Chapter 188

"The Second Hokage, the Third Hokage, and even the Fourth—none of them had the full approval of everyone. Yet, they still became Hokage, didn't they?"

Toshiro's words landed like a heavy boulder in the tranquil waters of Shisui's mind, sending shockwaves through the thoughts he'd just managed to steady.

He wanted to refute Toshiro's argument, but the truth of it left him momentarily speechless. How could he deny what was so clearly evident?

Had the Third Hokage earned the approval of everyone? At the very least, the Uchiha clan hadn't accepted him—if they had, there wouldn't have been such bitter sentiments at their clan meetings.

And the Fourth Hokage? Shisui knew all too well that people like Danzō and Orochimaru had certainly never agreed with his appointment either.

Toshiro's logic left him no room to argue.

"There are even those who think the Fourth Hokage is too young, just a puppet controlled by the Third Hokage, and that's why they opposed him as leader."

"No one can gain the approval of everyone," Toshiro continued, noticing the impact his words were having on Shisui. "At best, you can win over the majority."

Ignoring Shisui's growing unease, he pressed on. "An organization is always led by a majority. You don't need universal approval. I'm confident that you could become Hokage."

"The Third Hokage is already old... How much longer will he live? A decade? Fifteen years at most?"

"And when he's gone, you'll still be under thirty—at the peak of your strength, in the prime of your life."

"When the time comes, if you desire it... the Fifth Hokage position will be yours!"

At this point, Toshiro no longer avoided Shisui's gaze. He met Shisui's eyes directly, his stare intense and unwavering.

In his view, all the attempts by the Uchiha to stage an armed coup or Fugaku's idea of a 'bloodless revolution' were misguided. They were roundabout solutions.

"If you want to be Hokage, say it openly," he said. "Who's going to stop you? There's no need to win over the entire village. A few supporters are enough. When the Third Hokage steps down, I'll have the leverage to control who becomes the next Hokage."

Even if Jiraiya were to challenge this, Toshiro reasoned, what could he really do? Tsunade, with her hemophobia, was practically eliminated from the equation. And if Jiraiya himself showed up, Toshiro believed he could send him running in fear.

"And now it's all out in the open."

After all, Shisui has earned some fame, and his strength is formidable. Even if Kakashi were to challenge him, it's uncertain who would emerge victorious right now.

This is a talent-driven advantage. If the Hokage's office can't present a candidate better than Shisui, the position could remain vacant until someone worthy steps in. At that point, with a bit more effort, the influential figures—like the Konoha Elders—could be pressured into sharing some of their benefits, enough to appease the opposition and those who've been long suppressed by the Hokage faction.

Wouldn't that solidify the Hokage position?

"What? You think some clan members might not accept this plan?"

Seeing the uncertainty in Shisui's eyes, Toshiro wasn't sure how much of his argument was sinking in.

"Shisui, you know deep down—this is the truth!"

"Those ideals, Shisui, they're meant for young people like you, to give you something to aspire to," Toshiro said with a knowing smile.

"Senpai, I..." Shisui began, but he hesitated, feeling as though he might have been caught in an illusion. How could he have been drawn into listening to such rebellious thoughts?

"Shisui," Toshiro interrupted gently, "we still have time. You can observe Konoha with your own eyes, watch how the Hokage leads. Although the Third Hokage is old, he can hold on for another decade or more. You still have time to grasp the full picture."

His tone softened, careful not to push Shisui too hard all at once. Overwhelming him could backfire.

"But Shisui, there's one person you must be cautious of," Toshiro added, his expression turning serious.

Noticing that Toshiro had eased his tone, Shisui breathed a sigh of relief. If the conversation had taken a more extreme turn, challenging everything he believed in, he wasn't sure whether he would have been able to reject it or not.

"Be careful of someone?" Shisui asked, his curiosity piqued. "Who are you talking about, Senpai?"

He thought for a moment. He had no enemies in Konoha or even within his own clan. Could it be...

"Shimura Danzo," Toshiro interrupted his thoughts. "You must be wary of him, Shisui."

"Elder Danzo?" Shisui echoed, feeling a wave of relief. When Toshiro hadn't mentioned the Third Hokage, his tension eased. Just moments before, he had worried that his mentor might criticize the Hokage, which had made him anxious.

"I have a general understanding of Elder Danzo, but... I don't think he would resort to anything drastic against me," Shisui replied, trying to reassure himself. He knew of Danzo's reputation—while his methods were secretive, Shisui hadn't considered him a direct threat.

"I suspect," Toshiro interrupted, "that beneath the bandages covering his right eye... he has a Sharingan."

Shisui's eyes widened in shock, but Toshiro wasn't finished.

"And," he added, his voice steady, "I believe he's also mastered the clan's forbidden technique, Izanagi."

"Izanagi?" Shisui repeated in disbelief, his heart racing.

"Yes," Toshiro nodded, affirming his suspicions. "If you ever come into contact with him, be on guard. He may try to deceive you."

Shisui remained silent, struggling to process the gravity of what he'd just heard.

Hearing that Danzo possessed a Sharingan from his own clan and might have even mastered the forbidden technique "Izanagi," Shisui, despite already being stunned by Toshiro's earlier revelations, felt another wave of shock hit him.

"What?" he exclaimed, his disbelief evident.

"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Toshiro responded, noticing Shisui's skepticism. He continued, "But it's not as far-fetched as it seems. Danzo is, after all, a disciple of the Second Hokage. And considering the long history of rivalry between the Senju and our Uchiha clan, it's not surprising that he might have learned about Izanagi."

Though Toshiro had given his explanation, he still harbored suspicions that the forbidden technique, Izanagi, might have been leaked by Uchiha Kagami—or perhaps by the Senju woman he married. However, such thoughts were buried in the past, and with both individuals now deceased, there was no point in pursuing it further.

"I'll be cautious!" Shisui replied earnestly, though still somewhat unsettled by everything he had just heard. How much he would truly heed the warning, only time would tell.

"Good. You've had enough to think about today—go back and reflect on it," Toshiro said, his tone signaling the conversation's end.

"Understood. I'll take my leave, then," Shisui responded, preparing to depart.

As Shisui stood up to leave, his movements were unusually rushed, a far cry from his usual composed demeanor. In his haste, he even knocked over the teacup in front of him, though Toshiro didn't pay it much mind.

'Still too young and naive' Toshiro thought to himself.

Stepping out of the traditional Japanese-style building, Shisui felt as if he had just woken from a dream, his mind clouded with uncertainty. His soul seemed lost, weighed down by the conversation he'd just had.

His steps were slow and heavy, burdened by confusion. Bathed in the bright spring sunlight, his figure appeared faint and distant, a stark contrast to the lively scenery around him.

Inside, a storm of conflicting thoughts brewed in Shisui's heart, shaking the very foundation of everything he believed in.