Chapter 458: Conditions

This kid sure runs fast!

In the dim strange dimension, Dong Shilang's clone looked at the pool of fresh blood on the ground and curled his lips in dissatisfaction.

I had originally planned to properly communicate with that idiot Dai Tu, but I didn't expect that after being lectured, this guy would just run away.

He left his clone in the Divine Majesty Space.

Since this kid likes to cause trouble, let him do as he pleases; it's just a one‑month eye plan anyway. I'll still take a look at this kid's collection… no, I should say it's Madara's collection!

He turned his gaze to a pile of miscellaneous items in the corner of the space, and Dong Shilang, without ceremony, walked straight over there.

……

Tobirama, calm down a bit!

A hand rested on the ashen‑colored shoulder of the Second Hokage, and the First Hokage, with a very sincere gaze, looked toward Dong Shilang.

I know that because of this kid Danzo, the Uchiha clan suffered considerable harm, making the Uchiha less trusting of the village!

But Dong Shilang, for the village's future, if possible, please trust us once more!

Saying this, the First Hokage gave a deep bow and performed a salute toward Dong Shilang.

I know that because of my initial betrayal, all of this has come to pass; you may no longer trust us, but I sincerely hope Dong Shilang will give more thought to the Leaf Village!

Because of the angle, Dong Shilang couldn't see the First Hokage's expression, but he heard the other's words crystal clear.

For the village, for the children, for everyone's future!

Please!

……

Sincere tone, humble posture, lines full of emotion.

Standing before the First Hokage, Dong Shilang faintly saw a righteous light emanating from the First Hokage, so bright it made his eyes ache to stay open.

He seemed to understand why, whether it was Madara or the First Hokages of various villages, they could be persuaded by the First Hokage and eventually reach an agreement with him.

'Could it be that mouth escape really exists?'

Being caught in a genjutsu is impossible, but the atmosphere the First Hokage is creating right now really is…

'Big brother, we don't demand an evil Uchiha!'

Seeing his older brother's old habit flare up again, the Second Hokage's icy face was already covered in black lines; losing face was bad enough, but to lose face in front of Uchiha juniors—how could he bear it?

'But… Tobirama,!'

If he could, he'd also like to use his fists to properly convince Dong Shilang, but there's no way—just one glance from the other is unbearable for him.

Moreover, the other side obviously doesn't want to agree to the Third Hokage's proposal; what else can he do besides this?

'Hmph, as expected, same old trick—treacherous and faithless Faction!'

'What is called an evil Uchiha? For this, Uchiha Izuna does not agree; you Faction are nothing but empty lies, then you stab from behind.'

'In the Warring States era, who didn't start wielding blades and cutting people as soon as they became ninja? The Uchiha despise the Faction most for their constant talk of love and peace, yet when they kill they are just as ruthless.'

'Aside from Senju Hashirama, the rest are pretty much the same as them.'

'Alright, everyone, stop arguing!'

Seeing that the argument was about to flare up again, Dong Shilang felt a huge headache.

'The First Hokage's attitude… I still accept it, but the Third Hokage's conditions—I'm sorry, I can't accept them; please understand, First Hokage.'

If he simply agreed to the Third Hokage's conditions and also the First Hokage's request, he would truly be an idiot.

Although… the First Hokage's attitude is truly persuasive~

'I don't know… how Dong Shilang intends to end this conflict…'

……

Looking opposite, as if the First Hokage were about to cry for you to see, Dong Shilang's eye corners twitched uncontrollably.

This guy really is… says the weakest things… fights the fiercest!

'The Hokage position must be changed to our Uchiha, but… I can promise that aside from the Fifth Hokage onward, the Sixth and Seventh Hokage, we Uchiha won't consider; after that, it'll be pure merit!'

'Hmph, the Uchiha actually still want to probe…'

'Tobirama, shut up!'

The Second Hokage was just about to open his mouth to jeer a few words at the Uchiha when he actually probed the Hokage position; his older brother directly turned back and gave him a fierce glare.

Hmph~

Being stared at by his older brother with a fierce gaze, the Second Hokage turned away displeased and let out a cold snort to express his dissatisfaction.

'First, the Hokage position—I initially promised to let Madara succeed, but after considering various factors I ultimately broke that promise; given what happened this time, Dong Shilang becoming Hokage is perfectly understandable!'

Not only the First Hokage, but even the Third Hokage and others had no objection to Dong Shilang's demands; it seems they were also prepared in advance, and the earlier proposal was merely a catalyst.

'Second, all three Hokage Advisors are to be replaced, with one to be decided by our Uchiha clan, and the remaining two must also gain our approval!'

The Hokage Advisor post respectively handles the village's finance, personnel, and information—major sectors; if he were to become Hokage, he must firmly grasp at least one of those sectors.

Especially personnel and finance—not to mention finding someone trustworthy, at the very least it cannot be someone from the Third Hokage's camp.

Otherwise, he wouldn't accept being a nominal Hokage.

'This way… is it…'

He opened his mouth; the Third Hokage obviously found this hard to accept.

The Hokage Advisor, to a certain extent, can check the Hokage; if we were to reselect personnel, and the candidates also need Uchiha approval, how could they still check the Hokage!

'Furthermore, two points—if you can agree to them, I can treat this incident as if it never happened!'

Seeing that the Third Hokage and company, while somewhat unwilling to accept, had not taken overly drastic action, Dong Shilang did not hide anything and directly laid out his conditions all at once.

'Tonight, any family that came along with the Third Hokage, all Leaf Village‑employed ninjas must have half of them become mission ninjas or border guards. Moreover, Kushina and her son must move to reside in the Uchiha clan!'

'When a new official takes office, if he doesn't have plenty of vacancies, how can he appease those below? If you want people to follow you, you at least need to give them a posting, right?'

Moreover, the Third Hokage and the families behind him hold many positions in the Leaf Village's administrative departments; if he himself becomes Hokage, will those people listen to him or to their clan heads, or rather to the Third Hokage?

As for Jiu Xinnai, this is also just incidental; Jiu Xinnai and her child each have half of the Nine-Tails, and even if he cannot directly control them, he cannot let the Third Generation maintain influence over them.