Chapter 24: Waiting for the Highest Bid
Sarutobi Hiruzen ran the numbers rapidly in his mind.
At present, his camp consisted of the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans, supplemented by the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi alliance, as well as the Aburame and Inuzuka clans.
Individually, none of these were top-tier great clans—but taken together, they formed a formidable bloc.
This wasn't merely the result of his frantic lobbying over the past two days. More importantly, it stemmed from Master Tobirama's final wishes, and from the fact that Hiruzen had long been groomed as the Hokage's designated successor.
And yet—
Senju Morin, with only the Senju main clan, the Hyūga, and a handful of smaller pro-Senju clans behind him, still held a slight numerical edge in total jōnin support.
Just thinking about standing in direct opposition to the Senju clan—a true behemoth—was enough to give Hiruzen a headache.
What troubled him even more was this:
The current near-deadlock existed without even factoring in the Uchiha clan.
If the Uchiha were to step onto the board and openly back either side, their sheer weight—second only to the Senju in Konoha, with more than thirty jōnin—would completely overturn the balance.
And even if the Uchiha chose to support neither side, Hiruzen still had no absolute confidence in securing victory.
In other words—
The Uchiha clan was precisely the faction he could not afford to ignore.
"…This was a mistake," Hiruzen muttered bitterly.
"I never should have agreed to let Kagami draw the enemy away. He had eyes on par with Uchiha Madara's—and yet he still died at the hands of Kumogakure…"
Regret flooded him like never before.
Looking back now, as long as it hadn't been Kagami who died—no matter who else—it wouldn't have come to this.
To put it bluntly, even if Danzo, Homura, and Koharu had all perished, the Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans would still have supported him without hesitation.
But with Kagami gone, he had completely lost both his influence over and insight into the Uchiha clan.
The fate of the Third Hokage position…
was now effectively being decided by the Uchiha's attitude.
It was almost absurd.
Hiruzen couldn't help but imagine how unbearably smug that battle-crazed clan would become if they ever realized this truth.
Still—
regret was regret, resentment was resentment.
Reality had to be faced.
"All right," Hiruzen said, tapping the tabletop lightly.
"At this point… is there any room left to repair our relationship with the Uchiha clan, and possibly attempt to win them over?"
Thus began a new round of discussion centered entirely on that question.
---
Another night passed.
By the following afternoon, Senju Morin had arrived at the Nara clan's compound.
Compared to Hyūga Sōgo's rigid, imposing demeanor, Nara Shikatsune appeared markedly younger and more approachable.
Barely in his early thirties, with a calm, unhurried air about him, he looked—at first glance—almost like someone from Senju Morin's own generation.
Compared to the Hyūga clan, the Nara clan was clearly far less burdened by rigid formalities.
Nara Shikatsune stood at the entrance of the clan compound himself, smiling broadly as he welcomed Senju Morin.
"It's been a long time, Jōnin Morin. I must admit, receiving your name card so suddenly yesterday really caught me off guard."
His tone was warm and familiar, completely unlike the faintly reserved wording of his written reply.
Since the other party greeted him with such cordiality, Morin naturally returned the gesture, smiling as well.
"You're too polite, Jōnin Shikatsune. We're both jōnin of the village—keeping in touch is only natural."
"Indeed it is."
Shikatsune's smile deepened as he spoke, turning slightly to gesture inward.
"Please, come in."
"After you."
---
Once inside the Nara clan compound, the two walked side by side, chatting casually.
The air was filled with the faint fragrance of medicinal herbs. Along the way, Shikatsune enthusiastically introduced the newly planted medicinal fields, while Morin responded at just the right moments, the two appearing every bit like old friends reunited after a long separation.
Only after they reached the inner courtyard—where no other Nara clan members were in sight—did Shikatsune casually remark, as if in passing:
"By coincidence, Akimichi Torifu visited this morning as well. We spoke a bit about the village's future. He mentioned that once Hiruzen becomes Hokage, he'll also be appointed as a village advisor."
He let out a light sigh, half-joking.
"I won't lie, Morin—that kind of opportunity does make me a little envious."
Morin couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.
"Shikatsune, you're underselling it. Everyone knows the Ino–Shika–Chō clans act as one. That advisor position isn't meant for Torifu alone—it's clearly meant for all three clans: Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi."
He continued smoothly:
"If you're feeling underutilized, why not speak with Hiruzen and the others about joining the village's advisory division? With your intellect, I'd say even a department head position wouldn't be out of reach."
A faint ripple passed through Shikatsune's eyes, though his voice remained modest.
"You flatter me. Truly—far too much praise."
Just then, the two arrived before a single-story wooden building at the center of the compound. Shikatsune stepped forward, sliding the door open himself and gesturing invitingly.
"My home is quite modest. I hope you won't mind."
"Not at all. I wouldn't dare," Morin replied courteously.
---
By the time the sun had begun to sink westward, Shikatsune once again personally escorted Morin out, accompanying him all the way to the gates of the clan compound before finally taking his leave.
They clasped hands and exchanged polite farewells, their etiquette flawless to the very end.
In truth, once they had entered the main house, although Shikatsune remained gracious and attentive, their conversation consisted almost entirely of harmless pleasantries.
Everything that truly mattered had already been said during that seemingly casual walk through the courtyard.
Nothing had been stated outright—yet both men understood each other perfectly.
Shikatsune had made it clear: the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance was indivisible, and Hiruzen had already promised Akimichi Torifu an advisor position.
Morin, for his part, had been equally straightforward in his generosity.
If you turn your back on Hiruzen and support me, then not only is an advisor's seat guaranteed—
even the head of the advisory division is yours.
Shikatsune was clearly tempted—but hesitation still lingered.
First, the Nara were a proper, upright ninja clan.
This was the selection of Konoha's Third Hokage, not an auction where the highest bidder won outright. No matter how pragmatic they were, the Nara still had lines they wouldn't casually cross.
Second, there was the matter of the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance.
Though the Nara were widely regarded as the alliance's strategists—the shared "brain" of the three clans—an alliance, no matter how close, was still composed of three separate families.
Before making any major decision, Shikatsune had to consult both the Yamanaka and the Akimichi.
Mutual respect. Mutual understanding.
More than sentiment or loyalty, that was the true reason their alliance had endured for centuries.
And beyond that…
While Hiruzen's original offer hadn't included any "department head" position, Senju Morin had now placed it squarely on the table.
If Shikatsune were to relay Morin's exact terms back to Hiruzen, it was entirely possible that without lifting a finger, even better offers would soon follow.
After all—
We held firm.
We upheld our principles.
We withstood pressure from the mighty Senju.
Surely that kind of "loyalty" deserves a more appropriate price, doesn't it?
If you intend to be the leader, you can't afford to leave your allies disheartened.
As dusk settled in, Shikatsune watched Senju Morin's retreating figure, a thoughtful smile slowly forming at the corner of his lips.
Don't disappoint me, Hiruzen…