That clan meeting was no different than any other meeting. Maybe because for most of the village, it really was no different. I saw the board members and the Kurokami clan members sitting there. The Kurokami had only one vote. But they had come as representatives of the board.
Rei glared at me. If looks could kill, oh wait, can't use that in this world where looks can really kill. But you get my point, right? He didn't even bother to file an assault complaint for yesterday. They were so sure of victory. But today, instead of a cowering scowl. I, too, passed a smug smile back. It wasn't just my enemies who were watching.
After a few topics. It was finally show time. The Hokage personally began it with a tedious speech about safety, prosperity, and the will of fire.
The Hokage stepped up to the podium, the council chamber settling into reverent silence. His robes caught the afternoon light, white and gold folds gleaming like a holy man's mantle. When he spoke, his voice carried the weight of command — smooth, fatherly, unshakable.
"When our forebears built this village, they dreamed not of power… but of peace. They gathered clans who once bathed the land in blood, and gave them a home, a name, and a dream. A dream called Konoha."
The pause was deliberate. Heads bowed slightly, as if in prayer.
"Peace is not built on mercy. It is built on order. It is sustained not by power, but by trust. And trust, my friends, is the rarest treasure of all. For when trust fades, all that remains are the embers of suspicion, and the smoke of another war."
He looked around the hall — his eyes pausing on the Kurokami, on the elders, and finally on me.
"I have walked this path for decades. I have seen the flames that consumed nations. And I swore, as Hokage, that no such flame would ever again burn in the Land of Fire. Even if that meant I would have to bear the heat myself."
The murmurs began — soft, respectful — the crowd leaning forward.
"But peace cannot survive when some choose shadow over sunlight. When they hold secrets tighter than they hold the lives of their kin. When knowledge that could serve the village is hidden in vaults of pride and fear."
He raised a hand, palm outward — as if calming a storm.
"This law we vote upon today is not a punishment. It is a safeguard. It is a promise that Konoha will never again be divided by fear, by jealousy, by the ghosts of power hoarded in dark corners."
His voice deepened, resonant now, filling the marble chamber.
"The Will of Fire burns in every leaf, not just in the roots that think themselves ancient. It burns in every child who trains at dawn, in every farmer who tills the field, in every mother who prays her son will return from the mission unharmed. It burns in us, so that they may sleep in peace."
He placed both hands on the stand, leaning forward slightly.
"Today, we vote not for gain, nor for control. We vote to keep that flame alive — to ensure that the shadows never again devour our light."
A single breath. Then his voice softened — almost tender.
"May our choices honor those who built this village… and those who will inherit it after us."
The roaring applause from the seats was deafening. To a point where I felt like joining, even though they were clapping at my destruction.
When silence returned, Koharu spoke. "Since everyone was sent a copy of the law in advance. Let's proceed to vote first."
She took out a register as the Vote keeper behind her swept the coins. Yeah, the counting happened on an abacus like setup. The coins had holes to put on the three bars. Yea, Nay, and None. They also had bars marking 50% Simple majority and 67% Proper Majority.
"Nara Shikaku!"
"In favor"
"Nara Aoi"
"In favor"
.
.
.
"In favor."
As the voting and my heartbeat progressed. I masked my face into an extremely evaluating and calm look. And stared at Inuzuka Renga. He must have asked around if I threatened anyone else. Because that would mean I didn't have the power. But I had not. I had offered something to everyone except the Inuzuka. They were only on emotions and future pies in the sky. But his cold, impassive stare was not inspiring much confidence in me.
Other allies of mine gave me a calculating look, too. They were waiting for me to show my cards. All except the FAK. They knew their votes. But the rest? They were watching like hawks. Especially Uchiha Fugaku. The guy even had a small smirk on his face that was getting wider as the votes moved faster than the Kurokami.
"In favor!"
My heartbeat was singing right up to my ears. I felt jittery. I was so nervous that when the unexpected surprise came. I didn't even register it.
"Hatake Iori!"
"I oppose!"
Wait, What?
-----
It was a stunning revelation. I knew that the Hatake and Daimyo were close. But were they that close? Especially since Hatake Sakumo was still an Anbu captain. That's when it clicked. Of course. They weren't that close. They should have remained neutral. But all that scheming against Sakumo had caught up to the council. A chuckle escaped my lips unbidden. It drew attention in the silence, but I didn't care. Now my victory was assured. It turns out, I really didn't need the Inuzuka. And it really will be a test of their alliance this time.
"Inuzuka Renga!"
The old man stood up while looking at me.
I gave him a cold, arrogant stare with an upward nod. As if saying Make your choice, old man. I had seen the exchange in his expression when Iori voted. If before he was conflicted. This sealed the deal.
"I oppose."
Silence. Absolute Silence. Koharu paused, but did not let the pause turn awkward. While the head sitting a few seats on the left of Renga gave him a look. But then nodded.
"Inuzuka Hideaki!"
"I oppose!"
"Inuzuka Shuji!"
"I oppose"
.
.
"I oppose."
Friends and foes alike were stunned by this development. And their wide eyes widened further when Half the Hyuga votes rolled over.
As a petty slight. The Uchiha were asked after all other major clans and the Daimyo's FAK people. The Daimyo and the FAK had been trying to get power in Konoha for a while now. My engagement made them me close to them. Seeing the support of 2 clans made them overjoyed. Their head, Akihiro Jiro, was practically bouncing up and down.
"Akihiro Jiro!"
"I oppose!"
And the whole of FAK followed.
"Uchiha Fugaku!"
Fugaku nodded to me in a gesture of recognition and respect.
"I oppose"
"Uchicha Yashiro!"
"I oppose!"
Now the air changed. 1 major clan was chance. 2 a coincence. 3 was trouble. 4 plus daimyo was a whole damn new faction.
The Gekko votes followed. Some middling clans voted with the Uchiha.
Shakespeare once said in his play Julius Ceaser, "There's a Tide in the affairs of men." Some votes came seeing the new strange tide. We had gained momentum.
By the time it came to the AKSE members. Enough of the neutral middlers had switched up that I actually didn't need them.
At the Final tally. 10 from Inuzuka. 10 from Uchiha. 14 from FAK. 10 from AKSE. 15 from Gekko. 8 from Uchiha's middling support. And 9 random middling clans had switched. Bringing our total to 76. With the Hatake in play, that meant 86 votes. Simple majority.