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HSU: Ch. 90
🕑 Added 2024-12-21 18:53:29 +0000 UTCIn the first month of the 53rd year, the speeches of the Hokage Advisor candidates began as scheduled.
The stage was set up at the intersection of the southern, northern, and western districts, where there was ample open space.
From early morning, the area was crowded with people.
Everyone was waiting for a good show.
To the audience's anticipation, the current Hokage, the former Hokage, and the two advisory elders arrived together, accompanied by the four candidates.
The crowd fell silent, all eyes drawn to their leader.
"Citizens of Konoha," Minato's voice rang clear across the plaza. "Today marks an important step in our village's governance. The position of Hokage Advisor carries great responsibility—they must embody both the will of the people and the strength to protect our future."
He gestured to the four candidates lined up to his right. "These four have stepped forward to serve. Each brings their own vision for Konoha's future. Listen well to their words." His blue eyes swept across the crowd. "The final decision will reflect not just my judgment, but the will of our village."
With a brief nod to the candidates, he continued, "We'll proceed in order of candidacy registration. Hiryū, you have the floor."
Hiryū approached the steps with steady strides, his gray hair gleaming in the sunlight. He paused at the bottom, turning first to the audience.
"If you'll indulge an old man for a moment," he said with a gentle smile. Several villagers nodded, some of the older ones returning his smile.
At the top of the steps, he faced the dignitaries. His bow was precise, neither too shallow nor too deep—the bow of someone who had spent decades navigating clan politics.
"Hokage-sama, Sandaime-sama, honorable elders," his voice carried the weight of years, yet remained clear and strong. "Thank you for allowing me to speak today."
Only after both Hokages had acknowledged him with slight nods did he turn to address the gathered crowd.
"My fellow villagers, on this momentous day... I stand before you not as a representative of any single clan, but as someone who has witnessed the growth of our village through its brightest and darkest days."
He paused, his eyes scanning the crowd with grandfatherly warmth. "The strength of Konoha lies not in any single clan or individual, but in our unity and shared love for this village. I have seen how this unity has saved us countless times. When the Nine-Tails attacked, it wasn't just the Fourth Hokage who protected us—it was every citizen, every clan, working as one."
"Some say the era of clans is ending," Hiryū continued, his voice growing stronger. "But I disagree. The clans aren't obstacles to unity —they're the pillars that support it."
"Each clan brings its own strengths, its own traditions, its own way of loving and protecting Konoha. Just as a forest isn't weakened by having different types of trees, our village is strengthened by its diversity."
His words resonated particularly with the older generation. A safe choice, but delivered with genuine conviction, some ninja in the crowd whispered. But perhaps that's exactly what the Shimura need right now.
"The past cannot be changed," he said, his tone growing solemn. "But the future is ours to shape. Let us move forward together, learning from yesterday but not being bound by it. This is the path to true unity and lasting peace."
It wasn't revolutionary, but it carried weight. Every word felt considered, measured—the voice of experience speaking to both tradition and progress. When he finished, he received enthusiastic applause from both the audience and those on stage.
After all, while ordinary villagers might not understand the nuances, the ninja audience knew he was merely running as a formality. Despite this, the old man showed no dissatisfaction. On the contrary, he cooperated fully and caused no unnecessary disruptions among the candidates.
His nominal "opponents" respected him greatly.
Hiryū had achieved his goal: dispelling part of the stereotype associated with the Shimura clan due to Danzō.
These stereotypes, although seemingly minor, manifested in sayings like "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" and "like father, like son."
Some people believed that if the Shimura clan could produce a "big villain" like Danzō, there must be some inherent darkness in the family.
Hiryū's only motivation for participating in the election was to challenge that notion.
As he stepped down from the stage, everyone perked up.
The professional placeholder had completed his role perfectly. Now, it was time for the real contenders.
The xcitement was high.
Though it might seem like they were watching the drama unfold, everyone was genuinely eager to hear Fugaku's speech. The crowd's attention shifted noticeably, like a compass needle finding north.
Traditionally, the Uchiha clan had played the role of "formal participants."
But this time, the Uchiha clan had shown remarkable strength. The Inuzuka clan had openly declared their support for the Uchiha, and although the Hyūga clan hadn't explicitly stated their position, their actions suggested otherwise.
It was rumored that the Hyūga clan had a saying: "Whoever Elder Shijime supports, we support."
And Shijime had publicly declared her personal support for Fugaku.
So, he had become the dark horse.
Now, in Konoha, mentioning Fugaku brought two impressions to mind: his mediocre calligraphy skills and his strong candidacy as a Hokage Advisor.
The first impression of his amateur hobbies stuck with people because it resonated with them. After all, who doesn't have a hobby they're terrible at but still enjoy?
As a result, people felt closer to the Uchiha clan.
They were no longer seen as aloof but rather as approachable eccentrics—not at all unlikable.
With this mindset, when people saw that the second person to take the stage was Shikaku, they were visibly disappointed.
They still had to wait.
How dull.
Seeing the audience's thoughts plainly on their faces, Shikaku could only sigh helplessly. This is such a drag, his expression seemed to say.
Especially when even Minato looked openly regretful, he almost burst out in frustration.
Get serious... You're the Hokage!
"Troublesome. I'm really unpopular, huh…" he began with a self-deprecating comment.
The crowd burst into laughter. At least he was self-aware.
"We do like you, but your timing's just bad," someone from the audience called out, triggering another wave of laughter.
Even the four dignitaries on stage chuckled, thoroughly entertained.
Minato laughed the loudest, though his eyes held a knowing look.
Despite being someone who hated trouble, Shikaku was adept at handling any situation. He turned his apparent awkwardness into a masterful performance. "Since I'm already the most troublesome candidate up here, I might as well be honest," he said, scratching his head. "Most of you probably think I'm just filling a slot. The Nara clan's representative, right? Well, you're not wrong."
The crowd chuckled, but Shikaku's eyes sharpened slightly. "But being troublesome and being useless aren't the same thing. You know what's really troublesome? Thinking we've achieved peace just because we're strong right now."
He gestured broadly. "Look around. Beautiful village, right? Strong ninja, advanced techniques, solid alliances. Very comfortable." His voice took on a more serious edge. "Almost too comfortable. You know what happens to deer when they get too comfortable? They forget to watch for wolves."
The laughter had died down, replaced by attentive silence. "The previous generations worked themselves to exhaustion building what we have. The First Hokage's Wood Release techniques still protect us. The Second's water jutsu still flow through our pipes. The Third's students became legendary. The Fourth..." he glanced at Minato with a slight smirk, "well, he's still causing me trouble."
More laughter, but thoughtful this time. "My point is, their work isn't finished—it's entrusted to us. Sure, it's troublesome. Sure, it'd be easier to just enjoy what we have. But that's not what Konoha stands for."
His voice carried clearly now, all traces of laziness gone. "We need to stay true to our original intentions, and keep an eye on the future. Not just the easy parts—all of it. The hard training, the constant vigilance, the willingness to work together even when it's troublesome. Because the shinobi world doesn't get less dangerous just because we wish it would."
He looked around at the silent crowd. "That's all. Too troublesome to say more." As he turned to leave, he added almost casually, "Besides, I hear the next speakers are more interesting anyway."
His speech resonated with the ninja audience, who nodded in agreement, while the villagers felt reassured. Trust Shikaku to make even serious warnings feel light, several jōnin commented quietly.
The audience's serious mindset, however, lasted only until Shikaku bowed and stepped down.
No one lingered on formality; the real show was still to come!
Compared to the first two candidates, the atmosphere surrounding the next pair was much tenser.
Fugaku and Tazuna locked eyes.
"Tazuna, you seem a little nervous," Fugaku said with a smile.
But inwardly, he was far from calm, as he saw the fire in Tazuna's eyes—an all-or-nothing resolve.
This guy clearly planned to stir up some major drama, likely involving that subject.
Fugaku recalled the letter from Masashi, which had been both reassuring and perplexing.
How did Masashi know so much about the Sarutobi clan?
Moreover, the boy had a habit of withholding critical details. Fugaku hadn't anticipated this scenario at first.
Sometimes, he couldn't tell if Masashi was a meticulous strategist or just impulsive.
Strategic planning didn't seem to fit Masashi's public persona. Fugaku personally leaned toward the latter.
"Would you mind if I went first?" Fugaku asked, carefully gauging his opponent's reaction.
"Well, I actually do mind," Tazuna replied with a stern face, only to break into a smile. "Just kidding. We're not enemies. Let's each give it our best."
In Tazuna's eyes, the fire never wavered. The friendly words couldn't mask his resolve.
"Then I'll take the lead," Fugaku said. He nodded to Tazuna and stepped onto the stage.
He was immediately met by countless pairs of shining, eager eyes.
It almost unsettled him. The weight of clan expectations, village politics, and personal ambition all converged in this moment.
Turning first to greet the four dignitaries, Fugaku saw Minato and Hiruzen smiling kindly and encouragingly, while the two advisors wore measured expressions.
For some reason, he recalled something Masashi had jokingly said while asking for funding.
"Some become Hokage because there's no higher position to give them. Others become advisors because it's the only position they can hold."
Though the statement was clearly biased, Fugaku found it surprisingly accurate in this moment.
Pushing the thought aside, he turned to the expectant crowd and spoke.
"People of Konoha. I'm Fugaku, and I—"
Before he could finish, someone shouted from the crowd.
"No need to introduce yourself! We all know you're bad at things but love doing them. Just get to the point!"
Fugaku's face instantly darkened.
You idiot! How dare you say that in front of everyone?
I implore you to be kind!
"What... what bad... I don't even like calligraphy!" he stammered, his carefully prepared opening crumbling.
The crowd roared with laughter.
The same teasing voice called out again. "We weren't talking about calligraphy! Just get to the main point—we've been waiting forever!"
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