Chapter 67.2- One Thousand Hands

“So tell me now why you did not kill Sarutobi Hiruzen? I assume you are here to secure my support for your bid as Kage. I do not back losers, and if your reason is not satisfactory, then I will take it as an indication that you lack the will to do what is necessary, and this can never be a winner.” He said, and I could tell he meant every word that left his lips. This man had killed his own father, I thought. If anyone would judge me for my thoughts then it wouldn’t be here. None of his guards or samurai had even flinched as he boasted patricide.

“He was too well guarded. While I could have attempted a subtle means— ordered away the anbu on a mission or just crafted a seal to do the subtly enough. All it would take is a simple modification to the healing sleep seal to turn it to an eternal rest. I considered both of those options, but the truth is that the optics would have been bad. My cousin is the best healer in the world, and Hiruzen Sarutobi is her sensei. If there was any foul play, she would have seen it, and I would have been the natural first suspect. Having her move against me while the village is at war on all fronts would have been disastrous, and killing her to divert suspicion would have been wasteful.” I began, not adding that I would never have killed Tsunade. Something told me that trivial things like familial bonds would do little to convince this man of anything.

“Killing Sarutobi Hiruzen would have just as surely killed the Village itself and that was not a price I was willing to pay. So I bided my time and waited. I ruled well, and now he has woken a shell of his former self so I can move and do this the right way” I said. His eyes turned from left to right, assessing.

“I see, then. While far from ideal, I find your explanation satisfactory. So you will begin the first steps of the process I take it?” He asked.

I nodded. The next steps were another wall I would have to scale.

“Good. When you have the required votes from the Clan Council, I will assent to it and remove Hiruzen as Hokage. Godspeed, Hokage-dono” He said, dismissing me.

“Thank you, Daimyo-dono” I said, and I bowed. Not out of subservience but gratefulness.