CHAPTER 192 - 192 : 50-50! CANDIDATES FOR THE NEXT HOKAGE?

"The Third Hokage died in battle."

Kakashi delivered the news to Uchiha Haru just as Kurenai Yuhi and Might Guy arrived at his side.

"Oh."

Uchiha Haru responded with a calm indifference.

He didn't ask any further questions, nor did he display any emotion.

Kakashi stared at Haru intently, trying to read something—anything—from his expression.

But there was nothing.

Or perhaps that was the answer in itself.

Haru's composure was too perfect. Too unnatural.

Even the most stoic shinobi would ask something upon hearing about the death of the Third Hokage. But Haru didn't even flinch.

Could it be that... Uchiha Haru had known this would happen all along?

Was this all part of a conspiracy between Uchiha Haru and Orochimaru? A setup?

If so, the implications were terrifying.

What exactly was Haru's goal? Did he plan to seize control of all Konoha?

But on what grounds?

Sure, Uchiha Haru had saved the Hidden Leaf during its darkest hour. He had singlehandedly prevented its destruction.

But that alone wasn't enough to grant him power over the entire village.

After all, Uchiha Haru wasn't even technically a Leaf shinobi anymore.

The Uchiha clan's betrayal and the massacre that followed had left wounds far too deep. The village would never trust a lone Uchiha—no matter how powerful—enough to place its fate in his hands.

So what was Haru's endgame?

Kakashi couldn't figure it out. So, watching him carefully, he asked, "Haru, what do you think we should do now?"

It was a question. But it was also a test.

If Haru harbored any ambition toward Konoha, he might let something slip.

But Haru only replied, "This is Konoha's internal matter. It's not my place to interfere."

That line clearly distanced him from the Hidden Leaf.

Kakashi was surprised.

Had he misjudged him after all?

Still skeptical, Kakashi added, "Haru, Konoha is in ruins now. The Third Hokage—Sarutobi Hiruzen—died in battle, and countless elite shinobi have fallen."

"As for the so-called 'high-ranking officials'..."

He didn't bother to disguise his disdain.

The few shinobi standing nearby were all loyal, battle-hardened comrades. After everything they'd been through, they knew exactly what the village elders were worth.

In peacetime, they did nothing but line their pockets and indulge in luxuries.

And when the village was falling apart?

They were nowhere to be found.

The high council couldn't be trusted. Now, it was only the remaining jonin and commanders who could bear the weight of leadership.

"I... we really don't know what to do," Kakashi admitted.

Might Guy furrowed his brow and said, "Yeah..."

"Haru, Konoha may have wronged you in the past, but it's still the place you grew up."

"You may have left the village and no longer wear the forehead protector of the Hidden Leaf, but we still consider you a comrade."

"That bond will never break."

"I hope you can guide us. If you, Uchiha Haru, are willing to step forward, Konoha can survive this disaster!"

Kurenai stood silently beside Haru. Though she didn't say much, her eyes clearly pleaded for his help.

After all, this was her home—where she was born, raised, and made into a kunoichi.

Haru looked around at the three of them. He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

"As the head of the Kirigakure Security Division, I really shouldn't involve myself in Konoha's affairs."

"But since you're asking me to help—and for the sake of the past—I'll offer some advice."

Might Guy and Kurenai visibly relaxed. Just hearing that Haru was willing to help lifted their spirits.

They knew: if Haru got involved, no obstacle would be too great.

Kakashi, however, remained cautious. A part of him still wondered if Haru might use this moment to make a power play.

But Haru seemed unconcerned with such thoughts. He continued, voice low and even:

"First, with the Third Hokage gone, Konoha must choose a new Hokage—someone capable of guiding the village out of this crisis."

"Second, you must stay vigilant about the movements of the other villages."

"For years, Konoha has been the most powerful of the Five Great Nations. Because of that, you've hoarded more resources than any other. Countless villages resent you for it."

"They haven't acted because they feared your strength."

"But now, with Sarutobi Hiruzen dead, and your elite jonin forces crippled, Konoha is at its weakest."

"If anyone plans to strike, this is their perfect window."

"You must be ready."

The weight of his words settled heavily in the silence that followed.

They were truths the others had not yet dared to say aloud.

Even a genius like Kakashi had overlooked them. Maybe it was stress, maybe grief—or maybe that was simply the nature of leadership: when you're in the middle of the storm, you can't always see the lightning.

Might Guy and Kurenai nodded solemnly.

For the first time since the attack, they had a sense of direction.

Kakashi then asked again, "Haru, do you think there's anyone suitable to serve as the Fifth Hokage right now?"

This was a critical moment.

If Uchiha Haru wanted to control Konoha, he certainly couldn't do it by force.

He had no foundation here—neither the leadership of Konoha nor its people would accept him.

The smartest move was to install a puppet.

He wanted to see what Uchiha Haru would say next.

But what Haru actually said left him stunned.

"In the Hidden Leaf Village, the person most qualified to become the next Hokage is, of course, Jiraiya—one of the legendary Sannin."

Uchiha Haru stated it without a hint of hesitation.

In the original timeline, it should have been Tsunade who became the Fifth Hokage. But in this reality, Tsunade was currently the director of the Medical Department in the Hidden Leaf Village.

Given her critical role and responsibilities, it was impossible for her to return to Konoha and take on the Hokage position again.

Neither Konoha's leadership nor the village itself would approve of such a shift.

That made Jiraiya the most appropriate candidate.

As one of the Sannin, Jiraiya's strength wasn't inferior to Tsunade's—if anything, he surpassed her in many aspects.

But... would Jiraiya even agree to become Hokage?

Uchiha Haru had asked him that exact question once, face to face.

Jiraiya's answer then had been a firm refusal.

And Haru doubted anything had changed.

So now, after dropping Jiraiya's name, Uchiha Haru turned to Kakashi and asked calmly, "Kakashi, if Lord Jiraiya is unwilling to take on the role, would you be willing to shoulder this responsibility?"

"Me?" Kakashi was caught completely off guard.

He didn't even know how to react at first.

When Haru mentioned Jiraiya, Kakashi's first instinct was agreement. He had immense respect for the man—a legendary ninja of the Sannin and the mentor of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

To Kakashi, having Jiraiya become the Fifth Hokage would be the ideal scenario.

In terms of credentials, experience, and strength, Jiraiya was unmatched.

But he hadn't expected Uchiha Haru to suddenly suggest him as a candidate.

Him? Hokage?

Like many who grew up in Konoha, Kakashi had once dreamed of becoming Hokage as a child.

He was no exception.

But now... it felt far too sudden.

His strength aside, he was still relatively young and lacked the experience necessary for such a monumental role.

What was Haru thinking?

"Yes, Kakashi. I'm talking about you," Haru confirmed, his voice calm but firm.

There were only three people in Konoha right now with the qualifications to become the Fifth Hokage.

One was Jiraiya—the obvious best choice.

But if Jiraiya declined, then the choice fell to the remaining two: Danzo Shimura, head of the Root division, and Hatake Kakashi, the famed Copy Ninja who rose to prominence during the Third Great Ninja War.

Each had their strengths and weaknesses.

Danzo was old, cunning, and experienced. Alongside Sarutobi Hiruzen, he had led Konoha—one in the light, the other from the shadows—through years of prosperity.

But Danzo's methods were notoriously brutal. His name was marred by bloodshed, secrecy, and countless black ops missions.

His reputation stood in stark contrast to the Third Hokage's.

If Danzo were named Hokage, there would be fierce opposition among the villagers and many of the ninja.

But at the same time, due to his credentials and seniority, there would be plenty who supported him too.

Then there was Kakashi.

Son of the legendary Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, and student of the Fourth Hokage—Kakashi had impressive lineage and connections.

He'd made a name for himself in the Third Great Ninja War and earned the moniker "Copy Ninja" throughout the entire ninja world.

But his youth and lack of leadership experience were obvious weaknesses.

Would the village trust him to lead during such a turbulent time?

Between Danzo and Kakashi, it was a 50-50 gamble.

From Uchiha Haru's perspective, Kakashi was clearly the better choice.

He couldn't stand the thought of that old fox Danzo sitting in the Hokage's chair.

Kakashi, on the other hand, was someone he understood—someone he respected.

Of course he would back Kakashi.

Kakashi looked at Haru with a conflicted expression.

He still couldn't quite wrap his head around it.

According to his earlier, most paranoid assumptions, Uchiha Haru wanted to manipulate Konoha—maybe even destroy it from within.

But if either Jiraiya or Kakashi became Hokage, it was impossible for Haru to gain direct control. Both of them were too loyal to the village.

So... had he misjudged Haru?

Was there never any conspiracy?

Had he been overthinking this the entire time?

As that realization settled in, Kakashi felt a strange sense of relief.

He knew better than anyone what kind of ninja Uchiha Haru was.

He was terrifying—unpredictable, powerful, and unrelenting.

---------

🎇🎇 Check out new Fanfiction 🎇🎇

🎊 Naruto : Tsunade You're Really Drunk 🎊

------------------

This Week Bonus Chapter - 200 Power stones

2nd Bonus Chapter - 400 Power Stones

3rd Bonus Chapter - 600 Power Stones

-------------

📢 Support the Novel & Read Ahead!

Love the story and can't wait to see what happens next?

Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early Chapters before anyone else! 🔥

https://www.patreon.com/UK21

Thank you for reading, and I truly appreciate your support! 💖

---------