Konoha held a high-level meeting the day after the Uchiha and Neiki Rebellion. Along with discussions on rebuilding the village and preparing for war, there were two seemingly minor but significant decisions regarding internal organization and high-ranking appointments:
Root was disbanded, and its members were reassigned to various Konoha departments, such as the Anbu, Interrogation Unit, and Education Department.
Danzo's position as Hokage's advisor was abolished.
The reasons were not explicitly stated, but those in the know had already guessed. Last night's final and most devastating explosion in Konoha was likely not solely due to Neiki's treachery, but also the result of a "brilliant idea" from certain high-ranking officials within Konoha.
For the sake of unity, some people tacitly agreed to blame the explosion entirely on the excessively arrogant Neiki.
Ordinary villagers didn't need to know the truth; they just needed to know whom to hate.
The details of the incidents—including the Uchiha rebellion in the afternoon and Neiki's rebellion in the evening—had been thoroughly organized and categorized. Specific events such as the second Nine-Tails incident, the massacre of the Uchiha clan, the destruction of the Hyuga clan, the burning of a secret room on the outskirts, the destruction of underground laboratories, and the chain of explosions throughout Konoha all fell under the broader labels of those two rebellions.
Unfortunately, due to Konoha's complacency over the years and numerous other issues, they had failed to prevent either rebellion.
In particular, with the Uchiha rebellion, even though they had early intelligence, Konoha's underestimation of the Uchiha's resolve and their leader Fugaku's capabilities led to the capture of the Nine-Tails jinchuriki and the release of the Nine-Tails itself.
If not for the safeguards left behind by the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi might have died.
After that, Uchiha Shana led the surviving Uchiha to escape, their whereabouts unknown.
After triggering the last batch of explosive tags, Neiki had also disappeared with Hanabi.
What they left behind was only a devastated Konoha.
Bounties for the Uchiha and Neiki would be gradually issued over the following month. Although the bounties on individual Uchiha were generally higher, Neiki's bounty was in a league of its own, reaching a staggering 60 million ryō.
This reflected Konoha's assessment of the value of the Hyuga main family's Byakugan he had taken, the Scroll of Seals in his possession, and his individual threat level.
Considering that ordinary jinchuriki bounties hovered around 50 million, the 60 million placed on Neiki's head clearly showed the extent of Konoha's hatred and fear.
"Konoha's suffering is my failure as Hokage, and I deeply apologize to all of you."
Sarutobi bowed to everyone present.
"But the crisis is not over. With Konoha's sudden turmoil, other ninja villages are likely to strike at us. This is not about clinging to power. After consulting with the village's advisors, we've decided that, in the upcoming war, the one who contributes the most will be chosen as the next Hokage."
As soon as Sarutobi finished speaking, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew tense. Clan leaders and elite jonin exchanged glances and muttered among themselves. Even Inuzuka Tsume, who hadn't wanted to attend and wore a sullen expression, furrowed her brow.
Sarutobi calmly sipped his tea.
Choosing the Hokage based on merit had always been an unspoken rule. The Hokage needed to be nominated by the high-ranking officials, voted on by the jonin, and approved by the daimyō. But behind these formalities, the core requirement was always the same: outstanding ability and contributions.
High-ranking officials wouldn't nominate an incompetent as Hokage. Clan interests couldn't easily sway the jonin's votes. And the daimyō's approval demanded genuine prestige and renown.
Minato Namikaze, a commoner, became the Fourth Hokage because of his remarkable achievements during the Third Shinobi World War. His heroism on the battlefield won countless hearts, and his feats were undeniably legendary.
However, before the Third Shinobi World War, Sarutobi had never explicitly stated that "the one who contributes the most will be chosen."
Back then, Konoha hadn't been pushed to such a desperate edge.
Merit had been an unspoken standard—but not the only one.
Even Orochimaru, with his immense contributions, had not become Hokage.
Why Minato? Because "merit" can be vague, and the choice of Hokage has always involved more than merit alone.
Now that Sarutobi had declared, openly and officially, that "the one who contributes the most will be Hokage," it became a formal rule. His influence over the final choice of the next Hokage was now no greater than anyone else's.
Merit would become the clear, primary standard.
Nominations, jonin votes, and the daimyō's approval would no longer outweigh it.
Many present felt their blood stir—especially the clan heads, who understood what the Hokage's seat meant for their families.
While some were quietly pleased, others lowered their heads in thought.
Sarutobi's willingness to loosen his grip was good news for the clans. But it also made clear how pessimistic he and the other elders were about what was coming.
They had been forced to hand over the right to decide the next Hokage in order to gain the full support of the other clans and factions.
Should they take this gamble…?
The expanded council meeting ended in heavy silence.
Sarutobi exhaled a thin stream of smoke, watching the attendees file out one by one—until only Danzo remained.
"They'll band together to support a candidate who represents their interests," Danzo said coldly, "and then manufacture opportunities for him on the battlefield."
Danzo had been perpetually bitter since losing his position as Hokage's advisor.
"We don't need to think that far ahead," Sarutobi replied. "All we need to think about is surviving."
Winter was coming.
Mobilizing the clans to compete openly was better than letting their ambitions fester in the dark.
After being stirred up by Neiki's manipulations, how many would still choose to stand together in a crisis without a substantial reward dangling in front of them?
"I don't believe things will get that bad," Danzo said.
"The biggest lesson from the Uchiha and Neiki rebellions," Sarutobi answered, "is that we must always prepare for the worst. Isn't that right?"
After a moment of silence, Danzo changed the subject.
"When will Tsunade and Jiraiya return?" he asked.
He knew Sarutobi considered either of them the ideal candidate for the next Hokage.
Though the new rule opened the door for the clans, Danzo still saw it as nothing more than working to crown one of those two.
Sarutobi understood the implication and shook his head.
"As long as they return before the war, it's fine. The Hokage position isn't necessarily reserved for them. As I said, it will be based on merit."
"Even you, Danzo."
"If you achieve enough merit, you can become Hokage."
Danzo didn't respond. He just gave a cold, derisive snort and turned to leave.
If Sarutobi hadn't dismantled Root before saying this, he might have believed him.
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