But all of that was for the future. For now, the Uchiha clan couldn't see it, and Hiruzen never imagined he would hold the Third Hokage position for so long. At present, the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the Hokage Residence was what mattered most.
Hearing Hiruzen's question, Kagami's expression became complicated. Finally, he sighed and said, "I'm afraid... a few positions in the administrative department won't satisfy the appetite of the people at home."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen's expression stiffened slightly. He then replied, "This is just the start for both of us. Your Uchiha clan rarely gets involved in Konoha's governance. If I were to suddenly give them that much power, it would cause chaos. As I see it, this should be a peaceful transition. We must start small and grow larger. The administrative department is just the beginning. Isn't a gradual approach the right one?"
Hiruzen had not inherited his teacher, Tobirama's, prejudices against the Uchiha clan. On the contrary, if possible, for the sake of the village's future and with the foresight and magnanimity befitting the Third Hokage, he was actually willing to let the Uchiha clan gradually integrate into the village and even participate in its power structure.
If a capable person whom everyone respected were to emerge, he wouldn't mind handing the Fourth Hokage position to the Uchiha clan.
However, the core principle of Hiruzen's time as Hokage was to prioritize "stability." This applied to every aspect of his rule. This might be the very reason he was able to hold the Hokage position for so long: he was stable, and for Konoha, stability was exactly what it needed!
Since Hiruzen's rule was based on "stability," he couldn't go against his own beliefs. The Uchiha clan wanted power? No problem, but they had to take it slowly and gradually to ensure a smooth transition for the village.
If they came in demanding everything at once, acting so aggressive, then did they think the Third Hokage was made of mud? He wouldn't tolerate such arrogance!
To Hiruzen, he didn't view the Uchiha clan as special; he treated them with fairness.
But to the Uchiha clan, they considered themselves major contributors to the village's founding and had been "wronged" for so long. They felt they deserved special treatment.
Moreover, the Uchiha clan felt they were being "stable" enough. They weren't directly demanding the Third Hokage step down so they could take over. Wasn't that stable enough?
To put it bluntly, the Uchiha clan was too arrogant, and Hiruzen was treating them "fairly," which they saw as a slight. Their understanding of "stability" was also vastly different from Hiruzen's.
One side appeared unyielding while the other was aggressive, which gradually led to the Third Hokage, who had initially been patient and willing to mediate, becoming influenced by Danzo at his side.
This, coupled with the lessons Tobirama had taught him and the Uchiha clan's uncooperative behavior, made Hiruzen begin to wonder if he was being too lenient with the Uchiha clan... Otherwise, why would they start trying to walk all over him the moment he became Hokage?
It was these changes that made Hiruzen, who was still hopeful for the Uchiha clan now, grow weary of them later on. He eventually gave Danzo free rein to scheme against them from the shadows, ultimately leading to the Uchiha clan's destruction.
"I understand. Because I understand, it's even more agonizing. In front of me is the village, the Hokage, you, and everything we've worked for. And behind me is the clan that gave birth to me, raised me, and taught me. When the front and back are in conflict... can you imagine how difficult it is for me to be caught in the middle?" Kagami said with a strained smile.
Hiruzen was ultimately not as ruthless as Tobirama. After hearing Kagami's words, his heart softened, and he couldn't bring himself to be decisive.
This was Hiruzen's greatest flaw as a Hokage; he was often too soft-hearted. If he had been more resolute at that moment, made a decision for Kagami, and supported him to take control of the Uchiha clan, he could have corrected them before they went too far down the wrong path.
In a few decades, the Uchiha clan might have truly integrated into the village. After all, Kagami wasn't alone in his path. Weren't Shisui, Itachi, and even a pre-villain Obito all people who were wholeheartedly dedicated to Konohagakure?
"I've put you in a difficult position..." Hiruzen said gently, trying to console him.
Kagami's mindset was quick to adjust, and he soon broke free of his strained emotions. He waved his hand and said, "Forget it. There's no need to console me. I just haven't been able to harden my heart yet. If one day I really can't stand this feeling anymore, I'll take off my headband and my clothes, turn around, and retire to the Land of Hot Water. I heard that guy Hibari is causing trouble there, right? If I'm no longer a shinobi, I could learn from Kakuzu and work for him. Hahahaha."
Listening to Kagami's words, Hiruzen was filled with emotion. What Kagami said sounded so carefree, but it also revealed the immense pressure that was hidden beneath his easygoing personality, a pressure that most people couldn't bear.
So, while he wanted to dissuade Kagami from this idea, he also felt that perhaps only by taking such a step could Kagami truly break free from his restraints and live a life of true freedom and happiness.
As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen didn't want a master like Kagami to leave Konoha. Moreover, with Kagami around, he and the Uchiha clan could at least have a bridge for communication. If he were to leave, the gap between them would likely grow even wider.
But as Kagami's best friend since childhood, Hiruzen couldn't bring himself to say anything 'noble' for the sake of the village. He just couldn't bear it.
Caught in this dilemma, he chose to change the subject with a laugh. "That's not certain. For the past three months, Hibari hasn't been in the Land of Hot Water at all. It seems Kakuzu is handling his affairs there."
"Oh? Then where did that guy go? He didn't even say goodbye... Oh, right! No wonder Tsunade came back so early too." Kagami naturally took the bait, and neither of them mentioned the Uchiha clan again.
Hitenn also asked out of curiosity, "The commander hasn't contacted us in the Anbu for nearly three months... Third Hokage... ahem, Hiruzen, do you know what he's been doing?"
Sakumo glanced at Hitenn and said with a chuckle, "Is our deputy commander worried that Commander Hibari won't make it back for your wedding?"
Hitenn didn't hide anything and nodded. "I am worried about that. If the commander can't make it back, it will be one of the greatest regrets of my life."
Hiruzen looked at Hitenn with some surprise. "Is it really that serious? A lifelong regret?"
Hitenn smiled faintly, a rare expression for him. "Perhaps it's because of my personality, or my position, but for so many years, I've had very few people I could call friends. A scene like this, with everyone gathered together in a courtyard, was something I could only dream of before.
"My life began to change when you, Hiruzen, invited me to join the Anbu. At first, I doubted whether my personality could fit in with the Anbu. In the beginning... many of the Anbu members seemed to avoid me. That's when Commander Hibari appeared.
"He didn't ask me to change anything; he naturally treated me as a friend and, just as naturally, guided me into a circle where I could have all of you as my closest friends. For that, Commander Hibari holds great significance to me.
"So, I truly, truly hope that he will be there to give his blessing for the most important events in my life. This wedding is one, and officially taking over as the Hyūga clan head is the second. If the commander can't make it, it will be a regret in my life."
Hearing this unexpected and sincere self-revelation from Hitenn, Hiruzen, Kagami, and Sakumo were all moved and fell silent.
"That kid... he really does leave a deep impression on people, often without even trying," Hiruzen said with a sudden smile.
Just then, a voice they all found familiar but hadn't heard in a long time suddenly came from the small gate of the courtyard.
"Damn it! I'm so glad I resisted the urge to master Senjutsu and rushed back from the western border of the Land of Grass overnight to attend your wedding and clan head ceremony! Just hearing those words from you makes it all worth it! Hahahaha! You're worrying for nothing, Mr. Serious. With our relationship, even if the sky were to fall, I'd have to put it on hold for your wedding!"
Following the voice, Hitenn, Hiruzen, Kagami, and Sakumo all looked toward the small gate of the courtyard. There stood Hibari, whom they hadn't seen for nearly three months.
He was wearing a set of black layered armor, with a very impressive-looking slender tachi at his waist, a large scroll on his lower back, and a Konoha headband wrapped around his forearm.
It looked like he hadn't even gone home yet and had come straight here.
That wasn't entirely true. After Hibari returned to Konohagakure with Orochimaru, he first went to the Hokage Residence. His sudden appearance after three months of being missing surprised many, and Nara Shikajin even ribbed him about it.
After some asking around, he finally figured out that the Hokage, Hiruzen, and the Deputy Commander of the Anbu weren't there; instead, they were all gathered at the "Mr. Serious's" house.
Since he was already here, Hibari decided to stop by to say hello before heading home. He parted ways with Orochimaru and headed straight for the Hyūga clan compound.
The relationship between the Senju clan and the Hyūga clan was very close now, and members of both clans would occasionally visit each other. Furthermore, it was well known throughout Konohagakure that Senju Hibari and Hyūga Hitenn were very good friends.
So, no one tried to stop him. Hibari strode all the way to the entrance of the courtyard. Just as he was about to step in, he happened to overhear Hitenn's self-revelation. It moved Hibari deeply.
Suddenly, the long and arduous journey across the Land of Grass no longer felt so tiring. It was truly worth it.
Kagami was stunned at first when he saw Hibari, then he yelled, "Where did you come from, you phantom? You just appeared out of nowhere without a word!"
"'Resisted the urge to master Senjutsu'?" Hiruzen first murmured Hibari's words to himself, then said in great surprise, "Could it be that you actually found the legendary Ryūchi Cave?"
"Commander, you're finally back?" Hitenn also asked happily. But he was clumsy with words and couldn't say anything more emotional; it was a simple greeting.
Sakumo's eyes were fixed on the tachi at Hibari's waist, the Ame no Murakumo. He then looked up with a disbelieving expression. "The legendary divine blade... the Ame no Murakumo, which slew the Yamata no Orochi?"
Their chaotic way of speaking made Hibari a little dizzy. He didn't know whom to answer first, so he just waved his hands and strode into the pavilion. He saw the four teacups on the stone table and, without a second thought, picked one up and chugged it down.
"Ahhh... Can you guys at least let me get a drink first before I talk? What's the rush? Just ask your questions one at a time..." Hibari said, placing the empty teacup down and sitting comfortably on a stone stool.
"After roaming around outside for so long, I've found that the air in our Konoha is the sweetest," Hibari said with a deep, dramatic sniff.
Kagami, on the other hand, just gave a mischievous grin. "Funny you say that. I just farted right here."
"I'll punch you in the lung! You're asking for a fight!" Hibari lifted his leg and aimed a kick at Kagami.
After a bit of commotion, Hibari patted the slender tachi at his waist and looked at Sakumo with a triumphant expression. "Hahahaha, you've got a good eye, Sakumo. You're right, this is the legendary divine blade, the Ame no Murakumo, which slayed the Yamata no Orochi. And now, it's my treasure!"
Even though Sakumo used a short sword, he was still a swordsman. It would be strange if he weren't curious about a legendary divine blade right in front of him.
"Commander, since you're so generous, you won't mind letting me feel this blade with my own hands, will you?" Sakumo asked, raising an eyebrow at Hibari.
Hibari didn't mind at all. He took the tachi, Ame no Murakumo, from his waist and handed it to Sakumo. "You can do more than just feel it. Take it and play with it for a couple of days if you want, just don't go and break it."
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