Naruto: The Senju Patriarch

The next village meeting occurred 8 days after Katsuro and Tsunade's wedding, meaning the Patriarch and new Matriarch of the Senju clan had an entire week to themselves for a honeymoon, which both of them took every opportunity to enjoy. However, Katsuro also spent a decent amount of time trying to account for each clan leader and respected Shinobi, and what their reactions would be to his move. He knew he obviously held the support of the Hatake clan, but they were relatively small still.

The fact that he was the Patriarch of the Senju clan was certainly a plus - the leader of one of the founding clans of the village, and arguably the current strongest clan in the village too. He also held the support of the Uzumaki too, who were now crucial in village defence.

Other clans included the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Kurama, Hyuga, Sarutobi, Shimura, Aburame, Inuzuka and the Fuma.

Katsuro knew he could rely on the Nara clan's support, and with them the Akimichi and Yamanaka clans too, especially since they'd been victims of Danzo's experiments and / or Root. The same argument could be applied to the rest of the clans too, save for the Shimura and Sarutobi clans, and the elders, who would undoubtedly oppose him.

The only other clans that were left were the Uchiha and the Hyuga. Katsuro and Fugaku were friends, yes, but he also knew that the Uchiha longed for influence within the village. Fugaku was an excellent Shinobi and leader too, and becoming the Hokage was very much something he could achieve. That being said, the Uchiha, for now, were still largely isolated from the rest of the village, and wouldn't receive much support from them, so it was unlikely that they would make a move for Hokage at this moment of time. That, alongside the fact that the Senju were the only clan the Uchiha had actually, public, good relations with, meant the Uchiha were likely to support him.

That left the Hyuga clan. They hadn't been targeted by the Root or Danzo at all, and Katsuro knew why. The Caged Bird Cursed Seal was one of the most disgusting things in the entirety of Konoha, and Katsuro despised it. Loyalty to one's family and clan wasn't something that could be forced by seals and threats of death - that was simply fear. True loyalty was a choice, and it was something that the Hyuga lacked in abundance, and Katsuro intended to change that. However, the main family most certainly wouldn't agree to that, and so the Hyuga representatives would likely side against him if they knew of his plans. Best keep that to myself until I actually become Hokage.

But there was one other factor Katsuro considered: it was simply himself. He was Senju Katsuro, after all. The Stormbreaker, the Wind Emperor and the Senju Patriarch - as arrogant as it sounded, there was a very high probability he was the strongest Shinobi alive right now, and he had proven his leadership abilities on multiple frontlines now. That meant as far as the Hyuga were aware, and the respected Shinobi, he was their best option.

Speaking of respected Shinobi, Katsuro also knew that the Sannin would back him too. Tsunade for obvious reasons, Jiraiya would because they were friends, their common interest in Minato, and also the fact that Jiraiya understood Katsuro's strength in a way many others didn't - he had seen him face Hanzo the Salamander, after all. Meanwhile, Orochimaru pretty much had no choice, considering he knew that Katsuro had evidence of him carrying out experimentation - he had no desire to let that get out, and Katsuro was counting on that for his vote.

But at the end of the day, that's all just guessing and speculation. It could go any way on the day, Katsuro acknowledged. And finally, that day came.

—

The meeting's atmosphere at the beginning was very tense - almost as tense as it had been after Danzo's betrayal was revealed. Despite the formalities and other discussions that would happen now, everyone was aware of the true purpose of this meeting was - who would become the next Hokage.

Katsuro looked around the room. Everyone wore similar expressions - wary, cautious, suspicious. Most clans had at least one 'enemy' or 'rival' clan, and they were all likely being cautious that their enemy and / or rival wasn't selected for Hokage. In fact, whispers had already begun, and Katsuro could only guess that it was slander or rumours about rivals being spread at the last minute, hoping for a Hokage and an outcome in their favour.

Fortunately for Katsuro, he'd seen this coming. Although he was sure no-one would take the claims of the Shimura and Sarutobi clans seriously, just as a precaution, he'd asked Tsunade and the rest of the Sannin to sit right behind them. Just as he had intended, it served as an excellent deterrent, and their clan representatives' lips were sealed shut while the other clan leaders whispered away.

After quickly exchanging greetings and finishing village business, when the topic of the next Hokage came up, Katsuro was direct.

"I'm putting myself forward for Hokage."

Murmurs instantly rippled throughout the room, but Katsuro was immediately glad - so far, aside from the expected Sarutobi and Shimura representatives, the murmurs were approving and positive - thankful, even. Even clans he wasn't completely sure about, like the Hyuga, seemed to give their support, while Fugaku merely sat there, trying to look unimpressed, but not objecting, and Katsuro smirked, knowing he was on board.

But what brought Katsuro the most joy, however, was the look on the Third Hokage's face.

Sh*t. Every single clan is on his side? Even after all the damage control I did? No! What do I do? What do I do? Is this really happening? Could Danzo have been right? Is Senju Katsuro really going to become Hokage?

"Is anyone else putting themselves forward?" Katsuro asked innocently, but no one stepped forward. Although Katsuro's question seemed genuine and without malice, everyone knew that he was their best option, and even if they didn't, what were they going to do? Campaign against him? Against the hero of the Leaf?

"It seems no-one wants to run against you, Lord Senju," Tsunade said drily, to which Katsuro merely smirked. She's definitely thinking, "I told you so!" in that haughty little voice, isn't she? I'm not hearing the end of this for a while.

"Lord Hokage, I believe it's time to call a vote for the next Hokage," Sakumo said, smiling coldly at the man he used to have absolute loyalty to.

Hiruzen swallowed dryly.

"A show of hands. Who - who votes for Senju Katsuro to become the next Hokage?"

Every single hand in the room, save for the Hokage's, Sarutobi's, Shimura's, and the elder's, was raised. Katsuro quickly looked at Tsunade, who had been the first to raise her hand, and she grinned at him proudly.

"Well then, I guess it's decided," Sakumo spoke, like a proud father.

However, before anyone could speak any further, an Anbu burst into the room, panting.

"Lord Hokage! We have news from Suna! The Third Kazekage - he's gone missing!"

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