To compete for the position of Hokage, a massive storm had already formed within Konoha.
Shimura Danzō, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, Chōza Akimichi, Hiashi Hyūga, Fugaku Uchiha…
Nearly all of Konoha's top brass were pulling every string they could for the title of Fifth Hokage.
But just as Fugaku had said, when everyone was fighting for the top, even if the Hokage faction controlled the majority of Konoha's resources and support, in the end, the winner of the election… could only be the Uchiha.
Once the elder advisors of Konoha all laid bare their ambition, Sarutobi Hiruzen—who had originally hoped to stay in control of the situation—was shocked to realize that, aside from the Ino-Shika-Chō alliance, several other clans that were somewhat neutral but leaned toward the Hokage faction—like the Aburame, Kurama, and Hoshigaki—had already begun placing their bets on different candidates.
For example, the Aburame clan had chosen to support Danzō. The Shiranui clan went with Homura Mitokado.
All Hiruzen could do was throw all his weight behind the Ino-Shika-Chō, urging them to back Torifu Akimichi with everything they had—but the result was barely effective.
In fact, the Ino-Shika-Chō alliance still held significant power in Konoha. After the Second Great Ninja War, aside from the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, the Ino-Shika-Chō were arguably the strongest faction within the village.
But during the Third Great Ninja War, they suffered devastating losses—especially on the Kirigakure front. There, the three clan leaders of the alliance were all killed, and most of their elites were wiped out by Yuki Yoru.
As a result, their military and political influence took a steep nosedive, placing them on the same level as mid-tier clans like the Inuzuka and Shiranui. Slightly stronger than the Kurama at best.
This situation had left Sarutobi Hiruzen deeply worried.
He began personally approaching Danzō, Koharu, Homura, and other old comrades, hoping to rally them into a united front.
But what use is old friendship when there's a Hokage seat on the line?
Even though Hiruzen pleaded and laid out the benefits and dangers, in the end, only Koharu agreed to support him. Danzō and Homura, on the other hand, continued to campaign for themselves throughout the village.
In Konoha, a ninja who doesn't want to become Hokage… isn't a good ninja.
In a village where the dream of becoming Hokage is instilled from childhood, that ambition slumbers deep within nearly everyone's heart.
Danzō was no exception.
"I know my chances are slim. But this might be my only chance in life… so I have to try!"
Obsessed with the goal, Danzō committed himself fully. That made Hiruzen feel all the more burdened.
Originally, if his old comrades had worked together, they could have challenged the Uchiha. But now, none of the other candidates could compare to Uchiha Fugaku in the election!
Hiruzen tried multiple times to persuade Danzō and Homura to support Torifu Akimichi. Eventually, Homura gave up his candidacy.
Only Danzō remained.
But the obstinate Danzō was determined not to quit the race.
Don't be fooled by his portrayal in the original series—as the scapegoat, the comic relief, the guy who tried to cut down Susano'o with a kunai, or tried to seal an entire bridge.
Right now, in this timeline's Konoha, Danzō's reputation was nothing short of formidable. Especially among the ninja population. Aside from Sarutobi Hiruzen and the now widely renowned Mangekyō-wielding Fugaku Uchiha, no one could match him.
Outside of those two, in all of Konoha, Danzō's reputation stood supreme.
Current head of the Shimura clan, commander of the Root division, the Darkness of the Shinobi.
If Fugaku hadn't awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and gained unmatched prestige, it's entirely possible that in this political climate… Danzō would've become the Fifth Hokage.
"Danzō… and Fugaku…"
Faced with his friend's unwavering determination, Hiruzen realized that he could only choose between the two.
And without question, it was a choice that needed no thought.
Yes, his old friend was stubborn, ruthless, and often walked a dark path.
But he was unquestionably loyal to Konoha. He was part of the true Hokage lineage.
Giving the Hokage title to him was a far better choice than giving it to an Uchiha.
"Danzō, I understand your reasoning. Right now, making you Hokage truly is the best option."
"I'll support you. But there's one thing I need you to understand. When you step out from the shadows and into the light… you mustn't bring your old methods with you."
"You think I don't know that, Hiruzen? After all these years, do you really believe I'm unaware of those things?"
Danzō's lone eye locked onto his old comrade, and the emotion in his heart could no longer be suppressed.
"Where there is light, there must also be shadow. As someone who has dwelled in the dark… when I step into the light, I'll understand better than anyone how precious that light truly is."
"And you, my old friend… I'll let you take my place in the shadows. Let you, the great tree that once basked in the sunlight, come to appreciate the meaning of darkness."
"After all… only one who has experienced both light and darkness has truly lived, don't you think?"
"Everything is for Konoha, Hiruzen. Our old teacher… wasn't he the embodiment of both light and shadow?"
Danzō's voice was soft. In his dim, yellowed eye shimmered both nostalgia and longing for the future.
"I've never forgotten our teacher's lessons. And I understand now why he chose you back then."
"Decades have passed. But today, I can say with complete certainty… I am ready. So, Hiruzen, leave everything to me. I will handle it all—and I will stop the evil Uchiha!"
"…Very well. Everything… is in your hands."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his lifelong friend and took a deep breath, entrusting him with all his hopes before turning and leaving Root Headquarters.
Watching the back of the man he'd spent his life chasing, Danzō trembled.
His gaze fixed on the light at the end of the dark corridor—that sunlight he had never been able to reach before.
But now…
"I will win…"
Shimura Danzō's eyes had never been so resolute.
"I will win!"
...
The Hokage election raged on like a blazing inferno.
Meanwhile, deep beneath an island in the Hueco Mundo of the Land of Water, in a damp, shadowy corner, a dormant consciousness began to stir once more.
"I am… Uchiha Shisui…"
"I am the missing-nin of Konoha, Uchiha Shisui… I am the clan head of the Kirigakure Uchiha… I am the Captain of the Second Division of the Gotei 13 in the Soul Society, Uchiha Shisui…"
That scattered consciousness began to gather its fragmented memories, slowly pouring its will and identity into itself.
Memories, emotions, past experiences—all of it started replaying vividly in his mind. Spiritual power, ocular power… everything surged back.
As his name echoed within, the awakening consciousness finally recalled the truth of who he was.
He was—Uchiha Shisui.
"Yuki Yoru… that wicked being who manipulates souls… For Konoha's survival, for the sake of the last remnants of my clan and village… I made a deal with that monster…"
"This form I have now—it's because I absorbed the power of Hollows, becoming a hybrid experiment of Hollow and Shinigami."
"During the experiment, I think I went berserk due to failure… but now…"
Like rising slowly from the depths of dark waters, a sense of liberation began to flood through him. That existence, sealed away by the Ninety-Six Capitol Fire-Suspended Seal Destruction, started to tremble.
Cracks spiderwebbed across a pristine white bone armor—then suddenly, a figure burst free from within.
The sudden exposure to light made Shisui squint instinctively. And the moment he opened his eyes, he saw a figure he least wanted to face—already standing there before him.
Their eyes met in the air. As Shisui's Rinnegan surfaced involuntarily, Yuki Yoru smiled warmly.
"I knew you wouldn't disappoint me, Shisui."
"The fusion of Hollow and Shinigami—breaking through the limits of power to achieve a new level of transcendence… Just sensing the Reiatsu on you makes me feel like I've found a rare treasure."
"…The experiment… succeeded?"
"Naturally. Otherwise, you wouldn't have broken the seal and awakened, would you?"
Yoru grinned and tossed him a scroll.
Still struggling to adjust, Shisui caught it on reflex.
"As a reward for all your hard work, I've completed the tasks you entrusted to me. And as a bonus… I added a little something extra."
"Bonus…?"
Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a gift," Yoru shrugged. "Let's just say, while carrying out your request, things got a little out of hand. Take a look."
Shisui shook his head hard, trying to clear the haze from his mind. Once he forced himself into focus, he opened the scroll and carefully examined its contents.
There wasn't much written, but the details were clear—how the Gotei 13 covertly assisted Konoha in repelling Kumogakure, how Fugaku Uchiha awakened Susanoo and displayed overwhelming power, and how that cascade of events led to the current situation in Konoha.
"The Uchiha… are about to become Hokage?!"
"Not yet, but it's highly likely. Unless Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others band together and somehow manage to push Danzō into power… then yes, it's practically in the bag for Fugaku."
Yoru casually shrugged again. "But hey, there's always the possibility of a last-minute political war. If the old guard back Danzō, it might be a proper clash of titans."
"So? You've only just woken up, and already you hear news like this… Any special feelings coming up?"
"What are you implying?" Shisui frowned deeply. "You think I'd side with the Uchiha?"
"Who knows? That's up to you."
Yoru replied nonchalantly, then added, "Oh right. While you were sealed, a bunch of the Kirigakure Uchiha have regained the ability to talk—and even walk."
"If you're not interested in the messy drama happening back in Konoha, I actually have a job for you here."
"...What kind of job?"
"Don't give me that 'battle-ready' glare, Shisui. It's nothing dangerous. In fact, consider it a little reward."
Yoru smiled slyly and pulled out another scroll, tossing it to Shisui.
"This is a summoning contract scroll for Shadow Island. I want you to get all the Kirigakure Uchiha to sign it. It'll help move my next phase along smoothly."
Shisui caught the scroll, his brows furrowing.
This was something Yoru could easily delegate to the ANBU. Why was he personally asking him to do it? Was it a tactic to bind his loyalty to the Kirigakure Uchiha—and force him to turn away from the Konoha Uchiha?
And what exactly was this Shadow Island… and the next phase of the plan?
He opened the scroll—it was completely blank. Not a single name.
A special summoning contract scroll, just for the Kirigakure Uchiha?
"If you need more information, ask Kushimaru Kuriarare"
Kushimaru Kuriarare was the vice-captain of the 2nd Division. Though not particularly close to Shisui, it was only natural to consult your vice-captain if you had questions.
Shisui silently stashed the scroll away and looked up at Yoru again.
Time to shake off the cobwebs with something chaotic—and then get down to business.
"I can't fully control this power yet," Shisui admitted.
"That's fine. This island is technically within Hueco Mundo, but due to… certain peculiarities, there aren't any Hollows here. Not even their shadows," Yoru said softly. "So don't worry. Just let loose."
"…I see."
Shisui gave Yoru a long, complicated look. Then he inhaled deeply, his expression turning solemn.
"Then let me feel it properly—this power… this force that breaks through every boundary!"
He unsheathed the Zanpakutō at his waist—and instantly, a horrifying energy exploded from his body.
But unlike his past oppressive aura, this energy was chaotic, furious—black spiritual energy burst outward like wildfire, devouring the very colors of the world. The pressure roared, as if determined to tear reality itself to shreds.
Even the noble ripple of his pale purple Rinnegan eyes took on a bloody crimson glow.
Shisui locked eyes with Yoru. In the blink of an eye, that berserk Reiatsu detonated around them, covering the entire island in layers of black mist.
"Now then…"
BOOM!
A surge of devastating power erupted from the pale figure shrouded in blood-red energy.
The skies seemed to collapse, as though compressed by some unearthly force. The earth beneath cracked and split apart with thunderous violence!
Under this torrent of black and red Reiatsu, a bone-like mask began forming across Shisui's face. As the spiritual pressure climbed higher, the mask expanded from his left eye, spreading rapidly until it covered his entire face.
Yoru stared in stunned silence as the world itself seemed to freeze in that moment.
"Hollowfied Bankai."
His voice was like a demon's shriek, a ghost's scream.
"Meikyō Shisui — Getsugakōfū (Clear Mirror Calm Water, Moonlight and Gentle Wind)!!"
A tsunami of dark red Reiatsu burst forth from the tip of Shisui's Zanpakutō, engulfing everything. In that instant, it was as if the entire world had been swallowed—crushed, sealed, overwhelmed!
"What an absolutely awe-inspiring power…"
Feeling the sheer force of Shisui's unleashed spiritual energy, Yoru's excitement was beyond words.
Hollowfication. Bankai. A dual amplification.
A dozens-fold increase in spiritual power!
"Come on, Shisui! Show me what you've got!"
"ROOOOAAARRR!!!"