Chapter 287: Seizing the Opportunity

Shikaku Nara smoothly continued the discussion:

"Here's the situation. The unrest in the village caused by Shimura Danzō has now been completely suppressed. I've already consulted everyone present, and none of them have any objections to Minato becoming the Fourth Hokage."

"We've all signed the recommendation document supporting Minato's appointment as the Fourth Hokage. The only signatures missing are yours—both as Uchiha Clan Head and as Captain of the Konoha Military Police Force. Once you sign, the recommendation can be sent to the Fire Daimyō's court, where the Daimyō will issue the official appointment."

Strictly speaking, Konoha itself does not possess the authority to appoint a Hokage.

The village only has the right to recommend a candidate. The formal authority of appointment lies solely with the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.

That is why, without the Daimyō's official decree, the Hokage's position would lack proper legitimacy.

Of course, the Daimyō rarely interfered with the village's selection of a Hokage. Fundamentally speaking, Konohagakure was a military power independent of the Land of Fire's administrative system. Granting the Daimyō appointment authority was largely a matter of political courtesy.

Even if the Daimyō attempted to cause trouble using this authority, the Hokage could still exercise full power within Konoha—and even within the Land of Fire—regardless of formal legitimacy.

"Oh? Then bring the recommendation letter over. I'll sign it right now."

Naturally, Uchiha Ren had no intention of making things difficult for Minato Namikaze over this matter and agreed immediately.

Shikaku quickly produced the prepared recommendation document along with a pen and handed them to Ren.

Ren scanned the contents briefly. After confirming there were no issues, he signed his name.

Seeing this, Shikaku finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried something unexpected might happen even at the last moment.

Ren handed the document to Minato and asked,

"Minato, when do you plan to meet the Daimyō and obtain the official appointment?"

Minato answered directly,

"Tonight. With the Flying Thunder God Technique, I can meet the Daimyō and still return by tomorrow morning in time for the Hokage inauguration ceremony."

Minato had long since placed a Flying Thunder God seal at the Daimyō's residence. Aside from the time required for the meeting itself, the travel time could essentially be ignored.

After a brief pause, Minato added meaningfully:

"Also, while most of the village's personnel are currently gathered here, I plan to convene a Jōnin Council meeting tomorrow afternoon to finalize several matters."

Ren was slightly surprised.

"That soon?"

Shikaku quickly explained, worried Ren might misunderstand.

"Clan Head Uchiha, please don't take this the wrong way. The incident during the Hokage election could have very negative consequences if not handled properly. We must restore the village's normal operations as quickly as possible to stabilize morale."

"And to restore normal operations, many matters require discussion and consensus. That's why a Jōnin Council meeting is necessary."

"Moreover, most of the village's jōnin returned to Konoha for the Hokage election, temporarily setting aside their duties. To avoid further delays, we decided tomorrow would be the best time to hold the meeting."

It was clear that Minato and Shikaku had already discussed this decision.

Shikaku strongly supported the plan.

However, Shikaku seemed to have misunderstood something—he was still trying to ease tensions between Ren and Minato.

But given the relationship between Uchiha Ren and Minato, did they really need a third party to mediate?

Minato continued,

"To be honest, I also feel this meeting is somewhat rushed. After all, the Third Hokage, Elder Koharu Utatane , and Elder Homura Mitokado are still receiving treatment in the hospital and may not be able to participate."

"But we have no choice. The situation in the village is too tense. We need to confirm several matters through the Jōnin Council first."

Although it sounded like a simple explanation, Minato had actually conveyed a very important message to Ren.

The real reason for the urgency was clear:

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu, and Homura would most likely be unable to participate in the council's decision-making.

Once Minato officially became Hokage, his close relationship with Ren would no longer be something that could be concealed.

And the things Minato and Ren intended to do next would inevitably face opposition from Hiruzen and the two elders.

But now, with the three of them injured and absent from the meeting, their political factions would become leaderless and disorganized.

This was the perfect opportunity to seize the moment and act.

Ren instantly understood the hidden meaning in Minato's words.

With a smile, he played along.

"That's really a shame. I originally planned to discuss Shimura Danzō's case during the Jōnin Council meeting so that the Third Hokage and the two elders could witness it themselves. It seems they'll only hear the final results instead."

Shikaku froze slightly.

"From the way you're speaking, Clan Head Uchiha… does that mean the Military Police Force has already obtained evidence of Danzō's crimes?"

Ren nodded.

"Today, the Military Police took control of all Root facilities within the village and its surrounding areas. We did find quite a few things."

"Although this may not represent all of Danzō's crimes, even what we've discovered so far is shocking enough."

"Each crime alone would be enough to condemn him to a thousand deaths."

Minato's expression turned serious.

"Is it really that severe?"

"It's even worse than you think," Ren said slowly.

"I'll explain the details during tomorrow's Jōnin Council meeting. But there are three matters that can't wait until tomorrow."

"I need the village's cooperation to resolve them as quickly as possible."

Shikaku's expression also became solemn.

He turned toward Minato.

"In that case, Hokage-sama, why don't we gather everyone and discuss it together?"

Although the surrounding people were already paying attention to the conversation between Ren, Minato, and Shikaku, some were still busy trying to calm Tsunade down.

By suggesting this, Shikaku was essentially formalizing the discussion.

Minato didn't respond immediately.

Instead, he glanced at Ren, silently asking for his opinion.

After all, Minato didn't yet know what Ren intended to discuss. He didn't know whether it could be openly revealed.

Ren pondered for a moment before nodding.

"Alright."

"Let's call everyone over and discuss it together."

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