The Hyuga Shall Stand Above, In The Heavens!

Land of Fire. 

Konohagakure. 

The familiar central square once again became the stage for a grand event. 

As the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, stepped forward to stand before Hyuga Hitoshi, his scrutinizing gaze fixed on the man, everyone knew that something interesting was about to unfold. 

Meanwhile, in the distance, Uchiha Satoshi, who was about to escort the Fifth Hokage down the red carpet, frowned. 

"Hokage-sama, what do you think?" 

He was worried that the two might disregard decorum and start a fight, disrupting the smooth progress of the succession ceremony. 

Now that Uchiha Fugaku was about to become Hokage, this wasn't just about Fugaku anymore—it concerned the dignity of the entire Uchiha clan. It had to be handled with care. 

"Good, Hitoshi knows his limits." 

Fugaku reassured Uchiha Satoshi, indicating that there was no need to worry. 

The reason why the Kage from the Five Great Shinobi Villages had gathered in Konohagakure was no secret to anyone. 

Ultimately, Fugaku had borrowed some of Hyuga Hitoshi's influence to make this succession ceremony such a grand event. So, he didn't mind if Hitoshi used this occasion to make a statement. 

Besides, he trusted that with Hitoshi's strength, he could handle Rasa without disrupting the ceremony. 

"It's our first meeting, Hitoshi." 

Crossing his arms, Rasa looked down at the seated Hitoshi. His greeting, though seemingly polite, carried the arrogance unique to the leaders of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. 

Unlike Oonoki and the Raikage, who had been utterly crushed by Hyuga Hitoshi, this was Rasa's first time facing him directly. 

But to be honest, Rasa was somewhat disappointed. 

A true powerhouse should either have an aura that commands respect, possess overwhelming charisma, or have some aspect that earns admiration. 

He had expected the man who effortlessly subdued Oonoki and the Raikage to be a towering figure of strength. But the casual and flippant demeanor Hitoshi displayed made Rasa think that Hyuga Hitoshi was nothing special. 

How did he force the Raikage to kneel and break his legs? 

As Rasa stared at Hyuga Hitoshi, this question flashed through his mind. 

He knew the Raikage had suffered at this man's hands. Rumor had it that the Raikage's legs had been so badly injured that he spent months in a wheelchair. Even now, he seemed to have lasting damage. If it weren't for the fact that Kumo's next generation had been severely depleted due to their war with Konoha, the Raikage might have already stepped down. 

"You seem disappointed." 

Hyuga Hitoshi tilted his head slightly. He never expected that his attempt to keep a low profile and avoid stealing the spotlight would lead to the Kazekage looking down on him.

"Yeah, I thought you might have some extraordinary abilities, but it seems aside from being as flippant as the rumors say, I don't see anything special about you."

Rasa's tone was full of disappointment. The fact that someone like this could make the Sun God Kingdom a rival to the five great villages was truly a tragedy for the ninja world.

*Tch.*

If this had been a few years ago, Hyuga Hitoshi might have fallen for Rasa's provocation.

But after years of being in a position of power, Hitoshi's understanding of human psychology had grown far beyond what it once was.

Don't ever think that someone who can become a Kage is a fool.

Hyuga Hitoshi was certain that this kid was here to test him, trying to gauge the confidence of the Sun God Kingdom by his attitude and see if he was truly as self-assured as he appeared.

Rasa's intentions weren't hard to guess.

This was the Fifth Hokage's inauguration ceremony. If Hyuga Hitoshi chose to downplay the provocation, it would suggest that he might not have the confidence to face the five great nations, and all his previous bravado was just a bluff. If he responded with empty threats but let it slide out of respect for the Fifth Hokage, it would also show a lack of confidence. A lot could be inferred from his reaction.

But...

This was just a repeat of what happened with the Raikage. Hitoshi wasn't one to show off, but he always ended up being forced to.

Hyuga Hitoshi sighed softly. Honestly, he had just come to Konohagakure to take a stroll and attend Fugaku's inauguration ceremony, as he had promised the man earlier.

"Why do you all have so much drama? I've already said our time is in the second half. Stop trying to make yourselves relevant now. Why can't you just listen?"

Hitoshi helplessly extended his hand and beckoned Rasa with a finger.

Rasa was stunned, confused by Hyuga Hitoshi's words. But the next moment, his face uncontrollably moved closer to Hitoshi.

*Slap!*

A fierce slap landed, delayed but inevitable. After feeling the world spin around him, Rasa was shocked to realize he could no longer sense his chakra!

And on his face, the character for "seal" had mysteriously appeared.

*Slap!*

Another slap sent Rasa spinning in the opposite direction. Hyuga Hitoshi cracked his neck and then pressed down on Rasa's body from a distance.

*Crack!*

*Thud!*

The sound of bones breaking echoed. When the dust settled, the Raikage, who was standing nearby, saw Rasa kneeling on the ground, and his expression suddenly became very animated.

How familiar this scene was.

As a bystander, he should have been happy.

After all, it was because he had tested Hyuga Hitoshi that his legs still hadn't fully recovered to this day.

The medical ninjas of Kumogakure weren't well-versed in bone regeneration, so they had to fit him with prosthetics to get him out of the wheelchair. But his combat ability had taken a huge hit.

Seeing Rasa experience what he had gone through made the Raikage feel a sense of satisfaction. He had warned Rasa not to provoke Hyuga Hitoshi before everything was over, but Rasa hadn't listened.

Yet, at the same time, the Raikage felt a pang of sadness.

As expected...

Hyuga Hitoshi was still the same Hyuga Hitoshi. When forced to show off and strike back, he didn't hold back at all, maintaining the same tough attitude he was known for.

Yes.

Once, he represented the head of the Hyuga clan. Now, he was the ruler of the Sun God Kingdom. Being tough was expected of him.

But did he really have the confidence to challenge the entire ninja world with just the Hyuga clan?

Thinking this, a look of confusion crossed the his face.

If things really took a turn for the worst...

"Hitoshi, it might be best if you let him stand up.

Oonoki narrowed his eyes, his gaze flickering slightly as he looked at Hyuga Hitoshi.

"Of course, I'm just giving you a friendly reminder. After all, no one knows if you might need him in the near future."

If the Sun God Kingdom were to be defeated, Rasa, as the victor, would have an easy time seeking revenge. Oonoki was suggesting that Hyuga Hitoshi show some mercy now, or he might regret it later.

Some people always have an inexplicable confidence.

In response, Hyuga Hitoshi simply glanced at Oonoki, then pointed at Rasa and then at Oonoki himself.

The message was clear: Did Oonoki want to kneel here alongside Rasa?

In an instant, Oonoki seemed to remember the time he was single-handedly subdued by Hyuga Hitoshi. He quickly straightened up and shut his mouth.

The Land of Wind?

The Sand Village?

Their "partner" Rasa?

Sorry, but they weren't that close!

With that little interruption over, the ceremony continued.

Everything was normal except for the fact that there was now a Kazekage kneeling during the Fifth Hokage's inauguration. Fugaku, with a smile on his face, began walking down the long red carpet.

He strutted forward, waving to the villagers and ninjas around him, while the plants he had placed among the crowd started showering him with flower garlands and praise.

"With Fugaku-sama in power, Konohagakure is saved! With Fugaku-sama in power, we have a bright future!"

"Long live the Fifth Hokage!"

"The Uchiha are invincible!"

"Fugaku of the Mangekyou User is the strongest Hokage!"

The lively atmosphere also energized the onlookers. In this moment of universal celebration, they didn't hold back their applause, clapping so hard that Fugaku's mouth curled into a smug grin.

"Is this really necessary?"

In the VIP section, Terumi Mei, sitting next to Hyuga Hitoshi, twitched her lips and couldn't help but shiver, leaning closer to Hyuga Hitoshi.

She thought about her own inauguration ceremony. While it was grand by Kirigakure standards, it was nothing more than a couple of speeches. There was no red carpet or anything like this. Had Kirigakure been so isolated that they were completely out of touch with the rest of the ninja world?

"Relax, Fugaku just likes to show off. What's wrong with that?"

Hyuga Hitoshi smiled slightly and pointed at the old village leader sitting with Danzo over there.

"Don't judge Fugaku by his act. At least when he shows off, he actually gets things done for Konohagakure. Unlike some people who sit in their positions doing nothing but scheming against their own, all bark and no bite."

"Don't you think if Fugaku had been in charge during the Nine-Tails incident, the Hyuga clan would still be in Konohagakure?"

You jerk!

Who are you trying to mock?

Sarutobi glared at Hyuga Hitoshi. Wasn't it obvious from his tone that he thought Sarutobi was inferior to Uchiha Fugaku?

What right did Uchiha Fugaku have to be compared to Sarutobi Hiruzen?

But he didn't dare say anything, afraid he'd end up kneeling like Rasa during the ceremony. Not only would it ruin the plan, but it would also destroy his reputation.

"That wouldn't do. If Hitoshi were still in Konohagakure, what would happen to me?"

Terumi Mei snorted. If it weren't for Hyuga Hitoshi, how could she have become Mizukage so easily?

"So, shouldn't you thank the old village leader?"

Hyuga Hitoshi raised an eyebrow.

"Thank you, old village leader. Thank you, Konohagakure."

Terumi Mei flashed a sweet smile and gave the old village leader a thumbs-up.

If she wanted to thank someone, she would. Terumi Mei was just that kind of genuine and kind-hearted person, and her gratitude was sincere.

After all, no one in the entire ninja world had expected the Hyuga clan to leave Konohagakure.

"You're welcome!"

The old village leader was so angry his teeth itched. He wanted nothing more than to slap both of them.

"Patience, Sarutobi. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."

Danzo, on the other hand, remained calm. Seeing Sarutobi's face turn red with anger, he even offered some advice.

It was unclear if he had gotten too used to acting in front of the Second Hokage or what, but he even scolded Sarutobi in the same tone the Second used.

"Easy for you to say, standing there without a care..."

"Enough, Sarutobi! I am the next Hokage!"

"...We'll see about that."

"Wait, did you say the wrong line?"

"..."

The grand and extravagant ceremony continued.

Finally, after Fugaku's long, drawn-out walk down the red carpet—stopping every few steps to give a speech—everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

What they had witnessed didn't feel like the inauguration of Konohagakure's Fifth Hokage. It felt more like watching an invincible figure walking the path to godhood, so intense it made their foreheads sweat.

Finally, the red carpet ceremony came to an end. As Fugaku, still savoring the moment, stood at the center of the stage and looked around, he noticed Rasa kneeling on the ground. His eyes lit up. 

"Oh my, Lord Kazekage, there's no need for such a grand gesture! This is too much. How am I, the Hokage, supposed to handle this?" 

After some thought, Fugaku, feeling a bit awkward, glanced around. 

"Itachi! Where's Itachi? Itachi, come here and return the bow to Lord Kazekage!" 

Unfortunately, his eldest son had a more important mission and didn't show up early to return the bow. Meanwhile, Rasa, whose face was pale but still unable to stand, trembling as he knelt, clearly didn't need anyone to return the gesture. 

With the red carpet walk completed, according to the customs of other villages, Fugaku only needed to say a few words, and the succession ceremony would be over. 

But as mentioned, that's how it's done in other villages. 

In Fugaku's carefully planned ceremony, this was just the beginning. 

Next up was the second part of the succession ceremony! 

"Please welcome the past Hokages!" 

Uchiha Satoshi, acting as the host, announced the next segment, sweating profusely. 

If this were a clan leader succession ceremony, he would have called for a ancestral worship ritual. But since this was a Hokage ceremony, there was no need for kneeling or seeking approval. 

According to Fugaku's instructions, they only needed to offer incense to the tablets of the past Hokages. 

It's my time to shine! 

Since even a former Hokage is still a Hokage, and the appointment of the Fifth Hokage was a cause for celebration, Fugaku had invited the Third Hokage as a special guest NPC. 

This was also a crucial part of the quartet's secret plan to overthrow the Uchiha tyranny! 

Following Sarutobi's lead, a group of people came onto the stage, each holding a tablet inscribed with the characters for "First," "Second," "Third," and so on, indicating their identities. 

Yes, Sarutobi Hiruzen carried his own tablet onto the stage—today, he was playing himself. 

With everything ready, Uchiha Satoshi looked solemnly at Fugaku. 

"Please, Fifth Hokage, make your vow!" 

This was part of the ceremony, a moment to prove the new Hokage's determination! 

Fugaku didn't hold back. He first walked up to the "First Hokage, Senju Hashirama," and gave a slight nod. 

"I, the leader of the Uchiha clan, one of the founders of Konohagakure, vow that as the Fifth Hokage, I will work tirelessly to ensure that Konohagakure, with the Uchiha at its helm, remains the undisputed top shinobi village!" 

As agreed! 

The planted audience below immediately began to applaud, and the NPC representing the First Hokage gave a slight nod of approval. 

"The Fifth Hokage has received the First Hokage's acknowledgment! He is a man recognized by the First!" 

Fugaku acknowledged this and continued the process, moving to stand before the Second Hokage. 

"I am a naturally kind-hearted Uchiha, born with the sacred body of a Hokage! Under my rule, Konohagakure will have order in both light and shadow. Do you accept this?"

Fugaku, clearly worked up, was on the verge of yelling at the Second Hokage right then and there. But since this was his inauguration ceremony, he didn't want to cause too much of a scene with the Second. Instead of listing all the ways the Second Hokage had mistreated the Uchiha clan, he chose to take the high road, hoping to make the Second feel ashamed of himself.

In fact, the NPC playing the Second Hokage even knelt down in front of Fugaku, admitting that he had been blind and that Konohagakure was only truly great with the Uchiha clan involved.

This scene, of course, didn't escape the real Senju Tobirama's notice.

"That idiot Sarutobi!"

Clenching his fists in anger, the Second Hokage glared at Sarutobi on the stage.

His disciple hadn't told him about this important part of the ceremony, only mentioning that he'd be summoned at the right moment. If he had known about this earlier, he would have played himself and taken the opportunity to thoroughly humiliate Uchiha Fugaku.

"My father has made a fool of himself."

Beside the Second Hokage, Uchiha Itachi was so embarrassed he wished he could disappear into the ground.

The Second Hokage was right—the Uchiha clan was inherently evil and only sought attention. His decision to act as a whistleblower was correct. He couldn't let his father and the clan continue to ruin the village!

"Don't worry, he won't get another chance to do this."

Senju Tobirama took a deep breath, his gaze softening slightly as he looked at Uchiha Itachi. If the entire Uchiha clan were like Itachi, he wouldn't have to worry about the village's future at all!

Hmm...

In that case, the Uchiha clan would probably collapse on its own, wouldn't it?

The ceremony continued, and this time, Fugaku stood in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Compared to his interactions with the First and Second Hokage, Fugaku's words this time were brief and to the point.

Standing in front of the former Hokage, a hint of pride flashed across Fugaku's face as he looked at Sarutobi like he was a cautionary tale.

"I am the strongest Hokage Konohagakure has ever had!"

And Sarutobi truly was a cautionary tale—a lesson for all future Hokage.

"With the Third Hokage's example, I will make sure I never make the same mistakes!"

That was a brutal blow.

But it didn't matter.

You won't be laughing soon!

Sarutobi Hiruzen coldly stared at Fugaku, like a dog watching an enemy steal its food.

Finally, Fugaku walked up to the Fourth Hokage.

But all he did was sigh.

He had no grudge against the Fourth Hokage. In fact, if Fugaku had been more decisive and led the Uchiha clan to confront the Nine-Tails back then, perhaps the Fourth wouldn't have died.

But what was done was done, and he hadn't thought too deeply about the details at the time.

He just felt that the Fourth's death was suspicious. With the power of the Flying Thunder God Technique, he could have saved himself.

A love story?

Had he seen through the village, realizing he couldn't change the way things were, and decided to entrust it to his future son?

Fugaku didn't know.

He just shook his head:

"You didn't have to die."

And the death of one Hokage wouldn't be enough to wake up an entire village.

Just like how Minato never knew how his son would be treated after his death. Or maybe he firmly believed his son could endure it?

But if that were the case, why did Minato never speak to the Third Hokage again in the original story, after Naruto's chakra connected with everyone and they learned about his suffering over the years?

Humans are truly complicated creatures.

Hyuga Hitoshi, holding the Mizukage, felt a wave of emotion. But in the future, he could ask Minato directly what he had been thinking, and then let Minato see how Naruto, freed from the bonds of Asura, would live in this world.

Hmm.

It would definitely be interesting to see Minato's reaction when he saw people looking at Naruto with disgust, only for his son to immediately tackle them to the ground and give them a beating.

Hitoshi had come back with the intention of doing just that—completely removing the influence of Asura from Naruto's soul.

Simply put, Naruto should just be Naruto. He didn't need to be influenced by Asura's reincarnation. Of course, there was still a chance that even without Asura, Naruto might still choose the path of forgiveness. If that happened...

Then he'd just take away the Nine-Tails and Asura's chakra from him and see how far Naruto could go on his own!

Without the power to back up his talk... that would be quite interesting.

He believed that Naruto would truly be able to make everyone understand each other!

As the ceremony to honor the previous Hokage came to an end,

Fugaku gave his final speech as the new Hokage.

According to tradition, the last step of the inauguration was to ask if anyone had any objections to him becoming Hokage, allowing people to voice their concerns.

Honestly, from Uchiha Satoshi's perspective, this last step was unnecessary. What if someone caused trouble and ruined the mood?

But Fugaku didn't think so. He had worked hard for over half a year just for this moment of praise and glory.

He believed he had won the hearts of the entire village, and with so many plants in the crowd, there was nothing to worry about. So, the formalities had to be followed.

Besides...

"From this day forward, I am the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure!"

Fugaku, wearing the Hokage robe and holding the hat high, looked around proudly. But in his mind, he was thinking about the advice Hitoshi had given him.

If he didn't follow this process, how would the dirty rats come out and make a spectacle of themselves?

So...

Fugaku asked sternly,

"Who agrees? Who opposes?"

The time had come!

Suddenly,

Sarutobi Hiruzen, encouraged by Danzo, stepped forward and slammed his hand on the ground in front of everyone.

"I object!"

Summoning Jutsu!

Whoosh~

Senju Tobirama, the Second Hokage of Konohagakure, made a dazzling entrance!

"My teacher also objects! Uchiha Fugaku, you are not fit to be Hokage!"

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