The sun sank low in the west, lingering above the horizon like it hated to leave.
Golden rays spilled across Konoha, reaching all the way to the Hokage's office.
The last gentle yet hopeful sunlight bathed Hiruzen Sarutobi, making his figure appear both dignified and warm.
"Shisui, will you be my deputy?"
Hiruzen's face was serious, his eyes filled with expectation and trust. It felt more like he was entrusting an important mission to a trusted junior rather than offering him a prestigious position.
Seeing the anticipation and faith in Hiruzen's eyes, Shisui felt his heart swell with conflicting emotions — joy and sorrow intertwining. His eyes even grew slightly moist.
With both parents gone early, he had matured far beyond his years.
He had long seen the pride of his clan and Konoha's suspicions. To find a way to save his family, he studied various documents extensively.
In his grandfather's final letter, he found the answer — there needed to be a bridge for communication between Uchiha and Konoha.
As long as there was a channel for dialogue, misunderstandings and doubts wouldn't arise between the two sides.
Thus, he gave up the soon-to-be-attained position of vice-captain, becoming a free-roaming ninja while getting closer to the Konoha leadership.
Day and night, without fear of danger, he took on various missions not to prove how capable he was, but to earn the trust of the upper echelons.
Now, he felt his efforts were finally bearing fruit.
The Hokage himself actually wanted him to become his deputy. What immense trust that represented!
Seeing the excitement in Shisui's eyes, Hiruzen smiled and asked, "Don't want to?"
Upon hearing this, Shisui hastily replied loudly, "I want to! Of course I want to!"
Hiruzen laughed heartily and said, "Good then!"
The last ray of sunlight vanished, plunging the world into shadow.
Lights quickly came on in the Hokage's office where Hiruzen invited Shisui to sit down.
Compared with the natural sunlight, under the harsh artificial lighting, Shisui felt somewhat surreal about the current situation.
Shaking off those strange thoughts, Shisui said hesitantly, "Hokage-sama, although I would very much like to serve as your deputy, I'm only a Tokubetsu Jonin. My experience and seniority might not be sufficient to shoulder such an important responsibility."
"Don't worry. Actually, based on your achievements in the Police Force alone, you should've already been promoted to Jonin. However, Fugaku didn't transfer your mission records over, so we'll have to accumulate new credits."
Saying this, he picked up a file from the desk and continued, "Ever since you left the Police Force, I've been paying attention to you. From the day you resigned until now, you've completed 5 S-rank missions and 113 A-rank missions, along with countless others. With accomplishments like these, you should've been promoted by now. But during wartime, we simply couldn't spare the time. I'm truly sorry about that."
Waving his hand hurriedly, Shisui said, "It's fine. Whether special jonin or regular jonin, being able to contribute to Konoha is what matters most."
Hearing this, Hiruzen praised him, saying, "No wonder you're Kagami's grandson — you've inherited the 'Will of Fire'!"
Shisui proudly straightened his chest, though a question lingered in his mind.
"Even if I'm promoted to jonin, wouldn't my lack of experience still make it hard to win everyone over?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi explained, "Because of Danzo's betrayal, I've been overwhelmed with matters. I need someone to help me, so I've decided to appoint a new Hokage Deputy. This position can be filled through self-recommendation or nomination and will be determined by a jonin vote during tomorrow's High-Level Meeting.
I'll back you all the way. If Fugaku throws the Uchiha's weight behind you, you'll get the job as my deputy."
Shisui frowned. "It's already Thursday. The Clan Leader must have chosen another candidate by now."
"Shisui," Hiruzen said firmly, "among the Uchiha, I trust only *you!* Only *you* have the capacity to rise above clan interests!"
He then stood up and walked toward the window.
"It's getting late—go see Fugaku, Shisui!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for your clan! Once you become Hokage Deputy, it could completely change how the village sees the Uchiha. And in time, we can clear up the misunderstandings between the village and your clan."
Seeing this, Shisui could only bow respectfully and left the Hokage's office with a complex expression.
As he walked away from the Hokage's building, deep in thought, Shisui quickly returned to the Old Compound.
Looking at the darkness covering the old compound, he remembered what Aozora had told him about relocating the compound.
"Because of misunderstanding and suspicion, we've already been 'driven away' once. This time, I won't let the opportunity slip away."
Changing direction, he soon arrived at the New Compound.
Reaching the Clan Leader's residence, Shisui requested an audience, but the guards denied him entry.
The guard stated coldly, "The Clan Head has ordered that he will see no one today!"
Shisui urgently replied, "Zhong Ming, I must see the Clan Leader on urgent business!"
Zhong Ming Uchiha continued shaking his head in refusal.
It wasn't that he wished to deny Shisui—it was just that the Clan Leader simply wasn't at the residence.
As guards, they were obligated to keep the clan leader's whereabouts secret.
Therefore, he could only reject Shisui again and again, coldly and firmly.
Meanwhile, at Choza Akimichi's estate.
Seeing Fugaku's visit, Choza's wife, Huizi, quickly prepared a full table of sumptuous dinner, poured wine for them, and then left the dining room.
"Fugaku, don't hold back—eat more!" Choza urged.
After greeting Fugaku, Choza began eating heartily.
Fugaku took a few bites and remarked, "Huizi's cooking is truly excellent!"
Hearing this, Choza laughed loudly. "Jealous, aren't you? Mikoto's great at everything—except cooking..."
Thinking about how his wife's culinary skills had never improved over the years, Fugaku also shook his head slightly.
"Come on, let's raise our glasses!"
"Cheers!"
Putting down his cup, Choza said, "Fugaku, I'm not as sharp as Shikaku or Inoichi. Just tell me straight what you're after."
Fugaku would never underestimate Choza's wisdom. The Akimichi didn't scheme or play games, but when it came to big decisions, they always knew what to do.
Fugaku spoke plainly: "The Uchiha have decided to withdraw from this Elder election."
Choza paused briefly upon hearing this, surprise flashing across his face. Then he took a large bite of chicken leg to steady himself.
After finishing the leg, Choza regained his composure and asked, "Fugaku, why are you telling me this?"
Fugaku spoke slowly, "The Uchiha hold deep respect for Torifu. With Konoha facing a crisis, it's time for you to come out of retirement and take charge."
Torifu Akimichi, a member of the elite guard unit under The Second Hokage, had been teammates with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Kagami Uchiha.
Among these six individuals, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane frequently worked together. Torifu Akimichi usually partnered with Kagami Uchiha.
Interestingly, after Hiruzen Sarutobi became the Third Hokage, his three former teammates — Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane — all became Elders.
As for the other two original members of the guard unit, one had died young, while the other held nothing more than the rank of Jonin despite his abilities.
After all, during that famous battle against the Kinkaku Force from Hidden Cloud (Kumo), Torifu Akimichi had made quite a reputation for himself.
Compared to him, the others — Sarutobi, Danzo, Homura, and Koharu — hadn't stood out much in that battle.
"Uncle Torifu..."
Choza murmured, his expression softening as his appetite faded despite the delicious food in front of him.
After finishing what he wanted to say, Fugaku excused himself and left.
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