Konoha: The Soul King from the Uchiha Clan

Chapter 324 Smiling on the outside, but in the heart...

"I have summoned you all here today to announce something important."

Apart from Uchiha Gen, all the other Jonin looked up at Sarutobi Hiruzen, listening intently.

"I am getting old, and for the sake of Konoha's future, the appointment of the Fifth Hokage must be put on the agenda."

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked. Many Jonin were initially stunned, but then their faces lit up with joy.

Those ninjas who knew some of the inside story, such as Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Nara Shikaku, were simply shocked.

The Hokage hasn't found someone who shares his ideals yet, so why would he suddenly announce the appointment of a new Hokage?

"The new Hokage candidate is Uchiha Gen, the head of the Konoha Police Department. I and the two elders fully support him."

With his heart bleeding, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to force a smile onto his serious face as he spoke.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu also wore forced, business-like smiles.

The ninja who knew the inside story looked at Uchiha Gen with disbelief, as if the sun had risen in the west today...

The other ninjas also focused their shocked gazes on Uchiha Gen. Was the Uchiha clan about to produce a Hokage?

Despite being watched by so many Jonin, Uchiha Gen remained completely calm. He stood up with an air of composure, turned around, bowed, and spoke.

"Thank you for your kindness, Hokage and the two elders. I will do my best to fulfill the essential duties of the Hokage in the future, to promote Konoha and create new glories."

"But I am still young and inexperienced, so I will follow the Hokage and learn from him for a few years."

"Please observe my performance during this period. Thank you everyone."

After speaking succinctly, Uchiha Gen turned around and calmly sat down.

The next moment, the conference room erupted in chatter, with everyone unable to resist discussing it with those they knew...

This was so sudden and unexpected; they weren't prepared at all.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that things were happening too suddenly, so he didn't organize anything immediately and let everyone discuss it.

After a while, the discussion subsided. Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a signal, and Homura Mitokado spoke up to restore order. Soon, the room quieted down.

"Minister Gen will not become the Fifth Hokage immediately. I will continue to serve Konoha for a few more years."

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this is settled."

"Meeting adjourned."

After saying that, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two got up and left without lingering.

Some hesitated for a moment but still followed; others surrounded Uchiha Gen and tried to curry favor with him.

Uchiha Gen would naturally not turn a cold shoulder to others' attempts to be friendly.

Whether they were commoner ninjas, clan ninjas, or clan leaders, they were all treated equally. Their attitude wasn't exactly radiant, but it was still friendly.

Among those gathered around, Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi were the happiest, for they once again saw hope that the Hyuga clan would produce a Hokage.

The two planned to go back and encourage Neji to work even harder...

It took Uchiha Gencai quite a while to get rid of the people surrounding him.

"Congratulations, Gen." Kakashi walked over with a smile and said.

"Wow, Xuan, your youth was truly passionate, fulfilling, and dazzling."

Congratulations!

Guy, who had just been promoted to Jonin through tireless efforts, followed Kakashi over, one hand on his hip, the other hand raising his thumb, his mouth wide open, his teeth shining white.

Uchiha Gen smiled and said, "Thank you, thank you. Are you two free tonight?"

"If you're free, come to the Uchiha clan's territory and have some fun."

"If nothing unexpected happens, the clan will definitely celebrate in a big way. Although it's a bit too high-profile, the clan has been looking forward to it for decades, so it's not good to force them not to."

"You don't need to be shy, members of the Hyuga clan and some of their relatives and friends will be coming."

"You can invite our classmates from the same year; it's been a long time since we've all gotten together."

Seeing that Uchiha Gen had gone to such lengths, the two naturally agreed, and Guy even took the initiative to contact his classmates.

"Haha, Kai, you've taken on a big responsibility, so you'd better eat more tonight and don't try to save money for me."

Uchiha Gen had a good impression of Guy because Guy was a very pure person.

Guy is not an ordinary ninja, because his talent in taijutsu is unparalleled, and it is impossible to reach Guy's level by hard work alone.

Kai's insane training methods require not only unparalleled willpower but also extraordinary physical talent.

Kai's brilliance is a result of both talent and hard work, roughly equal in number.

"Haha, great, Xuan! You'll be amazed by my appetite tonight!" Kai laughed loudly.

Just as Uchiha Gen had a strong liking for Guy, Guy also had a strong liking for Uchiha Gen, whose status was no less than Kakashi's.

Because Uchiha Gen never looked at him strangely, and whenever they met on the street, he would greet him and offer to treat him to something.

However, Uchiha Gen held a high position, and although Guy was thick-skinned, he wasn't stupid. He was relatively more composed and less casual with Uchiha Gen.

"Kakashi, let's have an eating contest tonight! It's a way to show off our passionate youth!"

"Not interested."

"..."

The three chatted for a while before parting ways.

On the other side, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group were dealing with supporters both within and outside their own clan.

To prevent their supporters from causing trouble, the three had to reveal some things and issue a stern warning.

When the news reached the three major families, their patriarchs were devastated, but they had no choice but to accept reality.

News of the Fifth Hokage is spreading rapidly throughout the village and beyond, and it is sure to become the top trending topic today and in the coming days.

Ordinary villagers and ordinary ninjas discussed it with great interest, with the ordinary ninjas mostly expressing their anticipation.

Since most ordinary ninjas are civilians, they hope that after Uchiha Gen takes over, he will be able to implement some of the policies implemented by the police department throughout the village, such as the ninjutsu points exchange system.

The major clans of Konoha quickly responded, sending representatives to offer their congratulations and gifts.

The Sarutobi clan, the Mitomon clan, the Utatane clan, the Nara clan, the Yamanaka clan, and the Akimichi clan all sent generous gifts to Uchiha Gen.

The closer a family was to Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, the more valuable the gifts they sent.

Gen Uchiha accepted all the gifts that were sent, because if he didn't, the others wouldn't feel at ease.

The Uchiha clan was overjoyed upon receiving the news.

The police department erupted in deafening cheers, with several old men, including Uchiha Setsuna, so excited that tears streamed down their faces...

After his emotions calmed down a bit, Uchiha Setsuna immediately sent someone to inform the clan.

The men sent out shouted and yelled along the streets of the clan compound, going door to door to inform everyone. Soon, the Uchiha clan compound erupted in deafening cheers...

Once everyone's emotions had cooled down a bit, they each prepared for the grand celebration according to orders, all of them in high spirits and full of energy, as if they had inexhaustible strength.

A long-cherished wish has finally come true. Perhaps now we can even turn the Uchiha clan into oxen and collectively till the land. That's how powerful we are!

Many guests arrived during the evening celebration, some by invitation and others uninvited, and all were treated well on this joyous occasion.

It's worth mentioning that Gen Uchiha also invited Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two to the celebration.

This is only natural; after all, even if we forget who to invite, we can't forget the leaders who support us.

No threats were needed; the three of them had no choice but to come, otherwise the facade of harmony would be shattered.

If the superficial harmony cannot be maintained, then the one who will lose face will not be Uchiha Gen, who will become the Fifth Hokage in the future, but the three of them.

The three people forced to perform felt completely out of place in the warm and festive atmosphere around them, making an unusually loud noise, yet they still had to go along with the performance...

The three of them felt as if ants were crawling all over their bodies, but their bodies were restricted. They couldn't even rub against each other, let alone use their hands. It was incredibly uncomfortable!

The excitement at the Uchiha clan compound lasted until late into the night. Countless fireworks were set off, and the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder. Many people were so excited that they couldn't sleep at all...

Some readers have said that my writing is sloppy, and I admit that's true to some extent. This is because I've run out of outlines and have to write as I go, which has caused me a lot of writer's block. I haven't had enough time to write outlines, as they are quite time-consuming.

(End of this chapter)