Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village.

"However, the Hokage election is a big deal. Has Konoha set a date?"

"Of course. The original date was seven days from now. Although it hasn't been officially announced yet, our village has already been warming up for a while."

Hiruzen Sarutobi forced a smile, a rather strained one, as he was compelled to reveal his final trump card.

He didn't want to offend either side; he didn't want to bear a bad reputation in Konoha, but he also wanted to please Kirigakure. So he had no choice but to use his last trump card.

"So good!"

Upon hearing this, Hozuki Mangetsu was overjoyed and beamed with delight: "Back then, Kirigakure held the election for the Fourth Mizukage, which was an unprecedented event that I still remember vividly. I never expected that I would have the opportunity to witness the Konoha Hokage election today. It is truly an honor."

"Lord Hokage, we'll stay in Konoha for the next few days. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"It won't affect anything!"

What should have been a good opportunity to welcome the Hidden Mist envoy and build rapport ultimately fell through due to Fugaku Uchiha's sudden intrusion.

After personally seeing off Hozuki Mangetsu and the others, and after all the Konoha Jonin had left, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile vanished instantly. He was so angry that he almost overturned the table, repeatedly shouting "Uchiha Fugaku! Uchiha Fugaku!"

Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and the others could only offer a few words of comfort in response to this situation.

Hiruzen Sarutobi himself said he would handle it, but it turned out like this.

There's no point in arguing anymore; the most urgent matter is the Hokage election!

Danzo and Koharu Utatane, among others, began campaigning, joining the Uchiha clan in sending rice, oil, and warmth, and making grand promises through speeches and banners.

Fortunately, there are still seven days until the election day that was mentioned casually, so there is still enough time.

However, compared to the Uchiha clan, who had already taken action, the Hokage's higher-ups were clearly much later...

……

The struggle between the Uchiha clan and the Hokage faction has resumed, with both sides engaging in a fierce tug-of-war in Konoha.

In the morning, the Uchiha clan announced that they would receive a poster of Uchiha Fugaku in Susanoo, holding up the Konoha flag, along with a leaflet of his achievements, plus a bag of rice, a bucket of oil, and thirty eggs.

In the afternoon, banners and posters featuring members of the Hokage's faction, such as Danzo Shimura, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Torifu Akimichi, were also scattered throughout the streets and alleys of Konoha, along with rice, oil, eggs, and a bag of noodles.

"The competition outside is so fierce, yet you seem to be having a leisurely time."

Fugaku sat in the porch of his house, holding a teacup, looking up at the blue sky, lost in thought, until some sounds came from behind him, which brought him back to reality.

He rinsed another cup on the tea tray, filled it to about seven-tenths full, and gently pushed it in front of the person.

"It was thanks to you guys that Hiruzen Sarutobi was able to convene the Hokage election this time."

“We didn’t do much. It was mainly Hiruzen Sarutobi who wanted to cause trouble, plus you have a ‘good son’.” Hozuki Mangetsu casually finished his tea and said, “To be honest, this is the first time I’ve seen an Uchiha who likes Hiruzen Sarutobi’s stuff so much. Your son has really opened my eyes.”

"Itachi... it was indeed my oversight."

Fugaku sighed softly, a hint of sorrow appearing on his face.

Itachi was always his greatest pride, the one on whom he placed his endless hopes, expecting him to surpass Shisui and take over the top genius of the Uchiha clan from his hands.

In Fugaku's eyes, Itachi was perfect in terms of both talent and character. He even awakened the Sharingan at the age of six, setting a record as the youngest member of the Uchiha clan to awaken the Sharingan since the founding of Konoha.

But no matter how much they planned, they never expected that Itachi would have a problem with his thinking!

"I'm too lazy to meddle in your family affairs, but given the current situation, what do you think your chances of winning the election in seven days are?"

"very!"

When the topic turned to Naruto, Fugaku's expression became serious, full of confidence.

This piqued Man Yue's curiosity: "Where does their confidence come from? The Hokage faction is quite powerful, and there must be a significant number of ninjas supporting them."

“That’s right. Hiruzen Sarutobi and his forces are deeply rooted in Konoha, and the number of ninjas supporting them far exceeds that of the Uchiha.” Fugaku nodded, but his face remained full of confidence: “But there is one thing they cannot match: the Uchiha.”

"There are too many people, and they're too diverse, who want to come to power!"

"It's unheard of for a previous Hokage to succeed another. The precedent of the Hyuga main family branching out means they can't become Hokage either. That means my next opponent isn't Hiruzen Sarutobi, but one of the others."

"Shimura Danzo, Akimichi Torifu, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura... the combined political resources of these old guys are indeed formidable, but the question is, can they even work together?"

"But I'm different."

"I am the only one of the Uchiha clan!"

Fugaku was full of confidence.

"In this election, I, Uchiha Fugaku, shall be the Hokage!"

"it is good!"

Hozuki Mangetsu clapped his hands and cheered: "I'd also like to see what Konoha will be like after the Uchiha clan comes to power."

"Hehe, I won't let you down." Fugaku chuckled lightly, but after a moment, a hint of hesitation appeared on his face.

"Although this question is meaningless to you, I am still a little curious."

"Why you, why the Seireitei, why Kirigakure are helping me?"

First it was Tsunade, and now it's Hozuki Mangetsu. Why is Kirigakure helping him like this?

Everyone in the world acts for profit. Could it be that Kirigakure has some grander scheme or conspiracy at play?!

"do not think too much."

Seeing Fugaku's expression, Hozuki Mangetsu snorted: "Someone has already paid the price for you, so there's no need to worry about these things."

"You just stay in Konoha and wait to become your Hokage!"

Chapter 183 The Determination of Light and Darkness, Uchiha Shisui's Hollowfication!

A huge vortex has formed in Konoha in the competition for the Hokage position.

Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, Torifu Akimichi, Hiashi Hyuga, Fugaku Uchiha...

Almost all of Konoha's high-ranking officials are vying for the position of Fifth Hokage.

But just as Fugaku said, in a situation where everyone wants to rise to power, even though the Hokage faction has the most resources and support in Konoha, they can only lose to the Uchiha in the final election.

After the elders and advisors of Konoha revealed their ambitions, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who originally wanted to control the overall situation, was horrified to discover that, apart from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, several neutral ninja clans that were slightly biased towards the Hokage, such as the Aburame, Kurama, and Shiranui clans, had begun to speculate among the candidates.

For example, the Aburame clan chose Danzo, and the Shiranui clan chose Mitokado Homura.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could only try his best to push the Ino-Shika-Cho trio to support Akimichi Torifu with all their might, but the effect was minimal.

The Ino-Shika-Cho clan wielded considerable power in Konoha. After the Second Shinobi World War, aside from the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, the Ino-Shika-Cho clan was the most powerful force in Konoha.

However, the Ino-Shika-Cho clan suffered heavy losses during the Third Shinobi World War, especially on the Kirigakure battlefield. Not only did all three clan leaders die, but the elite members of the clans were also almost wiped out by Mizuki Yoru. As a result, the Ino-Shika-Cho clan's influence and combat power plummeted, and they were reduced to a medium-sized ninja clan on par with Inuzuka and Shiranui, only slightly stronger than the Kurama clan.

This situation made Hiruzen Sarutobi somewhat anxious.

He began to reach out to his old comrades Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado, hoping that they could pool their strength and work together towards a common goal.

But what use are past favors compared to the position of Hokage right now?!

Despite Hiruzen Sarutobi's best efforts in persuading and analyzing the pros and cons, only Koharu Utatane ultimately sided with him, while Danzo and Homura Mitokado continued to promote themselves within the village.

A Konoha ninja who doesn't want to become Hokage isn't a good ninja.

In this village where Naruto has been promoted since childhood, almost everyone harbors a dream of becoming a Naruto.

However, due to various reasons and reality, that dream was buried deep in my heart.

For example, Danzo!

"I know the chances are slim, but this may be my only chance in this lifetime, so I must do it!"

The fact that the stubborn Danzo had sided with him without hesitation made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel increasingly depressed.

Originally, if those old guys joined forces, they could still hold their own against the Uchiha, but now, none of the candidates can compare to Uchiha Fugaku!

Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted Danzo and Homura Mitokado to support Akimichi Torifu together, but after several attempts to persuade him, Homura Mitokado finally gave up.

Only Danzo remains.

However, the stubborn Danzo refused to give up the election.

Despite Danzo's role in the original work, where he is both a scapegoat and a comedic character, he not only cuts Susanoo with a kunai but also seals the Great Bridge.

At present, Danzo's reputation in Konoha is terrifying, especially among ninjas. Apart from Hiruzen Sarutobi, only Fugaku, who has now awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan and become famous, can rival him.

Besides, Danzo's reputation was unparalleled throughout Konoha!

The actual head of the Shimura clan, leader of the Root branch, and the Darkness of the Shinobi!

It's fair to say that if Fugaku hadn't awakened his Mangekyou Sharingan and gained unparalleled prestige, given the current situation in Konoha, the Fifth Hokage might very well have been Danzo!

"Danzo and Fugaku..."

His old friend's insistence made Hiruzen Sarutobi realize that he could only choose one of the two.

Without a doubt, there was no room for thought in making this choice.

Although my old friend was a bit stubborn, a bit ruthless, and a bit vicious.

But he was truly devoted to Konoha and was a true member of the Hokage lineage.

Giving the Hokage position to him is definitely better than giving it to the Uchiha!

"Danzo, I understand your thoughts. Indeed, making you Hokage now is the best choice."

“I can support you, but there’s one thing I want you to understand. When you step out of the shadows and into the light, please don’t bring your past ways with you.”

"I know what you're worried about regarding Hiruzen. After all these years, do you think I don't know these things?"

Danzo stared intently at his old buddy before him, his excitement barely concealed: "Where there is light, there is shadow. And when I, who am in darkness, walk towards the light, I will know the importance of light more than anyone else!"

"And you, old friend, I will let you take my place, so that you, the great tree that once basked in the sunlight, can also understand the meaning of darkness."

"...Only by experiencing both light and darkness can one truly live life, can't one?"

"Everything for Konoha. Hiruzen, my former teacher, wasn't he a person who embodied both light and darkness?"

Danzo spoke softly, his slightly yellowed eyes reflecting memories of the past and anticipation for the future.

"I have never forgotten the teacher's teachings, and I understand why the teacher chose you back then."

"Decades have passed, and I can be 100% certain that I am ready. So, Hiruzen, rest assured and leave everything to me. I will do everything I can and stop the evil Uchiha!"

"...Alright, everything is in your hands."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his old friend, took a deep breath, placed all his hopes on him, and turned to leave the Root base.

Looking at his dearest friend, whom he had been chasing his whole life, Danzo was trembling.

His gaze was fixed on the light at the end of the dark corridor, a world under the sun that he could never reach in the past!

And now...

"I will win!"

Danzo Shimura's eyes had never been so resolute: "I will win!"

……

The election for Hokage is in full swing.

Beneath an island in Hueco Mundo, in a dark corner, a certain consciousness began to slowly revolve once more.

"I am... Uchiha Shisui..."

"I am Uchiha Shisui, a rogue ninja from Konoha. I am Uchiha Shisui, the head of the Uchiha clan of Kirigakure. I am Uchiha Shisui, the captain of the 2nd Division of the Gotei 13..."

The consciousness gradually gathered its fragmented memories and began to project its own impressions and will into them.

A series of past events and life experiences began to reappear in his mind; spiritual power, eye power, and everything else began to emerge continuously.

As his name was uttered, that consciousness finally realized what its true identity was.

He is Uchiha Shisui!

'Minazuki Yoru... that evil being who controls souls, for the sake of Konoha's survival, for the sake of the last clan and village in my heart, I made a deal with him...'

'I am like this now because I absorbed the power of Hollows and became a fusion test subject of Hollows and Shinigami.'

"During the experiment, I seemed to have failed and gone berserk, but now..."

Like slowly rising from deep water, a feeling of breaking free caused the being sealed and extinguished by the Ninety-Six Capital Fire Frame to begin to tremble.

Cracks appeared in the pure white bone armor, and a figure suddenly broke through them.

The long-awaited light made Uchiha Shisui subconsciously squint, and the moment he opened his eyes, a figure he didn't want to face was already standing in front of him.