Chapter 121 Aozora's Reason

"But... I don't think this is the right time for the Uchiha to compete for the Hokage position!"

Aozora's words dropped like a stone into still water, sending ripples across its surface.

"Aozora, aren't you against the Hokage regime?"

"What do you mean, Aozora?"

"Now is the perfect opportunity!"

"..."

The room immediately became noisy, but thanks to Aozora's positive impression, people only raised questions rather than showing anger or hostility.

"Cough cough—"

Fugaku lightly coughed twice, stopping the chaotic questioning.

"Don't rush. Let Aozora first explain his reasoning. After that, we can discuss whether it's valid."

In fact, Fugaku had just been tempted. Becoming Hokage was nearly every Konoha ninja's dream, and Fugaku was no exception.

Initially, he only wanted to ensure the clan's survival, but now with Danzo's defection and the Hokage line losing prestige, this seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

However, Fugaku understood exactly who had orchestrated this entire situation. Though Aozora had dampened the ambitions rising in his heart, he still promptly expressed support for Aozora.

Everyone closed their mouths but kept their eyes locked firmly on Aozora.

Talk about going backwards—I used to give speeches under the gaze of their Sharingan!

Internally complaining slightly, Aozora relaxed himself.

As he gradually participated more in clan affairs, Aozora discovered that clan members weren't as terrifying or stubborn as they seemed. Everything could change—it's just that nobody gave them the chance or time to change.

"Firstly, I completely agree with the elders' assessment. If we push forward now, the Third will surely take responsibility and resign."

After the last clan meeting, although his approach of "making a stunning debut" attracted attention, he started off opposing everyone. Given the Uchiha's temperaments, it was unclear how much of what he said afterward they actually listened to.

After reflection, Aozora believed that without being able to use force, following the clan members' opinions might achieve better results.

Upon hearing this, people like Iron Blue, Hachidai, and Aoki who had spoken earlier showed somewhat warmer expressions and prepared themselves to listen carefully to what Aozora would say next.

"I also hope that an Uchiha can become Hokage. However, after careful consideration, I've realized that this isn't the appropriate timing."

Fugaku asked doubtfully, "Why not?"

Aozora raised his index finger.

"First, currently no one from our clan could possibly become a Hokage candidate."

Iron Blue interrupted, "Isn't the Clan Head the best choice?"

Aozora politely bowed toward Fugaku before answering, "Although the Clan Head possesses great power, he has rarely fought since the Second Shinobi World War. He lacks both prestige and achievements worthy of nomination for Hokage!"

Upon hearing this, Fugaku frowned, but after some contemplation, he nodded in agreement with Aozora's opinion.

Aoki then said, "How about Deputy Commander Kintai? He has repeatedly achieved remarkable victories at the front lines and is widely renowned."

Aozora thought for a moment about who Kintai was before replying, "Although Captain Kintai has indeed earned many battle merits, there are other excellent Jonin at the front lines too. Unless he accomplishes feats comparable to those of The Fourth Hokage, his contributions and reputation still wouldn't be sufficient for nomination."

"What about Shisui?"

"You're joking, right?"

"He's just a so-called special jonin!"

"..."

With every name that was raised, the air in the room grew heavier and quieter.

Aozora seized the opportunity to present his second argument.

"Secondly, we Uchiha have no allies. Even if we nominate a Hokage candidate, there's still the jonin confidence vote to pass. Although we have many Uchiha jonin, compared to the entire Konoha village, we're still the minority.

For years, we've isolated ourselves, cultivating no close relationships with other ninja clans or jonin. We hold absolutely no advantage in the confidence vote."

When Aozora's second argument struck home, it completely extinguished everyone's hope of securing the Hokage seat through peaceful means.

Someone filled with despair couldn't help but exclaim, "If peaceful methods won't work, then why don't we directly claim the Hokage position that rightfully belongs to us Uchiha..."

Hearing this, many other clan members' eyes also flashed dangerously, their expressions gradually turning fanatical.

Fugaku immediately stopped them, shouting, "Silence!"

In the past, when he couldn't see any future, he might have gone with the flow. But now that he'd seen hope and a path forward, Fugaku definitely didn't want his impulsive clansmen dragging the clan toward disaster.

Fugaku's voice cut through the silence, cold and unyielding. "That kind of talk is never to be uttered again!"

His words sliced through like a bitter wind, instantly snuffing out the embers rising in his clansmen's hearts.

Then Fugaku swept his stern gaze around the room, ensuring every clan member had taken his words to heart.

After displaying his [Susanoo] earlier that day, Fugaku no longer deliberately hid his strength. Under his stern gaze, the others felt an immense, mountain-like majestic pressure.

After scanning the room, Fugaku addressed Aozora, "Aozora, continue!"

Aozora nodded and continued, "Based on the above analysis, it's extremely difficult for someone from the Uchiha to become the new Hokage. So if we stir things up, who would actually end up taking the Hokage seat?"

"Jiraiya?"

"Jiraiya!"

"..."

The Uchiha weren't stupid—they just usually handled things instinctively, without overthinking.

At this period, throughout the entire Konoha village, in terms of strength, reputation, and achievements, Jiraiya was undoubtedly the best choice.

Aozora nodded slightly and said, "Indeed, the greatest possibility is that the Hokage position will go to Jiraiya. Besides him, Tsunade, who's been absent from the village for years, also has a significant chance."

"Tsunade?"

Everyone whispered in confusion, but after thinking about it further, they nodded in agreement.

Although they disliked Tsunade, her achievements and standing made her a valid candidate for the Hokage seat.

Aozora asked the group again, "So everyone, would you prefer the elderly and guilty Third Hokage continuing as Hokage, or would you prefer one of the powerful and accomplished Sannin taking over?"

Iron Blue rolled his eyes and said, "C'mon, that's a no-brainer—we'd obviously pick the Third."

Hachidai also nodded and said, "It's indeed more advantageous for our Uchiha if the Third continues serving as Hokage."

Aoki unwillingly asked, "Then should we really let this opportunity slip away so easily?"

Aozora carefully examined Aoki. He noticed that this captain who had returned for medical treatment seemed somewhat radical.

Taking note of Aoki's attitude, Aozora said, "Of course not. Just because we're not pushing for the Hokage role ourselves doesn't mean we have to sit on our hands."

Looking at the fully attentive and serious expressions of his clansmen, Aozora couldn't help but feel a swell of smug satisfaction that his current strategy appeared to be playing out perfectly.

Aozora swallowed and moistened his throat.

"If we suddenly move against the Third this time, forcing him to step down, we'd just end up with a younger, more dynamic Hokage. Moreover, once the Third steps down, there's even a chance Danzo could take over the vacant elder seat in the Konoha leadership. The village's top brass would still remain under the control of the First's bloodline.

"Therefore, my suggestion is not only to avoid confronting the Third, but even to support his continuing as Hokage. No matter what, his guilt runs deep, and he will inevitably resign after the war ends. We don't need to rush into anything.

"What we should do is use this opportunity to expand the Police Force, develop allies, and undermine the prestige of the Hokage faction..."

"Jiraiya's not exactly known for settling down either. Once the war concludes, he may very likely continue wandering throughout the Ninja World. That's when our best shot at grabbing the Hokage title will come..."

Inside the Police Force headquarters, although Aozora was not tall, at that moment he shone like the brightest star, guiding the Uchiha forward.

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