Chương 67: Unity and Division Under Hidden Leaves

Four young men sat in the heart of Konohagakure within the warm, inviting confines of one of the Akimichi family's renowned restaurants, known across the village for its exquisite oriental-style barbecue.

Minato Namikaze, with his bright blond hair and striking blue eyes, carried an aura of warmth and leadership. Beside him, Inoichi Yamanaka's long, blond hair and thoughtful gaze spoke of a mind always at work.

Shikaku Nara, with his sharp features and dark, ponytailed hair, exuded a strategic calm, while Choza Akimichi's robust frame and fierce yet friendly expression mirrored the strength and loyalty of his clan.

The atmosphere around their table was currently charged with camaraderie and laughter, a private world amidst the bustling establishment. They were deep in conversation, topics flowing as freely as the drinks on their table.

At the center of this jovial gathering was Minato, whose spirits seemed even higher than usual, if that were possible.

His infectious enthusiasm and radiant smile lit up the room, drawing even more warmth into the already intimate setting.

Inoichi, Shikaku, and Choza, each a significant figure in their own right, were also becoming increasingly animated, their laughter growing louder with each sip of alcohol.

The gathering that evening was especially significant because it was in honor of Shikaku Nara's recent appointment as the official First Assistant to the Third Hokage.

As the night wore on and the effects of the alcohol began to lower their inhibitions, the atmosphere at the table subtly shifted.

The underlying tension, masked by celebration and camaraderie, slowly surfaced, brought into the open by Choza Akimichi.

With the sincerity that alcohol often brings, Choza broke the guise of festivity to address the elephant in the room, his voice carrying a mix of frustration and disappointment for his friend, "Damn, I still have a bitter taste in my mouth. It was obvious that the position of the Jonin Commander was already in Shikaku's bag, yet it went away at the last moment..."

"Shshh, Choza, don't say it like that...", Inoichi's voice cut through the thick atmosphere, laced with caution as he quickly glanced around the restaurant.

His eyes scanned the surroundings for any unintended listeners, but he soon exhaled in relief, noticing that the once-busy restaurant had dwindled to just them and a few Akimichi clan employees busy with closing tasks under the previous casual glances from Choza.

"If you put it that way, it sounds like Shikaku's appointment to the position was rigged, which could stir unnecessary controversy, especially given the current sensitive political climate...", Inoichi advised, his voice carrying a note of concern.

Although Inoichi shared Choza's frustration over his friend not securing the Jonin Commander position, his approach was more analytical, especially in such a public setting, even in a state of some intoxication.

"Inoichi is right, Choza. " We have to be careful about what we say, even here among friends...", Shikaku chimed in, his voice tempered by the weariness of recent events.

"And let's not view it all as a loss. I became the First Assistant today. It's a recognition of my contributions to the village, even if it's not the Jonin Commander position we hoped for...",

He then massaged his temples, a clear sign of exhaustion from his official first day working under the Third Hokage.

The role had him buried in bureaucratic tasks and sorting through piles of paperwork—far from the strategic military planning that would have played to his strengths as the Jonin Commander, a position that would have spared him from the tedium of manual work and allowed him to fully utilize his tactical acumen.

Moreover, the recent political upheavals within the village weighed heavily on him, still fresh and unsettling.

Recognizing his friends' collective sense of disappointment, Shikaku sought to temper their feelings, even as he grappled with his own mixed emotions about the path his career had taken.

"That said, there's a valuable lesson in this for all of us, especially for you, Minato...", Shikaku continued, his tone shifting towards something more reflective and his face becoming serious and focused,

"We shouldn't take anything for granted until it's truly ours. Life has a way of surprising us, and nothing is set in stone. This understanding will be crucial for you, Minato, given your ambitious goal of becoming the Hokage...", His gaze now firmly and earnestly on Minato.

"I get what you're saying, Shikaku, and please believe me, I'm fully committed to my ambitions. I won't let anything stop me from becoming the next Hokage...", Minato responded, his face mirroring Shikaku's seriousness for a moment.

Then, softening his tone, he added, "As for Shikaku's situation... I really hope none of you holds any resentment towards Sakumo-sama. After all, he's a respected hero of our village, and he earned his position fair and square. At the end of the day, we're all part of the same village... Let's stay positive..."

"You're right, Minato. No one can question Sakumo-sama's abilities or his contributions to the village. He also secured the position through a fair vote...", Shikaku acknowledged, offering a small smile in response, "In the end, what's best for the village as a whole outweighs any individual ambitions I might have...",

While Shikaku's words conveyed agreement and understanding, aligning with the spirit of unity Minato emphasized, a part of him still wrestled with the outcome.

Beneath the surface, Shikaku's acceptance was not as wholehearted as he presented just now. Yet, he bore no ill will towards Minato for his remarks, fully recognizing Minato's innate leadership qualities and his unyielding dedication to the collective interests of the entire village.

He understood that Minato's unwavering loyalty extended to the entire Konoha and his close-loved people, like friends or family, and that devotion inspired everyone around him.

Moreover, he understood that Minato might not have the full picture of what had transpired.

However, Shikaku, with his shrewd mind, couldn't ignore the undercurrents he had observed.

As Inoichi had hinted earlier, and as all three of them were vaguely, painfully aware, the process for selecting the Jonin Commander was really 'manipulated' from the start, swayed by the Third Hokage's faction—a faction to which their clans had pledged allegiance completely.

Therefore, this wasn't merely about a personal loss for Shikaku himself but also represented a broader political setback for the Nara clan and the entire unofficial Hokage's faction group.

Shikaku's understanding of the situation was grounded in years of political maneuvering and expectations set by the village's leadership dynamics.

The Jonin Commander position was, in many ways, considered a legacy of the Nara clan, a nod to their long-standing allegiance with the Third Hokage's faction.

This tradition had historical precedence, with the previous Jonin Commander also hailing from the Nara clan.

Shikaku, expected to follow in these footsteps, had dedicated years to ensuring his suitability for the role, not through the best personal strength among all the Jonin but through his intellectual contributions to Konoha.

His efforts were extensive and impactful. Shikaku had been instrumental in enhancing Konoha's secret strategic warfare documents, and his academic articles on shinobi formations and tactics had become essential readings within the village.

Despite not being the strongest Jonin in terms of combat, his strategic intellect and contributions were deemed invaluable, positioning him as the nearly undisputed successor to the Jonin Commander title.

With the support of their faction and the influence they wielded among many civilian shinobi, Shikaku's appointment seemed assured, a mere formality awaiting confirmation.

The old Jonin Commander of the Nara clan eventually had to retire recently due to advanced age, and a new election needed to be held, which was just like some 'etiquette' and 'protocol' in impressions of higher-ups of their faction and the Nara clan. However, no one expected such an 'outsider' to suddenly enter the picture at the right place and 'at the right time'.

The emergence of Sakumo Hatake as a contender was a curveball no one had anticipated. Recently marred by rumors and facing a significant decline in public esteem, Sakumo's candidacy was at first viewed with skepticism during the previous Jonin Council meeting.

Yet, in a stunning turn of events, he managed to unite a coalition of smaller shinobi clans along with the traditionally rival Uchiha and Hyuga clans.

This alliance, seemingly inconceivable due to the deep-rooted enmity between the Uchiha and Hyuga, represented a significant shift in village politics.

Sakumo's unexpected victory at the polls, leveraging the Jonin Council's written rules to his advantage, was a clear indication of changing tides within Konoha's power structures. These tides are very unfavorable to all the people sitting at the table currently, even Minato, whether he realized it or not, like the rest of them.

"Minato, you know I usually see eye to eye with you, but this time, I have my reservations about Sakumo-sama...", Choza said, his voice a notch lower as the alcohol took its toll, making his words flow more freely yet with a hint of caution.

"I can't help but feel like he's been influenced by the Uchiha and Hyuga clans somehow...", His statement trailed off into a murmur, reflecting a mix of concern and suspicion.

"Didn't you catch his speech? It was laced with subtle digs at those closely aligned with the Third Hokage—our group included—and perhaps even at the Hokage-sama himself...",

"That doesn't sound like the Sakumo-sama we knew, the one who always carried himself with politeness and respect. It's as if he's under some sort of spell...", Choza continued, pausing to wipe his mouth, a gesture punctuating his unease.

"Even if that's true, Choza, you should still hold back a bit. We just talked about being careful with what we say...", Inoichi interjected, his voice carrying a mixture of fatigue and caution.

However, the atmosphere still relaxed slightly as Inoichi noted the last of the restaurant's employees exit, closing the doors behind them, leaving only their group in the cozy, dimly lit space, so Inoichi didn't protest Choza's behavior too hard.

Nonetheless, despite his call for caution, Inoichi knew there was more to the situation with Sakumo than met the eye. He understood the subtle conflicts and moves made against Sakumo by their Third Hokage's faction.

Catching Shikaku's eye, he shared a look that said they both knew the real story behind Sakumo's change in attitude towards their group and the Hokage.

Minato, meanwhile, also secretly noticed the knowing look exchanged between Inoichi and Shikaku, letting out a quiet sigh before speaking up,

"I'm not out of the loop, you know. I'm pretty aware of the tensions... But honestly, right now, I feel like my hands are tied. That's part of why I'm so set on becoming the Hokage. I want to create a place where all of us, including Sakumo, the Hyuga, the Uchiha—everyone—can live together in peace. It might sound a bit naive, but it's a dream I'm willing to chase with everything I've got tirelessly...", He said, punctuating his resolve with a swig from his drink.

"Minato, if that's your goal, you'll have to become stronger than anyone could possibly imagine...", Shikaku added, his tone serious, reflecting not skepticism but a deep-seated belief in his friend's potential.

He knew everything about Minato's immense talent from a young age; after all, they were only one year apart in age and were closest among friends.

"Given the current state of things, bridging all those differences is going to be a monumental task...", There was no hint of mockery in his voice; Shikaku genuinely believed in Minato.

It was just that, from his perspective and rational analysis, Minato's ideals often seemed a bit too lofty. Yet, despite this, his faith in Minato's abilities and intentions was still unwavering.

If it had been Shikaku's father—the patriarch of the Nara clan—sitting at the table, he might have advised Minato to prioritize the political interests of their circle over openly speaking up for figures like Sakumo, the Hyuga, and the Uchiha, their 'enemies' during such a politically charged period.

However, Shikaku's bond with Minato wasn't built on the foundations of a political alliance. His friendship with Minato had grown beyond such confines, fueled by genuine respect and camaraderie.

Over time, drawn in by Minato's charismatic nature, Shikaku, along with Choza and Inoichi, had come to see him not just as a comrade but as a true friend.

Their support for Minato's ambition to become the next Hokage transcended political strategy; it was rooted in their deep personal natures and shared experiences as childhood friends.

Within their tight-knit group, Minato had emerged as an informal leader, guiding them not only by his strength, talent, and village political lineage but through his vision and character, making their allegiance to him all the more profound and personal.

"Yes, Minato, achieving your dream of becoming Hokage is one thing, but to realize those grand visions for the village, you'll need considerable personal strength to back it up...",

Inoichi interjected, his advice veiled yet clear. He subtly suggested that merely holding the title of Hokage wouldn't suffice if Minato couldn't command respect through his own power.

Without it, even as Hokage, he risked being overshadowed or manipulated by the village's established powers, like the Third Hokage and his advisors.

Inoichi deeply respected his clan's strategic decisions, especially their consistent alignment with the Third Hokage's leadership.

Yet, he didn't see his personal support for Minato's ambition to become the next Hokage as a betrayal of those alignments. In his view, leadership transitions were a natural part of life and governance.

The Third Hokage, no matter how venerable, would eventually need to pass on the mantle due to the inevitable march of time.

Inoichi saw his endorsement of Minato not as opposition to the current Hokage but as forward-thinking, preparing for the future well-being of the village and his friend's dreams.

This perspective allowed him to reconcile his clan's political stance with his personal belief in Minato's vision and potential to lead Konoha into a new era.

Shinsuke Sarutobi, the current semi-hidden 'Anbu Commander' of the village, for example, as the eldest son of the Third Hokage, had also played a significant role in the lives of Choza, Inoichi, and Shikaku, the future decided-on patriarchs of their clans, from a young age.

His position as their shinobi instructor was a strategic decision fostered by the alliances within their coalition.

This connection meant that their loyalty to the Third Hokage and his administration was deep-rooted; none of them would consider acting against the Hokage's wishes or his leadership as long as he chose to remain in office.

Yet, with the Third Hokage around the tail end of his peak this year, there was an unspoken acknowledgment among them of the inevitable need to look toward the more distant future.

Minato, at 18 and just a year their junior, embodied this future. Despite their respect and ties to the current Hokage, they couldn't ignore the shifting tides and the natural progression.

Minato, meanwhile, sensed his friends' underlying concern about his capabilities and the immense responsibility that lay ahead and responded with reassuring confidence.

"Don't worry, everyone, I'm well aware of the stakes. I haven't neglected my training; in fact, I've been continuously honing my skills. And I have a feeling that in the next few years, I'll achieve breakthroughs in my strength that will further surprise everyone—in a good way, of course. All my efforts are aimed at the betterment of our village...", He said, his smile carrying a hint of mystery and unwavering determination.