Chapter 5: The Hokage's Gambit: Reforming the Ranks and the Hyūga's Shadow
"Why did I cause such a massive disturbance in the heart of the village without warning?"
Hiruzen exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, his gaze sweeping over the gathered shinobi. His voice was steady, resonant, and carried the weight of absolute authority.
"To conduct a zero-notice, unannounced combat audit. I needed to see the village's emergency response time in its rawest, most authentic state."
"The Second Great Ninja War may be behind us, but this is no time to let our kunai rust in their sheaths!"
As the chakra mantle of his "Obsidian Spear" jutsu faded, the shinobi of Konoha finally got a good look at their leader. He was taller, broader, and radiated a youthful vigor that hadn't been seen in decades. Whispers broke out, but Hiruzen didn't give them time to question it. He was seizing this moment to solidify his new image and skyrocket his [Authority].
"Months ago, Kushina Uzumaki was abducted by Cloud Village infiltrators right under our noses. The Anbu, the Root, and the Police Force failed to react in time!"
Shinnosuke Sarutobi and Fugaku Uchiha both lowered their heads, their backs stiffening under the weight of the Hokage's public criticism.
"But is this failure solely on the shoulders of the Anbu and the Police?"
"No. In my view, the ultimate responsibility for such a failure lies with me—the Hokage!"
The crowd rippled with shock. Fugaku looked up, his brow furrowed in confusion. He's taking the blame? He's not using this as an excuse to crack down on the Uchiha? Fugaku had expected a lecture on "clan negligence," but instead, Hiruzen was practicing extreme ownership.
"Accountability is necessary to prevent complacency," Hiruzen continued. "But more importantly, we must ensure it never happens again! This is why I didn't immediately retaliate against the Cloud."
"First, as the man responsible for the Kushina incident, I had to ensure that the next time an enemy dares to step foot in our village, I am the first one to lead the charge. And not just lead it—but win it!"
"To that end, I have spent the last few months immersed in the forbidden restoration techniques left behind by the First and Second Hokage. It was a perilous journey, but with the guidance of the previous Hokage's spirits, I have achieved a breakthrough."
The shinobi looked at each other, realization dawning on them. So that's why...
The whispers changed from suspicion to awe. He wasn't being passive with the Cloud Village; he was training himself to be a god of war so he could protect us better.
"Lord Hokage," Shikayama Nara, the head of the Nara clan, spoke up. He shared a brief, knowing look with Hiruzen. "You were bedridden with a high fever for days... was that the price of this new power?"
"It was," Hiruzen said, flexing his biceps, his sleeves straining against the newfound muscle. "It was a dangerous jutsu, but it's done. You all better get used to my new face. I'd hate for you to follow the wrong man into a charge because you were looking for a frail old man."
Hiruzen mentally marked Shikayama Nara as a "Smart Player." The Nara had picked up on the narrative perfectly, helping Hiruzen "normalize" his transformation.
The younger Chunin and Genin looked at Hiruzen with pure worship. Here was a leader who would risk his life on a forbidden jutsu just to stand at the front lines again.
Young Kakashi nudged Asuma, his voice low and sharp. "Hey, didn't you say at the Academy that your dad was just a tired old man who forgot how to fight?"
Asuma's face turned bright red. He wanted to slap his past self. "I... I was wrong."
"Second," Hiruzen's voice boomed again. "The Kushina incident revealed systemic rot. Our jurisdictions are blurred. The roles of the Anbu, Root, and Police Force are overlapping and inefficient."
"I am officially launching a series of institutional reforms. Be prepared. The principle is simple: The most capable shinobi, the ones most dedicated to the village, will be placed in the positions they deserve!"
Danzo, standing off to the side, smirked to himself. Hiruzen still trusts me. He gave me a heads-up about the 'reforms' before anyone else.
Danzo had already forgotten his earlier fear. His ego had reframed the situation: The Root isn't being dissolved as a punishment; it's being 'reorganized' because Hiruzen needs my expertise to lead the new system.
The Jonin in the crowd were electrified. Out of over ten thousand ninjas, only four people—the Hokage, his Assistant, and the two Elders—actually made decisions. The "Jonin Council" was a joke with no real power. But "reforming the ranks"? That meant a chance for real influence.
Koharu and Homura, the village elders, exchanged a nervous glance. Systemic reform? He never consulted us on this! But looking at the fiery morale of the shinobi, they stayed silent. To speak against Hiruzen now would be political suicide.
Hiruzen raised a hand, and the murmurs died instantly.
"Now, for the results of the audit."
"Overall, your spirit is strong! Your speed is commendable... but there are issues."
He turned a cold eye toward Danzo. "Root. What happened? Why were you the last to deploy?"
"I'm not holding Root accountable for Kushina because you've done good work in the past. I don't expect a shadow unit to see every move an enemy makes."
Danzo's heart skipped a beat. Is he going to use me as a scapegoat? "I... I take full responsibility," Danzo barked. He couldn't explain the truth: that Root agents are trained to wait for his personal orders before moving, unlike the Anbu who act on instinct.
"You certainly do!" Hiruzen snapped. "Danzo, I know you're busy with the reorganization, but that is no excuse for a lapse in response. However, I believe in second chances."
The crowd watched, mesmerized. This was a high-level power play.
"To ensure better coordination, Root is officially dissolved. Its members will be folded into the Anbu. Danzo, you will serve as the Vice-Commander of the Anbu while retaining your title as Hokage's Assistant. I expect results that justify the village's faith in you."
"When the village is in danger, I will be the first to charge! You, as my Assistant, must be the second!"
"If this happens again, I will not be so lenient. I want your word. A blood oath."
Danzo's eyes lit up. He's making me Vice-Commander? I'm still in the game! He felt a surge of adrenaline. This was his chance to prove he was Hokage material.
"If such a failure occurs again," Danzo shouted, stepping forward with dramatic flair, "Take my head as payment!"
"Good!" Hiruzen shouted back. "That is the spirit of a Konoha Elder!"
A smattering of applause broke out. To Danzo, it sounded like a standing ovation. He had never been cheered for before.
Hiruzen then turned to the late arrivals. He walked over to Hizashi Hyūga.
"Hizashi. Was there a private clan meeting today that kept you from the field?" Hiruzen's voice was gentle, but the question was a razor.
Hizashi lowered his head. He felt the judgment of the other clans. He couldn't say "the Main House made me wait." The Hyūga was a "village within a village," a fortress of tradition that often ignored the Hokage's needs.
"No... Lord Hokage. It was an... oversight," Hizashi whispered.
"I respect the traditions of the Hyūga," Hiruzen said, giving the clan a "way out." "Maintaining the Byakugan at all times within the village would be a breach of privacy for everyone. I understand why you might be hesitant to deploy immediately."
The ninjas around them nodded. Everyone appreciated their privacy.
"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Hokage," Hizashi sighed, relieved.
"That said," Hiruzen's voice shifted, "I want you in the Anbu, Hizashi. The village needs your eyes."
In the past, the Hyūga always refused Anbu service to keep their "Branch members" under clan control. But today, under the weight of Hiruzen's new presence, Hizashi didn't even hesitate.
"It would be my honor, Lord Hokage!"
Hiruzen smiled. "Excellent. I see the Will of Fire in you... and in the Hyūga clan."
Hiruzen turned back to the general crowd. "Finally, to the Chunin and Genin who rushed here—I am proud of you. You saw the scale of the combat between myself and Orochimaru, and you didn't hesitate. With shinobi like you, Konoha will always lead the world!"
"I promise you: the village will reward your dedication!"
"Dai! Did you hear that?" Might Dai wept openly, clutching his son. "That is the power of youth! That is the Hokage's Way!"
"Father! I will work ten times harder!" young Might Guy sobbed. "Let's go for a five-hundred-lap run right now!"
Hiruzen chuckled. Those two are something else.
He walked over to his son, Shinnosuke, who was still holding young Asuma and Kakashi.
"And you two?" Hiruzen asked, picking up the two toddlers. "Did you come to help too?"
"I... I thought you fell asleep with your pipe and set the house on fire," Asuma said, his eyes red from crying. "I asked Lady Tsunade and Lord Jiraiya to bring us here to save you. I'm sorry, Dad... I shouldn't have called you a 'decrepit old man' at school."
The crowd erupted into good-natured laughter.
Hiruzen laughed too, hugging his son. "You're a good brat. We'll talk about your 'school stories' when we get home."
Using family moments to build rapport with subordinates... some things never change, Arata thought.
"Alright, everyone! Back to your posts!"
"Danzo, Homura, Koharu—meeting in my office tomorrow at 9:00 AM sharp."
"Sakumo, a word. Take Hizashi and get him fitted for his Anbu gear."
Sakumo nodded silently.
As the crowd dispersed, Tsunade and Jiraiya walked up.
"Pops, you're back to your old self," Jiraiya beamed. "But I'm still mad! You're still playing favorites with Orochimaru! You invited him to dinner and not us?"
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up, Jiraiya. Who would invite a loud-mouthed idiot who spends all his time peeping at bathhouses?"
"What?! Tsunade, how can you say that!"
Orochimaru walked up, a rare, genuine smile on his pale face. "Sensei, Tsunade... let's go. If we keep listening to this fool, the food will get cold."
"You snake! Say that to my face!" Jiraiya yelled, chasing after them.
Hiruzen watched his students bicker, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't felt since arriving. Tsunade hummed a small tune, her face glowing in the golden light of the setting sun as they all walked toward the Sarutobi estate.