Naruto: Uchiha Rejects Konoha

Chapter 98: 98. Hokage? I Uchiha Don't Care!



Except for Konoha, all the five major ninja villages sent people to Amegakure for latent investigation, but facing Pain's Six Paths, one can imagine the fate of these people. 

There has been no news from the people sent, so these shinobi villages are naturally unwilling to give in. Whether they continue to inquire for information or attempt to contact the previous operatives, new people have been sent to Amegakure. 

Nagato and Konan will not give up Amegakure, so when these people arrive, there will only be one result. By then, each village will lose more people, and the conflicts will naturally escalate. It is not impossible for a war to break out in the end. 

Obito doesn't want this to happen. He is looking forward to a war in the ninja world, but he doesn't want the Akatsuki organization to fight against the five major ninja villages. 

Therefore, the conflict must be transferred away from Amegakure. Since you Kumogakure and Iwagakure shinobi are so active, why not have a fight first? 

"According to my investigation, Iwagakure's Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Rōshi, is in this place. Because of his disagreement with Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, he chose to leave Iwagakure alone. Now, he does not have any protective force around him." 

A spatial distortion emerged, and Obito and Black Zetsu appeared from it. The two looked at a valley. 

"Are you alone? Ōnoki is quite trusting of his Jinchūriki..." 

In Konoha, the large conference room in the Hokage Building was opened. In addition to the ninjas with elder seats, some ninja clan leaders of smaller families also appeared in the venue. 

Unlike previous high-level meetings, this kind of meeting was held village-wide. Although it was impossible for every Konoha villager to attend the meeting, the number of participants far exceeded that of previous council meetings. 

"Yagami? Fugaku won't come to the meeting?" 

Hyūga Hiashi saw Yagami approaching the venue, holding a three-colour dango and stepping forward to say hello. 

Now that the Uchiha clan has moved away from Konoha, it is rare to see even one or two Uchiha in the village. 

"Hiashi-dono! The Fugaku clan head has become the CEO of the Uchiha Group, earning millions of ryō every minute. 

How could he have time to attend such a meeting? I, the director of the Uchiha Office in Konoha Village, can attend on his behalf. 

It's nothing important, so there's no need to bother him." 

Yagami waved his hand dismissively, making Hyūga Hiashi and the people eavesdropping nearby look confused. 

What is a CEO? What is Uchiha's office in Konoha Village? Millions of ryō every minute? Is Uchiha so rich now? 

Seeing their confusion, Yagami had no choice but to pull Hiashi aside to explain. After Hiashi and the ninja clan leaders close to him understood, the corners of their mouths twitched. 

In other words, after the Uchiha clan left Konoha, they have developed even better. They no longer want anything to do with Konoha's affairs and keep an office director just to maintain appearances with the Hokage. 

"Ahem! Is everyone here? Then let's get started!" 

The Third Hokage appeared at the door of the conference room with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the two elder advisors. After surveying the venue, he spoke out. 

The originally noisy meeting room immediately quieted, and some people's faces became slightly solemn, clearly understanding the gravity of today's discussions. 

Utatane Koharu frowned slightly when she saw Yagami still holding the three-colour dango in his hand, but she refrained from commenting. Instead, she turned her head aside as though she hadn't seen it. 

"As everyone knows, many things have happened in Konoha recently, and we have faced numerous crises. 

As members of Konoha, you have the right to know the reasons behind these events. Let's begin with the Wood Style. To maintain peace in the ninja world, my teacher, the Second Hokage-sama, initiated research on the Shodai's cells and Wood Style..."

"Considering the dangers of the Wood Style experiment, I eventually stopped all research on Wood Style. 

However, the previous Hokage assisted Danzō, who took advantage of his position to conspire with the rogue ninja Orochimaru to continue the experiments in secret. 

In order to gain control over the power of Wood Style, Danzō even extended his hand to the Uchiha clan..." 

The Third Hokage spoke of Danzō's misdeeds, exposing his treachery and the recent targeting of the village. He made no excuses for his own failures, sharing most of the details, including the involvement of Koharu and Mitokado Homura. The advisors and elders stood up and expressed their apologies. 

The expressions of many attending the meeting darkened significantly. Especially when they heard that Danzō and Orochimaru used war orphans for their experiments, the sound of tables being slammed echoed through the venue. 

When it was revealed that the Nine-Tails' attack might be tied to Danzō and that Uchiha was also a target of his schemes, many turned their eyes to Yagami with mixed emotions. 

Yagami, however, remained indifferent. These were matters he was already aware of. Compared to what the Third Hokage disclosed, he knew far more and was, therefore, not particularly moved. 

As for the conflicted looks from the people of Konoha, he paid them no attention. He didn't believe they intended to apologize to Uchiha. It was more likely they had just realized they had been holding grudges against the wrong people and were unaccustomed to this revelation. 

"What has transpired is a result of my negligence and failure as Hokage," the Third Hokage admitted. "I feel that I can no longer continue to serve in this role. I have convened this meeting so that we may discuss the selection of the Fifth Hokage." 

After finishing his statement, the Third Hokage glanced at Yagami, who appeared completely uninterested in the proceedings. A wave of uncertainty washed over him. 

Although Tsunade's name had been brought up earlier, the Third Hokage had reflected on the matter and realized that, compared to Tsunade or Jiraiya, having someone from the Uchiha clan as Hokage might benefit Konoha the most. 

Uchiha now had wealth, strength, and connections. Moreover, having distanced themselves from Konoha and acquired substantial resources, the Uchiha clan no longer seemed interested in internal village power struggles. 

This situation presented a unique opportunity: having a Uchiha as Hokage was different from allowing the entire clan to seize control. While the Hokage was the village's leader, maintaining the daily operations of Konoha required more than just the Hokage's input. As long as the top leadership wasn't dominated by Uchiha members, the position of Hokage could be effectively managed and even restrained by existing structures. 

After much deliberation with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and other senior officials, the Third Hokage made a decision that surprised even himself. 

"Lord Third Hokage, Danzō's actions are utterly unforgivable, and the harm caused to Uchiha cannot be overstated. 

Now that the time has come to select the Fifth Hokage, I propose that someone from the Uchiha clan be elected. Firstly, the village owes them an apology. Secondly, the Uchiha now have the power to protect the village." 

As soon as the Third Hokage concluded his proposal, an unassuming ninja stood up, nodding briefly at Minfeng before speaking. 

Yagami's mouth twitched. If not for his sharp eyes, he might not have recognized the speaker as a member of the Sarutobi clan. 

"The Mitokado clan has no objections." 

"I also agree... reluctantly." 

"The Shimura clan... supports this motion..." 

Naturally, members of the Third Hokage's faction had no objections, but some older ninjas appeared perplexed. When did Uchiha gain such influence in Konoha? 

Even so, the top leaders of the village made no move to oppose the suggestion, seemingly acquiescing. These were the same individuals who once harboured hostility toward the Uchiha. 

As the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and others maintained neutral expressions, Hyūga Hiashi glanced at Yagami solemnly. "Does Koharu intend to use the Hokage position to reconcile with the Uchiha clan? 

What will you do, Yagami?" 

Yagami stood and spoke with quiet authority, cutting through the tension in the room. 

"Uchiha will not take the position of Hokage. Thank you for being so supportive, but we have no interest in assuming this role. 

At present, our clan is focused on other endeavours. In a few days, you will learn that we have established the Uchiha Group, which will engage in business activities across multiple industries. 

There is much to be done. Therefore, the position of Hokage should go to someone capable and willing. Uchiha will not interfere." 

Yagami's tone was sharp and dismissive, halting further discussion in the venue. 

"You're kidding! When we sought power through the Hokage office before, you denied us. Now that we've left and Konoha struggles, do you think you can hand us the position? 

It's a fine dream, but the role of Hokage is no longer of any interest to us, Uchiha!"

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