Year One of Konoha, autumn brought clear skies.
Konohagakure also welcomed a historic moment—the first Council of Ninja Clans was officially convened.
Inside the assembly hall, the crowd was packed.
At the front platform stood Konoha’s Five Elders: Madara Uchiha, Izuna Uchiha, Uchiha Hikaru, Hashirama Senju, and Tobirama Senju.
Below sat the clan heads and representatives of every clan in Konoha.
Hyuga Ten’nin, head of the Hyuga clan, sat in the front row.
Though the Hyuga had arrived late, their strength and status commanded respect from all.
Behind them sat the Ino-Shika-Cho trio—the clan heads of the Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Nara clans seated side by side.
Individually, none of the three were particularly formidable, but united as they were, their combined strength was not to be underestimated.
Further back were the Sarutobi, Shimura, Aburame, Inuzuka, Kurama, Hatake, Mitarashi, Gekko, and Yuhi clans.
In addition, several shinobi who had not yet formed their own clans but possessed jonin-level strength had also been invited to attend.
Though Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha were overwhelmingly powerful, warriors were not known for their eloquence.
When it came to matters requiring diplomacy, the task naturally fell to Uchiha Hikaru.
Tobirama Senju, that old fox, had also wanted to take the lead, but Hikaru effectively sidelined him.
Hikaru rose and walked to the podium at the front of the stage.
“Everyone, Konoha is newly founded, and a hundred things await our attention.”
“The main issue for this council is how each clan will fulfill its respective duties and what status each will hold in establishing itself within this village.”
Hikaru paused, his gaze sweeping across the faces below.
In their eyes were hope, fear, confusion, and unease.
These clans had brought their families to Konoha—to put it nicely, they had come to join; to put it bluntly, they were living under another’s roof.
No one knew how the Uchiha and Senju would treat them—as equals and allies, or as subordinates to be ordered about?
“I know everyone has concerns,” Hikaru said, his tone softening.
“But here, I can give you the Uchiha and Senju’s guarantee—as long as you do not betray the village, the village will never persecute any clan.”
Below, many breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
“First, the matter of positions.” Hikaru shifted gears.
“Madara Uchiha, head of the Uchiha clan, has been appointed Hokage—this proposal was agreed upon beforehand and will not be reopened for discussion.”
Hikaru paused, then dropped a bombshell.
“By order of the Hokage, Konoha will be divided into Three Departments and Six Ministries.”
A murmur rippled through the hall.
Three Departments and Six Ministries?
That was a new one.
Hikaru began to explain: “What are the Three Departments and Six Ministries?
The Three Departments are the Central Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Department of State Affairs.”
“The Central Secretariat is responsible for drafting the Hokage’s orders and formulating policies.
It holds advisory and decision-making authority.
Its highest officer is the Chancellor of the Central Secretariat.”
“The Chancellery is responsible for reviewing the Hokage’s decrees.
If any are found improper, they may be rejected or returned.
It holds review authority.
Its highest officer is the Chancellor of the Chancellery.”
“The Department of State Affairs is the highest executive body, responsible for implementing policies.
It holds executive authority.
Its highest officer is the Chancellor of the Department of State Affairs.”
Hikaru raised his voice: “The Three Department Chancellors serve as the Hokage’s advisors, assisting him in governing the village together.”
The representatives of the various clans whispered among themselves, murmurs rising and falling throughout the hall.
When they had brought their families to Konoha, most had braced themselves for the worst—that the Uchiha and Senju would firmly control everything in the village, acting as uncrowned kings while the other clans could only live at their mercy.
“Everyone.” Hikaru’s voice rang out again, and the hall gradually quieted.
His gaze was firm as he looked at each person in the audience, speaking slowly and deliberately: “Konoha belongs to all the ninja clans.
It is not the village of a single family or a single name.
It does not bear the name Uchiha, nor does it bear the name Senju.”
Those words were like a stone cast into a still pond, sending ripples in every direction.
Tobirama Senju’s face darkened with displeasure: Was that a jab at him?
The hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous applause.
In the Warring States Period, the strong lived and the weak died; whoever had the bigger fist made the rules.
But now, someone was telling them—Konoha belonged to no single family, no single person, but to all the clans together.
In truth, the Three Departments and Six Ministries framework was a plan that Hikaru had carefully refined through repeated discussions within the Uchiha clan.
He had consulted with Madara and Izuna beforehand.
Though Madara did not fully grasp the intricacies, he trusted Hikaru’s judgment.
Hikaru had then approached Hashirama and Tobirama Senju for their input.
After hearing Hikaru’s proposal, Hashirama immediately gave his full support.
His original vision in building the village was for peace, so that children would no longer die on the battlefield.
As for ruling or holding power, he simply did not care.
As for Tobirama Senju—the shrewd and calculating second-in-command of the Senju—he initially tried to secure more power for his clan.
He searched for ways to arrange more positions for the Senju, analyzing the power distribution among the Three Departments in detail, and subtly attempting to shift more authority toward the Senju.
But Hashirama said nothing.
He simply pulled Tobirama aside and scolded him harshly, berating him for being too selfish, for putting the interests of one clan above the greater good.
“Regarding the appointments to the Three Departments…” Hikaru continued.
“Given that this is the first time all the clans have united, and with so many matters to attend to, time is of the essence.
Therefore, these appointments will be streamlined and expedited.
The Hokage will make proposals, and all clans and representatives will vote by a show of hands.”
The audience nodded in agreement.
For the first round, some transition period was only natural.
Hikaru picked up a document from the table and read aloud: “For Chancellor of the Central Secretariat—the Hokage nominates Nara Rokuon of the Nara clan.
Please raise your hands to vote.”
The murmuring resumed as soon as the words left his mouth.
The Chancellor of the Central Secretariat held advisory and decision-making authority, serving as an advisor to the Hokage.
This was undeniably a significant position.
The brilliance of the Nara clan was known throughout the shinobi world.
Nara Rokuon was not only the head of the Nara clan but also the true brains behind the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
He was sharp-minded and meticulous, having decided to join Konoha early in its founding.
Even so, the Nara were not among the top-tier clans—at least not on the level of the Hyuga.
Hikaru had calculated carefully: the Chancellor of the Central Secretariat needed to be someone with brains, and the Nara were the perfect fit.
Moreover, the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi were three clans in name but one in practice—their combined strength was formidable.
Giving the Nara the Chancellorship would effectively secure the loyalty of all three.
The position carried decision-making authority and functioned as an advisory role—neither too high nor too low, fitting the Nara’s standing perfectly.
Too high, and it would provoke resentment from the major clans like the Uchiha, Senju, and Hyuga.
Too low, and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio would not feel valued.
“I approve!” The Akimichi clan head raised his hand first.
“Approved.” The Yamanaka clan head raised his hand.
Hyuga Ten’nin also raised his hand.
Sarutobi Sasuke followed suit, and the Shimura representative did not hesitate either.
The jonin in the back rows had no objections either—positions like this were never within their reach anyway; it made no difference who took them.
One hand, two, three…
more and more hands went up.
Hikaru scanned the hall, confirmed there were no dissenting votes, and nodded.
“Approved unanimously.”
In truth, this matter had already been discussed with the Ino-Shika-Cho trio beforehand.
Today’s vote was merely a formality.
But even so, when the appointment was officially confirmed, Nara Rokuon still felt a sense of disbelief.