Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 72: Just Like Back Then

Under Namikaze Minato's solemn gaze, Danzo remained silent for a moment, his hand slowly reaching for the Hokage's hat.

With every inch his hand extended, his eyes darted toward the shinobi standing behind Minato.

Orochimaru, with his secrets in Danzo's grasp, supported Minato. But to Danzo, this was merely another way to weaken Minato by leveraging Orochimaru's loyalty.

Tsunade and Jiraiya, despite their high reputation in the village, had never translated their influence into political capital. They had spent years away from Konoha, leaving them with no established internal power base. Those who might have supported them had long since aligned with others.

Just like the small, exiled heirs of minor nations relying on Konoha for restoration, without being part of the core political system, their status and fame meant little.

Even the Hyuga clan, who might have supported Minato, now stood behind him. Hyuga Fuji, after all, was merely a branch member.

As for Uchiha Fugaku's unexpected awakening of the Mangekyo Sharingan—while surprising, as long as Minato couldn't gain momentum, the Uchiha would never truly stand at Konoha's core.

And his greatest rival, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had already lost his position as Hokage, along with the support of the major clans. He no longer had the power to suppress him.

Danzo had solidified alliances with the ninja clans and members of the Twelve Guardian Ninja intent on strengthening the daimyo's authority. With their support, he had obtained a crucial decree from the daimyo.

If Minato were to fail to ascend to the Hokage position and leave Konoha, Danzo—with the advisors and clan backing—could shatter the remaining factions supporting Minato, preventing them from regrouping.

He could win.

I'm so close. But why… why can't I move my hand forward?

Do they really dare resort to force in Konoha?

Here, in this place, in this moment—they wouldn't dare… they wouldn't…

Yet, Danzo's hand trembled and stopped just short of the Hokage hat. For a fleeting moment, the scene before him shifted, and he was transported back to the day their teacher decided the future of the Hokage position.

Back then, his comrades had asked, "Who's willing to stay behind and hold off the enemy?"

How similar this was to that moment.

The man before him seemed to transform into their teacher, and the act of reaching for the Hokage hat felt like the answer to that fateful question.

"Will you stay behind?"

Since the day he became a shinobi, hadn't he resolved himself to make such sacrifices?

Just say it. Say that you will. One sentence, and the Hokage position will be yours.

It's just one sentence. Just one motion to take the hat. Why… why is it so hard?

Danzo's hand trembled before finally lowering. His voice rasped as he spoke:

"I've lost."

Minato silently watched him for a moment before placing the Hokage hat on his own head. His voice was calm yet firm as he announced:

"From this day forward, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado are dismissed from their roles as advisors. Uchiha Fugaku and Tsunade will assume these positions."

"Shimura Danzo is hereby removed as Hokage's advisor. Hyuga Fuji will take on the role of the new Hokage's advisor."

"Effective immediately, Root will be placed under the command of Orochimaru."

The announcement was met with silence. No one dared to voice opposition—not even Koharu or Homura.

Even Kazuma, who believed he had the daimyo's backing, dared not speak a word, let alone mention Danzo's appointment by the daimyo. He stood silently, head bowed, not daring to protest.

Danzo cast a faint, almost mocking glance at Kazuma before turning to Hiruzen.

"I've lost. But this time, I didn't lose to you, Hiruzen."

Hiruzen stepped forward, standing behind Minato. His expression was complicated as he replied, "Yes."

Under the watchful eyes of the gathered shinobi, Danzo slowly turned around.

Behind him, there was no one left.

When the chakra of the tailed beasts and Susanoo erupted earlier, the ninjas from the clans had retreated in fear, distancing themselves.

Now, standing several meters away, those who met Danzo's gaze quickly averted their eyes, unwilling to make contact. None dared look toward the Fourth Hokage either.

Danzo chuckled bitterly, his laughter a mix of self-mockery and scorn, as he glanced at the only two remaining nearby shinobi.

"Are you Hiruzen's contingency plan? Too bad—you weren't needed."

Sarutobi Torima glanced at Minato and Tsunade, whose expression was less than friendly. With a wry smile, he replied, "I'm just glad I wasn't needed."

If the situation had reached a point where he was the decisive factor, it would have been a worst-case scenario.

Still, not being needed wouldn't spare him from Tsunade's inevitable wrath. Hopefully, she would go easy on him.

Hyuga Hiashi, expressionless, cast a brief glance at Danzo before stepping forward to kneel before Minato.

"During my time in Konoha, I failed to uphold my duty and aided in wrongdoing. I am willing to relinquish my position as clan head to Hyuga Hizashi and humbly ask for the Hokage's forgiveness on behalf of the Hyuga clan."

"You may step down. However, from this day forward, the Hyuga clan will abolish the Caged Bird Seal system!"

Minato's tone was steady and brooked no argument.

At this moment, no one dared to object.

Hiashi looked at Minato and the strongest shinobi forces in the ninja world behind him. His stern expression softened slightly, and he even seemed on the verge of a smile.

The tide had turned. Who would dare oppose it?

He bowed deeply. "The Hyuga clan obeys. Effective immediately, the Caged Bird Seal system will be abolished, and the branch family seals will be removed under the guidance of Advisor Tsunade."

Danzo, overhearing the exchange, didn't turn back. His expression dazed, he walked away, looking like a discarded relic.

Just like back then, he had lost.

This time, he had lost to Namikaze Minato.

He had lost to… a new era.

After receiving Hiashi's answer, Minato adjusted his Hokage hat and looked back at those behind him. Meeting their bright, expectant gazes, he smiled gently.

"From now on, this is our era."

It wasn't his era alone. It belonged to everyone who had supported him and walked this journey with him.

"Yes!"

A cheer burst from the crowd, uncontainable excitement spreading among the shinobi.

The cries of joy grew louder, resonating throughout all of Konoha.

Fugaku, his face flushed with emotion, allowed a rare smile to spread across his usually stern features.

A small figure squeezed through the crowd to stand by his side. Noticing this, Fugaku allowed him into his Susanoo for protection.

"Father, I have a request," young Itachi said seriously, looking up at his father.

"Speak."

"In the future, I want to serve by the Hokage's side and assist him."

Fugaku blinked in surprise before smiling warmly and patting his son's head.

"Then it'll depend on whether you have the strength to do so."

A shinobi is a person first, then a warrior. Such responsibilities shouldn't be left to the younger generation alone.

Minato's gaze swept across the crowd, pausing on Hyuga Fuji. His voice was warm as he said, "Thank you."

Fuji, a small smile playing on his lips, shook his head. "There's no need to thank me. You don't need to fight for power or engage in political struggles—that would only limit your abilities."

Minato's eyes reflected Fuji and the others, his expression soft. "You're right. My strength is all of you."

Hearing this, Fuji glanced at Fugaku and the others.

The strong could often act alone, resolving most problems by themselves.

The weak, understanding their limitations, united to face stronger forces.

Fuji acknowledged the importance of individual strength but also the power of collective unity.

When the truth comes to light, will you all stand behind me… or in my way?

In the distance, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado looked on with deeply complicated expressions.

On October 30, Year 46 of the Hidden Leaf, Konoha turned a new page.

So too did the ninja world.

(End of Chapter)