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After the Nine-Tails sealing incident came to a close, the election for the Second Hokage was finally put on the agenda.
That's rightāan election. In the end, Hashirama did not agree to directly appoint Tobirama as his successor and instead decided to hold another general vote.
When Uchiha Izma heard the news, he was pleasantly surprised. He personally visited each of the major clans. He especially focused on the Sarutobi, Shimura, and Akimichi clans, bringing Uchiha Kagami along in hopes of leveraging their former school ties to gain votes.
At the Uzumaki clan's compound, ever since Hashirama announced his decision to step down, he'd been showing up at Akio's place every other dayānot to discuss anything important, but just to learn how to play dice. Akio truly didn't know what to do with this gambling addict.
"Hashirama, did you hear? Uchiha Izma's also vying for the Hokage seat. Got any thoughts on that?" Akio asked with a chuckle.
Hashirama frowned deeply. "Granduncle, how were you so sure it was eleven just now?"
Akio's face darkened. "Aren't you worried Tobirama might lose to Uchiha Izma?"
Hashirama picked up the dice cup and gave it a shake. "Why can't I roll an eighteen?"
...
Akio suddenly slapped the table, startling Hashirama. He snatched the dice cup and gave it a strong shake. "Guess what the total is now?"
"Eleven... no, waitāeighteen!" Hashirama hesitated.
Akio opened the cup. The three dice were stacked neatly on top of each other, with a single dot showing on the top die.
Hashirama's eyes widened. "Granduncle, is that even allowed?"
Akio grinned. "Want to learn? I can teach you. But first, answer my questionā¦"
Just as he was about to repeat himself, Hashirama interrupted, "Don't worry, Granduncle. Uchiha Izma doesn't stand a chance against Tobirama. He's trying to use Kagami to win over Hiruzen, Danzo, and Torifu, but Tobirama's their teacherā¦"
Akio's expression turned as dark as coal. Turns out Hashirama had heard everything he said earlierāhe just hadn't responded. Now, seeing Hashirama so eager to master dice tricks, Akio said flatly, "You're not even a little concerned Izma might have a hidden card to play?"
"Come on, Granduncle, teach me," Hashirama shook his head. "What hidden card could he have?"
Just then, an Uzumaki clan member knocked and entered. "Great Elder, Elder Uchiha Izma has come to visit."
Akio nodded and motioned for him to be let in. He turned to Hashirama with an amused expression. "See? There's the hidden card. Go hide in the back and watch how he tries to win me overā¦"
Hashirama nodded with an odd expression and took the dice cup with him into the back room.
Uchiha Izma was ushered in. Upon seeing Akio, he greeted him with a smile. "Uncle Akioā"
Akio waved him off, cutting him short. "Don't call me uncle. Have some respectācall me grandfather. Would you dare address me like that if Madara were still around?"
Izma's face darkened. He cursed inwardly, If Lord Madara were still alive, I'd call you 'old geezer' to your faceā¦ But since he needed something from him, he swallowed his pride and said through gritted teeth, "Grandfather Akio."
"There we go. Good boy. Sit down," Akio replied cheerfully.
Izma twitched at the corner of his mouth and plopped into a seat. The chair still felt warm from Hashirama, which made him frown slightly. "Was someone just here, Grandfather Akio?"
Akio paused. "Ah, no, I had my feet up on that chair earlier."
"ā¦"
Izma barely suppressed his annoyance and got straight to the point. "You probably already know why I've come. I hope the Uzumaki clan will support me in becoming Hokage."
Akio sighed and scratched his head. "We're practically family with the Senju. How could we support you?"
Izma shook his head. "The Uzumaki are now one of the three most powerful clans, just behind the Senju and Uchiha. The Hokage seat can rotate. If you support me this time, then next timeā¦"
Akio laughed and shook his head. "Even with our support, you still won't become Hokage."
Izma smiled smugly. "Many clans have already agreed to back me. With your support, victory is within reach."
Akio blinked. "Well then, I'll think about itā¦"
With an even more triumphant grin, Izma bid Akio farewell and left the Uzumaki compound.
"Pfftā¦ Hahaha!" As soon as Izma was gone, Hashirama came out of the back room, and Akio burst into laughter.
"Hashirama, did you see that? Hahaha!"
Hashirama looked confused. "Granduncle, are you happy that Tobirama might not become Hokage?"
Akio froze mid-laugh, pointed at Hashirama, and collapsed behind his chair in hysterics.
Hashirama smiled that naturally devious smile of hisā¦
Half a month flew by, and the Hokage election finally took place.
Uchiha Izma lost to Tobirama, receiving only 59 votes.
If there had only been 100 eligible voters, Izma might have won. But there were actually a full 1,000 eligible voters. Ironically, there were 60 eligible voters from the Uchiha clan aloneāand somehow, Izma was one vote short of even securing all of their supportā¦
Looking at Izma's completely green, embarrassed face, Akio could barely contain his glee.
Fuming, Izma stormed over. "Grandfather Akioāwe had a deal!"
Akio chuckled. "Didn't you say many clans supported you? Look, not even the Uchiha clan voted unanimously for you."
He paused for a moment, as a thought struck him. "It might even be your son who didn't support youā¦"
"Kagamiā¦" Izma muttered, his face darkening. He turned and left.
With the Hokage election concluded, Tobirama officially became the Second Hokage. Akio earned 20 Witness Points in the process. Compared to Hashirama, Tobirama was much more diligentāhe practically lived in the Hokage Office and barely stepped outside.
Akio, meanwhile, was constantly pestered by Hashirama to teach him dice tricks. Eventually, he turned him away with the excuse that he needed to practice his carving skills.
It wasn't just an excuseāAkio truly was practicing. He even spent 9 Witness Points to max out his sculpting skill. Since then, he'd been getting familiar with his fully mastered techniques.
He didn't intend to sculpt the Hokage Rock for Tobiramaāinstead, he had the Valley of the End in mind. Great shinobi like Madara and Hashirama deserved to be immortalized for future generations.
While Akio immersed himself in sculpting, Konoha experienced a period of unrest.
After Uchiha Izma's failed Hokage bid, the disgruntled Uchiha clan began stirring up trouble. Whether it was the Medical Department, tea houses, restaurants, or even the Ninja Academy, they tried to interfere everywhere.
The other clans submitted joint complaints to Tobirama, who, with no better solution, created a now-famous organization: the Konoha Military Police Forceāan entity almost entirely staffed and run by the Uchiha clan.
The Police Force was tasked with establishing and enforcing village laws, maintaining order, and arresting those with criminal intent or behavior.
With such power granted to them, the Uchiha clan was appeased, and peace returned to Konoha once more.
But this peaceā¦ was merely the calm before the storm.
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