"Of the eighty-three jonin from rebellious ninja clans, thirty-nine are from the Uchiha Clan and twenty-two from the Hyuga Clan. The rest are probably just followers."
Within the Hokage Office, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two senior advisors were observing the Jonin Unit meeting hall through a Crystal Ball using the Telescope Technique. Homura Mitokado, known as the strategist of the village, was analyzing the situation regarding attending jonin:
"These individuals might lean toward Sakumo Hatake."
"The Jonin Unit meeting has only three days scheduled for discussion, and White Fang hasn't made contact with any of those clans. It shouldn't amount to much," Koharu Utatane said skeptically.
"Don't forget about that boy with the Byakugan stationed at the Northern Border," Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi replied, pointing toward the north of Konoha while puffing smoke from his pipe. "He might still shift things subtly from the outside."
"If that's truly the case, then even the ninja clans alone could pose a real threat..."
Koharu Utatane's eyelid twitched as her unease deepened.
"It shouldn't go that far," Homura Mitokado shook his head before continuing. "There aren't that many jonin in the village to begin with, and these clan jonin certainly won't present a united front."
"For example, the Hyuga Clan poses little threat since not all their members attended; it's mainly the Uchiha, with their Sharingan eyes, who've caught us off guard."
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement with Homura's assessment. "Still, judging from the current rough comparison of votes, we do hold significant advantages."
"Fortunately, Sakumo acted too hastily without waiting for frontline returning jonin units to return to the village; otherwise, there might really have been some trouble."
Homura Mitokado sighed. "Besides those ungrateful ninja clans, we already have as many as eighty-nine confirmed orthodox jonin votes, which is enough to neutralize the clan side's numerical advantage. There may be some small fluctuations among the civilian-born ninja, but nothing we can't handle."
"There are also sixty-nine civilian jonin whose votes represent another crucial variable," Koharu Utatane silently counted through the crystal ball before sighing again. "Still, fortunately, although our expectation preparation wasn't thorough enough, Sakumo Hatake also didn't have much time to incite them either, so it should be manageable."
The so-called orthodox jonin primarily included the core bloodlines originating from Konoha's F4 families, with the Ino–Shika–Cho triad forming their backbone, along with various medium and small ninja clans sharing deep friendships with them—all constituted the Hokage faction's fundamental support base centered around Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Owing to built-in advantages within the faction system, clan-background ninja aligned with the Hokage's office found themselves well-positioned despite lacking the strength of top clans like the Hyuga or Uchiha. They frequently rose quickly through the ranks, holding significant numbers among official jonin, and dominating key positions across various departments in Konoha.
In addition, some among these Jonin had been so terrified by the brutal realities of the Great Ninja World War that they employed various strategies and excuses to remain stationed in the village, thus avoiding being dispatched to the frontlines during previous large-scale mobilizations.
It was certain that these so-called orthodox Jonin, who came from prestigious backgrounds, would firmly cast opposing votes against Sakumo Hatake's proposal during the official vote. This much was beyond doubt, and Konoha's F3 held this belief as well.
After all, everyone belonged to the same faction and shared the benefits together. There was simply no reason to destroy their own—and their clans'—livelihoods. No matter how eloquently or poorly Sakumo Hatake presented his proposal regarding direct Jonin voting for the Hokage, it would have absolutely no bearing on the decision-making of those orthodox Jonin.
In contrast, the civilian-background Jonin without influential connections were a different story. Though they formed the largest group within Konoha, they lacked any supporting factions behind them. Hoping to gain recognition through battlefield accomplishments in the hopes of improving their standing, they had volunteered repeatedly during successive mobilizations, eventually finding themselves stranded outside the village with no way back.
Therefore, at this hastily convened Jonin Unit meeting called by Sakumo Hatake, most of the clan-affiliated Jonin and the core group of civilian Jonin supporters were still stationed at various border units or within the Ninja Force headquarters. Added to this was the Hokage's strict order prohibiting any ninja currently outside the village from leaving their posts to return. As a result, within this Jonin Unit meeting, the Jonin belonging to the Hokage faction became the single largest power group among all the various factions for the first time.
Yet even so, the greatest uncertainty also came precisely from this group of civilian Jonin, once viewed as fresh recruits for every faction.
As the Jonin Unit meeting officially entered the voting phase, Konoha's F3 grew increasingly anxious.
The Jonin took time deciding how to cast their votes, especially the civilian Jonin whose numbers—though not the largest—could tip the balance. They were the most indecisive.
Among these civilian Jonin who had not been summoned to the battlefield, aside from a few who were either Sakumo Hatake's supporters or had rotated back into the village for rest from border units, the majority maintained loose but real ties to the Hokage faction.
The problem was that these civilian Jonin were well aware of what Sakumo's direct election proposal meant for them.
For example, the most immediate benefit would be the interests obtainable through voting rights. In particular, those undecided swing voters held the key to tipping the outcome.
However, since the civilian Jonin were inherently scattered and disunited—and Sakumo had deliberately avoided consolidating their ranks—they were now unable to accurately determine how to proceed.
What if they voted against the proposal, only for it to pass anyway? Would that mean cutting themselves off forever from White Fang's favor?
Or if they voted in favor, only for the proposal to fail in the end? Would that not be equivalent to severing themselves from the Hokage's influence entirely?
Although the Jonin Unit meeting employed secret ballot voting, to ninja like them, such anonymity—especially during on-site voting—was little more than a formality. None of them were naïve enough to think that a secret ballot could truly hide their true positions.
After all, even including Sakumo Hatake, everyone could sense that faint yet persistent feeling of being watched. This sensation came precisely from the Telescope Technique of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Therefore, the civilian Jonin found themselves in a difficult dilemma.
However, unlike those civilian ninja, the Jonin hailing from ninja clans—whether part of the Coalition of Ninja Clans or staunch supporters of the Hokage faction—took clearly defined stances.
"Did the entire Hyuga Clan really abstain?"
Inside the Hokage Office, Konoha's F3 were watching the crystal ball broadcast with surprise. Koharu Utatane even instinctively asked, "Could it be that those stubborn old men from the Hyuga house are finally backing down?"
"I don't think so."
Homura Mitokado shook his head: "They probably just don't want to get involved in this matter."
"They're increasing pressure in the Land of Lightning Occupied Territories. They likely have no spare capacity to interfere with the village's political direction, hence their decision."
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement with Homura's reasoning.
In any case, the collective abstention of the Hyuga clan's Jonin assembly counted as good news for the Hokage faction.
Next, the thirty-nine Jonin from the Uchiha Clan stepped forward to vote.
"All votes in favor!"
Homura narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the scene, his expression rather strange: "Since when did Sakumo start colluding with these red-eyed lunatics?"
After completing their votes, those Uchiha Jonin collectively left the venue, refusing to participate in the following vote-counting process.
"It should be the Hyuga Clan. Someone must've instructed these Uchiha to make such a decision."
The seasoned Third Hokage Hiruzen took a slow puff from his pipe, his expression clouded with uncertainty: "But exactly who this person is remains worth speculating."
"Could it be Hyuga Soushu?"
A sudden idea struck Homura, and he blurted out his thought.
"Possibly that white-eyed boy!"
Koharu nodded in agreement.
"Hiruzen, we can't let that white-eyed brat hold onto his role as the Ninja Force's full authority ambassador for much longer!"
Homura turned and said, "Otherwise, I have no idea what changes might occur on the Northern Border!"
"We'll still have to see how the negotiations play out."
The wily old Third Hokage Hiruzen muttered darkly: "It can't be helped. If it weren't for Danzo's strong insistence, otherwise..."
He had no intention of elaborating further; he simply shook his head in disappointment.
"Indeed, Danzo has gone too far this time,"
Koharu also agreed solemnly.
"Back to the voting."
Homura redirected attention back toward the crystal ball image to bring both others' focus back.
On the screen, twenty-two Jonin from ninja clans that maintained de facto alliance relationships with the Hyuga lined up and took turns dropping their ballots into the ballot box.
"Twelve in support, ten abstentions."
Homura took off his glasses and wiped them, sighing inwardly in relief.
Among the eighty-three Jonin clan representatives present, only fifty-one voted in favor of Sakumo Hatake's proposal—a ratio acceptable enough.
The next to cast their votes were naturally the Jonin of the Hokage faction. The 89 Jonin currently in the village took the stage one clan unit at a time, casting their votes according to their origins and affiliations.
As expected, the result was obvious.
"Eighty-three votes against, six abstentions!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, couldn't help but put down his pipe and stared hard at the crystal ball showing the meeting room.
Fifty-one versus eighty-three—clearly, Sakumo Hatake was at a severe disadvantage.
But now came the group whose votes could change everything: the civilian Jonin, whose stance remained relatively neutral and unpredictable.
The decision of these 69 civilian Jonin could shift everything entirely.
However, since they had not yet made up their minds or formally decided how to vote, some whispered among themselves while others used Secret Jutsu to exchange messages.
The Jonin Unit meeting thus hit a brief lull.
Standing on the stage, Sakumo Hatake kept his face expressionless, eyes fixed blankly ahead, as if deep in thought.
Meanwhile, inside the Hokage Office, Konoha's F3 grew visibly uneasy.
"Sakumo acted too hastily,"
Koharu Utatane broke the rising tension first. "If only he had waited until after the negotiations ended, until the Ninja Force returned to the village before pushing this proposal, then the outcome would have been uncertain."
"That's true. After all, most of the stationed forces on the Northern and Western Fronts support him."
Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement but quickly added another point. "Still, maybe he sensed something."
"That shouldn't be possible," Koharu muttered doubtfully but didn't challenge Homura's judgment.
"Homura has a point," said the Third Hokage, tapping his pipe thoughtfully. "Sakumo's former subordinates are still in Rain Country's defensive unit. They might've let something slip."
"Now that you mention it… If only he weren't so damn stubborn..."
Hiruzen trailed off.
Because even if Sakumo Hatake hadn't gone to the Lightning Daimyo's court for talks, and even if he hadn't pushed the direct-election Hokage bill, the Third Hokage still wouldn't have trusted him completely. It wasn't about public stances or positions—it was simply the instinct of a seasoned politician to suppress rivals and challengers.
At that very moment, someone finally stepped forward from the indecisive civilian Jonin.
Twelve civilian Jonin walked to the front and dropped their ballots into the box.
"Twelve votes in favor."
Homura's expression darkened instantly.
The count now stood at sixty-three against eighty-three!
Still, fifty-seven civilian Jonin had yet to vote.
Although Konoha's F3 had carefully planned to send Sakumo Hatake to Rain Country's front line, arranging for him to fight tooth and nail with Sanshouo Hanzo—who was preparing an offensive to drive Konoha ninja out of Rain Country—if this proposal passed, the pressure would fall squarely on them instead.
After the proposal passed by the Jonin Unit is announced to all Konoha Jonin, it will be submitted to the Hokage Tower for final review. And now, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi—who values his reputation greatly—is facing a real dilemma!
If he approves, it'll be a major blow to his faction—and sure to stir up the ambitions of others.
And if he shoots it down or asks for changes, he risks tarnishing the Hokage's saintly image.
No one understands the importance of image and public persona better than Professor Hiruzen Sarutobi—the Professor of Ninjutsu and legendary warrior.
"Really now…"
Homura Mitokado took off his glasses again and wiped them against his sleeve, as if brushing away invisible dust.
Shortly after, another group of nineteen Civilian Jonin took the stage one by one, casting ten votes in favor and nine against.
The tally shifted to seventy-three in favor versus ninety-two against—the gap shrinking from twenty to just nineteen!
Among the next thirty-nine undecided Civilian Jonin, if Sakumo Hatake could secure thirty votes, then victory was certain!
That wouldn't be easy—not at all.
Most of the remaining undecided Civilian Jonin were naturally hesitant and indecisive. If so many of them truly supported Sakumo Hatake, they probably would've already cast their votes!
Sakumo Hatake let out a quiet sigh, his expression betraying a flicker of disappointment.
Although the sigh was barely audible, the assembled Jonin still noticed this movement.
One by one, the undecided Civilian Jonin rose and made their way to the front, ready to cast their votes.
"Twenty votes in favor, three abstentions!"
Homura Mitokado's face instantly turned pale!
At this point, only sixteen voters remained—but Sakumo Hatake had already staged a stunning comeback, gaining a total of ninety-three votes!
With a single-vote advantage, the simple majority was enough to pass the Jonin Unit proposal—meaning that even if it barely scraped through, Sakumo Hatake's direct-election Hokage bill would still reach the Hokage Tower!
Under the watchful eyes of those who had already voted, the final sixteen members stood up and approached the podium one by one to cast their votes.
"Eight votes in favor and eight abstentions!"
Even Homura Mitokado, known for his calm demeanor, nearly fainted from rage at that moment!
One hundred and one votes in favor, one hundred against!
Just one vote short!
This was simply the worst possible outcome!
Hiruzen Sarutobi casually flicked his hand across the crystal ball, shutting down the Telescope Technique surveillance.
"The Land of Rain will probably reach out for help from the village soon enough!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was already quite irritated!
Even suffering a major loss in votes didn't feel as crushing as this bitter defeat decided by just a single vote!
Inside the Jonin meeting room, the gathered Jonin suddenly noticed that the lingering sense of surveillance from the Telescope Technique had vanished, sparking immediate murmurs and commotion.
"This…"
A chilling premonition stirred within the hearts of the Hokage-aligned Jonin.
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