CHAPTER 153: CHAPTER 153

After lunch, Kitazawa and Sakura made their way to Konoha Hospital.

Luck was on his side today.

Barely after settling into his office, a message arrived from Nono: an Anbu had been gravely wounded and required immediate surgery.

Three hours later, Kitazawa walked out of the operating room, having completed yet another high-difficulty procedure.

But the mission was far from over. Seven more such surgeries still awaited him.

That evening, after finishing the final practical combat class of the day, Kitazawa returned to Kurenai’s home.

He had already mastered three of his four Wind Release techniques. Only the last—and most demanding—remained: Fūton: Shinkū Renpa, an advanced variation of Shinkūha that could unleash dozens of razor-like wind blades in a single breath. A devastating area-of-effect technique, but also a true test of control.

The next morning—Tuesday—Kitazawa arrived at the first-year senseis’ office early.

"Kitazawa-senpai!" Iruka greeted him promptly.

"Help me send out a notice," Kitazawa said directly. "All student council members from each class are to meet in the conference room at 12:40 sharp."

"Understood."

Iruka didn’t flinch. By now, running errands for Kitazawa was routine—and far from a chore. Many of his colleagues even envied him. After all, it meant he had earned Kitazawa’s trust. With Hiruzen and Tsunade both valuing Kitazawa so highly, his promotion was only a matter of time. Being seen at his side now could save Iruka years of effort down the line.

The morning passed with regular training, and soon noon arrived.

"Sasuke! This conference room is huge!" Naruto exclaimed, wide-eyed.

"..." Sasuke ignored him, stone-faced.

"Naruto!"

A booming voice came from the corridor—Rock Lee.

Sasuke instinctively took two steps back.

"Lee!" Naruto rushed forward, beaming.

The two green-clad oddballs embraced with a flourish, producing a series of bizarre, enthusiastic noises.

The other students exchanged baffled glances.

Sasuke and Neji met eyes, a silent bond of shared suffering passing between them.

"...Let’s go." Neji muttered, heading inside.

Sasuke followed quickly.

Inside, the conference room had been neatly arranged: nameplates on every seat, along with an introduction to the newly formed student council.

Sasuke sat down and scanned the document. The information went far beyond what Kitazawa had explained earlier.

The scope of authority was impressive.

Theoretically, the student council president had influence over every student in the Academy.

Sasuke’s eyes sharpened. This was worth aiming for.

By contrast, Neji remained unmoved. To him, the title was little more than a distraction. His time was better spent refining the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.

At exactly 12:40, Kitazawa entered. Every trial council member was present.

Though each was a top student, only a handful carried names familiar from the original story—Naruto, Sasuke, Neji, Lee, and Inuzuka Hana, Kiba’s elder sister and a fifth-year.

"Have you all read the materials on your desks?" Kitazawa asked, settling in.

"Yes!" the group answered in unison.

"This council was established with Hokage-sama’s approval," Kitazawa said with a small smile. "Do well, and you may find yourselves summoned by the Hokage personally."

The effect was immediate. At the Academy, there was no title more revered than Hokage. Nine out of ten students dreamed of wearing that hat.

Excitement buzzed through the room.

"But for now," Kitazawa continued, raising a hand to quiet them, "the council is still in trial phase. To be formally recognized, we must first achieve results. So tell me—what should be our very first activity?"

"Kitazawa-sensei!" Naruto shot his hand up without hesitation.

"...Go ahead." Kitazawa braced himself.

"I think the council should have a uniform! Something youthful and inspiring!" Naruto puffed out his chest. "This green jumpsuit I’m wearing is perfect!"

"I agree, Naruto!" Lee beamed, thumb raised. "This is the power of youth!"

"I refuse." Sasuke’s voice was ice. The youth virus must not be allowed to spread.

"I refuse as well," Hana quickly added, goosebumps rising at the very thought.

Others followed suit.

"Huh? Why?" Naruto scratched his head, utterly baffled.

"It’s ugly," Hana deadpanned.

Kitazawa cleared his throat. "A uniform isn’t a bad idea, but the design will require further discussion. We’ll put it to a vote."

"Kitazawa-sensei is wise," Hana sighed in relief.

Lee’s shoulders drooped, but Naruto slapped his back. "Don’t worry, Lee! We’ll win the vote with the power of youth!"

"These two are hopeless," several students thought simultaneously.

"Alright, back to business," Kitazawa said firmly. "Our first official council activity will be the creation of a club."

"A... club?" Naruto tilted his head.

"Think of it as a group where students with the same interests gather," Kitazawa explained.

Naruto’s eyes sparkled. "Then I’ll start a Youth Club!"

"You can," Kitazawa replied evenly, "but there are conditions. A club must have at least ten members to be recognized."

Naruto deflated slightly. Aside from him and Lee, who else cared about youth? His eyes darted toward Sasuke.

"I’m not joining," Sasuke said immediately, shuddering at the memory of green spandex.

"Clubs are new to everyone," Kitazawa continued. "That’s why you, as council members, must set the example. We’ll start with one together."

"What kind of club, then?" Hana asked.

"The Will of Fire Club," Kitazawa said with a smile. "Any student who dreams of becoming Hokage can join."

"I’m in!" Naruto shot his hand up instantly. Hokage and youth—two dreams in one.

Over two-thirds of the room followed.

"Good," Kitazawa nodded. "Next, let’s talk structure. The Will of Fire Club will have a president, plus three departments: Activities, Publicity, and External Relations."

He placed a ballot box on the table. "Now, we’ll vote for president. Write the name of your candidate; the one with the most votes wins."

Pens scratched as students filed forward. Kitazawa already suspected the outcome.

Not Naruto. Despite his enthusiasm, his green jumpsuit proposal had put many off.

Sasuke, however—talented, composed, and already famous within the Academy—was the obvious choice. Neji might have been competition, but his silence earlier had cost him support.

Kitazawa’s lips curved slightly. The results would be interesting. The Uchiha Clan’s strained relations with the village elders—especially Danzo—were no secret. How would they react to Sasuke becoming president of the Will of Fire Club? And how would Hiruzen handle it?

When the ballots were tallied, Kitazawa announced:

"By majority vote, Uchiha Sasuke will serve as the first president of the Will of Fire Club."

"Huh?! I lost to Sasuke?" Naruto blinked, stunned—then grinned almost immediately. "Congrats, Sasuke!"

"...Thanks," Sasuke replied, caught off guard for just a moment.

To be honest, the title of President of the Will of Fire Club meant little to him.

His dream was never to become Hokage. All he wanted was to one day catch up to his brother, Uchiha Itachi.

But for Kitazawa’s sake, he couldn’t refuse.

"Inuzuka Hana, you’ll take charge of the Activities Department," Kitazawa announced.

He continued without pause, "Your department’s main role is to organize regular events to strengthen the bonds between members."

"Understood, Kitazawa-sensei!" Hana responded crisply.

Naruto, practically bouncing in his seat, leaned forward with wide eyes that screamed: What about me? What about me?

"Uzumaki Naruto," Kitazawa said with a knowing smile, "you’ll be in charge of the External Relations Department. Your task is simple—secure sponsorships. In other words, bring in funds."

Naruto tilted his head, confused. "Sponsorships? From who?"

"Anyone, really," Kitazawa replied, patient as ever. "senseis at the Academy, shinobi of the village, even shopkeepers."

"I get it!" Naruto beamed. "I’ll go ask Teuchi!"

"My family can contribute as well," Sasuke added calmly after a pause. As president, he felt it was only right to step forward.

"Oh, that’s true. The Uchiha are the largest clan in Konoha," someone whispered.

"And Sasuke’s the second young master—he’ll definitely bring in huge funds."

"The President really puts our minds at ease!"

The room buzzed with chatter. Sasuke’s lips curved ever so slightly. Perhaps this president thing wasn’t so bad after all.

Kitazawa reminded them, "We are the Will of Fire Club. Even Hokage-sama himself can be asked for sponsorship."

"Kitazawa-sensei is right!"

"Naruto, I’ll join the External Relations Department too—let’s go see Hokage-sama together!"

"Count me in!"

In an instant, Sasuke was sidelined, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"Fine. Anyone who wants to join, go ahead!" Kitazawa allowed, much to Naruto’s delight. For the first time in his life, Naruto felt the thrill of being genuinely popular.

"The Will of Fire Club has three departments. Choose whichever suits you best. This week, you have two tasks: recruit new members and secure sponsorships."

"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!" the students chorused.

"Next Monday, same time, we’ll meet here again. I’ll be checking your progress."

With that, Kitazawa left.

The moment he was gone, the meeting room erupted into excited chatter. After some quick planning, students eagerly joined all three departments.

"We’ll split into two groups," Sasuke ordered. "Naruto, you’ll go see the Hokage. I’ll head home."

"Everyone, with me!" Naruto shouted, raising his hand high. "Target—the Hokage Building!"

"Yes!"

The group cheered as if they were heading into battle. Sasuke couldn’t help but think dryly, ’To anyone watching, you’d look like you’re about to storm the Hokage’s office.’

Hokage’s Office

After lunch, Hiruzen had just dozed off when a knock stirred him awake.

"Hokage-sama," Haru entered, forcing his expression to remain neutral. "Uzumaki Naruto has arrived—with twenty-seven Academy students. They’re requesting an audience."

"Hmm?" Hiruzen straightened in surprise. Twenty-seven? What in the world was this about? Had some scandal broken out at the Academy, forcing the students to appeal directly to him?

"Let them in," he said, moving to sit at his desk.

"Grandpa Third!"

Naruto and his crowd rushed in, their voices overlapping in greeting.

"Naruto," Hiruzen asked with a chuckle, "what brings you here at this hour? Has something gone wrong at the Academy?"

"Nope!" Naruto grinned and shook his head. "We’re here to ask you to sponsor our Will of Fire Club!"

"Sponsor? Will of Fire Club?" Hiruzen blinked.

Naruto quickly explained everything from start to finish.

By the end, Hiruzen was half exasperated, half amused. ’That Kitazawa boy... he always finds new tricks to stir things up.’ Still, he had to admit—this Will of Fire Club was clever. If nurtured properly, it could truly spread the Will of Fire throughout the Academy.

"Very well," Hiruzen said warmly. "I’ll sponsor you with fifty thousand ryō for now."

It was a fair sum for students—enough to encourage them, not enough to spoil.

"Thank you, Grandpa Third!" Naruto cheered, goal achieved.

Uchiha Compound

While the Hokage’s office buzzed with laughter, Sasuke’s side was much quieter. He returned home with eleven students in tow, which alone was enough to shock Mikoto.

Her son was naturally reserved, already steeped in Uchiha ways despite his age. To see him bring back such a crowd was unprecedented.

"Mom," Sasuke announced with pride, "I’m the President of the Will of Fire Club now."

"What?" Mikoto froze, her expression twisting.

’You, an Uchiha, founding something called the Will of Fire Club? Are you trying to doom the clan?’

Cold sweat broke out on her forehead. "Explain yourself."

"It was Kitazawa-sensei’s idea," Sasuke replied quickly, recounting the whole story.

"I see..." Relief washed over Mikoto. If anyone else had proposed this, she might have suspected a scheme against the Uchiha. But Kitazawa—backed by none other than Tsunade—was different.

Tsunade had been steadily building influence: competing with Danzō for manpower, stirring up Kusa, even bringing back members of the Uzumaki Clan. Many clans were already eyeing her as a strong candidate for Fifth Hokage.

And if a new Hokage rose, Konoha’s power structure would shift. The Uchiha could seize the opportunity to cement their place as the foremost clan.

"As for sponsorship," Mikoto said carefully, "I’ll call your father home before deciding."

Sasuke’s eyes lit up. His mother’s tone told him this presidency was far more significant than he had thought.

"Entertain your classmates for now. I’ll prepare tea."

Minutes later, Mikoto returned with Fugaku.

"Father!" Sasuke greeted him eagerly.

"You’ve done well," Fugaku said in a deep voice. Mikoto had already briefed him. To him, this was no trivial matter. It was a sign—perhaps even Tsunade’s subtle hand at work.

If Sasuke could tie himself to the Hokage faction early, then the day the Uchiha produced a Hokage candidate might not be mere fantasy.

"Manage this Will of Fire Club carefully," Fugaku instructed. "And when the trial period ends, aim to become the Student Council President."

"I will!" Sasuke straightened, elated by his father’s approval.

"As for sponsorship—tomorrow, ask Naruto how much the Hokage gave. We’ll match an amount accordingly."

Fugaku’s reasoning was simple: though wealthy, the Uchiha must never overshadow the Hokage himself.

Under Sasuke and Naruto’s dual leadership, the Will of Fire Club quickly flourished. Within two days, the entire Academy knew of its existence. Backed by the Hokage’s personal support, it became the hottest new thing.

Kitazawa observed for a time, then let the students steer it themselves.

By late October, the Society was thriving. Only seven days remained before the monthly exams—after which, all eyes would turn toward the finals in December.

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