The days slipped by in quiet rhythm.
Uchiha Gen's life had settled into a steady routine, reporting to the Police Force in the mornings, training in the afternoons, and spending his evenings in rare peace.
Konoha, too, was gradually regaining its balance.
Kumogakure's bluster had failed to shake the Village's foundations. Whether a skirmish or a full-scale war, Konoha was not afraid of a head-on confrontation. Peace talks were no longer a distant hope but an inevitable reality.
With the Nine-Tails Attack fading into memory and order restored, another matter finally resurfaced; the question of the next Hokage.
Though Hiruzen Sarutobi had worked tirelessly to keep Orochimaru from being nominated, there were still Jōnin who supported him. During the latest Jōnin council, the issue of a new Hokage was openly raised.
No names were spoken aloud, but everyone understood the implication, some wanted Orochimaru to become the Fifth Hokage.
It was inevitable.
A man who had once pursued the title himself would always have loyal subordinates pushing him forward, regardless of his own wishes. Human ambition was not something easily restrained.
Hiruzen was only acting Hokage now, not reclaiming the position as his own.
That distinction mattered. He could not openly say, "I don't want Orochimaru as Hokage because I want to hold the seat myself." That would spark immediate backlash.
And so, once the idea entered the air, it spread quickly. Ninja debated it. Villagers whispered about it. Anything connected to the Hokage became a topic of fevered discussion.
That evening, at the familiar warmth of BBQ, Uchiha Gen sat with Kurenai Yuhi, Anko Mitarashi, and Yugao Uzuki.
The three girls, now in their mid-teens, were already blossoming into their adult grace.
Yugao, in particular, had recently advanced to Chūnin. Their old squad was now united at the same rank, the sound of sizzling meat and fragrant smoke wrapping around them as they talked and laughed.
"Gen-senpai," Anko asked between bites, "is our sensei really going to be Hokage?"
At once, Kurenai and Yugao turned to him as well, eyes shining. If Orochimaru rose to that position, the three of them would be Hokage's disciples and closest subordinates.
Their futures would be secure.
"He won't," Gen said flatly, shaking his head.
"Why not?" Anko leaned in, chopsticks still holding a piece of meat. "There's no one more qualified than our sensei right now!"
"It's… complicated," Gen said, brushing it aside. "Knowing won't do you any good."
"Then just tell us simply," Yugao pressed.
Gen sighed, then relented. "Fine. In short, there is someone in the Village more suitable than our teacher."
"Impossible!" Anko blurted, shaking her head. "Lady Tsunade and Lord Jiraiya aren't even here. Who else is there?"
"The one sitting in the chair already."
Gen calmly sprinkled chili powder onto his meat, as if the matter were obvious. For him, grilled meat without spice was meaningless.
The three girls froze.
"Wait, you mean the Third? But… Grandpa isn't that young anymore," Kurenai said hesitantly.
"He's not young," Gen agreed, "but not too old either."
"Still," Anko frowned, "why cling to the seat? Why not pass it to the next generation, like before?"
Gen gave a faint smile, his eyes calm. "Think about it yourselves. What I can tell you is this, Konoha isn't as bright and spotless as you imagine. Where there is light… there will always be darkness."
The words left the three silent, their thoughts tangled, as the four of them continued their meal.
That same night, deep within Hiruzen Sarutobi's residence, two old men faced each other across a low table in the tea room.
"Hiruzen, I came tonight to confirm your intentions," Danzo said solemnly, his single visible eye sharp. "Will you nominate Orochimaru?"
Hiruzen slowly exhaled a plume of smoke. "I made my choice long ago. It hasn't changed. Not only has he failed to walk back from the wrong path, he's sunk deeper into it."
Danzo studied him carefully, then shook his head. "Not this time."
This time, Danzo had a different ambition. With Tsunade and Jiraiya absent, his only competition was Orochimaru. If Orochimaru were disqualified… then the path to the Hokage's seat would be his.
What Danzo failed to consider was the possibility that Hiruzen himself might not step aside. Some men, once old, grew immovable in their convictions. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura both believed the same thing, that only they could safeguard Konoha's foundation and lead it to glory.
Hiruzen gave no reply, only fixing Danzo with a heavy gaze.
Danzo leaned forward. "If you and I agree, then to silence public opinion, we must act. We need a reason, a legitimate reason, to strip Orochimaru of the Hokage candidacy."
Hiruzen puffed another cloud of smoke, voice low. "And how do you intend to do that?"
"By using public opinion against him."
"No."
Danzo's brow furrowed. "Why not?"
"Public opinion is a double-edged sword," Hiruzen said sharply. "Once it turns, it becomes uncontrollable. Have you forgotten what happened with Sakumo?"
Danzo snorted. "That was with your approval. And who could have known that the great White Fang of Konoha would be so fragile?"
"I only agreed to dim his prestige not destroy him!" Hiruzen snapped, his voice rising. "It was you who pushed further, even coercing the ninja Sakumo saved to testify against him. That broke him completely! Because of you, Konoha lost a true Kage-level powerhouse. Do you intend to ruin another?"
At that time, Sakumo Hatake had eclipsed even the Sannin in ability and reputation.
Many considered him the best candidate for Fourth Hokage, if not for his lack of ties to the Hokage faction. Once his name was ruined, his chances vanished.
In the end, despair claimed him.
"Hmph," Danzo scoffed. "That was years ago. Why dredge it up again? Then tell me, Hiruzen what do you propose?"
Hiruzen fell silent for a long moment. Finally, he said, "We find charges. Enough to disqualify Orochimaru from becoming Hokage, but not enough to force him into defection."
He narrowed his eyes. "Orochimaru would never take his own life. At worst, he would leave the Village. But a defection… would be nearly as disastrous. Imagine it, the Hokage's disciple, one of the Sannin, abandoning Konoha. What message would that send to the other great Villages?"
Danzo folded his arms. "Easier said than done. Unless he relinquishes the claim himself, it will be difficult."
"Then that is what we must make happen," Hiruzen said firmly. "If Orochimaru can be persuaded, or pressured, into voluntarily giving up the Hokage's seat, the damage to Konoha will be minimized."
Danzo's frown deepened. "…That's a tall order."
"High difficulty," Hiruzen countered, "is what proves your ability. The Hokage's seat belongs to those who can overcome such trials. I trust you won't disappoint me."
Danzo's chest swelled at the subtle encouragement. He straightened his back and declared, "I will not fail."
Hiruzen gave a long, slow nod. "I believe you."