Twelve Clan Leaders Bowing Down

Nearly 200,000 Konoha villagers had written their names in blood on the ten-meter-long scroll, creating a powerful visual impact.

This was Konoha's petition.

The 300 million ryo compensation demanded by the Uchiha clan had also been gathered overnight.

After this preparation, the twelve clan leaders of Konoha, led by Kakashi, set off towards the Valley of the End, bringing the petition and the compensation with them.

A week later.

Kakashi and his group successfully arrived at their destination.

Years ago, the epic battle between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha permanently altered the battlefield's landscape, creating the magnificent waterfall at the Valley of the End.

Now, the battle between Uchiha Dan and the allied forces left another indelible mark on this world—

A giant crater two kilometers in diameter.

Like a giant beast with its mouth wide open, the hundred-meter-deep crater made people weak in the knees and filled them with dread just by looking at it.

Buried within were the ashes of tens of thousands of allied shinobi.

When the wind blew, the crater would emit a sound like the wailing of ghosts, as if countless souls of the dead were lamenting, sending chills down one's spine.

The Konoha group's faces were pale, and they carefully skirted around the edge of the crater.

They then ascended to the mountaintop and, led by Kakashi, entered the Uchiha village, finally arriving at the entrance to the village council hall.

It just so happened that the council meeting had ended, and the members were walking out, chatting and laughing.

"Kakashi, who are these people?"

Fugaku Uchiha frowned as he saw the Konoha group behind Kakashi and asked.

When he learned Konoha had gathered the compensation and the twelve clan leaders had personally delivered it, Fugaku was both surprised and aware that their purpose was more than just the compensation.

Indeed.

Kakashi looked at Hiashi Hyuga and nodded.

Hiashi and several other clan leaders then brought out the huge scroll, over a meter tall, and slowly unrolled it before the Uchiha clan.

Countless dark red names, mingled with a faint smell of blood, came into view for Fugaku and the others.

"What is this..." Fugaku was taken aback.

"Clan Leader Fugaku, these names on the scroll were written in blood by over a hundred thousand Konoha villagers. It's a petition," Kakashi explained solemnly.

"A petition for what?" Fugaku pressed.

Kakashi took a deep breath and continued, "The entire village of Konoha requests the Uchiha clan to return and become the village's leaders! The twelve clan leaders behind me have led a revolt to depose Danzo, but they all believe that only the Uchiha are qualified to be the new Hokage.

Today, they come representing the villagers of Konoha, to apologize to and seek help from the Uchiha clan."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

The twelve clan leaders of Konoha bowed deeply, a full ninety degrees, to Fugaku and the others.

This...

The Uchiha members exchanged glances.

Honestly, seeing the countless names written in blood was quite shocking for them.

The Uchiha were a proud clan.

Having severed ties with Konoha, they wouldn't willingly return. However, their pride also had a side that responded to sincere gestures.

This unique petition greatly satisfied the Uchiha's vanity.

The blood-stained petition, filled with Konoha villagers' names, essentially acknowledged the Uchiha as the rightful rulers of Konoha, granting them the right to govern the villagers.

It symbolized that all Konoha villagers were entrusting their lives to the Uchiha, placing them at their mercy.

Faced with such sincerity from Konoha, it was hard not to be moved.

Itachi, Tekka, Izumi, and others began discussing in hushed tones.

"To think Danzo managed to escape only to be overthrown and imprisoned by his own people."

Tekka snickered.

"Itachi, what are you thinking?" Izumi asked, noticing Itachi deep in thought.

"I'm thinking everything might be within Uncle Dan's plans," Itachi murmured.

From initially refusing to return to Konoha and letting Danzo go, to Danzo being overthrown by Konoha shinobi, and finally, the villagers sending representatives to petition the Uchiha—

Was all of this within Dan's expectations?

Reflecting on this, Itachi realized how shallow and impulsive he had been and became more respectful of his uncle's wisdom.

Fugaku furrowed his brow in thought for a moment.

Finally, he said to Kakashi and the others:

"Though I am the clan leader of the Uchiha, such decisions should rest with Dan. If you can persuade him, everything will be fine; otherwise, all efforts will be in vain."

Dan was absent from the meeting because he was at home caring for his wife, Samui, who was about to give birth.

Kakashi's face lit up upon hearing this.

Fugaku's words meant Konoha's sincerity had moved the Uchiha. If they could win Dan over, their mission would be a success.

"I understand. Thank you, Clan Leader Fugaku."

With that, Kakashi and the twelve clan leaders went to Dan's residence.

The door was shut.

As they hesitated whether to knock, the door creaked open.

Shizune stepped out.

She seemed aware of their purpose and spoke directly:

"Kakashi-senpai, Lord Dan's wife is about to give birth. He doesn't want to be distracted by other matters. You should leave."

Hearing this, the Konoha group's faces fell, exchanging anxious glances.

They hadn't even seen Dan and were already turned away. What should they do now?

They dared not force their way in; that would be suicidal.

In fact, they didn't dare raise their voices, fearing that disturbing the pregnant woman inside would provoke Dan's wrath with unimaginable consequences.

Hiashi's expression changed several times before he gritted his teeth and addressed Shizune:

"Please tell Lord Dan that the Hyuga clan apologizes for the past. Konoha cannot thrive without the Uchiha, and the Hyuga clan fully supports Dan becoming the Sixth Hokage!

I will wait here until Dan makes a decision."

With that, under Shizune and the others' surprised gaze, Hiashi dropped to his knees with a thud.

Moreover, it wasn't just a simple kneel. He placed his hands in front of him, leaning his body forward until his forehead touched the ground.

Prostration.

Hiashi performed the most humble of bows to apologize to Dan, expressing his deepest remorse and sincerest plea.

"Clan Leader Hiashi, you..."

Shizune was shocked. In her memory, the Hyuga were also a proud clan, once on par with the Uchiha.

Now, Hiashi had abandoned his pride to kneel outside Dan's door.

To Shizune's greater surprise.

The other clan leaders, seeing Hiashi's example, followed suit. With a series of thuds, they all prostrated in unison.

The twelve clan leaders kneeled in a line, heads to the ground, silent.

Sigh.

Seeing this, Kakashi sighed.

These people, if only they had realized sooner...

He remembered his own bias against the Uchiha and how he had long monitored them as an ANBU.

For Konoha's sake.

Kakashi shook his head and knelt down as well.

"Kakashi-senpai, even you..."

Shizune, soft-hearted, couldn't bear to watch and fled back inside, closing the door.

She hurried through the yard and entered the living room.

In the lounge, heavily pregnant Samui was receiving a checkup from Tsunade.

Dan stood nearby, admiring a painting on the wall, seemingly relaxed.

"Lord Dan..."

Shizune began but was cut off by Dan.

"I know. Let them kneel," Dan said without turning.

Shizune, who had intended to plead for Kakashi and the others, had to hold her tongue.

Outside.

No one expected Kakashi and the others to kneel for an entire day and night.

From dawn to dusk, and dusk to dawn again.

By twilight, as the sun set, the twelve clan leaders and Kakashi, swaying with exhaustion, seemed ready to collapse.

Prostrating for a whole day and night would exhaust even a jonin.

They were pale, lips parched, legs numb, but they persevered, none giving up.

Yet the door before them remained shut.

During this time, many Uchiha members gathered to watch the kneeling clan leaders, murmuring among themselves.

"Actually, returning to Konoha might not be so bad. We have our ancestral river there and the shrine left by the Sage of Six Paths, although it must be in disrepair by now."

"I miss the good old days of training together at the Meat Reform Department. I wonder if it still stands."

"Let's wait for the Director's decision."

Inside.

Dan sat by the bed, listening to the strong, healthy heartbeat of his unborn child.

A healthy, strong life indeed.

Specifically, a baby girl.

"Wow, she kicked me again. She's especially active today," Samui said softly, looking helpless.

Dan nodded with satisfaction. "She's my daughter, training even before birth."

Hearing his teasing, Samui rolled her eyes.

Tsunade shook her head, took Samui's hand, and said:

"Your due date is

 in two weeks. Don't worry, I'll deliver the baby myself. You won't suffer long."

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade," Samui smiled.

"However..."

Tsunade glanced at Dan, seemingly nonchalant, and asked, "Kakashi and the others have been kneeling outside for a day and a night. Is that alright? You're not planning to let them kneel until they all pass out from hunger, are you?"

"What, Kakashi and the others are still there?" Samui was shocked.

Dan asked her suddenly, "What do you think I should do?"

Under Dan's gaze, Samui hesitated, but seeing Tsunade's pleading eyes, she decided.

"Dan, I hope... we can use the river water of our ancestral river to baptize our child. Can we?"

Samui nervously awaited Dan's response.

Dan didn't answer immediately but glanced at Tsunade, who quickly averted her eyes, pretending indifference.

After a moment.

Dan nodded, finally saying:

"Alright."

With that, he stood and left the room.

The door creaked open.

"The Director is out."

At the reminder of the Uchiha members, the kneeling clan leaders and Kakashi looked up in fear at Dan.

Standing two meters tall, Dan loomed over them like a deity, his mere presence suffocating them.

Thud, thud, thud.

Their hearts pounded with fear and anxiety.

Dan's gaze swept over them, finally meeting Kakashi's eyes. He ordered:

"Kakashi, tell them to leave."

At this, the Konoha group turned ashen, their hearts sinking.

It seemed their efforts had failed. Dan had no intention of forgiving Konoha or becoming Hokage.

Realizing this, the twelve clan leaders were crestfallen but dared not defy Dan.

"Yes, Lord Dan."

Hiashi spoke bitterly, trying to rise but falling back, his legs numb.

Using his hands, he struggled to stand.

The other clan leaders helped each other up, limping away from the village.

Watching them leave, Kakashi hesitated, then sighed, following them.

Konoha had to rise from its ashes on its own.

Unexpectedly, as they walked away, Dan's voice called out:

"The Uchiha clan will depart in a week."

With that, he turned and closed the door behind him.

Dan's words made Hiashi and the others freeze, stunned.

"I...didn't hear wrong, did I?"

Hiashi, thinking he imagined it, turned to Kakashi, who confirmed:

"You heard right. Dan agreed to our request."

Overjoyed, Hiashi exclaimed, "Let's hurry back and tell everyone the good news. We must prepare a grand ceremony to welcome the Uchiha clan back!"

Excitement filled the air as they made their way back to Konoha.