Chapter 354: Faith in a God
Among those present, none were more shaken than Fugaku Uchiha. The revelation of the vast numbers of the Sarutobi clan was staggering. As the so called "first family" of Konoha, the Uchiha knew their true status: their entire clan boasted only around sixty jounin, with just over a thousand total ninja. In comparison, the Sarutobi clan's numbers dwarfed them.
"The most powerful clan?" he thought bitterly. "If anyone deserves that title, it's the Sarutobi!"
The unspoken reality hung heavy in the air. All the ninja clans of Konoha kept a few members out of official records for handling discreet matters, but the Sarutobi's size was stunning. In response to the weighted stares around him, Hiruzen Sarutobi's unease grew. His usual confidence wavered; he understood exactly how the Sarutobi clan had thrived. Once, they'd been little more than an ordinary ninja family, weaker even than the Ino Shika Cho. But under his rule, they had grown exponentially, absorbing immense resources and political support.
Realizing the situation's gravity, Hiruzen masked his panic. If Kakashi ascended to the Hokage's seat, there was little doubt he'd pursue justice for past wrongs. Hiruzen knew Kakashi would certainly have read the details on Sakumo Hatake's disgraceful treatment in the second scroll, which exposed how Hiruzen and his allies had manipulated Sakumo into a hero's downfall. The grudge was too personal Kakashi would never allow such a betrayal to stand unpunished.
Feigning sadness, Hiruzen let out a long sigh, his voice taking on a somber tone. "Yes, my clan grew while I held the Hokage's seat, but it was not my will alone. There were many within the clan who took advantage of their positions to grow too powerful. I am but one man. How can I be expected to control them all?" His face twisted into a look of weary resignation as he played his part to perfection.
Hiruzen's eyes met the crowd's with a pained expression. "And as for the other matters, they are the work of Danzo. His bitterness from past incidents makes him overly harsh." He gave a sigh for added effect. (Somewhere, in the Root base, Danzo sneezed. "What now?" he muttered, annoyed.)
Hiruzen's well worn speeches had their usual effect, and the tension began to ease for some in the room. Yet Kakashi noted several ninjas nodding along, their expressions softening, as though pitying the man who had built Konoha on their suffering. "How blind can they be?" he thought.
Hiruzen pressed on, capitalizing on the sympathy he'd stirred. "From this day on," he vowed, "I will step down from daily matters of the village. But you must listen please, listen! We cannot allow Kakashi to take the Hokage seat so easily. Not until his loyalty to Konoha is clear! He knelt to an unknown enemy we must ensure Konoha's future safety first!"
The gathered ninja shifted uncomfortably, troubled by Hiruzen's insistence. But even as he spoke, Hiruzen felt a growing unease; this time, there was no resounding support from the crowd. Had he, after years of being Hokage, lost his grip on them?
Just then, Kakashi chuckled lightly, and the sound seemed to echo through the quiet room.
Hiruzen frowned at him. "Kakashi," he snapped, "this is a sacred gathering. Is there something you find amusing?"
"After all that, this is what you cling to?" Kakashi responded with a quiet, biting tone. "I must've done my job well, then. After all these years, you still see me as nothing but a tool."
The assembled ninjas watched Kakashi's face as he reached up to lift the headband covering his left eye. For the first time in years, he removed the mask, exposing his entire face a face many only knew from rumors. The curious stared in awe; even in his aloof demeanor, Kakashi was strikingly handsome.
Those closest to Kakashi noted something strange. His left eye, damaged and replaced by the Sharingan he'd received from Obito, was gone. In its place, he now had a normal eye, dark and matching his right.
Fugaku Uchiha was the first to react, standing abruptly. This went against all he knew of Sharingan's restrictions. If Kakashi had indeed reverted his eye, then the Sharingan he once held might be… His thoughts trailed as he watched Kakashi's left eye transform. In a flash, it changed from black to a brilliant crimson, with three tomoe spinning in perfect harmony, unmistakably a true Sharingan.
What happened next was even more startling. As the crowd stared, Kakashi's Sharingan began to change. The tomoe spun faster and faster, merging into a unique, triangular shuriken shape. The Mangekyo Sharingan glowed with ominous energy.
Hiruzen stared, baffled. "What is this?"
And then, Kakashi's chakra surged again, filling the air with tangible energy, as his Sharingan now exuded power like none had seen before. With that, Kakashi did something unthinkable. He raised his hands, and his body slowly lifted off the ground, floating upward, suspended by sheer chakra.
The room fell silent. Kakashi surveyed the assembly from above, his voice cold yet filled with conviction. "Tell me," he said, "do any of you believe in gods?"
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