After sending the four clan leaders—Sarutobi, Mitokado, Utatane, and Shimura—to Konoha Prison and dismissing the remaining clan heads, Uchiha Fugaku arrived at the Anbu base located beneath the Hokage Building.

There were clear signs of battle within the Anbu base, along with fresh bloodstains.

The final outcome of the conflict ended in victory for the No. 1 spore clone and the Uchiha clan.

After all, the No. 1 spore clone possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan and had Kage-level combat power.

All the Anbu members had been gathered in a large underground space by the No. 1 spore clone and the Uchiha clan.

Holding the corpse of the Third Hokage, Uchiha Fugaku appeared and looked around at the assembled Anbu members.

"The Third Hokage died due to the backlash of a forbidden technique. According to the daimyo's decree, I am now temporarily taking over the position of Hokage. Are you willing to submit, or will you resist to the end?"

In a shinobi village, the Anbu played a crucial role, so he had no intention of eradicating them.

If these Anbu members were willing to submit to him, he was prepared to forgive their earlier resistance.

But if they chose to resist to the end, he would not hesitate to send them all to Konoha Prison.

"The Third Hokage... is dead?"

"Clan Leader Fugaku has become the Acting Hokage?"

"The Third Hokage is dead... what should we do now?"

...

Seeing the corpse of the Third Hokage and hearing Uchiha Fugaku's words, murmurs broke out among the Anbu.

The death of the Third Hokage and the rise of Uchiha Fugaku shocked them greatly.

At the same time, they realized that no rescue would come, and the time had come to make a decision.

"So? Have you made your choice?"

Uchiha Fugaku's voice was calm, but it struck the Anbu like a hammer.

"I am willing to submit."

"I'll submit too."

"Uchiha Fugaku, you want me to submit? In your dreams!"

...

Most of the Anbu chose to submit to Uchiha Fugaku, but a few chose to resist to the end.

Most of those who resisted came from the four clans—Sarutobi, Mitokado, Utatane, and Shimura. Knowing that their clans had long been at odds with the Uchiha, they felt there was no room for reconciliation.

Even if they surrendered, they believed Uchiha Fugaku would still seek retribution later.

Uchiha Fugaku, naturally, had no intention of sparing those who refused to submit. All who resisted were sent to Konoha Prison.

With this, the "coup" officially ended.

Though there were still matters to settle—like appeasing the other clans and publicly announcing the Third Hokage's death and the new Acting Hokage appointment—those were trivial details.

This "coup" was well-documented and could be considered legitimate.

...

In the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Fugaku hosted the daimyo's envoys.

"Everyone, thank you for everything during this time."

Uchiha Fugaku expressed his gratitude to the visitors.

"You're too polite, Lord Hokage."

A slightly chubby middle-aged man smiled.

He was the head of the Iwai family, whom Uchiha Fugaku had visited earlier.

"Indeed, Lord Hokage is too humble. We were simply following the daimyo's orders."

The others laughed in agreement.

Now that Uchiha Fugaku was Acting Hokage and would soon become the Fifth Hokage, it would greatly benefit them and their clans to have done him a favor.

After warmly receiving the envoys, Uchiha Fugaku departed and returned to the Naka Shrine.

A clan meeting was held there, attended by all jōnin and above-ranked Uchiha.

Everyone was filled with excitement.

For years, the Uchiha had been suppressed by the Third Hokage, leaving them resentful.

Now, with the clan having ousted the Third Hokage and taken the Hokage seat, they felt immense satisfaction.

"Wonderful! The Uchiha have finally taken the Hokage seat."

The third elder, Uchiha Tsukasa, said enthusiastically.

"The long-cherished dream of several generations has finally been fulfilled!"

The second elder, Uchiha Mamoru, was equally thrilled.

"It's a bit early to speak of ascending the Hokage seat. I'm still only the Acting Hokage, not officially the Fifth Hokage."

Uchiha Fugaku replied with a smile.

"That's just a matter of time. At this point, who would dare stop you from becoming the Fifth Hokage?"

The great elder, Uchiha Setsuna, said.

"True, but we must not let our guard down. Although my current reputation in the village is strong, that doesn't mean there aren't others who can compete with me."

"Jiraiya and Tsunade still enjoy considerable support in the village, and the Hokage seat isn't guaranteed."

Uchiha Fugaku said with a serious tone.

"Those two have been away from the village for years. Their influence is no match for yours, Clan Leader."

The great elder Uchiha Setsuna reassured him.

"What the elder said is true. Their reputation is surely not what it used to be, Clan Leader."

Uchiha Yakumi added.

"Don't underestimate them. If they return, their popularity could bounce back quickly. Mine may not be enough to suppress theirs."

Uchiha Fugaku's expression was firm.

He understood their influence all too well. In the original timeline, after the Third Hokage's death, there had been overwhelming support for either of them to become Hokage.

Clearly, despite being away from the village, they still held deep-rooted influence.

To ensure his own succession as Hokage, he had to guard against them.

"What do you propose, Clan Leader?"

The second elder, Uchiha Mamoru, asked.

"Seal off the village. Don't let news of the Third Hokage's death spread. Then hold the election for the Fifth Hokage as soon as possible."

Uchiha Fugaku said.

Although those two were obstacles, they were not currently in Konoha.

As long as the news was contained and they couldn't return to influence the vote, the position of the Fifth Hokage would undoubtedly be his.

"You mean to ensure they can't lobby during the election. With your current prestige, Clan Leader, the election will certainly go in your favor."

The first elder, Uchiha Setsuna, nodded.

"Shut down all communication channels in the village. Don't allow any information to spread."

Uchiha Fugaku ordered.

"But there will still be shinobi heading out on missions. Won't the news leak that way?"

Uchiha Atsuko raised a concern.

"I'll suspend all missions under the pretense of preparing for the Third Hokage's funeral. That way, no one can sneak out and inform them."

Uchiha Fugaku replied.

After the meeting, the Uchiha clan swiftly took action.

Soon, all communication channels within the village were sealed, and missions were suspended.

The Third Hokage's death was announced, with the funeral scheduled three days later.

The election for the Fifth Hokage was set to take place one week after that.

(End of this chapter)

***

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