Konoha New Era : Third Hokage Ascends

(Edited)

The news of Uchiha Madara's departure shook the entire Konoha Village. The recruitment of new disciples was delayed, and training at the Konoha Academy ceased. The students returned to their clans, waiting for the Hokage's decision on how to handle the situation.

Since that day, Fumori Masaki had not seen Uchiha Kagami. According to rumors, Kagami's status in the Uchiha clan had been jeopardized due to Madara's actions. He was at risk of losing his position as the heir to the clan leadership. Although Masaki believed that Kagami, being a future disciple of Tobirama, would avoid any serious consequences, he wasn't confident about Kagami's chances of retaining the position of clan patriarch. After all, Kagami was never mentioned as patriarch in the manga, and details about Konoha's early era were scarce and unclear.

As a representative of the Fumori family, Masaki had participated in the drafting of the Konoha Ninja Village contract. Though his clan wasn't influential and he had no say in the proceedings, he had observed everything. He understood that the Hokage, as the leader of the village, couldn't interfere with decisions made within individual clans. This was crucial in maintaining mutual trust. Ultimately, Uchiha Kagami's future as the Uchiha clan's leader could only be decided within the clan itself.

Masaki could only hope that Kagami's supporters within the Uchiha clan would prevail. Kagami had served as the clan heir for years and had a calm and balanced temperament, which surely earned him allies. The recent events triggered by Madara's departure shouldn't be enough to unseat him from his position.

Distracted by these concerns, Masaki found it hard to focus on his training. He spent most of his time at home with Rimi, enjoying a few quiet days together.

Rimi, though a member of the Senju clan, had never harbored deep hatred for the Uchiha. As a child, she hadn't participated in the wars between the clans due to Hashirama's prohibition on involving children in battles. Her views of the Uchiha were shaped more by the older members of her clan than by personal experience.

Masaki, having no personal bias against Uchiha Kagami, often discussed these matters with Rimi. She too held Kagami in high regard and expressed concern for the difficulties he was facing.

"It all depends on what action Hashirama-sama takes," Masaki said one day. "Years ago, the Senju and Uchiha clans reconciled and forged peace. But Madara's departure threatens to undo all of that."

"I just don't understand," Rimi said, perplexed. "Madara-sama was the one who agreed to peace, but now he's the one resisting it after the village was formed."

Masaki was silent for a moment before replying. "It's a matter of his personality. He was moved by Hashirama-sama's ideals once, but his beliefs were always too different from Hashirama's. A moment of emotion wasn't enough to bridge their philosophical divide. I fear it was always destined to come to this."

Masaki knew that Madara had been manipulated by the altered Uchiha stone tablet, thanks to the scheming of Black Zetsu. But ultimately, it was Madara's own character that led him astray. His desire for a definitive, one-time solution to peace was what allowed him to be deceived.

Hashirama believed that peace was a long process, one that couldn't be achieved overnight. Even if their generation failed, he had faith that future generations would carry on their dream until peace became a reality. Madara, however, had lost faith in the world. He sought a permanent solution, one that could be achieved in his lifetime, even if it meant abandoning reality for a dream.

Masaki didn't feel he was in a position to judge Madara's personal ideals. He had not lived through the same experiences. But when it came to Madara's plan for the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Masaki had no doubts—it was wrong. Even if there hadn't been a conspiracy behind it, a world where people lived in a dream state, eventually turning into mindless Zetsu, was nothing more than enslavement. And with the revival of the God Tree and the threat of Kaguya's return behind it, Masaki could only oppose it.

Rimi, understanding Masaki's point, said quietly, "I hope Hashirama-sama can resolve this properly. I don't want Konoha to fall apart."

"Don't worry, it won't," Masaki reassured her with a smile, taking her hand. "I have faith in Hashirama-sama."

A few days later, Hashirama summoned all the clan leaders to a high-level meeting. It was clear that he intended to make his stance on the situation known, and this would determine Konoha's future.

Every clan leader gathered at the Hokage Tower for the meeting. As the head of the small Fumori family, Masaki also attended, though his clan's low status placed him toward the back of the room. He didn't mind, choosing to observe quietly rather than engage with the other clan leaders, most of whom were older and held more influence.

From his seat, Masaki noticed Uchiha Kagami sitting in the Uchiha clan's designated spot. Kagami smiled and nodded at him, and Masaki was relieved to see him there, looking composed and confident.

When everyone had assembled, Hashirama and Tobirama entered the room. Tobirama took his place as the representative of the Senju clan, while Hashirama, seated as Hokage, presided over the meeting as the village's leader rather than as the Senju patriarch.

Hashirama began by addressing the room, declaring that Madara had not betrayed the village but had simply chosen to leave. Whether or not the others believed this, Hashirama set the tone by dismissing any talk of treachery. He condemned the recent rumors as baseless, asserting that there was no deep rift between the Uchiha and the rest of the village.

Uchiha Kagami stood and confirmed Hashirama's words, reaffirming the Uchiha clan's loyalty to Konoha. "The Uchiha will never separate from the village," he said firmly.

Tobirama then announced that he would officially take Kagami as his disciple. This declaration sent shockwaves through the room. Becoming a disciple was akin to being named an heir, signaling a close bond and trust. Tobirama's public statement was a strong message that the alliance between the Senju and Uchiha clans remained intact.

But the surprises didn't end there. Hashirama revealed his intention to marry his young daughter to Kagami, further strengthening the ties between the two clans. With Madara gone, there was no longer any obstacle to such an alliance.

However, Kagami politely declined the offer. He explained that he was already engaged, a marriage arranged under Madara's witness. While he could have broken the engagement, Kagami felt it was his duty to honor the promise and protect the feelings of his fiancée. He also pointed out that the age gap between himself and Hashirama's daughter was significant, making the match unsuitable.

Hashirama, initially taken aback by Kagami's refusal, quickly regained his composure. Though he had acted impulsively in his eagerness to secure the bond between the clans, he admired Kagami's loyalty and integrity. Not everyone would turn down such a powerful alliance for the sake of a prior engagement.

Praising Kagami for his decision, Hashirama expressed his hope that Kagami would soon assume the role of Uchiha clan leader. Though he couldn't interfere directly in clan matters, his endorsement carried great weight and would likely sway opinion within the Uchiha clan in Kagami's favor.

Masaki let out a sigh of relief. The village's crisis of trust had been averted, and with Hashirama's support, it seemed certain that Uchiha Kagami would secure his place as the Uchiha clan's next patriarch.