"A bunch of fools, sitting here scheming while completely underestimating the Hokage!" The former Hyuga clan leader, Hyuga Tennin, stormed into the room, leaning on his cane.
"Old clan leader!"
"Your health—should you be up?"
The elders rushed forward to assist him, but Tennin brushed them aside. He strode to the center of the room, straightening his posture despite his reliance on the cane. Even at his age, the former Warring States-era ninja still carried an imposing presence.
Tennin fixed his gaze on the elder who had suggested arresting the Uchiha. "You and your descendants are stripped of your status as the main family, effective immediately. The main branch has no need for fools."
"Old clan leader—!" The elder tried to plead.
"Take him away. Seal him with the Caged Bird Seal".
Without acknowledging his protests, Tennin waved his hand. Two other elders, clearly fed up with the man, dragged him out and handed him over to the guards before returning to their seats.
Once they settled, Tennin continued, "Do not think you can challenge the Hokage in the name of this clan. He is not someone to be underestimated. Just because he has been mild-mannered in the past does not mean he lacks resolve. Strength demands respect. I have personally observed his training with my Byakugan—his power is immense. His chakra reserves are nearly on par with Hashirama's.
"Look at his methods. Today, he removed a Hokage assistant without hesitation. He does not waver. At the jonin meeting, our stance is clear—we support the Hokage. That is final."
Hyuga Hayato hesitated before speaking. "Old clan leader, is there something we're missing?"
"We don't need to know everything," Tennin replied. "The Hokage has already made his stance clear. You are the clan leader now, not me. I am just an old man nearing the end of his life. The future of the Hyuga rests on your shoulders."
"You already miscalculated once, when handling the Security Department, and the Hokage will not hesitate to step in if needed. Hayato, don't take this lightly. You have never seen Hashirama's true strength."
With those parting words, Tennin turned and walked out, his cane tapping against the floor.
The remaining elders sat in silence, some deep in thought, others stunned.
The elders and clan leaders of the Sarutobi clan also gathered for a meeting, though it was largely symbolic. With a clan member serving as Hokage, they had little to worry about—as long as they didn't overstep their bounds, the Sarutobi clan would remain unaffected.
Meanwhile, the Shimura clan held their own meeting, but this one was far from calm. Clan leader Shimura Hiroshi sat at the head of the gathering, his expression dark.
"Look at what you've done," he said, his voice heavy with frustration. "Today, the Hokage has dismissed an assistant, yet all of you still continue to rely on Danzo's influence to stir things up. Do you really think Danzo can protect you? Look at Koharu who were stripped of her own position.
"Do you think the Hokage won't take action against his own teammates? That he removed Koharu out of sentimentality? What makes you think Danzo is any different?"
One of the elders scoffed. "The law doesn't punish the masses. We've united many smaller families, and in the upcoming Jonin meeting, we have their support. If Sarutobi dares to make a move, he won't be facing just us."
"Times have changed," another elder argued. "This isn't the Warring States era. The village system is in place, and as Hokage, he holds the power. Unless he makes a critical mistake, we have no chance of rallying the ninja clans to remove him."
"Forget about trying to remove him," Shimura Hiroshi interjected, shutting down the idea. "He's been in power for years and has solidified his position. That ship has sailed. Instead, we need to focus on how to protect the clan through this ordeal."
After a brief silence, another elder spoke up. "The Fire Trade Company scandal has implicated a lot of families. Our best move is to unite the senior-ranking ninjas and suppress this issue at the Jonin meeting."
The room hummed with quiet agreement, but the tension remained. The coming days would be critical for the Shimura clan's survival.
"What are you thinking? This matter can't be suppressed. If you try to cover it up, Danzo's chances of becoming an assistant to the Hokage will be gone. Besides, do you even understand what the Fire Trade Company represents? It's a massive financial asset for the village. Do you really think the Uchiha, Hyuga, Senju, and other major clans will just let it slide?"
"The families involved in this scandal are all minor clans, and even with their numbers, they won't hold much sway in the upcoming Jonin meeting."
"Then should we wait for Danzo to return and let him handle it? He's young, clever—maybe he'll come up with a better solution." The remark was clearly an attempt to shift the blame onto Danzo. One could only wonder what he'd think once he got back.
With the events at the Hokage Building, it was as if a stone had been thrown into still water, sending ripples through the entire village. Konoha had enjoyed years of peace, but now, every ninja clan was holding emergency meetings.
Ordinary villagers remained unaware, but at night, the rooftops were alive with movement. Ninja flitted across the skyline, exchanging glances—some with knowing smiles, others in silence. Information was being traded, deals struck between clans. Everyone was working to gain the upper hand before the Jonin meeting.
As time passed, more and more ninja from Konoha's various departments returned to the village. The day before the meeting, Danzo and Nara Shikaru finally arrived. Without stopping to rest or visit home, they went straight to the Hokage's office.
Danzo knocked on the door. Inside, Hiruzen was in the middle of a conversation with Torifu.
"Torifu, you're back too," Danzo greeted with a smile.
Shikaru hesitated for a moment, debating whether to hand over his report immediately or wait for a better time. Hiruzen, noticing his hesitation, simply reached out and took the scroll from him, placing it on his desk without a word.
Seeing this, Torifu stood up and excused himself.
Danzo, still holding his own scroll, hesitated before finally making up his mind. With a firm expression, he placed it heavily into Hiruzen's hand, then turned and left without another word.
Meanwhile, Torifu strolled out of the Hokage Building, taking in the village scenery. Having spent most of his time in the Land of Iron, he found himself unfamiliar with the changes in Konoha. The village had transformed rapidly in the past few years.
A voice called out from behind, snapping him from his thoughts.
"Torifu, when did you get back?"
Turning around, Torifu saw Danzo walking toward him.
Torifu raised an eyebrow. "You returned two days before me. Why did it take you so long to get back? Weren't you just reporting to Hiruzen? That was quick."
"The Fire Trade Company situation is complicated," Danzo replied casually. "I had to return suddenly, which caused some delays. Shikaru is handling the report now. Come on, let's find a place to eat."
"There's something we should discuss," Torifu said. Then, with a grin, he added, "Let's head to Akimichi Barbecue places. I'll have someone arrange a private room."
Danzo slung an arm around Torifu's shoulders and chuckled. "That sounds perfect. We've been away for months—we haven't had a proper village meal in far too long."
As the two headed off for their long-awaited meal, another conversation was taking place elsewhere.
In the Hokage's office, Shikaru was reporting on the Fire Trade Company's situation to Hiruzen. The Hokage listened carefully while scanning the scroll Shikaru had handed him, his brow furrowing as he read.
Finally, Hiruzen looked up and asked, "Shikaru, did you write this investigation report on the Fire Trade Company by yourself, or did you compile it together with Danzo?"
"Hokage, the assistant and I conducted separate investigations," Shikaru replied cautiously. "My findings may be incomplete since the assistant remained there longer. He might have uncovered additional information."
Hiruzen considered this for a moment before nodding. "Understood. You've traveled a long way—go get some rest and prepare for tomorrow's Jonin meeting. I've already asked Shinya to arrange the venue."