Chapter Fifty-Six: The Compromise of Three Generations

"The Nine-Tails will never be handed over to the Uchiha—" Mitokado Homura blurted out before Hiruzen Sarutobi could respond. But before he could finish, he caught sight of Koharu Utatane’s warning glance and quickly shut his mouth. Realizing what he almost said, he inwardly let out a sigh of relief, grateful to have been stopped before he spoke too much.

Uchiha Li threw them both a mocking look and said coolly, “What’s wrong, counselors? Do you not trust the Uchiha clan, thinking it’s too dangerous for us to wield the Nine-Tails?”

Both of them felt their blood surge at that, but they dared not answer, nor could they. Yet Uchiha Li had no intention of letting the matter rest. He had laid his groundwork precisely for this moment.

He turned to the Third and pressed, “Acting Hokage, is this your view as well?”

Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes, then opened them again and shook his head. “Li, you misunderstand. How could the village and we not trust the Uchiha? It’s just that the situation has not yet reached that point.”

Uchiha Li’s words had pushed him to the edge of a cliff. No matter what his true feelings were toward the Uchiha, this was not a moment when he could utter the word ‘distrust.’ If he did, the entire village would lose heart, and all his authority would evaporate.

“Then I must thank Lord Third for your trust in the Uchiha,” Uchiha Li replied with feigned emotion, before continuing, “As for the Raikage, he’s not a problem either. Even if he takes the field himself, you could as well, couldn’t you? You are, after all, our strongest Hokage. Dealing with the Raikage should hardly be a challenge for you.”

Though his words seemed full of praise, anyone could hear the underlying note of mockery. Hiruzen’s face betrayed no emotion as he replied, “If it truly comes to that, I shall, of course, do my duty.”

“Since all these problems have been addressed, what is there to fear?” Uchiha Li pressed on. “I ask that the village uphold justice for the Uchiha and Hyuga clans!”

As he finished, the members of the Police Force behind him, prompted by Fugaku’s signal, spoke in unison, “We ask that the village uphold justice for the Uchiha and Hyuga clans!”

Their united voices echoed through the entire Hokage building.

Hiruzen straightened his Hokage’s hat and fell silent, watching the scene before him. He gazed deeply at Uchiha Li, then at the thronging ranks of the Police Force. At last, he turned to Hyuga Hiashi and asked gravely, “Hiashi, is this what you wish as well?”

Hiashi’s eyes had been fixed on Uchiha Li. At the question, he returned to himself. After a brief moment of thought, his gaze grew resolute. “Lord Third, I ask that you seek justice for the Hyuga clan.”

Hiruzen was momentarily taken aback, but then nodded. “I understand.”

Hiashi bowed slightly and said no more.

Hiruzen let out a silent sigh, then looked around at those present. He knew that tonight’s situation was now completely in Uchiha Li’s hands. Under the circumstances, there was no longer any way to compromise with the Cloud. No use dwelling on it further. Hiruzen gestured for quiet, then declared, “What Kamoi has done has broken the peace between our two villages. The village will pursue this to the end. We will not agree to any of the Cloud’s demands; on the contrary, we will demand compensation from them. The specific details will be discussed and announced later. After a long night, everyone should return and rest…”

With that, he exchanged a look with Koharu and Homura and turned to leave with the ANBU. The night’s developments had far exceeded his expectations, all thanks to Uchiha Li. Hiruzen had thought he was cautious enough with this Uchiha youth, but clearly, he had underestimated him. Each move had forced him to yield. Now, all he wanted was some peace and rest. As for the troubles that would surely follow, whether the Cloud would declare all-out war—he could only take things one step at a time.

Watching the Third lead the ANBU away, the onlookers began to disperse as well. But just then, a voice rang out—a voice that would be seared into everyone’s memory that night: “Acting Hokage, may I ask you one more question?”

It was Uchiha Li. His words brought the entire assembly to a standstill. Everyone instinctively paused and looked towards him. Even Hiruzen stopped in his tracks, unmoving for a long moment. Finally, Hiruzen turned, expressionless, to face Uchiha Li. “What is it you wish to ask?”

As he spoke, his hands unconsciously tightened around his old pipe.

Uchiha Li smiled and spoke, “I’d like to know when the Fourth Hokage will resume his post.”

Without pausing, Li continued, his tone solemn, “As far as I know, Lord Minato was discharged long ago. Now that he’s fully recovered, he should be able to govern. Incidents like tonight’s would be better handled by a true Hokage, don’t you think?”

“You’ve worked your whole life. Perhaps it’s time for you to rest…”

The shock of Uchiha Li’s words left everyone speechless. The entire hall fell deathly silent. Just as they thought the night’s events couldn’t get any more dramatic, the main course was served at the end.

“How dare Uchiha Li! So this was his true purpose all along?” The same thought ran through almost every mind.

It was no secret that the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had long since left the hospital. But the village had barely mentioned it, and any discussion of the topic was swiftly hushed. There was a simple reason: the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was still in power. Until he himself announced his retirement, who would dare broach the subject? Not even Minato himself had brought it up since his discharge; he had stayed home, quietly recuperating.

Some in the crowd began to swallow nervously, even trembling where they stood. They regretted not leaving sooner, so they could have missed this altogether. But it was too late; Li’s words had rung through the hall, heard by all.

Hiruzen’s face darkened completely, his eyes fixed on Uchiha Li. “Uchiha Li, you—!”

Koharu and Homura both scowled, ready to rebuke him, but Hiruzen waved them down.

With his right hand holding the pipe behind his back, Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. “Li, you’re right. As the Hokage, Minato must fulfill his duties. But this is not your place to ask; the village will make the proper decision.”

With that, Hiruzen did not linger. He quickened his pace, leaving the scene.

Uchiha Li shrugged, glanced around, and said, “Isn’t anyone tired, or have you all eaten too much to sleep? You should all go and rest.”

As the crowd regained their senses, Uchiha Li’s figure had already vanished from sight…