Hokage Building.
Shrouded in the dead of night, it reeked of decay.
Jiraiya shuffled in, cast a long look at the Hokage Office, hesitated, then knocked.
After receiving permission, he entered.
The aged Hiruzen Sarutobi wore the Hokage cloak and the distinctive hat. He gave Jiraiya an indifferent glance and, without asking, issued his decree.
"Jiraiya, it seems you failed."
"Then no more talk. In a few days you'll ascend as the Fifth Hokage."
"Everything else is out of your hands."
"Koharu returns tomorrow morning; the Jonin Meeting meets tomorrow afternoon."
"The morning after, the Hokage inauguration."
"Rest tonight; I've arrangements to make."
With that said,
Hiruzen rose and left, too busy to spare Jiraiya another word.
Indeed!
No questions were needed; one look at Jiraiya's slump told Hiruzen the outcome.
He was swamped.
Time was short; before the Uchiha pressed further, he had to seat Jiraiya as Fifth Hokage.
Only then could he stabilize the Village and face the Uchiha.
Therefore,
even seeing Jiraiya's unease, he ignored it.
What if Jiraiya refused and fled Konoha?
He wasn't worried.
He'd raised Jiraiya; he knew the man's escapist nature—if cornered, he'd simply comply.
And so it was.
Watching decisive Hiruzen, Jiraiya stood frozen.
He tried to speak, but no words came before Hiruzen left.
Refuse?
He couldn't say it.
He admitted Tsunade had a point, yet still doubted an Uchiha could lead.
Perhaps Uchiha Jin was right: prejudice is an immovable mountain.
In short… he didn't trust the Uchiha.
Even if they'd been wronged, he'd compensate in other ways—never let them take the Hokage seat.
So… sigh.
With a helpless sigh he left the Hokage Building.
No choice.
He couldn't defy Hiruzen.
And, crucially, no one else was fit to be Hokage right now.
Let Danzō take over?
The man was willing!
But
just imagining it made Jiraiya shudder… Next morning, ten o'clock.
In Uchiha Jin's great hall, every clan head and elite was present; Jin sat at the head.
Once everyone arrived, Jin spoke first.
"You all know the news."
"Utatane Koharu has the Daimyō's mandate; the Hokage Office has issued notice."
"Hiruzen will retire and nominate Jiraiya as Fifth Hokage—approved by the Daimyō. The Jōnin Council meets this afternoon."
"My stance—non-participation."
"Let them play their game; our goal stays the same."
"Keep spreading rumors, erode their authority."
"Then, the day Jiraiya takes office, we move to the Uchiha Clan Compound on the Village's edge and proclaim a New Konoha."
"Shikayasu, Fugaku."
"You two go to the Daimyos Mansion and secure official authorization."
"Handle the Daimyō, Shikayasu—I trust you."
"Fugaku, take Five Elite Jonin Squads and guard him."
Uchiha Jin's tone was calm.
He wasn't asking; he was informing. The meeting was mere notification.
As he'd said, real decisions had been settled two hours earlier with a handful of aides.
This was just procedure.
As for—the Daimyō?
He disliked the man, but knew change must come step by step.
So,
for now he'd play within Ninja World rules and aim to control Konoha outright.
Until then, business as usual.
Shikayasu sighed. "Fine, but I want Shikaku along."
"Deal—work it out between you." Jin nodded.
Normally Shikaku should stay hidden, but given Nara quirks he'd probably prefer to rest at home.
So be it.
Since Shikayasu asked, let the two sort it out.
And so,
Shikaku scowled, then sighed.
He had no grounds to refuse; he knew the Daimyō well, so he'd make the trip.
Twenty minutes later
the meeting ended, yet Tsunade lingered, following Jin into a side room.
"Hey, Uchiha Jin!"
"What's the point of this meeting? Pure dictatorship?"
Tsunade didn't mince words.
Yes!
She admitted Jin had merits, but the Uchiha's extremism had to change—else Jiraiya's fears might come true.
Since she'd joined their camp, she'd fix issues at the root.
Honestly,
she'd been curious how the Uchiha held councils, but after one session she was stunned.
Seriously,
that was a meeting?
Jin simply issued orders—no consultation at all.
She wouldn't stand for it.
Konoha was her grandfathers' legacy; now that she'd sided with the Uchiha, she wouldn't let Jin run wild.
To which
Jin calmly poured her tea and replied,
"Tsunade, you're overthinking."
"The real strategy meeting happened two hours ago."
"A big gathering just notifies everyone of the plan and what to do next."
"Haven't you noticed?"
"None of the clans here questioned that at all."
"They'd already agreed in the small meeting two hours earlier."
"Right now, you're not cleared for the small meeting."