"I didn't expect the Third Hokage would fall so quickly and so thoroughly."
"Yeah! It's too fast. I thought the confrontation would drag on for several more months, if not longer!"
"There was no underestimation—neither from the Third Hokage nor from us—of the Uchiha clan, or of Uchiha Yue specifically. But the outcome still came this fast."
"Not only is he incredibly powerful, but his strikes are decisive and lethal. The Third Hokage's defeat was inevitable once he made a move."
Hidden in a corner of the crowded square, the patriarchs of the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance stood silently, watching the disgraced figure of Sarutobi Hiruzen being escorted away. Their voices were hushed, tinged with awe and anxiety.
"Shikahisa, what do we do now? Do we just watch this unfold?" Yamanaka Inoichi asked, sighing softly, unable to hide the worry in his tone.
"That's right! Shikahisa, we've always been loyal to the Hokage's office. Now that the Third Hokage has been taken down, it might come back to bite us. What if we're next?" Akimichi Chōza added, glancing at his longtime friend with deep concern.
"It's not that grim," Nara Shikahisa replied calmly, hands tucked into his sleeves as usual. "Although we supported the Third Hokage politically, we didn't involve ourselves in the advisors' factional corruption. Besides, Hiruzen and the elders each have their own clans."
He continued, "More importantly, their families weren't purged—just detained. That restraint shows that Uchiha Yue isn't seeking senseless bloodshed. It means the Uchiha are much more calculated and powerful than we thought."
"Don't forget—Jiraiya-sama has returned. He's the Third Hokage's student, yet Yue didn't target him, and Jiraiya hasn't made a move either. That silence speaks volumes. If even a Sannin like Jiraiya stays his hand, what need do we have to panic as political allies?"
He then added, "Let's wait for the trial to conclude. Once the Uchiha officially take over Konoha's leadership, we'll express our support. Just a softer stance will be enough."
Hearing Shikahisa's breakdown, Inoichi and Chōza finally relaxed, nodding silently. For now, further conversation between the trio could be set aside.
But this scene wasn't isolated. Similar murmurs echoed in various corners of the village.
After all, Konoha was a vast village with countless ninja clans and factions. With the Uchiha's overwhelming strength now laid bare, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and his advisors dethroned, everyone was beginning to calculate their next moves.
Time flowed quickly.
Thanks to the Uchiha clan's suppression of chaos, order was soon restored. The front of the Hokage Residence was now flooded with people—civilians and shinobi alike, all drawn by curiosity and apprehension.
Then, without warning, Uchiha Yue stepped onto the central platform. His figure exuded such a powerful aura that the crowd instinctively quieted, every eye drawn to him.
"I am Uchiha Yue," he declared, his voice carrying across the plaza. "Chief of the Uchiha clan. Acting Head of the Konoha Military Police Force."
"Many of you may not know me personally. And many of you may carry deep-rooted prejudice against the Uchiha."
"But let me be clear: the Uchiha have always been part of Konoha—no different from any other clan. We bleed for this village as much as any of you."
"However, as the ones tasked with upholding Konoha's law and order, we have often stood in opposition to wrongdoing. This duty has earned us resentment, even among those in power."
He continued, voice unwavering: "This time, we exposed the corruption of Hokage-sama and his advisors. We took action not out of rebellion, but out of duty—to uphold the law for all victims. No one is above the law."
"If the Hokage breaks the law, he must stand trial like any commoner."
Standing atop the Hokage Tower, Uchiha Yue gazed down at the silent, unmoving crowd. His words carried weight, and his final statement sent a shock through the hearts of all.
For a moment, the world held its breath.
What was Hokage? To many, the Hokage was a living god—the most powerful, the most revered. And yet, in just a few days, the once-untouchable Third Hokage had been imprisoned. The speed and decisiveness of the downfall left the villagers anxious and confused.
The Uchiha had never been well-liked. Their reputation was tarnished by fear and mistrust. And now, with this stunning power on display, those fears intensified.
Would they seek revenge?
Would they rule through fear?
Would Konoha descend into tyranny?
But then, Yue's powerful declaration echoed again in their minds: If the Hokage breaks the law, he is guilty like anyone else.
That one line pierced through generations of hierarchical thinking. It made the villagers reflect: Yes, what is a Hokage if not a servant of the people?
A leader chosen to protect the village—not to rule it from above.
And suddenly, fear gave way to clarity.
Maybe the Uchiha weren't monsters.
Maybe their past isolation was caused by the manipulations of Hiruzen and his council.
Maybe… they were the true guardians of Konoha all along.
In that instant, long-held prejudice began to crumble. Many in the crowd, driven by that new sense of identity and justice, started to reassess everything they believed.
Then—
"Uchiha did the right thing!"
The sudden shout shattered the silence. It was unknown who said it, but it cracked open the dam.
"That's right! The Uchiha stood up for justice!"
"I was wrong about them. From now on, I'll follow the rules and support the new order!"
"Hahaha, with the Uchiha defending the village, Konoha is in good hands! This is our return to greatness!"
"I heard the Uchiha were one of the founding clans of Konoha—now I see why. They're the true heirs of this village's legacy!"
"I've made up my mind—if there's a vote for the Fifth Hokage, I'll support Patriarch Uchiha! With him in charge, Konoha will only grow stronger!"
The voices swelled into a storm of cheers and support, spreading across the plaza like wildfire. In just a few minutes, the tide of public opinion had turned completely.
Standing above them, Uchiha Yue watched the wave of adoration rise. A faint, content smile tugged at his lips.
His operation had worked better than he imagined.
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