Hiruzen Sarutobi cast a subtle glance at Kakashi.
More importantly, when the vote had been taken on whether to declare war on Kumogakure, Shibi Aburame had unmistakably thrown his support behind Kakashi.
"Nara Shikaku."
Kakashi spoke the second name without hesitation.
Even Hiruzen himself had to admit there was nothing to criticize about this choice. He frequently sought Shikaku's counsel on the trickiest matters.
"But Shikaku is the Jōnin Commander," the Third Hokage pointed out, raising the most sensitive issue.
The Jōnin Commander held real power—the authority to mobilize every jōnin in the village. Aside from the Hokage himself, it was arguably the strongest military position in all of Konoha.
Transferring Nara Shikaku to the Council of Elders might look like a promotion on paper, but in reality it was a demotion.
One had only to remember that the previous Jōnin Commander had been none other than Minato Namikaze.
"Akimichi Chōza can succeed him as Jōnin Commander, with Might Guy serving as his deputy. At the same time, Yamanaka Inoichi will be promoted to Head of the Intelligence Division."
Akimichi Chōza, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Nara Shikaku—the legendary Ino–Shika–Chō trio. Trading the Jōnin Commander and the Head of Intelligence for Shikaku's seat on the Council of Elders wasn't a loss at all. If anything, it was a net gain.
As for Might Guy, his extraordinary contributions alongside Kakashi on the Land of Frost battlefield—where the two of them had coordinated perfectly to eliminate two jinchūriki—still hadn't been properly rewarded. Naming him deputy Jōnin Commander was the least Konoha could do.
Still—
Hiruzen stole another quiet glance at Kakashi.
Making Might Guy deputy to Akimichi Chōza practically guaranteed that, in a few years, the "deputy" would become the commander.
Which raised the question: what would happen to Chōza then?
They couldn't very well cycle through temporary commanders and intelligence heads just to shuffle Shikaku upward… could they?
"In due time, Akimichi Chōza can take over as Commander of the Anbu."
As though reading the old man's mind, Kakashi answered the unspoken question first.
That position was no less critical. With Kakashi intending to completely redefine the Anbu's authority, Hiruzen could already picture a future where every department in Konoha worked at peak efficiency—because no one would dare slack off under the Anbu's watchful eye.
Handing such a vital organization to Akimichi Chōza was a clear sign of respect toward the entire Ino–Shika–Chō alliance.
"This will have to be discussed with Shikaku beforehand," Hiruzen cautioned. "To avoid unnecessary resentment."
Kakashi was promoting fresh blood while still taking care of the old guard. The balance pleased the Third Hokage more than he let on.
"The third name is Hyūga Hiashi."
Hiruzen silently studied Kakashi again.
There was no need to ask. This kid had simply rounded up every single person who'd voted for war earlier.
"Couldn't you at least pretend to be subtle?" Hiruzen asked, rubbing his temple. "Save a little face for the other side?"
Kakashi rolled his visible eye. "I'm not finished."
Hiruzen exhaled through his nose. "Then by all means, continue."
A faint gleam danced in Kakashi's eye, and the corner of his mouth twitched upward.
That half-smirk looked almost mocking to the Third Hokage.
"Uchiha Fugaku."
—
In the Uchiha district, Fugaku stared at the appointment letter in his hand, brows knitted in confusion.
Council of Elders?
What exactly was the new Hokage playing at?
The one thing he knew for certain was that Uchiha Fugaku could not refuse.
A new official always brought three fires. If he snubbed the new Hokage on day one, he might as well paint a target on the entire clan's back.
With a mixture of nerves and reluctant curiosity, Fugaku set off for the Hokage Tower.
When he arrived, a staff member was already waiting to escort him—not to the Hokage's office, but to the large conference room on the third floor. Only then did he realize he wasn't the only one summoned.
Nara Shikaku. Hyūga Hiashi. Aburame Shibi.
"Clan Head Fugaku, glad you could join us."
Before Fugaku could ask the others what was going on, a familiar voice cut through the air.
The silver-haired man in the red-and-white Hokage robes stepped out from a side door and claimed the head seat without ceremony.
"Hokage-sama."
The four clan heads bowed in unison.
"No need to stand on ceremony," Kakashi said, motioning for them to sit. "I assume you've all read your appointment letters."
Of the four, only Shikaku had been briefed in advance. The other three still had no idea what this "Council of Elders" actually meant.
"Shikaku."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Shikaku rose smoothly and activated the projector. Bold white characters appeared on the screen:
Council of Elders
In private Kakashi still called him "Senior Shikaku" out of respect, but this was official business. The Hokage did not bow.
"In simple terms," Shikaku began from the podium, "the Council of Elders is a new body created to assist the Hokage in governing the village. Its primary duty is to oversee all village affairs—"
Uchiha Fugaku felt the room spin.
All village affairs?
Wasn't that… the Hokage's job?
A pie this enormous had just fallen straight into his lap, and he hadn't even reached for it.
His pulse thundered in his ears; the rest of Shikaku's explanation became a distant hum.
"…and those are the duties and authority of the Council of Elders." Shikaku concluded sometime later. "We will work together for Konoha's future."
Kakashi swept his gaze across the table, lingering on Fugaku for half a second.
"Any questions?"
Silence.
"If there are no objections, you will all assume your new posts starting tomorrow."
Aburame Shibi adjusted his sunglasses and spoke first. "No questions from me."
Kakashi's eye twitched. "…"
"I have none either," Hyūga Hiashi declared calmly. "Since the Hokage places such trust in me, I will not disappoint."
Kakashi gave a small nod.
Of the four, Hiashi—and by extension the entire Hyūga clan—was the one he trusted most. So long as their Byakugan remained both utilized on the battlefield and protected from falling into enemy hands, the Hyūga had no reason to oppose any Hokage. It was a perfectly symbiotic relationship.
"I… I have no objections either," Fugaku managed, his voice betraying a trace of excitement he couldn't quite suppress.
Kakashi looked at him for a long moment.
"Good. Then starting tomorrow, I expect each of you to give everything for Konoha's future."
————
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