Chapter 176
2-in-1-chapter
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Though he complained silently about the Hokage's work ethic, he had no choice but to quicken his pace. This was the first official meeting since the Hokage's formal inauguration—arriving late was not an option.
"Rēn?"
As he turned out of an alley, Kurama Sōun came face-to-face with Uchiha Rēn.
"Sōun-senpai, you're here too!"
"Yeah. The Hokage sent someone to fetch me. Can't exactly say no."
As he spoke, Kurama Sōun couldn't suppress another yawn.
"How much did you drink last night, Sōun-senpai?" Rēn asked with a smile, watching him struggle to keep his eyes open.
"Can't remember. I only know Unkai and I hit six places, and by the time we got back, it was already past five. Then I lay down for three hours before someone from the Hokage's office showed up saying there'd be a meeting. Honestly, I'm worried I might fall asleep during it."
"What a shame you're still underage, Rēn. Otherwise, we could've shared a drink to celebrate." Sōun clicked his tongue regretfully.
"You're in quite a good mood, Sōun-senpai."
"Of course I am. Torifu-senpai's officially taken the seat of Fifth Hokage. Now we don't have to worry about anyone overturning the Third's downfall. Ah—wait." He stopped himself mid-sentence and patted his head. "Good thing it's you, Rēn. I really shouldn't be saying that out loud."
Although he reminded himself to be more careful, the cheerful mood was impossible to hide. It showed plainly in his voice and in the corners of his eyes.
There were many in the village who wanted Akimichi Torifu to move from acting Hokage to officially becoming the Fifth. Their reasoning, however, was not the same as Rēn's. While Rēn was already looking toward the position of Sixth Hokage, these others merely feared the consequences of a political reckoning.
Back when the Third Hokage was overthrown, many clans had participated. At the time, none had objected when Rēn suggested that Jiraiya or Tsunade succeed as Fifth Hokage, because that ensured the Uchiha would not take advantage of the upheaval to seize power.
But as the months passed and Torifu's tenure as acting Hokage grew longer, people began to feel he was doing quite well. Their thoughts started to change. Jiraiya and Tsunade were both students of the Third Hokage—if either of them took the office and decided to revisit old grievances, anyone who had helped depose Hiruzen might find themselves in serious trouble.
The Uchiha, Hyūga, and Aburame clans had deep roots and vast resources, so they feared little. But the heads of smaller families such as the Shiranui, Kamizuki, Yamashiro, and Gekkō clans could not help but think more cautiously. Kurama Sōun was among them; after all, the Kurama clan had long since fallen from the ranks of Konoha's great houses.
Therefore, when Rēn proposed that Akimichi Torifu remove the title of "acting" and be officially confirmed as Hokage, Kurama Sōun and several other leaders of the mid-sized and minor clans who had supported the overthrow of the Third Hokage once again cast their votes in favor. Their collective attitude made it clear: even if Torifu himself hesitated, they would push him onto that seat of power.
"Don't worry, Sōun-senpai. What's past is past. No one will be allowed to reopen old accounts, nor will I permit anyone to twist right and wrong."
Rēn's tone was firm and decisive.
Kurama Sōun froze for a moment. His mind, still hazy from drink, flickered with the sense that he had just thought of something important, but the lingering fog of intoxication and exhaustion soon buried the thought, leaving him unable to recall what it was.
Finding no answer, he could only mumble, "That's good… that's good."
The two of them turned a corner and came upon a group of clan heads and department chiefs approaching from another street. Most of them, like Sōun, were still visibly hungover. After a round of cheerful greetings, the two groups merged and made their way together toward the Hokage Building for the meeting.
Many of them had drunk heavily the previous night and were still groggy. Instead of heading straight into the conference room, they first went to the washroom to splash their faces with cold water before taking their seats. As soon as they sat down, hot, bitter tea was served to them—the kind so strong it made their faces tighten at the first sip.
In an instant, the spacious meeting room became a scene of collective agony; at least half the attendees wore the same pained expression.
Still, the tea worked.
After the combined shock of cold water and strong tea, the remnants of their intoxication faded, and their drowsiness was at least temporarily subdued.
Ahem.
Akimichi Torifu cleared his throat and looked around the packed conference room. "Everyone's here, I see. Since we're all present, let's begin with official matters. The first topic concerns the Uchiha clan head's victory over the Hidden Mist. Because I was only acting Hokage at the time, I chose to postpone commendations until the true Fifth Hokage was in office. Now that the situation has changed, it's about time we addressed it."
The room fell silent.
Several heads of smaller clans discreetly turned their eyes toward Rēn, seated to Torifu's left. Yet Rēn's expression remained calm and pleasant, the easy smile on his face revealing nothing of his thoughts.
And what was Rēn thinking?
He was simply curious how Torifu planned to reward him. Although he had been somewhat displeased yesterday when the Uchiha clan was excluded from the communal toasting, his mood overall was quite good. After all, through his efforts, he had successfully placed Torifu in the Hokage's seat, paving the way for his own eventual claim to the Sixth Hokage title.
"As for the details of the Uchiha clan head's achievements in defeating the Hidden Mist," Torifu continued lightly, "there's no need for me to go over every point here. Anyone interested may ask him privately."
His easy tone made it clear that the Hokage intended to bestow a significant reward.
The Fifth Hokage turned his gaze toward Rēn, speaking with warmth and familiarity. "Rēn, you are now the youngest Hokage Advisor in the village's history."
Hokage Advisor?
Rēn blinked. For once, even he hesitated. The title of Hokage Advisor—second only to the Hokage himself—had once belonged to Shimura Danzō during Sarutobi Hiruzen's tenure. It was a position reserved only for those the Hokage trusted completely.
Even Rēn had not expected Torifu to entrust such authority to him. The position was far from ceremonial; even the Hokage could not easily dismiss an advisor without cause.
Danzō's repeated removals had been exceptions, the result of him taking the blame for Hiruzen's political missteps. On the few occasions they had truly fallen out, it had taken the combined will of Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane to strip Danzō of the post.
"For the sake of the village, I will give my utmost. I will not betray your trust, Hokage-sama."
While Rēn was surprised, he neither declined nor hesitated. He accepted the appointment with composure.
Though surprised by Torifu's generosity, he saw no reason to refuse. His achievements fully merited such a position. If Torifu was willing to offer it, Rēn was willing to accept. There was no need to question motives or suspect hidden traps. As long as Torifu had no intention of plunging Konoha into civil strife, there was no reason for hostility between them.
And even if Torifu did harbor ulterior motives, Rēn had no fear. Whether the attack came openly or from the shadows, he would face it head-on.
In a world where strength ruled above all, he had nothing to fear.
Thus, before the assembled heads of departments and clans, Rēn, already the Uchiha clan head and Commander of the Police Force, was formally appointed Hokage Advisor.
"Now then, the second matter," Torifu said once the restless murmurs had settled. "You have all likely heard by now. Our spy network in Iwagakure reports that the Hidden Stone is preparing to send forces into the field. To counter their advance, we have decided, after consulting with the department heads, that Jiraiya will lead a force to intercept them."
"Jiraiya, the thousand elite of the village and two thousand Mist shinobi are ready to mobilize. Once this meeting concludes, you may depart."
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