Chapter 89: The Hokage Nomination
"To placate the victims' families, we issued compensation at the maximum rate," Uchiha Douguang said unhurriedly. "The Police Force feared the situation would escalate if we didn't act decisively."
"After all," he continued, "this case's duration and the breadth of those involved were far beyond our expectations. If we couldn't give the victims a satisfying answer, it would undermine the village's stability. Every single ryō the Police Force used has been recorded in this ledger—please review it carefully, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen Sarutobi flipped through the ledger briefly before placing it aside. With professional bookkeepers—ones Douguang had acquired during his 'visit' to Cardo—the records were flawless. There was nothing to critique.
Still, Hiruzen knew the truth: that much money clearly wasn't needed just for compensation. But the money had already been spent, and given the current climate, there was little he could do.
Coupled with the faint but ever-present threat in Douguang's tone, Hiruzen could only nod. "You've considered this thoroughly, Douguang."
He signed the report.
Looking up, Hiruzen feigned casualness. "Douguang, how is the investigation into the two former advisors progressing?"
"Hokage-sama," Douguang said calmly, "our investigation found no link between the two former advisors and the plot with Orochimaru. However, many of the instigators from the uprising identified them as the masterminds behind the incident. The Police Force is currently verifying whether they had contact with foreign agents."
That one sentence dashed Hiruzen's hope of quietly releasing his old comrades.
After a long pause, Hiruzen reminded gently, "They've served the village for many years. Even if they made mistakes, they've also sacrificed much. I hope the Police Force will exercise restraint."
Douguang gave a faint, ambiguous smile. Hiruzen said no more.
After wrapping up his business, Douguang left through the main entrance. As he walked, several Jonin greeted him with warm smiles. Even masked ANBU gave respectful nods.
This scene, witnessed by Jiraiya from a window, made the Hokage Advisor sigh inwardly.
Just then, Uchiha Itachi arrived—crossing paths with Douguang and his entourage.
The Uchiha in the escort all stiffened at the sight of Itachi. Everyone knew he had moved out of the Uchiha district, and after yesterday's sudden promotion to ANBU Commander without informing the clan, many viewed it as betrayal. Some elders had even petitioned Douguang to 'clean up the traitor.' It was only Douguang's intervention that stopped them.
As they passed one another, neither said a word.
"…Itachi," Douguang suddenly called back.
Itachi turned, finding Douguang walking toward him with a smile.
"Congratulations," Douguang said.
"Congratulations?" Itachi frowned.
"Yes, on becoming ANBU Commander. Fugaku-san was very pleased when he heard the news. Still… a promotion this big, and the clan only found out afterward?" Douguang said with a smile.
Itachi noticed the growing crowd of curious onlookers—Jonin and ANBU alike. He realized he had to draw a clear line here and now. If people thought the ANBU Commander was aligned with the Uchiha, it would be over.
"Please refer to me by my official title while on duty, Captain Douguang. That's something you taught me yourself," Itachi said firmly.
"No need to be so serious, Captain Itachi," Douguang said playfully. "We're all village shinobi—and family. Can't we speak openly?"
"Captain Douguang, there's no misunderstanding between us," Itachi replied with a blank expression.
"I just want us to stand together. After all, we share the same blood. Wouldn't working together help us both serve the village better?"
Douguang leaned in slightly and whispered, "Think carefully. This is your last chance."
Itachi turned his head—Douguang still smiled pleasantly.
After a moment's pause, Itachi replied, "I'm not sure what you mean. Aren't all Konoha shinobi on the same side?"
"Is that so?" Douguang smiled again.
"Apologies—I'm needed elsewhere. Good day." Itachi turned and walked away without looking back.
"Clan Head, shall we…?" whispered Police Captain Uchiha Tetsusuke, voice heavy with killing intent.
"No need," Douguang waved it off. "I've given him enough chances. Fugaku and Shisui can't say I didn't try."
——
The encounter quickly spread through the ninja clans and Jonin corps. Itachi's public severing of ties with the Uchiha erased Hiruzen's remaining doubts.
But inside ANBU, those already skeptical of Itachi's appointment now stopped pretending to respect him. Only the Ino-Shika-Cho clan members followed orders reliably. Everyone else acted passively and gave minimal effort.
Meanwhile, Douguang's influence only grew. With lavish banquets and blatant monetary rewards, more shinobi from both ANBU and the Jonin corps grew close to him. The formerly secret "One-Heart Society" now operated openly. Though ANBU still followed secrecy protocols, the Jonin corps was another matter—plenty of civilians and small-clan shinobi openly declared themselves members.
Hiruzen was powerless. He was still Hokage—but he couldn't police what shinobi did after hours. And technically, Douguang was doing nothing wrong. Every banquet began with a toast to the Will of Fire.
Realizing time was against him, Hiruzen sent a nomination letter to the Land of Fire's capital: his official endorsement of Jiraiya as the Fifth Hokage.
The village buzzed within days.
"Did you hear? They're selecting the Fifth Hokage!"
"Yeah, I heard the Third is nominating Jiraiya-sama."
"What's it got to do with us?"
"Well, word is Jiraiya doesn't get along with the Uchiha Clan Head. If he wins, maybe he'll reign in the Police Force and get justice for those of us who got beaten."
"For real?" said one villager who had been roughed up during the lockdown. "Then I'm backing Jiraiya all the way!"
——
These rumors spread rapidly. Soon, the village was abuzz with claims like "Jiraiya will be the Fifth Hokage!" and "The Police Force's golden days are over!"
Naturally, the most immediate result was that all the thugs who'd been behaving after the lockdown started acting up again. Complaint letters flooded the Police Force once more.
Inside his office, Douguang laughed coldly as he shredded yet another complaint.
"The old man's not even pretending anymore?"
He walked to the window, summoned a hawk, and sealed a coded letter to its leg.
"Time to give him a proper sendoff," Douguang muttered, patting the hawk. It screeched and soared toward the east.
Returning to his desk, Douguang calmly prepared tea.
As the aroma of the steeping leaves filled the room, he glanced at the calendar.
Konoha Year 56 — December 10th.
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