At that moment, Nara Shikaku spoke again, his characteristically lazy voice cutting through the tension. "Actually, him becoming Hokage might not be a bad thing. He's this powerful. With him as Hokage, Konoha's strength would increase dramatically. At the very least, we won't be any weaker than when the Third Hokage was in charge."
After hearing this, the other clan heads considered it carefully and realized he had a point. Hiruzen Sarutobi's tenure had been marked by endless compromises and concessions that had often left them frustrated. If Kagami, with his ruthless character and overwhelming strength, became Hokage, the other great ninja villages would be the ones on the defensive for a change. It was a terrifying but appealing thought.
Considering this, most of them silently agreed that Kagami becoming Hokage might be the best path forward for Konoha's security.
However, the patriarch of the Sarutobi clan wore a thunderous expression. Kagami had just killed his clan's Hokage, and now he was set to take the seat for himself. The sheer audacity of it was a bitter pill to swallow. Still, he didn't dare voice his opposition. They had just paid a fortune to buy their lives; to seek death again now would be beyond foolish.
At this moment, Yamanaka Inoichi suddenly spoke up. "But what about the Elders, Koharu and Mitokado? Will they agree? Should we warn them?"
His words brought the two senior council members to everyone's mind. As Hiruzen and Danzo's former teammates and closest friends, they were deeply entrenched in the old guard. Unaware of Kagami's true power, they would almost certainly oppose his claim. Moreover, if Kagami learned of their potential involvement in the Uchiha clan's destruction, the result would be... predictable.
"Ahem," Nara Shikaku coughed, a lazy drawl in his voice. "Whether they agree or not is their business. All I know is that my clan will agree."
With that, he waved a dismissive hand and began to walk away. The others shared awkward smiles, then quickly said their goodbyes and departed as well. It was a joke to even consider it. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were tied to a sinking ship. They wouldn't dare get involved with those two now. If Kagami decided they were complicit, they would all be dragged down.
Kagami took Uchiha Rinne and their son to a random hotel for the night. The Uchiha district was now a field of rubble thanks to his domain, leaving them no choice but to stay in the main village. He would have the other clans build him a palace on the Uchiha grounds later; it wouldn't be too long before they could return.
After the night's events, though he wasn't physically drained, he felt a profound mental exhaustion. As soon as his head hit the pillow, Kagami fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning, after a full night's rest, Kagami's spirit felt restored to its peak. Stretching lazily, he turned his head and found that little Sukuna had woken up at some point. The baby wasn't crying or fussing, but simply staring at him with wide, curious eyes.
Seeing this, a warm current flowed through Kagami's heart, and his expression instantly softened. He gently lifted his son into the air. "Sukuna, my magnificent son," he said with a proud smile. "Grow up quickly. Your father is truly looking forward to seeing what you become."
Little Sukuna, as if sensing his father's affection, let out a happy gurgle.
Kagami played with his son for a while. After Rinne woke up, he handed the baby to her and left for the Hokage Building, his mind set. Today, he would bring all the major clans of Konoha to heel and make the village his own. As for whether anyone objected, he honestly didn't care.
The concept of 'goodness' had been completely purged from his mind after last night's events had shown him the twisted reality of this world. In the past, he might have used gentler tactics to win people over, to avoid unnecessary casualties. But now, he understood a fundamental truth: the shinobi of this world, born into a cycle of blood and betrayal, respected only overwhelming force. Kindness was merely a weakness to be exploited.
Those who obey will prosper; those who defy will perish. This was his new creed.
As long as these ninja were obedient, he didn't mind offering them his protection. If they disobeyed, he would simply kill them and replace them with a group that would. He didn't need Konoha to provide him with soldiers; he just needed them to provide the resources to support his own family's growth. After all, the combat power of these shinobi was nothing compared to what a few more of his own children could bring. Of course, as long as they didn't stand in his way, he wouldn't go out of his way to target them. The more laborers he had, the better his family's life would be.
All they had to do was obey.
"I hope you all know what's good for you," Kagami sneered inwardly as he strode toward the Hokage Building. The Anbu who had originally guarded the tower were all dead, killed by his hand. The new guards, sent by the various clans, had witnessed his power firsthand and didn't dare to stand in his way.
He pushed open the doors to the conference room and found that nearly all the clan heads had already assembled. Without hesitation, Kagami walked straight to the head of the table—the Hokage's seat—and sat down. His arrival cast an immediate, heavy silence over the room.
After glancing at the assembled leaders, he noticed that Koharu and Mitokado were absent. He didn't care.
A small smile played on his lips. "I've called you all here today for one reason," he began, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight. "From this day forward, I will be the Hokage of Konoha. Who is in favor... and who is against?"
Hearing this, a shockwave went through the room. "Just as we thought," they all thought grimly. Although they had anticipated this, hearing the words spoken so plainly still sent a jolt of fear through them.
In truth, none of them wanted Kagami as Hokage. In their minds, the most suitable candidate was Tsunade Senju, not this unknown Uchiha who had seized power through bloodshed. But Kagami was too powerful. They didn't dare voice their opposition. They exchanged nervous glances, but no one was brave enough to be the first to speak.
Seeing their silence, Kagami's smile widened. "I'm a democratic man. Please, speak freely. If even one person here disagrees, I will not become the Hokage."
"As long as I kill everyone who disagrees, no one will be left to object," he thought.
His words sent a ripple of surprise through the room.
"Is that true?" they whispered among themselves, unable to believe it. Based on what they had seen last night, Kagami did not seem like a reasonable man.
Kagami's smile remained, but he offered no further explanation. The clan heads, having witnessed his terrifying power, didn't dare to be the first to test his sincerity. They would wait to see what the others did. Their main goal was simply to blend in and survive.
"I object!"
At that moment, the door to the conference room was kicked open, and Asuma Sarutobi stormed in, his face contorted with rage. He had just returned to the village that morning to the news that his father had been killed by Kagami. After learning that Kagami had summoned the clan heads to the Hokage Building, he had rushed over without a moment's delay.