Konoha’s Five-Element Ninja

Chapter 56: The Meeting

On December 7, Year 42 of the Konoha Calendar, just three months after Hayama developed his unique training method, an unprecedentedly grand meeting was about to be held inside the conference hall within the Hokage Rock.

The attendees included not only the leaders of various ninja clans but also all jōnin without active missions, resulting in an assembly of over two hundred people.

The reason for such a large turnout wasn't because the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had suddenly decided to embrace democratic decision-making. Rather, the issue at hand was too significant and controversial for him to decide alone—it required a majority vote. Even Sarutobi couldn't act unilaterally this time.

Early in the morning, Hayama dressed neatly and waited outside the Uchiha compound for Uchiha Shinichi and Uchiha Fugaku. His expression was unlike his usual composed demeanor—his face radiated intense killing intent. The reason? The meeting's agenda revolved around the punishment of Sakumo Hatake for abandoning a mission.

Although Sakumo had been cold toward him, Hayama could not forget the kindness the man had shown by teaching him Lightning Release techniques, significantly boosting his combat prowess.

Without Sakumo's guidance, Hayama would never have reached elite jōnin level in such a short time. Hayama was a simple man—concepts like village interests or national interests meant nothing to him. All that mattered were the people who treated him well. Everything else was secondary.

Sarutobi's actions filled Hayama with fury. In his view, this meeting was completely unnecessary—Sakumo's failure could have been dealt with via an internal penalty, not a large-scale public trial. This was nothing but a dirty political maneuver.

Before long, Uchiha Shinichi and Uchiha Fugaku emerged from the clan compound. Naturally, they noticed Hayama's menacing aura under a nearby tree and exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of admiration.

The previous night, Hayama had visited Uchiha Shinichi to persuade him to mobilize the Uchiha clan's influence and protect Sakumo Hatake during the meeting. Initially, Shinichi had refused, but after Hayama's eloquent and sharp analysis, he changed his mind.

According to Hayama's deductions, the real purpose of this meeting was not to discuss Sakumo's mission failure or punishment. Instead, it was a ploy to remove him from the Hokage candidacy, clearing the path for Hiruzen Sarutobi's three students.

There were only four true contenders for the next Hokage: Sakumo Hatake, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya. Due to the Senju Clan's decline, Tsunade had already lost her eligibility. Meanwhile, Orochimaru and Jiraiya lacked the reputation and support to compete with Sakumo.

Hiruzen Sarutobi undoubtedly wanted one of his disciples to succeed him, ensuring his faction's continued control over Konoha. If either Orochimaru or Jiraiya became Hokage, it would establish a master-apprentice lineage for the position, permanently blocking other factions from ever attaining the Hokage seat.

Hearing this, Uchiha Shinichi was outraged. His clan's records still contained Hashirama Senju's original promise, stating that the first Hokage would be Senju, and the second would be Uchiha. That promise had turned out to be a lie.

Now, Sarutobi's actions were further solidifying an exclusive Hokage inheritance system, ensuring that no other faction, let alone the Uchiha, could ever hold the position.

Furious, Uchiha Shinichi immediately pledged the Uchiha clan's full support for Sakumo during the meeting. He even dispatched messengers overnight to rally allied smaller clans, ensuring a strong opposition.

This was why Hayama had taken a detour to wait outside the Uchiha compound that morning.

However, Uchiha Shinichi and Uchiha Fugaku weren't just impressed by Hayama's political acumen. They were moved by his unwavering loyalty to Sakumo.

Everyone in Konoha knew that the civilian ninja faction, which Sakumo represented, had completely abandoned Hayama.

Yet despite this, Hayama was willing to set aside past grievances and repay Sakumo's kindness. This deeply reassured the Uchiha father and son.

This act proved that Hayama was not someone who forgot debts or loyalty. If he could go this far for Sakumo, how much more would he do for the Uchiha clan, who had given him even greater support?

"Hayama, tone down your killing intent," Uchiha Shinichi said with a rare warm smile, patting him on the shoulder.

"My apologies, Clan Head," Hayama replied.

"You and Fugaku are like brothers. In private, just call me Uncle."

Hayama was momentarily stunned before quickly adjusting his address.

"Yes, Uncle Shinichi."

Shinichi nodded in satisfaction. The more he looked at Hayama, the more he appreciated him. If not for the Uchiha's strict bloodline traditions, he might have even considered arranging a marriage for him within the clan.

With Hayama's current potential, once Shinichi retired, he would undoubtedly become Fugaku's most trusted right-hand man.

Noticing the lingering anxiety in Hayama's expression, Fugaku reassured him, "Don't worry, Hayama. The Uchiha's full influence will stand behind Lord Sakumo. Things won't turn out as badly as you fear."

Hayama expressed his gratitude, and the three headed toward the Hokage Rock.

Konoha wasn't particularly large, and they arrived at the conference hall quickly. Anbu personnel led them to their assigned seats.

Since they were early, only a few dozen people had arrived. Upon seeing Uchiha Shinichi, several ninjas immediately stood and respectfully greeted him—they were leaders of smaller clans affiliated with the Uchiha.

"Hayama, this is Morino Kouta, leader of the Morino Clan, and this is Gekkou Naoto, leader of the Gekkou Clan. You should get to know them better," Uchiha Shinichi introduced.

Hayama quickly greeted them, humbly positioning himself as a junior. His respectful attitude left a good impression on both clan leaders.

Soon, everyone took their seats.

Hayama's assigned seat was near the back, in the fourth-to-last row, close to the door. He sat straight, narrowing his eyes as he observed the steadily growing crowd.

From a surface-level perspective, the Uchiha clan had the second-most jōnin in the village, only behind the Hokage's faction.

But in terms of political power, even the Sarutobi clan held more influence.

Aside from Uchiha Shinichi serving as the Konoha Police Force Chief, none of the other Uchiha had any significant positions—not even Hayama.

This stark contrast proved just how severely the Uchiha were being suppressed. Strength without influence meant nothing. At this rate, the high-ranking officials would strangle the Uchiha's future.

At exactly 10 AM, Hiruzen Sarutobi entered the room, followed by Danzo Shimura, Sakumo Hatake, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado—the five individuals who ruled Konoha.

Wearing his Hokage robes and hat, Sarutobi stood at the center and scanned the room with a warm smile.

"I now declare this meeting officially in session," he announced.

After sitting down and removing his hat, Sarutobi chuckled. "Don't be so tense. Today's meeting won't take long—we won't waste much of your time."

Some ninjas chuckled, easing the tension in the room. Hayama, however, remained expressionless, his eyes locked onto Sakumo.

After a few more lighthearted remarks to set the mood, Sarutobi ceded the floor to Danzo.

Danzo, ever exuding an ominous presence, scanned the audience with narrowed eyes before speaking.

"There is only one topic today: the matter of Sakumo Hatake's failure to complete his mission, which resulted in losses for both Konoha and the Land of Fire. We will first hear Sakumo's account of the incident."

Hayama's heart sank as he noticed that Sakumo was not wearing his forehead protector.

Sakumo stood and calmly recounted the mission's details, though every attendee already knew the story.

During an evacuation mission of former Wind Country citizens from Akihabara, Sakumo's team was ambushed by both Rain and Sand ninja forces.

To prevent the total annihilation of his squad, Sakumo had made the painful decision to abandon thousands of civilians, essentially handing them over to Sunagakure.

Yet, this cost Konoha nothing.

Sakumo's tactical retreat had preserved Konoha's valuable jōnin forces, preventing another devastating loss.

The only ones affected were the civilians—and the Land of Fire's tax revenue.

This meeting was never about justice.

It was a political maneuver.

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