"The reason I've gathered you all today is to announce something important," said Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Every Jonin in the room turned toward him, everyone except Uchiha Gen, who sat calmly, already knowing what was coming.
"I'm getting old," Hiruzen continued, his voice heavy. "For Konoha's future, the matter of the Fifth Hokage can no longer be delayed."
A ripple of surprise swept through the Jonin ranks. Many looked at each other, murmuring in disbelief, then breaking into tentative smiles.
Those who knew some of the inside story, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Nara Shikaku, and a few others, were simply stunned.
Hadn't the Hokage been saying he hadn't yet found a successor who shared his ideals?
Why this sudden announcement?
"The new Hokage candidate," Hiruzen said slowly, "is the Head of the Konoha Military Police Force, Uchiha Gen.
I, along with the two elders, give him our full support."
It was like the air had been sucked from the room.
Hiruzen's heart was bleeding, but he forced a smile for the watching Jonin.
Beside him, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu also managed tight, brittle smiles.
Ninja who knew even a fraction of the truth stared at Uchiha Gen in disbelief.
Was the sun rising from the west today?
The others, those who didn't know anything, simply gawked.
The Uchiha Clan… having a Hokage?
Under dozens of stunned gazes, Uchiha Gen rose to his feet without the slightest hint of nerves.
He turned, bowed slightly, and spoke with calm dignity.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama, and honorable elders, for your trust. I'll devote everything I have to fulfill the Hokage's duties—
to make Konoha flourish and reach new heights of glory."
He paused, then added modestly, "However, I am still young and lack experience. I hope to continue learning from Hokage-sama for a few years. During that time, I ask you all to observe my performance carefully."
With that, he sat down again, composed, unhurried.
For a heartbeat, the room was silent.
Then the noise broke like a dam bursting.
The Jonin began whispering furiously among themselves, shock, excitement, suspicion, disbelief—
too many emotions colliding at once.
Hiruzen didn't try to stop them immediately. He knew it was too sudden; people needed time to digest the news.
Only after several minutes did he signal subtly toward Homura.
Homura cleared his throat and spoke, restoring order. The voices quickly quieted.
"Head of the Police Force, Uchiha Gen," Hiruzen said, "will not assume the Hokage's mantle immediately.
I will continue to oversee Konoha for a few more years.
Unless unforeseen circumstances arise, this arrangement will stand."
He glanced at Gen, then back to the assembly.
"The meeting is adjourned."
Without lingering, Hiruzen stood and walked out, the two elders following closely behind. None of them had the appetite for pleasantries.
Some of the Jonin hesitated, whispering among themselves, before trailing out.
Others, however, immediately surrounded Uchiha Gen—offering congratulations and words of support.
Gen met them all with his usual calm courtesy.
He wasn't overly warm, but never cold either.
Clan ninja, civilian ninja, and even clan heads, he treated them all equally.
Among the crowd, Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi seemed especially pleased.
They saw hope for the Hyuga Clan to finally stand beside the Hokage line.
Inwardly, they were already planning to push Neji to train even harder.
It took quite some time for Gen to send off all the well-wishers.
"Congratulations, Gen," Kakashi said as he approached with his hands in his pockets, a faint smile under his mask.
"Truly splendid!" boomed another voice.
Might Guy strode over, beaming, one hand on his hip and the other flashing a thumbs-up. "Your youthful passion shines brighter than ever! Congratulations!"
Gen chuckled. "Thank you, both. Are you free tonight? The clan's throwing a celebration. It'll be… grand, to say the least."
He grinned wryly. "They've waited decades for a day like this—there's no stopping them. You two should come."
"You can bring the others from our class as well," he added. "It's been too long since we all gathered."
"Then count on me!" Guy declared, slamming a fist into his palm. "I'll track everyone down myself!"
Gen laughed. "Haha, good. But remember, Guy—tonight, don't hold back. Eat as much as you want. Don't you dare save me money."
He genuinely liked Guy. The man was simple, pure-hearted, and his dedication to taijutsu was unmatched—
a mix of absurd discipline and rare talent that made him extraordinary.
"Hahaha! Then prepare yourself, Gen! I'll eat until even your clan kitchen begs for mercy!" Guy shouted with a gleam in his teeth.
Gen smiled. He knew Guy's enthusiasm was genuine, not born of flattery.
Unlike most, Guy had always greeted him openly, even back when the Uchiha name was still whispered with suspicion.
Gen never forgot that.
"Kakashi!" Guy turned dramatically. "Tonight, you and I will have an eating contest! A true test of the flames of youth!"
Kakashi didn't even look up. "No interest."
"...You wound me, my eternal rival!"
The three chatted a little longer before parting ways.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu were busy handling damage control.
Meeting their own clan members and political supporters, explaining, reassuring, and, most of all, warning them sternly not to cause trouble.
The news inevitably spread through the village like wildfire.
By evening, everyone in Konoha knew;
Uchiha Gen was the Fifth Hokage-designate.
Inside and outside the village, the topic exploded.
For days, it would be all anyone could talk about.
Among ordinary villagers and ninja, the mood was mostly one of curiosity and cautious excitement.
Many civilian shinobi even looked forward to it—hoping Gen would expand his Police Force reforms village-wide.
Things like the ninjutsu points exchange system had already made their lives better.
The great clans responded quickly.
Messages of congratulations arrived one after another, along with gifts—some lavish, others almost desperate to please.
The Sarutobi, Mitokado, Utatane, Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans all sent offerings.
The closer they were to the old guard, the heavier the tribute.
Gen accepted everything with practiced grace. Refusing them would only create unease—and suspicion.
Within the Uchiha Clan, the reaction was explosive.
The Police Force barracks erupted first, their cheers echoing through the compound.
Old veterans like Uchiha Setsuna were openly weeping with joy.
After the initial frenzy, Setsuna immediately sent messengers racing through the streets, shouting the news.
Within minutes, the entire Uchiha district was roaring.
Families poured out of their homes; laughter and tears mingled.
For the first time in generations, hope wasn't a dream—it was here, tangible and alive.
Orders for a grand celebration went out, and the clan moved with feverish energy.
It felt as if everyone had been given endless strength.
A centuries-old dream was finally real.
Ask them to plow fields with their bare hands that night, and they probably would have—singing all the while.
By nightfall, the celebration began.
Guests poured in, some invited, others self-invited, but all welcomed warmly.
The entire Uchiha compound pulsed with music, laughter, and firelight.
Gen had even sent invitations to Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu.
It was only proper, after all... they were his nominators.
And if anyone should be seen at the celebration, it was them.
They came, of course. They had no choice.
Skipping the event would've shattered the fragile illusion of harmony and in that illusion, their dignity still barely survived.
Surrounded by the joyous, deafening crowd, the three elders felt like they were sitting on needles.
Every smile felt forced, every cheer around them a stab to the heart.
They could neither leave nor relax, trapped in their own pretense.
The night stretched long.
Fireworks thundered over the Uchiha district, painting the sky in bursts of red and gold.
The scent of gunpowder hung heavy in the air.
For the Uchiha, it was a night of triumph and rebirth.
For Hiruzen and his comrades, it was a night of quiet dread—
smiling on the outside, but bleeding within.