Chapter 384: The Choice for Acting Hokage
Konoha, the next morning.
Haneda arrived at the office later than usual, having stayed on the Moon to drink with Sakumo and Kakashi far longer than planned.
By the time he got there, Shikaku had already assumed Haneda wouldn't show up.
All the work initially placed on Haneda's desk had been moved over to Shikaku's.
Watching Shikaku diligently working, Haneda smiled with satisfaction.
He walked over, patted Shikaku on the shoulder, and said cheerfully,
"Shikaku, congratulations!"
Putting down his pen, Shikaku looked up, puzzled.
"Congratulations? For what, Lord Hokage? You're not about to ask me to serve as acting Hokage, are you?"
"Bingo! You guessed it right. Your reward is the position of acting Hokage!" Haneda announced with a grin.
The acting Hokage role was part of a plan Haneda and Shikaku had discussed—a staged "illness" to transition power smoothly.
The idea was that if Haneda pretended to be too ill to work, he could entrust the Hokage's responsibilities to a senior elder.
This would allow the next leader to ease into the position while making it seem like a natural transition.
It was all part of the act. After all, who would believe someone was dying if they were still micromanaging everything?
Even Hashirama Senju had passed on all responsibilities to Tobirama, spending his final days playing cards with Tsunade.
Haneda and Shikaku intended to emulate this precedent.
Realizing Haneda was serious, Shikaku hesitated.
He easily guessed that Kakashi had refused Haneda's offer to take over. Most of the other elders were disinterested in village politics, making him the obvious candidate.
But Shikaku didn't want the hassle. He suspected that once he became acting Hokage, Haneda might push for him to take the role permanently.
He didn't doubt Haneda's motives—after all, Haneda had been Hokage for years but had rarely taken the job seriously.
It wouldn't be surprising if Haneda had been planning to step down for some time, simply waiting for the Fourth Ninja War to conclude, the world to unify, and his ideals to be realized.
At that point, stepping aside would be logical.
Shikaku deliberated for a while. While he had once dreamed of becoming Hokage as a child, his real desire was a simple life—to marry a normal girl and live peacefully.
Being Hokage…
Shikaku couldn't imagine the nightmare of being surrounded by crowds every time he went out to buy groceries.
Straightening up, Shikaku said seriously,
"Lord Hokage, I think there's someone better suited for this role!"
Haneda, sensing Shikaku might try to wiggle out, quickly countered,
"No, Shikaku. You're perfect for this role."
Shikaku pressed on, "No, Lord Hokage. I recommend Shisui Uchiha as acting Hokage! Shisui has served diligently in the Anbu for years and is beloved by his team as a squad captain. He also has a reputation in the ninja world as 'Shisui of the Body Flicker.' His credentials and influence far exceed mine. I truly think he's the best choice!"
"Hmm???"
Hiding behind the office bookshelf, Shisui froze.
How did the discussion about acting Hokage suddenly involve him?
Nearby, Itachi chuckled.
"Shisui, I think you'd make a great Hokage."
Shisui immediately shook his head.
"I'm not suitable for this. There are far more qualified people in the village, like Lady Tsunade or Jiraiya. Even if Shikaku-sama refuses, it shouldn't fall to me."
Itachi smiled knowingly.
"Shisui, have you considered the possibility that Lady Tsunade and Jiraiya also don't want the job?"
Shisui hesitated, then his eyes lit up.
After all, which child in Konoha hadn't dreamed of becoming Hokage?
Shisui deeply loved the village. His ideals had been shaped by the influences of his grandfather, the Third Hokage, Danzo, and Haneda.
Even Danzo, for all his flaws, had wanted to be Hokage.
Shisui couldn't deny he harbored the same ambition.
Now, an opportunity had presented itself. If he actively approached Haneda, there was a real chance he could take the position.
"Shisui, this is your chance! Don't hesitate, or you'll regret it forever!" Itachi encouraged.
"I… I… Forget it," Shisui said, shaking his head. "Becoming Hokage should be decided by everyone. Only someone who has the full trust of the people can truly be Hokage. I don't have that."
Itachi sighed, though he respected Shisui's principles.
Taking shortcuts to become Hokage would weigh heavily on one's conscience.
Itachi knew that if he were in Shisui's position, he would have made the same choice.
Meanwhile, Haneda and Shikaku were still arguing. Shikaku had even suggested Itachi as a candidate for acting Hokage.
But Haneda remained firm—Shikaku was the best fit.
It wasn't that Haneda thought Shisui or Itachi were incapable, but Shikaku already handled much of the Hokage's workload. Passing the role to him would ensure a seamless transition.
Shisui, for all his talents, lacked experience in administrative duties. Even if he became Hokage, Shikaku would still end up doing most of the work.
It was more practical to make Shikaku Hokage directly.
As for Itachi, he was too young to command widespread respect.
Even though Itachi's strength rivaled Tsunade and Jiraiya, his reputation in the ninja world didn't come close.
Working in the Anbu required secrecy, meaning Itachi's achievements and abilities were largely unknown, leaving him without the fame or authority needed for the role.
After about half an hour of back-and-forth, Shikaku adamantly refused.
Haneda finally conceded and agreed to interview Shisui instead.
Hearing his name called, Shisui stepped forward reluctantly.
Itachi encouraged him with a smile,
"Go for it, Shisui. I think you'd make a great Hokage!"
Shisui managed a weak smile and approached Haneda.
"Lord Hokage, Shikaku-sama."
Haneda smiled and said,
"You've probably overheard what Shikaku and I were discussing, right?"
"Yes, it was about the choice for acting Hokage," Shisui replied honestly.
"Shikaku thinks you're a good fit, but I think you lack administrative experience. So I'd like to evaluate you," Haneda explained.
"I'll do my best," Shisui said, maintaining a humble and steady tone that Haneda appreciated.
Haneda had expected Shisui to be ecstatic at the chance to become Hokage, but Shisui remained composed.
This unexpected maturity impressed Haneda.
"First question: if you were Hokage, what's the first thing you'd do?"
Shisui answered confidently,
"I'd hold a Jonin meeting to announce that everything will remain as it is. The elders' council and departmental positions would stay unchanged."
"Lord Hokage, I know I lack experience, so I'd focus on adapting to the role and learning from Shikaku-sama."
Haneda was surprised. He had expected Shisui to make some idealistic statement about bringing happiness to the people—something akin to Haneda's own rhetoric.
But Shisui's pragmatic answer reassured him.
Maintaining the status quo initially would avoid unnecessary disruptions and give Shisui time to grow into the role.
Haneda's greatest fear was that Shisui might start implementing his own ideas too soon, disrupting the carefully laid plans Haneda and Shikaku had devised.
Frequent policy changes erode trust in leadership. Once a government loses credibility, even good policies are met with suspicion.
For Shisui to prioritize stability was exactly what Haneda wanted to hear.
...…