Ryoma pondered for a moment, then stopped Uchiha Fugaku from speaking.
"Say no more. It really isn't convenient for the Guard to be stationed inside the village."
Fugaku's face darkened instantly, bitterness welling in his chest. Even Lord Ryoma thought this was all the Uchiha clan's fault?
In his mind, he saw the arrogant figure of Uchiha Madara. Indeed, it was because of Madara that the clan bore such a reputation. The people of Konoha distrusted them—and there was some truth to it.
Though Fugaku understood the reasoning, his heart still ached. Their clan head had died tragically, the Uchiha were now leaderless, and they were being forced to leave their ancestral land where they had lived for generations.
Such a thing had never happened in Konoha before.
As one of the ten great families of the village, no clan had ever been stripped of their territory. If the Uchiha were the first, it would forever be a mark of shame.
Standing nearby, Kushina frowned at Ryoma's words.
She didn't believe the Uchiha clan was wrong as a whole. The sins belonged to Madara alone, and his mistakes shouldn't be used to condemn the entire family.
The high-ranking elders of Konoha, however, were secretly pleased.
At first, many of them had doubted Ryoma—too young, too inexperienced, perhaps too soft. But now, hearing him speak against the Uchiha, they were reassured.
Yes, this child truly upheld the Will of Fire. The perfect successor for Konoha's future.
But just as the elders began to relax, Ryoma suddenly walked toward the ruins of the Uchiha compound.
"What is he doing?"
Under their confused gazes, Ryoma raised his hand and signaled the Uchiha clansmen to step aside.
"Mokuton—Four Pillar House Technique!"
Before their eyes, tall buildings rose from the razed ground. Massive trees grew in an instant, twisting into pillars and beams, forming a brand-new structure upon the ashes of the old clan grounds.
The Uchiha widened their eyes in shock.
"This…"
They quickly bowed, overwhelmed.
"Lord Ryoma—thank you!"
Ryoma gestured lightly, and roots spread from the earth, gently lifting the kneeling clansmen back to their feet.
"There's no need for thanks. This much is nothing. The Uchiha deserve it."
Hearing his words, many Uchiha turned red with emotion.
They had heard whispers that the Konoha leadership planned to force them to relocate. They knew that the specter of Madara meant they were no longer trusted. But Ryoma's actions felt like recognition, like vindication.
The Konoha elders who had been smiling moments before now wore stiff expressions. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi himself was caught off guard.
This boy… his actions were truly unpredictable.
Fugaku stood there in confusion. Hadn't Ryoma just agreed with the elders? Why then was he helping the Uchiha rebuild?
An elder finally broke the silence.
"Lord Ryoma, what do you mean by this?"
Ryoma smiled calmly.
"I think you all made a fair point. The Guard shouldn't be stationed at the village center. That's why I built these homes here, on the edge of the village. They'll serve as housing for the Uchiha Guard. As for this land—this is Uchiha territory. Naturally, it should remain for the Uchiha people who aren't part of the Guard."
His words left everyone stunned. No one had expected him to solve the problem in such a way. And now that the buildings were already standing, what use was there in arguing further?
To oppose Ryoma would only invite resentment. Even the most displeased elder held his tongue.
Hiruzen gazed at Ryoma, a swell of emotion rising in his chest.
"I truly am growing old… Perhaps, if Ryoma becomes Hokage, he will be able to lead Konoha to new glory…"
Fugaku, ashamed of his earlier doubts, bowed his head.
"Lord Ryoma, please rest now. As for the homes on the outskirts, allow the Uchiha Guard to construct them."
Ryoma shook his head.
"No. The Uchiha Guard must remain intact. Leave it to me—I'll handle the construction for the entire village."
Inside, Ryoma sighed.
(Hah… if I want to squeeze rewards from the system, I have no choice. If the Uchiha build their own houses, who knows if the system would even count it for me.)
When Ryoma finished raising the homes on the outskirts, a voice echoed in his mind:
[Ding! Option 1 complete: Agree with Konoha's elders and forcibly relocate the Uchiha to the outskirts. Reward: S-rank Forbidden Technique – Cursed Seal of Heaven.]
[Ding! Option 3 complete: Construct a six-story building on the original Uchiha grounds. Rewards: S-rank character – Uchiha Itachi (Night of the Massacre), Uchiha Mikoto Favor +10, Uchiha Fugaku Favor +10.]
Ryoma was speechless at the system's notifications.
"…Why would I want Fugaku's favor points?"
Still, obtaining this version of Itachi brought him closer to completing his collection. All he needed now was the Akatsuki Itachi, and the synthesis would be complete.
As for the Cursed Seal of Heaven—now that was an interesting reward. It could be branded onto subordinates, granting them immense power and monstrous transformations.
Just like Sasuke's second form, which sprouted wings and gave him the ability to fly—ferocious indeed.
And it even acted as a failsafe: those marked could revive after death through the seal.
Though… that particular effect meant little to Ryoma himself.
Along the way back, people gathered to greet him.
"Lord Ryoma!"
He felt like the Hokage himself, waving in thanks to the crowds.
Only once he returned to the Uzumaki compound did Ryoma finally exhale in relief. So many thanks at once—it was exhausting.
Kushina clutched his hand, her face glowing with pride.
This was her man.
Yes, even though they weren't married yet, in her heart Ryoma was already her husband.
How embarrassing!
For all her fierceness with others, in front of Ryoma she was no kunoichi at all—only a shy, blushing girl, clinging to him like a little bird.
...
The next morning, Ryoma arrived at the Hokage Building.
This was the first emergency high-level meeting convened for the reconstruction of Konoha.
The Hyūga clan, the Uchiha clan, the Nara clan, the Yamanaka clan, the Akimichi clan, and thirty other noble families of the village were present, along with numerous jōnin of influence.
Orochimaru leaned toward Ryoma, speaking softly.
"Ryoma… I know I can't contend with you for the Hokage's seat. But you must promise me this—support my experiments."
Ryoma only smiled faintly and gave no reply.
Soon after, he exchanged greetings with Jiraiya and Tsunade, then took his seat in the front row.
Behind him sat Minato Namikaze and Sakumo Hatake, who were not yet counted among the clan elites and therefore held no seats among the 35 families.
From the back, Minato's gaze lingered on Ryoma. To say he wasn't envious would have been a lie.
Sakumo, meanwhile, sat with unease tightening his chest. Yesterday, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not scolded him, nor had any elder reproached him. But that silence was more frightening than anger.
After all, he had destroyed an intelligence network hidden within Sunagakure for thirty years—an unforgivable act for any shinobi. He didn't know what the village would decide for him.
When everyone had gathered, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stepped slowly onto the platform. His eyes swept the hall—pausing briefly on Sakumo, then resting at last on Ryoma.
The matter of Sakumo… I will leave to the next Hokage.
"Ahem… everyone is here. Let us begin."
He drew in a long breath and spoke gravely:
"In the past month, due to repeated conflicts with Kirigakure and Kumogakure, the rebellion of the Shimura, Mito, and Shunyi clans, and—most of all—the hand behind it all, Uchiha Madara… Konoha has suffered a grievous blow."
"The casualties on the front lines number in the thousands. Our village itself lay in ruins…"
At his words, the room fell silent. In the last month, more had happened in Konoha than in the past several years combined. It was as though disaster had erupted all at once.
Many eyes sharpened—was another Great Ninja War already upon them?
Hiruzen continued, his tone solemn.
"Konoha has endured tremendous losses. As Hokage, I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, must give the people an answer…"
He stopped, inhaled deeply, then looked across the assembly.
"That is why I have decided… to step down as Hokage."
The chamber erupted.
"What?!"
"Lord Hokage, the destruction was the work of Kumogakure and Uchiha Madara—this is not your fault!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama, you cannot blame yourself for this!"
But many among them had already heard whispers beforehand. Politics, after all, was theater.
"Enough," Hiruzen said firmly. His eyes gleamed with conviction as he raised his voice:
"This past month, I have once again felt how right the spirit of Konoha is—our Will of Fire!"
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns. The fire's light will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout!"
"The young are Konoha's hope. I am old now. I believe the new generation is ready to shoulder the weight of the Hokage's mantle."
"I have carried this duty for twenty-five years. It is time to entrust it to the next."
His voice grew heavy with emotion. "As my own teacher, the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, once did—I too place my faith in the next generation!"
Tears rimmed the old man's eyes. He loved this village with all his heart, but he knew he no longer had the strength to carry it forward. Now was the right time to abdicate.
And so—the question of the Fourth Hokage's successor was raised.
All eyes turned toward Ryoma, seated calmly in the front row.
The head of the Hyūga clan broke the silence.
"Hokage-sama, have you chosen the successor to the Fourth?"
Hiruzen shook his head.
"No. Each of us shall recommend a candidate. The one who earns the most support will be chosen as the Fourth Hokage."
The hall buzzed with excitement.
Not predetermined?
Golden ambition flickered in many clan leaders' eyes. Though Ryoma was the clear favorite, perhaps—just perhaps—the title could still be claimed by another.
But before the murmurs could grow, Tsunade raised her hand.
"I, Tsunade, nominate Ryoma to be the Fourth Hokage!"
Immediately after, Jiraiya stood.
"I, Jiraiya, nominate Ryoma as the Fourth Hokage."
Orochimaru's voice followed, smooth and deliberate.
"I, Orochimaru, nominate Ryoma as the Fourth Hokage."
The Three Legendary Sannin, unanimously supporting Ryoma.
The chamber was stunned. Many had expected Orochimaru to compete fiercely—he was, after all, Hiruzen's most brilliant disciple. Yet here he was, stepping aside of his own accord.
Behind the Sannin stood not only three great figures, but also much of the village's upper echelon.
Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, raised his hand next.
"I, Sakumo Hatake, nominate Ryoma as the Fourth Hokage."
The assembly gasped.
White Fang—foregoing his own claim to the position?
But in the next moment, understanding spread. Ryoma was Kakashi's teacher. For Sakumo, supporting Ryoma was only natural.
Minato Namikaze raised his hand and said firmly:
"I, Minato Namikaze, recommend Ryoma to serve as the Fourth Hokage!"
Immediately, a group of jonin followed his lead, each raising their hands one after another.
"I recommend Ryoma to serve as the Fourth Hokage!"
The reason was simple—just last night, Ryoma had rebuilt homes for the entire village, earning the trust and gratitude of the jonin. For them, it was straightforward: if you treat us well, we will stand by you.
Even before the elders had spoken, Ryoma had already gained the overwhelming support of the shinobi present.
And yet—this was only a sixteen-year-old boy.
But his strength and prestige were already enough to shoulder such responsibility.
Still, among the thirty-five great clans, none had voiced their stance.
Suddenly, Uchiha Fugaku raised his hand.
"On behalf of the Uchiha clan, I recommend Ryoma to serve as the Fourth Hokage!"
The other clan heads looked at Fugaku in surprise—this young man was already the new head of the Uchiha clan?
One after another, the Inuzuka, Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clan heads stood and spoke with one voice:
"We recommend Ryoma as the Fourth Hokage!"
By now, the momentum was unstoppable.
Even the Hyūga clan head, who had initially harbored doubts, finally spoke after some thought.
"On behalf of the Hyūga clan, I recommend Ryoma as the Fourth Hokage!"
With more than half the votes already secured, there was no longer any point in resisting. What mattered now was showing support early, gaining favor before the decision was sealed.
The other clan heads, each shrewd in their own right, quickly followed suit.
"On behalf of the Shibari clan, I recommend Ryoma as the Fourth Hokage!"
"On behalf of…"
One by one, voices rang out until nearly all had spoken.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched as the tide of support grew, his expression unreadable. This was no longer a matter of debate—the people had chosen.
At last, only Uzumaki Mito remained silent.
Then, she smiled.
"On behalf of the Senju and Uzumaki clans, I recommend Ryoma to serve as the Fourth Hokage!"
Of the fifty-eight present, fifty-seven had spoken in Ryoma's favor.
All that remained was the Hokage himself.
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly rose, his eyes sweeping across the gathered leaders. Then he smiled faintly and declared:
"Very well. Then it is settled. The one who shall serve as the Fourth Hokage… is Ryoma!"
...
TN:
🦊 Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin (+30 Chaps)
(Support me! 😊)