HSU: Ch. 308

When the sun once again illuminated Konoha, some people in the village had already gotten dressed and left home.

Today was the day of the Hokage's executive meeting.

In fact, in the past, there wasn't a special term for this. Back then, there were only a few people, so meetings were simple, just run from one end of the street to the other, and everyone would be there.

Later, as the population grew and institutions became more complex, the number of meetings also increased. The Hokage didn't attend every meeting, so those chaired by the Hokage naturally became more important.

By the time of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen and Danzō had clearly divided their responsibilities, the Hokage handled strategic direction, while the Hokage Advisor handled operations.

Later, when it was found that the advisor still couldn't manage all the tasks alone, the roles were adjusted again: normal advisors handled administrative work, and the Hokage Advisor focused on military matters.

In the Fourth Hokage's era, they learned from past lessons and delegated much of the planning authority to various departments.

Once again, the Hokage Advisor began overseeing all departmental work, but this time focusing on personnel management. The highest-level decisions in the village were made through two-tiered meetings, those chaired by the Hokage and those chaired by the Hokage Advisor.

For non-critical matters, Hokage-led meetings merely set the direction, deciding whether something should be done or not.

Once the Hokage's meeting had set a direction, the task of formulating concrete departmental goals fell to the Hokage Advisor's meetings. If any issues arose, they would be reported to the advisor. If the advisor couldn't resolve them, they would escalate to the Hokage.

This setup avoided blame-shifting between the Hokage and the advisor.

Advisors, meanwhile, were stripped of decision-making authority and returned to their original role, advisory only.

Though this model had its drawbacks, it allowed the upper echelons to focus on strategy while giving the implementation level much more autonomy. It also prevented buck-passing to the grassroots.

With this design, the number of meetings chaired by the Hokage greatly decreased, while their importance increased. So whenever such a meeting was scheduled, everyone made sure to be early.

The Uchiha clan also had many members rise early today.

Because the first agenda item of today's meeting would be proposed by the Uchiha clan.

It was also the first time the Uchiha–Hyūga alliance would publicly confront the Sarutobi faction.

They had waited years for this moment.

In the past, one could argue that external threats remained and compromises were necessary for the greater good, but that was no longer the case.

Still, when people are happy, they tend to gossip.

As the group of Uchiha jonin marched proudly toward the Hokage building, the rest of the clan who had nothing exciting left to watch, turned to their usual pastime, gossip.

"Did you hear? Fugaku-sama got scolded!"

"What? Really?" Though it was phrased as a question, the speaker's tone was brimming with excitement.

Many people had seen Madara walk out of Fugaku's house with a dark expression. One was the most overbearing clan leader in Uchiha history. The other was the most enduring and patient one.

If Fugaku ever lost his composure, it was only over one thing: calligraphy.

His calligraphy had always been divisive, those who liked it praised it as divine, those who didn't thought only someone with eye problems could admire such work.

It was certain, no, guaranteed, that he would go down in Uchiha history for his calligraphy.

But the clan's gossip wasn't malicious. In fact, it reflected another sentiment, they had become used to and hopeful for the clan's unity and growing strength.

And today's Fugaku would not disappoint them.

Only a limited number of people could participate in Hokage meetings. In principle, only those ranked jonin or higher could attend.

This meeting followed that rule.

Kakashi, as one of the involved parties and a jonin, was also summoned.

From the Uchiha side, the traditional trio since the Fourth Hokage's era were attending, Fugaku, Masashi, and Shisui.

Ever since Masashi's rapid "rise to fame," Shisui, once the clan's primary poster child, had seemed to fade into the background. But that was just an illusion, Shisui was still the most powerful genjutsu user in Konoha, perhaps in the entire ninja world.

To many high-level figures, the name "Shisui the Teleporter" was even more frightening than "White Ghost."

The danger of the White Ghost was physical and economic.

Shisui's danger came from something far more terrifying. In his presence, very few people could keep their secrets, if he chose to uncover them.

After entering the Hokage Building, the three Uchiha representatives proceeded to the meeting room, while the other jonin headed to the jonin duty lounge.

Their unified arrival at the building was a show of solidarity, a statement of the Uchiha clan's cohesion.

Today's Uchiha no longer looked at the Hokage Building with the same sensitivity and suspicion of the past; they carried themselves with a calm and composed attitude.

The change in environment allowed them to regain confidence. No longer like pitiful, whining men who shouted at the smallest grievance.

Such behavior only invites more contempt. But a confident man commands respect.

The Uchiha's new spirit drew many sidelong glances the moment they arrived.

To the people inside the Hokage Building, the changes in the Uchiha over the years had not gone unnoticed. But in this moment, these Uchiha reminded them of the clan their grandparents had once described.

"The Uchiha… they're back…" someone sighed.

In the middle of such wistful murmurs, Fugaku and the other two walked to the conference room doors, and the attending ninjas quickly opened the door for them. Beyond the door was a spacious conference room, and some people had already arrived.

They were mostly departmental representatives.

The Hokage and the advisory council had not yet arrived.

Fugaku scanned the room with a gaze full of intensity.

Everyone present looked on in shock at this version of Fugaku.

After sweeping his eyes around the room, he gave a slight smile. Just a bunch of nobodies, not even enough to occupy one hand.

Even at this point, they still want to play the "late entrance" routine? The Sarutobi faction is clearly growing senile.

"Shisui, what time is it now?" he suddenly asked.

"Ten minutes until the meeting starts," Shisui replied.

"Good. You and Masashi, go greet Hizashi and the others."

"Yes," Shisui responded, exchanging a glance with Masashi before the two moved to stand on either side of the doorway.

Fugaku strode boldly into the meeting room and sat directly in the Hokage Advisor's seat.

When it came to formal political conflict, there were rules. He was the Hokage Advisor, and no one dared mess with the seat reserved for that role.

Once seated, his presence naturally radiated outward, instantly silencing the murmuring attendees, who suddenly shrank like quails.

It was like a wolf had entered a chicken coop.

Masashi, watching from the doorway, wasn't surprised at all.

In the original timeline, Fugaku had always endured... endured until he ultimately sacrificed his entire family.

In this timeline, he was still enduring… until today.

"Shisui, Fugaku-sama has made his move. Now it's our turn," Masashi said quietly. "At this point, the main characters are about to arrive."

"I know." Shisui nodded.

He was no longer the boy from over a decade ago who believed that kindness could solve everything.

Now, he too could be unyielding.

Masashi didn't say more, partly because there was an "audience" nearby.

Kaguya-hime, can't you settle down for a bit?

Silence! I will not remain trapped in darkness. Either you show me what's happening, or I'll go to that girl!

Kaguya's voice echoed in Masashi's mind.

Of course, this was more like a hallucination, just a mental link.

Fine, watch all you want. Just don't mess things up.

Masashi really felt like he was choosing the lesser of two evils.

Kaguya was truly restless, just too damn energetic.

He had thought she'd at least wait a day before causing more trouble… but nope, she came back that same night.

What should have been a lovely evening for him turned into a nightmare, with someone screaming obscenities inside his head.

If you think it's filthy, then don't look!

That was honestly what he thought at the time, but out of Uchiha pride, even with the noise driving him mad, he pressed through to the end.

Hanabi had quieted down naturally, after all, since that night, Kaguya had latched onto him instead. But he wasn't Hanabi. As long as Kaguya didn't fully resurrect, all she could do was yell in his mind.

Today, though, was no ordinary occasion. If she got too noisy, someone might actually notice. So he decided to give her a warning.

Just a heads-up: Madara might show up today. And the previous generation's Asura is also here.

Are you threatening me?

No... is it just me, or are you getting more aggressive lately?

I'm merely expressing reasonable dissatisfaction! You often… ugh, forget it. Hm? Someone's coming. So these are the so-called ninjas of this era?

Masashi also noticed the new arrival.

It was a familiar face, the Inuzuka clan leader.

The Inuzuka and Aburame clans didn't have as close a relationship with the Uchiha as the Hyūga did, but for now, they were all aligned through the Police Force. At least, when it came to the big picture, they were standing with the Uchiha.

Uchiha's allies were starting to show up.

And truth be told, these people were very good at timing their entrance.

Masashi smiled and went forward to welcome the Inuzuka representatives into the room.

If your clan had multiple Kage-level individuals, not just two, then you could station two at the door. You would find that everyone who arrived ended up being a friend.

That was exactly the atmosphere at the entrance now.

No matter who it was, the moment they saw Masashi and Shisui, two Kage-level powerhouses, personally welcoming guests at the door, they all hurried their pace and profusely expressed their guilt for not arriving earlier.

In short: politeness! Extreme politeness!

In front of Fugaku, all those probing words they'd rehearsed couldn't be said.

After being disrupted by Masashi and Shisui, their rhythm was completely thrown off. As everyone lined up to enter with the politeness of their entire lives, the Hokage finally appeared at the end of the hallway.