Eroking
patreon
Chapter 273: The Power Play of the Konoha Higher-ups
🕑 Added 2025-09-15 12:14:52 +0000 UTCChapter 273: The Power Play of the Konoha Higher-ups
The Jonin Council meeting was the foundation of the Hokage's authority in Konoha.
Generally speaking, before succeeding to the position, a Hokage must pass a Jonin confidence vote to be able to hold the inauguration ceremony and take charge of direct departments such as the ANBU.
Theoretically, the Jonin were the ones with the power to change the Hokage position. Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi's proposal to hold a Jonin Council meeting was tantamount to giving Konoha a preventative shot.
The general meaning was: I've picked out a Fifth Hokage over here. Let's do some campaigning, introduce the person to everyone, and if everyone is satisfied, just cast a vote of confidence…
However, the Jonin Council meeting ran into a snag just as it began…
Hiruzen Sarutobi scanned the many Jonin of the council. There was a considerable number of them, with the two great clans of Uchiha and Hyuga occupying a small half of the total…
This really couldn't be helped…
As long as the members of these two great clans didn't die prematurely, they could easily possess the strength and basic qualities of a Jonin by relying on their Kekkei Genkai.
The Uchiha clan was mostly very skilled in genjutsu, ninjutsu, and taijutsu; their comprehensive strength was sufficient. And the Hyuga clan's Kekkei Genkai naturally held a huge advantage in reconnaissance. As long as their taijutsu wasn't excessively behind, they would generally be promoted to Jonin after adulthood.
In comparison, the other ninja clans, no matter how strong their secret techniques were, still had to go through long periods of training to see results…
As for civilian ninjas, that purely relied on talent.
Of course, there were some exceptions, such as that guy in the green jumpsuit looking left and right. It was said that he had recently taken on the role of Sasuke Uchiha's private tutor. This was a ruthless man who had been promoted solely by relying on taijutsu to kill many enemy Jonin…
What the hell…
"Ever since the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself, I have been temporarily serving as Hokage. It's just that I'm getting old and my energy is failing me, so I want to decide on the candidate for the Fifth Hokage in advance…"
After glancing at everyone present, Hiruzen continued, "The situation in the ninja world is changing too quickly, and the village also needs a Hokage candidate to connect Konoha and the Daimyo's mansion…"
"Why are we suddenly electing a Fifth Hokage… forget it…"
A woman with blonde twin-tails muttered, took a few steps forward, pulled the Jonin Commander, Shikaku Nara, to the side, and smashed her fist on the table. "I propose Itachi Uchiha to be Konoha's Fifth Hokage! Who agrees, and who opposes!"
Those words sounded truly fierce!
However, both Tsunade's First Grand-uncle and Second Grand-uncle had already made it clear to her that Itachi Uchiha was the most suitable person to become Hokage at present. And she herself was very supportive of this matter, so naturally, she brought it up right then and there!
Tobirama Senju had been even more blunt. Unless Konoha could kill Itachi Uchiha and that crow, and completely clean out that evil Uchiha clan, Itachi Uchiha becoming Hokage was an undeniable fact.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was dumbfounded. "…"
The many Jonin were astonished. "…"
What the hell is going on!
Shouldn't you be proposing to support your good friend Jiraiya at this time? Directly skipping over Jiraiya to designate his little disciple as the successor to the Fifth Hokage?
"Agreed!"
"We agree!"
"Lord Itachi's talent is astonishing; he is the most suitable candidate for Hokage!"
A group of Jonin from the Uchiha clan were the first to react. They were stunned for a moment, then instantly exploded as if a pot had boiled over, raising their hands with beaming smiles!
They never thought their Uchiha clan would see this day, unanimously agreeing with the proposal of a Senju clan member!
Due to the trend of competing to train in Sage Mode in recent years, there were quite a few Jonin in the Uchiha clan. They were a dense black mass, occupying almost half of the left side!
At their head, Fugaku Uchiha smiled humbly, looked at his bewildered son beside him, and casually stroked his soft, long hair.
That's right. Both he and his son were Jonin, so they were also qualified to participate in the Jonin Council meeting. It was just that before Fugaku even had a chance to make his move, Tsunade had proposed it for him!
Not only that, but Might Guy, Kakashi Hatake, and other ninjas of the younger generation also raised their hands after a moment. Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and others who followed them also cast their votes in agreement!
These people had all, more or less, been helped by Itachi Uchiha in the past. Coupled with their considerable recognition of the young Jonin's strength, if the Fifth Hokage of Konoha was Itachi Uchiha, it would be a good thing…
Hiashi Hyuga and his brother looked back and forth at the crowd of raised hands, glanced at Fugaku Uchiha, and then the entire Hyuga clan cast their votes in agreement. Back when the Hidden Cloud Village was attempting to seize the Byakugan, only the Uchiha clan had supported them!
And the relationship between Hiashi Hyuga and Fugaku Uchiha was not bad. They were the kind of friends who could get off work and have a few drinks together…
Furthermore, if this generation's Hokage was from the Uchiha clan, their Hyuga clan could perhaps dream of the next generation's Hokage!
Of course, the prerequisite was that the Hyuga main family had to have a son. With Hinata Hyuga's personality, succeeding as Hokage would be a bit too difficult…
If that really didn't work, they could also consider marrying in a son-in-law. If their son-in-law ran for Hokage, he could be considered to represent their Hyuga clan…
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked back and forth at the Jonin who had agreed to Itachi becoming the Hokage candidate, his head aching slightly. According to this ratio, if this were the Jonin confidence vote right now, that Uchiha little brat, who wasn't even twelve, could already be announced as the successor!
What on earth is wrong with this woman Tsunade? Can't she be a little more reliable!
Before I could even propose Jiraiya, you just went ahead and nominated Itachi Uchiha on your own! How can Jiraiya be expected to compete with his own disciple for the position of Hokage!
If he had let Jiraiya be the candidate for Fifth Hokage, he could have stabilized the current situation. Who knew what would happen in the ninja world in the future? What if at that time, a candidate who was stronger and more suitable than Itachi Uchiha appeared in Konoha?
Hiruzen Sarutobi had made a bet with Fugaku Uchiha back then, declaring that he wanted to die in the position of Hokage, precisely because he didn't want the Uchiha clan to be able to sit comfortably in the Hokage's seat!
He would drag it out for as long as he could!
He would stall for as long as he could!
"I object!"
Danzo Shimura finally stood up. "Itachi Uchiha will only be twelve after the New Year, right! That age is the age of a Ninja Academy graduate. How can he take on such a great responsibility!"
"But at this age, he has already been promoted to Jonin!"
Tsunade glanced at Danzo, her brow furrowed. "Besides, this is just a nomination for a Hokage candidate. As the Hokage's Advisor, I have the right to nominate! You are just the chief administrator of the Defense Department, not its supreme commander. You have no rights whatsoever. You are just an ordinary Jonin!"
"Bastard!"
Having no power on his body was Danzo Shimura's weak spot!
Danzo trembled with anger. His one exposed eye stared fiercely at Tsunade, and he gripped the table tightly as he stood up. "Then what was the point of you even asking who agrees and who opposes… Is there any meaning to that!"
"To make myself look badass!"
Tsunade once again smashed her fist on the table and stared at Danzo. "I nominate Itachi Uchiha as the candidate for the Fifth Hokage of Konoha! Does anyone have an opinion? Stand up. In any case, you don't have the right to object!"
What the hell kind of badass is that!
If it weren't for Hiruzen inexplicably stripping Koharu of her position as Hokage Advisor, how could you, this woman, have taken the position!
Danzo angrily sat back down.
He couldn't stand Hiruzen, and for good reason. Look at the kind of disciples he had taught! The ones who stayed, Tsunade and Jiraiya, were even less amicable than the one who had defected, Orochimaru!
"Ahem, ahem…"
Hiruzen suddenly asked with confusion, "Did Jiraiya not come?"
"No!"
Tsunade shot her teacher a sideways glance, her voice lowering. "That guy couldn't keep his mouth shut this morning, so he's still lying in the hospital right now!"
