HSU: Ch. 311

The commotion in the hall was brief but intense. But after the outburst, the room once again fell into silence. Even if everyone was full of confusion and doubt, no one dared to question Muzo.

They simply didn't have the standing to do so.

On this point, the ninjas were all very clear.

The collective ideology promoted by the ninja villages was originally based on the clan-based system from the era of the ninja clans, it was just that the concept of "family" was expanded to include the whole village. The individual ninja clans were now part of the village structure.

The village, the clan, and the individual formed the three levels of the system. But when the demands at each level were reasonable, there was still a clear hierarchy: individual interests could not outweigh those of the clan, and the clan's interests could not outweigh those of the village. Otherwise, it would be considered unreasonable.

Along with this came the protection and respect for private property, the most symbolic of which was ninjutsu.

A village could not, under any pretext, seize or steal the ninjutsu of a clan. The same applied between clans. However, fair exchange based on mutual agreement was permitted.

Likewise, when an individual invented a new jutsu, its ownership would be protected by the village, provided it was properly registered. Registration didn't require turning over the jutsu itself, but it did require proof of its authenticity. After all, the village served as a notary and had to verify that the applicant was truly the inventor and not someone who had forged documents or stolen someone else's work.

Back when Hashirama founded Konoha, he had worked hard to resolve distrust among the various clans. He was a classic example of a visionary leader.

Take the case of Kakashi, for example, it touched on all of the above issues.

The Sharingan was the most classic form of private property.

If he were just an individual, then the matter of returning the Mangekyō Sharingan wouldn't even require formal discussion.

But the Hatake family also had clan status, even if Kakashi was the only one left.

The ninja clans of the Warring States period were different from those in the village era. Only clans officially registered with the village were recognized as true clans. The days when any random person could shout "We're a clan!" in the wild were long gone.

Likewise, unless a clan had been formally dissolved, even one surviving member still constituted a clan. And the dissolution process had to be handled internally by the clan itself.

Had Kakashi ever gone through that process? Of course not. He wasn't stupid.

So just like Sasuke in the original timeline, Kakashi was a walking embodiment of the Hatake clan. His business with the Uchiha was a matter between clans. If it couldn't be settled privately, then it had to go to formal proceedings.

Similarly, if Muzo wanted to pass on chakra to someone, the only ones with the standing to question it were Hashirama and Tobirama, the two former clan leaders of the Senju.

And even then, the only grounds for questioning would be whether the chakra might transmit clan jutsu.

However, those two elders clearly had no objections.

Everyone present understood the rules of the ninja village system. Aside from being curious about how Masashi had managed it, they had no other thoughts. He had once again shattered their expectations.

These bigwigs brought back by Edo Tensei, who among them wouldn't want to cozy up and learn a few things?

"Masashi, you're the recipient. Do you have any objections?"

He has objections! It's too twisted! He doesn't want it!

At that moment, many people were screaming in their hearts, all hoping Masashi would say so.

They were green with envy!

"I do." Masashi nodded seriously.

Everyone was stunned, eyes flashing with different expressions.

For example, Fugaku's gaze basically said: Did you take the wrong medicine today?

Tobirama quickly said, "This doesn't do you any harm."

"I know," Masashi's expression grew even more solemn. "I just want to say… Give me more. I can handle it."

Tobirama: "..."

Shisui tugged on Masashi's sleeve, signaling him to be more serious.

Masashi could only think, This guy doesn't know how to work a meeting.

Just look, did Tobirama get mad?

At their level, there were only three types of things you could say in meetings. But Shisui often didn't say any of them.

Tobirama really wasn't mad. In fact, he appreciated Masashi's response.

"Alright then, the current Hokage may proceed to the next agenda item. We've said what we needed to say," Tobirama announced, handing the meeting back to Minato.

"Right. This doesn't require a vote. Since Masashi has no objections, the matter is settled," Minato said rather dryly, though he couldn't help glancing again and again at Masashi and the three Senju.

The actions of the three Senju were strikingly similar to how Hashirama and Tobirama had once guided Hiruzen.

They were just short of outright declaring, This kid's great, he should be Hokage.

However… As he looked at Masashi, he confirmed something in his mind.

Masashi hadn't caught on yet. Something was clearly distracting him. If he were to succeed as the Fifth Hokage, Minato would have no objections.

After all, as Hokage, he had already fulfilled the vision he once dreamed of. He was content, and ready to pass the torch to someone younger and more energetic.

He was truly curious, what kind of dreams do the younger generation have?

And come to think of it… As long as he remained Hokage, the chances of having a third child were slim.

Masashi becoming Hokage? The more he thought about it, the more it seemed like the perfect solution to a number of current difficulties.

They were difficulties, not yet problems, but if left unaddressed, they could eventually become serious issues.

During the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha fell into decline after its peak. This was largely because difficulties of the past had festered into problems over time, and the war made them all erupt at once.

Fortunately, with cooperation among the Hokage's office, the Uchiha, and the Hyūga clans, the situation was turned around.

So yes, Masashi really did need to become Hokage. Just assisting the Hokage wouldn't be enough. That would only allow difficulties to pile up again.

He quickly sorted through all the related connections in his mind and decided to talk it over with his wife that night.

The Uzumaki clan, though not a major power, still acted as an important indicator. As the current Hokage couple, Minato and Kushina's stance had strong influence over the views of non-clan-affiliated ninjas.

This was a good thing. The decline of the Sarutobi faction was now inevitable. Rather than let those elders continue clinging to unrealistic dreams, it would be better to push this transition peacefully while he still held the Hokage position.

Power shifts could be positive, too.

Unlike the alliances between the Uchiha-Hyūga or the Ino-Shika-Chō clans, which formed naturally due to mutual family survival needs and complementary traits, the Sarutobi faction and the Police Force faction were malformed interest groups born from political power struggles.

These two factions operated on exclusivity and didn't follow win-win principles. They contradicted the Will of Fire, and once their competition escalated, it became opposition for opposition's sake.

Minato had spent years trying to prevent that stage from being reached.

So had Hiruzen.

Even though he led the Sarutobi faction, he had always been different from the others. He formed the group initially to unite the village's strength against external threats, that very unity had allowed Konoha to stand against all four great villages during the Third Great Ninja War.

But all things that prosper must eventually decline. From that point onward, the Sarutobi faction became more harmful than helpful, no longer a unifying force, but a shadowy element of the village.

When the oppressor is an individual, the village's darkness causes people to grow disillusioned. But when entire clans are the target of oppression, they will raise arms and fight back.

Thus, the Police Force faction was born, they used Sarutobi's own methods against him.

Once the overextended Sarutobi faction finally collapsed, the counter-faction that formed to oppose it, would also disband. That would be beneficial for the overall development of Konoha.

Minato steadied his emotions and looked down at the agenda, announcing the next item:

"Agenda item number three… initiated by..."

"Regarding the proposal to establish overseas experimental classes."

After reading it, he clapped his hands and said,

"Let's take a five-minute break. Those who don't have anything in the upcoming items can go take care of your own business. Someone please bring in the delegates for the next topic from the lounge."

That last line was directed at the ninjas handling logistics.

Masashi and Shisui stood up once more, this time, they weren't stopped. They exited the conference room, light-hearted and free of any burdens.

According to the decision made at this meeting, in the next three days, the Uchiha clan and Kakashi would try to communicate again. If there was no resolution, the dispute would be settled three days later at a special meeting, through a duel.

Masashi had already decided, he would go talk to Itachi.

To Kakashi, this wasn't about a transaction. It was about his beliefs. He never coveted the Mangekyō Sharingan. Its value lay in the fact that it had been entrusted to him by Obito, along with a final will. Even if Obito had given him a lump of cow dung, he would have treasured it for life.

Masashi didn't dislike someone like Kakashi at all. Neither did the Uchiha clan. They respected him. Even if they reclaimed the eye through combat, they would offer substantial compensation.

Whether Kakashi wanted it or not, whether the compensation felt sufficient or not, it only mattered that the Uchiha clan believed it was sufficient. He would soon experience the "joy" of being pestered from morning till night by a bunch of obsessive perfectionists.

---

At the entrance of the meeting room, Masashi and Shisui happened to run into Kakashi.

"Masashi-sama, Shisui-san," Kakashi greeted politely.

"Don't take it personally, Kakashi," Masashi replied with a smile. "You know how it is, sometimes there's no perfect solution. We're helpless too."

"I understand," Kakashi nodded sincerely. He genuinely understood the Uchiha clan's position.

The fact that they waited until now to bring this up, he was already deeply grateful for that.

"Even though I know it's a long shot, let's meet up and talk it through," Masashi said. "We're all familiar with each other. I'll book a table, make sure you come. Oh, and bring Guy along too. He's a good friend."

"Sure," Kakashi agreed without hesitation.

He even smiled when Guy was mentioned. Actually, Guy was his secret reading buddy, most people didn't know that Guy also read Icha Icha. Kakashi had dragged him into it.

After bidding a friendly farewell to Masashi and Shisui, he quickly left the Hokage Building.

Time was tight. He needed to focus on training over the next few days, maintain peak condition, think through possible tactics, and prepare multiple plans. He also wondered who his opponent would be.

If it wasn't Masashi or Shisui, then it would most likely be Itachi. They were both members of the elite squad, and Kakashi had a strong impression of Itachi, a truly dangerous individual.

In this timeline, they didn't share ANBU experience, but they had been teammates in the jonin corps.

His impression of Itachi? A cheerful guy who always smiled at people.

If you ignored the fact that he liked to talk about the "spirit of sacrifice" in casual conversation.

Most people's "sacrifice" meant sacrificing themselves.

But Itachi? He was willing to sacrifice others too, as long as he believed it was the right thing to do, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate anyone, including himself.

Kakashi didn't think that was "sacrifice." That was some sort of damn ritualistic offering.

If his opponent turned out to be that guy, he would have to be very, very careful.

Strength aside, and Itachi was terrifyingly strong, if that guy's "ritual mode" kicked in mid-fight, where would he even run?

Sure, he always wore a mask and acted aloof… But when he read Icha Icha, he squinted his eyes and giggled like a kid.

He was a normal person! With normal emotions and desires!

Itachi? That guy was scary.

Just picturing Itachi's innocent-looking face gave him a shiver.

To raise a son like that… even the father must be terrifying.

His dad had said it right: "Boys out in the world must protect themselves well."

Kakashi quickened his pace.

Behind him, Masashi and Shisui had just stepped out of the Hokage Building and caught sight of his retreating figure.

"What's with him? Is he avoiding us?" Shisui asked, puzzled.

"Doesn't seem like it," Masashi said, equally confused. "Then again, ninjas are all weirdos anyway. I'm used to it. My own house is full of them."

He even had one still arguing with him on a voice link.

"Come on, let's go book the restaurant."