“Elect the Hokage first! Or elect the Acting Hokage first!”
Jin’s simple words threw everyone present into a dilemma.
Choosing between serving a full term as Hokage or just a month as Acting Hokage should have been an easy choice.
However, according to Jin, to ensure a fair Hokage election, one couldn’t run for Acting Hokage.
It was like dangling a tempting carrot in front of a donkey. Even though they knew Tsunade might return to run, none of the candidates, including Hiashi Hyuga, wanted to be the first to step up.
What a joke!
If Tsunade wanted to be Hokage, there would have been no Minato Namikaze!
What happened to Tsunade back then was a secret, but only to the enemy nations’ ninjas, not the true power core of Konoha.
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s one-month deadline was firm, but everyone knew it was just a way to buy time and opportunities.
Moreover, given Jin’s attitude, the role of Acting Hokage wasn’t meant for small clans’ ninjas. Competing with Jin required someone of Hiashi Hyuga or Choza Akimichi’s caliber.
For a month as Acting Hokage, it seemed unwise to risk losing a strong competitor for the Hokage position to the Uchiha.
Every clan head present, being elite strategists, saw through Jin’s simple ploy.
So…
Hiruzen struggled internally, but considering that Tsunade’s return might restore his faction’s peak, he sighed and conceded:
“Sigh… I agree to elect the Acting Hokage first!”
Oh!
Jin’s eyes were full of cold mockery, his disdain growing stronger.
Is this it?
There’s not one worthy opponent!
Just a simple bait-and-switch, these weaklings surrender without even facing a challenge.
Surveying the crowd, Jin felt a sudden loneliness in his invincibility.
But thinking it over, Jin realized it was expected. After all, they were used to compromise.
As long as they abandoned their all-or-nothing stance and were given a less unacceptable choice and a sweet future, who would want to flip the table and face unbearable consequences?
Of course!
They wouldn’t expect that the seemingly delicious bait would reveal its true nature when it came time to deliver.
As Hiruzen had already agreed, Hiashi Hyuga and Choza Akimichi, representing the pro-Hokage faction, lost their initial excitement and became expressionless.
Just a month as Acting Hokage!
Only someone as reckless as Jin would care about such temporary gains.
If appeasing the Uchiha now, they could gain benefits after becoming Hokage, possibly taming this wild Uchiha horse.
Would anything unexpected happen in this month?
Seeing Jin’s arrogance and the other ninjas’ silent anger, they felt oddly reassured.
The Uchiha don’t understand people!
If Jin could achieve anything in a month, then this world truly had no hope!
Yes!
Just a month, even if Jin is arrogant, everyone can endure it.
Endure… it will soon pass…
“Alright!”
“If everyone wants to elect the Acting Hokage first, then…”
As everyone steeled their minds, Jin loudly declared, drawing all eyes again.
“I have a proposal… not really a proposal, more of asking for your help. I, Jin Uchiha, am willing to reluctantly take on the role of Acting Hokage!”
“I am very democratic. If anyone thinks I’m unfit for this, speak freely!”
He surveyed the room, making eye contact with every notable figure before boldly continuing.
“I’ve said my piece. Who agrees? Who opposes?”
“This…”
Though they had mentally prepared, seeing Jin actually becoming Acting Hokage made them hesitate again.
“Let’s be straightforward!”
Seeing the awkward silence, Jin turned to Shikaku Nara.
“Clan Leader Nara, do you agree?”
“Uh…”
Shikaku’s cold sweat intensified, but under the mounting pressure, he reluctantly nodded.
“I agree!”
Hm!
Jin nodded in satisfaction, turning to Hiashi Hyuga and Choza Akimichi.
“Clan Leader Hyuga and Uncle Choza, as strong candidates for Hokage, won’t mind me becoming Acting Hokage for fairness, right?”
“Hmph!”
Hiashi snorted, not liking Jin but unwilling to clash with a ‘madman’ now.
“You’re braver than I was. I support you!”
Choza smiled warmly, his bright eyes contradicting his aged appearance.
Jin was surprised by Choza’s reaction but understood, given Choza’s strong Yang chakra.
Having secured Shikaku, Hiashi, and Choza’s support, Jin ignored Fugaku and turned to Hiruzen.
“Do you object?”
Cracking his knuckles, Jin’s tone was chilling.
“Sigh…”
Hiruzen sighed, pondering deeply before his old age seemed to double. He shook his head.
“The village belongs to everyone. The same goes for choosing the Hokage and Acting Hokage.”
Hiss…
With Hiruzen’s decisive words, everyone seemed to awaken, realizing the change in Konoha’s power dynamics.
“Jin, you did it!”
Fugaku couldn’t contain his joy, forgetting his earlier grievances as he grabbed Jin’s arm excitedly.
Smack!
Jin slapped Fugaku’s hand away, annoyed.
“As an Uchiha, show some decorum!”
Turning to everyone, Jin declared proudly:
“Call me Lord Hokage!”
…
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