hokage in history, was not even a contest.

Now, everyone held their breath. Countless anxious and expectant eyes were on Dan, waiting for his decision.

"Dan, I know you're not interested in the title of Hokage, but if you don't take it, I fear no one else will dare. Even if someone else becomes Hokage, they won't receive the villagers' acknowledgment."

Fugaku approached, trying to persuade Dan.

"You seem quite suitable for it, brother-in-law," Dan remarked, looking at Fugaku.

"No, no," Fugaku quickly waved his hands, jokingly saying, "Ah, being the Uchiha clan leader is just a puppet role. All major decisions within the clan are yours. I don't want to become Hokage, only to be your puppet."

Dan chuckled, understanding that Fugaku wasn't complaining or dissatisfied. Fugaku simply believed he wasn't capable of the Hokage role.

So, Dan finally agreed, but with a condition, "Brother-in-law, you're not getting away either. I've arranged a position for you as an advisor to the Leaf."

Dan's plan was to restructure the Leaf's top brass, bringing in Fugaku, Tsunade, Kakashi, and others to form an advisory group. They would handle the village's affairs and various issues, while he, as Hokage, would mostly be hands-off.

"Alright," Fugaku reluctantly agreed with a wry smile.

He always knew he wasn't exactly a qualified clan leader. Deep down, he yearned for a simple life with his family. Fugaku had hoped to spend more time with his wife and children in the future, but it seemed he wouldn't have that luxury for a while.

Fortunately, Dan saw through his brother-in-law's desires and added:

After their discussion, Fugaku looked towards the villagers of Konoha and publicly announced:

"The inauguration ceremony for Uchiha Dan as the Hokage will be held in three days."

As his words echoed, the plaza erupted in cheers, with excitement and joy evident on every face.

The villagers of Konoha were in a state of euphoria.

Kakashi and Tenzo exchanged glances, both feeling relieved. The weight on their hearts had finally been lifted.

In their eyes, Dan becoming the Hokage was as significant as when the First Hokage founded Konoha. Once this man took charge, Konoha would usher in a new era.

Might Guy had mixed feelings.

Previously, he had always held a negative impression of Dan, not aligning with the latter's methods or beliefs. But after enduring a year of imprisonment and witnessing the decline of Konoha and the rise of the Uchiha clan, Guy began to realize his own naivety.

Now, he found himself reevaluating his father's death and the words Dan had once spoken.

"Uchiha Dan really expects everyone to beg him before he reluctantly agrees to become Hokage. He sure thinks highly of himself," Tsunade commented sarcastically from the background.

However, considering that the Uchiha clan had finally achieved the position of Hokage after 56 years since the founding of Konoha, it was a dream come true for many in the clan.

Indeed, the Uchiha clan members were overjoyed and proud of Dan's achievement.

Yet, amidst the celebrating crowd, some wore fake smiles. They were outsiders.

Among them was Kabuto.

Having acted as a spy for years, he was sent to Konoha by Orochimaru, disguised as a regular Genin, to carry out a long-term undercover mission. Kabuto hid in the crowd, his eyes, concealed behind glasses, flashed coldly as he set his sights on a purple-haired girl beside Tsunade.

Mitarashi Anko.

She had been with Orochimaru since childhood, mastering snake techniques and even receiving the Cursed Seal from him. Kabuto remembered Orochimaru occasionally mentioning Anko with a nostalgic look and rare tenderness.

It was evident how much Anko meant to Orochimaru.

However, instead of following Orochimaru when he left Konoha, Anko chose to stay and became Tsunade's disciple.

Kabuto made up his mind.

He would try to get close to Anko and turn her to their side. This way, he could gather valuable information from Tsunade and win Orochimaru's favor.

Two birds with one stone.

Apart from Kabuto, there were two other outsiders hiding in Konoha.

One was Kakazu.

Following Konan's orders, he had been secretly monitoring the Uchiha clan's movements, trailing them from the Mountain Graveyard all the way to Konoha.

It was time to report back.

Whether in the past, present, or future, Uchiha Dan was likely the biggest threat to the Akatsuki.

From a distant high-rise building, Jiraiya stood by the window, putting away his telescope, his expression grave.

Every Hokage had believed that the Uchiha were inherently evil and warlike. Jiraiya shared this belief.

The Uchiha were like a sharp blade that needed to be wielded correctly for the benefit of Konoha. But if left unchecked, they would bring great disaster to both Konoha and the ninja world.

Now, with the Uchiha's rising influence and powerhouses like Dan, only one person in the entire ninja world could stop them - the prophesied child, Uzumaki Naruto.

With that thought, Jiraiya opened the door and left Konoha.

Jiraiya decided to follow the instructions of the Great Toad Sage, quickly locating Naruto and guiding him back to the right path. Only Naruto, the prophesied child, held the hope of defeating Dan Uchiha, saving the world, and bringing true peace. Jiraiya was unwavering in this belief.

Along with Jiraiya and Kakuzu, the stationed forces of the four major ninja villages also left the Hidden Leaf. The news of the Uchiha clan's triumphant return to the Hidden Leaf, and Dan's imminent inauguration as the Sixth Hokage, spread throughout the ninja world in less than a day.

The most anxious were undoubtedly the Daimyōs and Kages of various countries. Dan Uchiha had reached a level of power comparable to the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Unlike the benevolent and tolerant Hashirama, Dan was domineering and cold-hearted. He was not one to be easily swayed. The Daimyōs and Kages were concerned that once Dan assumed the position of Hokage, he would stir up the ninja world. The Hidden Leaf Village alone might not satisfy the ambitions of Dan and the Uchiha clan.

To gauge the Uchiha clan's intentions, the Kages of each village, accompanied by their guards and reparations, hurriedly visited the Hidden Leaf under the guise of offering congratulations.

Deep in the mountains of the Land of Fire, within a temple, the Daimyō of the Land of Fire exclaimed, "Fantastic!" Upon hearing that the Uchiha clan had won the Fourth Great Ninja War, returned to the Hidden Leaf, and that Dan was to become Hokage, he paced excitedly, his face beaming with joy. "Pack up immediately! I'm leaving this forsaken place for the Hidden Leaf!" He declared, eager to negotiate with the Uchiha clan to reclaim his lost territories and restore the Land of Fire.

Asuma Sarutobi appeared beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, expressing his concerns. "Old man, are we just letting the Daimyō leave? If he reveals our hideout to the Uchiha clan, things could turn dire." Asuma could see through the Daimyō's intentions. If the Uchiha clan targeted them, the Hidden Leaf's exiled government would face a devastating blow.

Hiruzen sighed deeply, "Let the Daimyō go. We should also pack up and leave this place as soon as possible." The Daimyō, despite his fallen status, still had noble blood and was not to be trifled with. Moreover, Hiruzen didn't have the confidence to eliminate the Daimyō and his Twelve Guardian Ninja without any of them escaping. If any news leaked, they would be branded as traitors, making any chance of redemption impossible.

Furthermore, Hiruzen had another consideration. If he didn't kill the Daimyō, someone else would. "Dan, let's see what you'll do. When you ascend as Hokage, with all eyes on you, and the Daimyō returns to the Hidden Leaf, publicly asking for your help to restore his country... will you agree or decline?" Hiruzen mused to himself.