With a conflicted face, Senju Hashirama pressed his brush down and wrote four large characters: Senju Tobirama.

Cheers erupted from the floor.

In the corner, Uchiha Madara stood silent, feeling utterly out of place. His eyes drifted to Hashirama's smiling face, then to Tobirama's smug one. Just that arrogant smirk stoked a restless fire inside him. His calm black eyes began to bleed into crimson.

"…Hn?"

From below, Gin crunched his sunflower seeds. Suddenly, a chill of dark chakra pulsed through the air. Tossing the shells at Kenichi Shimura's feet, he narrowed his dead-fish eyes, scanning—until he locked on Madara.

Not good.

In a blur, Gin body-flickered behind his cousin, amazed at how Madara—same as always—left his back wide open.

Slap.

"Who?!"

Madara's chakra was about to spiral out of control when a cool hand clapped his shoulder. A calming wave surged through him. The madness faded from his eyes.

"Don't sulk, little cousin. Next time, I'll help you even the score."

Gin's lazy drawl steadied Madara's heart. Exhaling, Madara turned. Seeing Gin behind him, he managed a bitter smile.

"It's useless. We can't beat him."

For the first time, Madara admitted it. In strength, he believed he could crush Tobirama. But in schemes? He'd been utterly outplayed.

The Uchiha were emotional by nature—proud, rigid, poor at diplomacy. Ever since Konoha's founding, their role as police had only made enemies. If Madara wanted the villagers' support, he'd have to change his clan's entire temperament—something impossible overnight.

"This isn't you. Since when does Madara give up so easily? Weren't you the man who wanted to be Hokage?"

Even when his uncle "died," Gin had never seen Madara look so vulnerable. The loss stung worse than anything. If he didn't step in, Madara would just lock himself away with his side projects again.

"The Hokage? I couldn't even win Village Secretary. What Hokage?"

Though the Village Secretary carried Daimyo approval and equal power to Hokage, the title lacked the same weight. Even the Daimyo's decree had listed Hokage first—proof of where true authority lay.

"Oi, think positive. Tobirama becoming Secretary just means no one can challenge you for Second Hokage."

Right.

Madara's true dream was Hokage. He'd let his rivalry with Tobirama cloud that. But Gin's words cut through the haze. Madara's eyes lit again. He looked at Hashirama on stage. The fire inside rekindled.

"Congratulations, Tobirama."

Hashirama's face tightened as he handed the appointment scroll to his brother. Forcing a smile, he spoke warmly.

"I…I'm unworthy of this honor."

Feigning humility, Tobirama accepted. But leaning close, his voice turned sharp:

"This is mine by right."

"You've made it impossible for me to face Madara and Gin."

"If you can't win, don't play. Now hush—I've got a speech to give."

Hashirama bit his lip. He knew Tobirama had pulled strings. This seat was supposed to secure Madara's place beside him. Now? Ruined.

Damn. Lost the beauty and the treasure in one blow!

While Tobirama launched into his speech, Hashirama scanned the hall for Madara, desperate to apologize, ready to kneel if needed.

"Madara—"

He spotted him in the corner, whispering with Gin. Relief flooded him: at least Madara hadn't stormed out.

"Hmph."

But Madara turned his head away, cold and dismissive. Hashirama's heart clenched. Was their bond truly breaking?

"…Thank you all for your support. I will do my utmost to assist the Hokage and make Konoha the premier village of the shinobi world."

Tobirama's rehearsed words drew approving nods. But in their hearts, none equated Secretary with Hokage. It was clearly subordinate. Tobirama noticed, frowning slightly. He'd fix that perception in time.

Then—

"Congratulations on your appointment… Secretary."

The voice cut cold and clear across the room. All eyes swung to its source. It was Madara.

"Is he about to attack?!"

"Quick, where are my seeds? Can't watch a brawl without snacks!"

Some women sighed, hands over hearts. "Aaah, Uchiha Madara—still the second most handsome in the village! My heart can't take it!"

Their boyfriends scowled. "What about me? I'm ranked too!"

"…What rank?"

"…251."

"Scram."

Ignoring the chatter, Tobirama's eyes narrowed. "Madara, I was chosen by all here. Don't do anything rash." He ducked behind Hashirama, peering over his shoulder.

"Madara, don't be reckless," Hashirama urged.

Madara stopped mid-step. His eyes burned with conviction. "Do you think me so crude? I am still a Hokage candidate."

Hashirama blinked. He'd expected fury, not… resolve.

"What do you mean?" Tobirama asked warily.

"I mean nothing. I lost because I wasn't prepared. That's all."

Madara's calm tone only deepened Tobirama's frown.

"Ha! If you've accepted it, then let's celebrate after with a meal." Hashirama grinned in relief.

"Later. First, a question."

"Oh? Ask."

"I believe everyone here wonders… Can the one who becomes Village Secretary still run for Hokage?"

The hall erupted.

"Right! If you're Secretary, can you still become Hokage?"

"Impossible! You can't hog both seats. What greed!"

The tide of opinion turned instantly. Tobirama's face darkened. He'd been trapped.

"Big brother…" he muttered.

Hashirama hesitated. Then, with a solemn voice, declared:

"No. Once someone serves as Village Secretary, they cannot be Hokage."

"Good. Tonight's dinner is on me! And I expect the Village~ Secretary~ to attend too!"

Madara smiled, deliberately dragging out the title. Tobirama ground his teeth, resisting the urge to stab him on the spot.

After the Meeting

Gin walked ahead, Madara and Izuna trailing.

"Thanks, cousin. Without your reminder, I'd have lost myself."

"Psh, what are cousins for?" Gin yawned.

Izuna, however, was fuming. "How can you both be so calm? Tobirama stole our spot!"

"Little cousin, you're Vice-Chief of the clan. Can't you see past the obvious?" Gin said flatly.

Izuna blinked, lost.

At that moment, Sarutobi Sasuke strode over, bowing. "Gin-san, congratulations!"

"You're congratulating too early," Gin chuckled.

But Sasuke had realized the truth—Tobirama's win had disqualified him from Hokage. Madara's path was cleared.

Hyūga Tenyo soon approached too. "Gin-san, my father wishes to invite you and Clan Head Madara to dinner."

"Of course!"

One by one, clan reps offered greetings. To an outsider, it looked as if Gin and Madara had won.

Izuna gaped. "Big cousin… what's going on?"

"You really don't get it? Watching too much Royal Uncle drama, rotting your brain?" Gin sighed.

Izuna flushed.

"Alright, I'll spell it out." Gin explained: with Tobirama trapped in the Secretary role, he was barred from Hokage forever. The only contender left was Madara.

Izuna's eyes lit up. "Hah! That white-haired fool dug his own grave! Madara will be Hokage for sure!"

"Exactly."

Madara folded his arms, grinning wide. He already pictured himself in the Hokage robe, seated in the central chair, barking orders at Secretary Tobirama.

"Don't celebrate yet. The future's unpredictable," Gin warned. "Never pop champagne at halftime—your opponent isn't the national soccer team."

Madara nodded, serious again. "I'll watch Tobirama closely."

At that moment, Hashirama came jogging over in casual clothes. "Madara! Gin! Izuna! Let's eat together!"

Only him. No Tobirama.

"Ah, he said he's busy with paperwork," Hashirama explained sheepishly.

"Probably making a voodoo doll of you," Gin muttered.

"We'll skip. Got to design Izuna's new look," Gin said, flashing Madara a knowing glance.

"New look?!" Izuna blinked.

"One that'll help you woo Mihoko. I call it the Blue Enchantress. Guaranteed success."

"…I'll pass. You two go." Madara smiled faintly, walking off with Hashirama.

As they left, Gin muttered, "The shinobi world's in tatters, and I, Uchiha Gin, will stitch it back together…"

Izuna tilted his head. "Big cousin, hurry! I've got a milk tea date with Mihoko!"

Later, Gin whipped up a flashy outfit in under thirty minutes. Izuna admired himself in the mirror. "I feel like a god!"

"Out you go, brat." Gin kicked him onto the street.

"Wait for my good news!"

Surprisingly, the following days were peaceful. Tobirama, now Secretary, didn't target the Uchiha—or bully Madara in the office.

"…This isn't right. Not right at all," Gin muttered daily from the couch.

"Didn't you say you'd start working?" Senju Itama asked as he swept.

"…Work? Crap! My appointment letter! Where is it?!"

Gin sat bolt upright. That's what was missing—he'd been stood up again!

"They're bullying honest folks…" He groaned.

"You don't need to work. I can support you," Itama offered shyly.

"Support me? I just want something to do!" Gin rolled his eyes. Since the system had locked, his only way to grow stronger was Eating Steel. Missions were the only source of new skills worth anything.

"You're just bored, huh? Go take missions then," Itama suggested.

"Pfft. Missions can't beat a cushy desk job."

"You complain about everything. No wonder you're still single."

"…Damn brat. Getting sharper-tongued every day."

Truth hurts worse than lies. Gin winced.

"Small kids really are cuter…" he muttered.

CRASH!

Lightning cracked. A small fist—powered by monstrous strength—smashed him clean through the roof.

"Pervert!"

Gin cratered in the yard, face swollen.

"Ungrateful brat… strikes her own father figure…" he groaned, crawling up—only to see a short figure peering down at him from the pit's edge.

"Oh hey, if it isn't Naruto. Give your uncle a hand up, will ya?"

(End of Chapter)

[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]

[Thank You For Your Support!]