Deep inside ANBU Headquarters, the lights were dim, and the air felt so heavy it seemed as though water could be squeezed out of it.
Hatake Sakumo sat alone behind a large desk. Spread before him was a top secret file that had just been delivered by one of his trusted subordinates.
The ink on the document had not yet dried. Line after line of names, clan affiliations, and recent activity records were written across the specially made paper like cold blades.
His long, steady fingers slowly traced over those names.
"Sarutobi... Shimura..."
Each name represented one of the core forces of the Hokage faction.
Further down were the names of civilian Jonin and Chunin attached to the Hokage faction. Their names frequently appeared in reports from recent village gatherings, izakayas, mission halls, and other public places. During conversations, they would always, almost casually, praise the achievements and abilities of the Yellow Flash.
Attached to the end of the file was a brief analysis.
The major clans, including the Hyūga, Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Aburame Clan, had all remained silent and had shown no obvious political stance.
Public opinion among the civilians was clearly being guided, and Namikaze Minato's popularity and the public's expectations of him continued to rise.
Sakumo's brows drew tighter and tighter together, deep lines carving themselves into his forehead.
Within those eyes that had survived countless life and death battles and seen through the darkness of people's hearts, a trace of exhaustion and coldness flashed by.
"As expected..."
He muttered quietly, his voice especially clear within the silent room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had moved even faster than he had expected.
This list was practically a mobilization order for the loyalists.
Using the natural halo of a war hero, they were mobilizing every available resource to build momentum for Namikaze Minato, trying to seize control of public opinion before anyone else and suppress the true man who had ended the war, the leader of the Uchiha Clan.
That mindset, that skillful use of political manipulation, had remained exactly the same for decades.
Sakumo closed his eyes.
The memories of the past resurfaced, when he had been trapped in the center of a public opinion storm, condemned by countless people and abandoned by everyone.
It had been Uchiha Chiya who reached out to him during that critical moment, pulling him out of the abyss and giving him the chance and confidence to wield his blade once more.
He had never forgotten that kindness.
Nor had he ever realized as clearly as he did now just how similar that incident had been to today's events.
The method was the same.
Manipulate public opinion.
Suppress political opponents.
Strengthen one's own authority.
The only difference was the target.
Back then, it had been him, the Konoha White Fang, whose achievements had made others feel threatened.
Now, it was Uchiha Chiya, whose reputation and strength were even more overwhelming.
"Minato..."
Sakumo softly repeated the name.
He did not dislike Namikaze Minato.
The young man was cheerful, powerful, and full of justice. He had also taken good care of Kakashi.
He had even accepted Kakashi into his team as his student.
Of course, Sakumo understood very well that this also carried the subtle intention of the Third Hokage drawing him closer.
Still, having a good impression of him did not mean he believed Minato was the most suitable person to become Hokage at this moment.
The position of Hokage required more than sunshine and justice.
In this cruel ninja world, what was needed even more was overwhelming strength and the courage to suppress everything and lead the village toward absolute greatness.
Looking across Konoha...
Who possessed that strength?
Who possessed that courage?
Who possessed that prestige?
Only Uchiha Chiya!
He had ended the Third Great Ninja War, captured two Kage, subdued Orochimaru. Every one of those achievements was worthy of being recorded in history.
Even Sakumo himself, once known as the Konoha White Fang, stood in awe of Chiya's unfathomable strength.
Yet such a powerful man, such a great contributor, was now being secretly suppressed because of the ridiculous excuse of "maintaining balance" and selfish political interests?
A powerful sense of righteous anger surged within Sakumo.
This was not merely repaying a debt of gratitude.
It was for Konoha's true future.
Just as he was considering how to deal with the current situation, the door to the secret room was gently knocked.
"Come in."
Sakumo immediately concealed every trace of emotion, returning to his usual cold expression.
An ANBU member wearing a fox mask silently entered, knelt on one knee, and lowered his voice.
"Lord Sakumo, there has been movement within the Uchiha Clan."
Sakumo's spirits immediately lifted.
"Report."
"According to reports from our ANBU personnel, some of the Uchiha Clan's more radical members, including Uchiha Tekkai and Uchiha Yashiro, have been holding frequent secret meetings recently."
"They have begun using clan resources to secretly guide public opinion, emphasizing Lord Chiya's decisive contributions during the war among both civilians and the ninja community, while subtly comparing his achievements with Jonin Namikaze Minato's."
"In addition, they also seem to be planning activities to further raise Lord Chiya's prestige."
The ANBU member paused before adding,
"However, the strange part is that Clan Leader Uchiha Chiya himself has not issued any clear statement or instructions."
"He has remained secluded and rarely leaves the clan. It seems... he has shown very little reaction to all of this."
"Chiya hasn't made a move?"
A trace of surprise and deep confusion flashed across Sakumo's eyes.
With Uchiha Chiya's current strength and status, how could he possibly remain indifferent in the face of such obvious political suppression from the Third Hokage?
Could it be that he truly had no interest in becoming Hokage?
No.
Impossible.
Sakumo immediately rejected the thought.
They were both men.
He could see it in Chiya's eyes.
Those were the calm, composed eyes of someone with the ambition to unite the Five Great Villages and rule the entire ninja world.
There was no way he would be satisfied with remaining only a clan leader.
Then why was he remaining still?
Was he so confident that he considered the Third Hokage's methods beneath his notice?
Or was he waiting for a better opportunity?
Or... was there an even deeper plan?
Sakumo unconsciously tapped the desk as his mind raced.
The Uchiha radicals had already begun moving.
That would certainly create a counterforce.
However, relying solely on the strength of the Uchiha Clan would easily allow others to label everything as nothing more than selfish clan interests. The effect might not be ideal and could even backfire by further intensifying the conflict.
Meanwhile, Chiya's silence made this battle over public opinion seem... rather strange and one sided.
"What exactly is he waiting for?"
Sakumo frowned deeply.
Was he planning to wait until Minato's reputation had completely stabilized and the Third Hokage had finished arranging the transfer of power?
If that happened, reversing everything would become far more difficult.
No!
He absolutely could not stand by and do nothing!
No matter what Chiya's true intentions were, Hatake Sakumo could never watch helplessly as his benefactor and close friend was schemed against like this, nor could he watch Konoha lose the chance to have a truly powerful leader.
Although ANBU now consisted of elite members from both the major clans and civilian ninjas, the highest command still rested in his hands.
It was an independent force outside the Hokage's personal guard.
A force powerful enough to influence the situation.
He might not be able to openly disobey the Hokage's orders.
But within the limits of the rules, carrying out a few "necessary" actions was by no means difficult.
For example...
Secretly guiding the opinions of ANBU members and their families.
For example...
When submitting intelligence reports on public opinion to the Hokage, carefully balancing the information regarding Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Chiya, even giving slightly greater emphasis to Chiya's achievements and composure.
For example...
Using ANBU's intelligence network to quietly spread rational discussions among the ninja community that the Hokage's position should belong to someone of exceptional virtue, prestige, and overwhelming strength.
More importantly...
He had to make his own stance clear!
He had to let the major clans and ninjas who were still watching from the sidelines, and who perhaps already leaned toward Chiya, understand that not everyone blindly followed the Hokage's will.
With that thought, Sakumo's eyes became sharp and resolute.
Looking at the ANBU member still kneeling before him, he gave his orders in a deep voice.
"Pass down my orders. Closely monitor every change in public opinion within the village. Especially any negative rumors targeting Lord Chiya. They must be suppressed immediately."
"But remember, everything must remain secret. Leave no evidence behind."
"Yes!"
The ANBU member accepted the order.
"And one more thing."
After a brief pause, Sakumo continued,
"In my name, unofficially... pass a message to several clan heads with whom I have good relations."
"ANBU believes that Konoha's stability and prosperity are more important than any individual or factional conflict."
"Achievements and strength deserve the respect they have earned."
Those words sounded neutral.
Yet under the current political climate, they were undoubtedly hidden support for Uchiha Chiya and a subtle challenge to the Third Hokage's hurried campaign.
"Understood!"
The ANBU member immediately grasped the meaning and nodded heavily.
"Go. Be careful."
The ANBU member silently disappeared once more, and the room returned to silence.
Sakumo slowly rose and walked to the wall, his gaze falling upon a short sword hanging there.
It was the blade he had once carried.
Though he no longer used it often, it still shone with a cold light.
He reached out and gently brushed the icy blade.
"Chiya, I don't know what you're waiting for. Perhaps everything is already within your grasp, or perhaps you simply see all of this as nothing more than the noisy performance of clowns."
His gaze gradually became deep and sharp, as though piercing through the wall to see the calm young man with black hair and black eyes.
"But I, Hatake Sakumo, will never forget the kindness you showed me back then. Nor will I stand by while Konoha's future is controlled by selfishness and shortsightedness."
"Since you choose not to act for now, then let me clear away some obstacles in my own way. I'll help build your reputation. Your prestige must never be overshadowed, Chiya!"
"The position of Hokage determines Konoha's rise and fall."
"It should belong to the most capable."
"How can something so important be treated like a game, manipulated by public opinion?"
A sharp aura flashed from his body for only an instant.
Even after withdrawing from the spotlight, the edge of the Konoha White Fang had never disappeared.
He returned to his desk, spread out a fresh scroll, dipped his brush into ink, and began writing.
As the leader of ANBU, he intended to draft an analysis report regarding the village's recent public opinion.
This report would, by a certain "coincidence," find its way into the hands of several influential clan elders and senior officials.
The report would objectively describe the situation while subtly leading its readers to consider one question.
Was it truly in Konoha's best interest to so eagerly praise a young ninja with outstanding military achievements but limited seniority...
While relatively neglecting the man whose unmatched accomplishments and unfathomable strength had brought the war to an end?
Could such an approach create hidden dangers in the future?
The brush moved across the paper with soft rustling sounds.
Sakumo's eyes remained focused and unwavering.
Because of his decision, the undercurrents surrounding the position of Hokage became even more turbulent.
And as for one of the central figures in this political storm, Uchiha Chiya...
What exactly was he thinking at this very moment?
Sakumo raised his head and looked toward the Uchiha Clan compound.
The doubt in his heart remained.
But his determination to act could no longer be shaken.
Chiya may choose not to act...
But after witnessing everything, he could not choose to do nothing!
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