"Lord Jiraiya," Seiryu called out as Jiraiya was about to leave.
"Hmm?" Jiraiya turned, puzzled.
"About the masked man's Mangekyō, I'll check the clan records. If I find any clues, I'll report to you tomorrow." Seiryu smiled.
"Thanks, I appreciate it," Jiraiya replied, not thinking much of it.
After Jiraiya left, Seiruy unrolled the village map. Now that Obito had appeared, he needed to rearrange many of his plans.
…
At 7 p.m., Seiryu's residence was laid out for a banquet. The invited guests arrived one by one.
Among the guests, Aburame Shibi discovered something unusual. Normally, Seiryu's banquets would invite the leaders of each department separately. But this time, besides him and Inuzuka Ago, there were six Police Force captains, four Uchiha elders, and several mid-level officers, plus some Anbu and Jonin members. All the key figures in their faction were present.
The banquet officially began in Seiryu's living room, everyone taking their seats along a long table.
Once everyone had arrived, Seiryu began the usual formalities.
"Thank you all for coming," Seiryu said with a smile.
"Clan Leader Seiryu, you flatter us. We should be the ones thanking you for your hospitality," Inuzuka Ago replied cheerfully.
"A little money means nothing," Seiryu waved his hand. "It's my honor to share a drink with ninja who embody the Will of Fire!"
"The Will of Fire unites us! This first cup, let's drink to the Will of Fire!" Seiryu raised his glass.
"To the Will of Fire!" everyone echoed, raising their glasses.
With the first drink done, the atmosphere warmed up, everyone chatting and drinking freely.
But as they chatted, Nagai Seiichi suddenly broached a dangerous topic: "There's talk the village will soon pick the Fifth Hokage."
"Careful what you say, Seiichi," said Torii Chishin, a Jonin Squad captain.
"I think there's no one more suited to be Hokage than Clan Leader Seiryu!" Nagai Seiichi downed a large cup, his face flushed. "Who understands the Will of Fire better than him?"
"But the rumors say the Third Hokage wants to appoint Lord Jiraiya as the Fifth," Uchiha Tetsu said, playing with his cup.
At his words, the room fell silent.
Just then, Uchiha Fugaku entered, breaking the silence.
"Sorry, I was delayed by family business. I'll punish myself with three drinks," Fugaku said. Earlier, Jiraiya had come by to take Naruto after school, so Fugaku was the last to arrive.
Seeing Fugaku arrive, Seiryu stood, pulled out a stack of documents, and had Inaho distribute them.
The document was Seiryu's drafted report requesting Jiraiya's arrest on suspicion of abetting the enemy. As everyone read it, silence descended.
Some lit cigarettes, puffing quietly. No one spoke first.
Seiryu gestured to Inaho and Zaito, who closed the doors and windows.
"We're all gathered here because of the Will of Fire," Seiryu began. "But now, someone suspected of treason is about to become Hokage. Can we just stand by?"
Inuzuka Ago lit a cigarette and spoke after a deep drag: "But Lord Jiraiya is a Hokage advisor. To arrest him, we'd need the Hokage's approval."
"Don't worry, I'll get the Hokage's signature," Seiryu replied.
"But if there's violence during Lord Jiraiya's arrest…" Aburame Shibi said.
"That would be a coup d'état," a Jonin Squad Captain said, exhaling smoke.
At his words, the room again fell silent.
Seiryu laughed, walked to the light switch, and turned off the lights. The only light was moonlight and the glow of cigarettes. Everyone looked at each other in the gloom.
"A coup? This is a revolution!" Seiryu stepped to the window, moonlight falling on him as everyone's gaze was drawn to him.
"But Clan Leader, maybe we should think this through a bit more," an Uchiha elder said in the dark.
"Think it through?" Seiryu laughed, tossing the remaining documents at him. "Back at the clan meetings, you were the ones shouting for a coup. Now, with real action, you want to think it over?"
The Elder blanched. "Seiryu, that's not what I meant."
"Elder, do you think we should waffle around like at the last clan meeting, argue with no result, and go home as if nothing happened?"
"Seiryu, this is a coup d'état!" The Elder said after a deep breath.
Seiryu knocked on the table and looked around. "If we fail, it's a coup. If we succeed, it's a revolution!"
Inuzuka Ago and Aburame Shibi admired Seiryu's speech. They'd thought he was different from other Uchihas but now saw the same wildness.
"All you Jonin, most of you should be in high positions based on merit, but now you're stuck as squad leaders. Meanwhile, those from Yamanaka, Akimichi, Nara clans, or Sarutobi, get high posts with less merit. Doesn't this bother you? Is this the Will of Fire we were raised to believe in?"
After Seiryu finished, the room was deathly silent.
"Look at me!" Seiryu suddenly shouted. "If we want the village to truly embody the Will of Fire, it's time for a major clean-up!"
He sat, looking at the shadowy faces.
"The night of revolution may be short, but its glory will last. I, Uchiha Seiryu, won't keep that glory to myself."
Everyone looked up at Seiryu, his face half-lit with moonlight, and at his Mangekyō Sharingan, which most had only heard of in legend.
After a long silence, Nagai Seiichi spoke: "Maybe… maybe we really can do this."
Inuzuka Ago stubbed out his cigarette. "Clan Leader Seiryu, tell us when."
"Aburame clan is ready to help—just give the word," said Aburame Shibi.
Neither were hesitant. Having chosen to bet on the Uchiha, they were all-in now, especially since Seiryu's plan had a high chance of success.
Seeing this, the others sat up straight, looking at Seiryu.
"Tomorrow, December 12th," Seiryu smiled. "I'll use shadow clones to take you to the Third Hokage for his signature. As for Jiraiya, I'll lead the arrest myself."
"We control about two-thirds of the Anbu—second, third, and one sub-squad of the fourth divisions. The rest are from the Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka clans, and two former advisors' clans—we can't move them," said Nagai Seiichi and another Jonin.
"Jonin Squad is similar—about half will follow us," Yoshimura added. "The key is whether Clan Head Seiryu can arrest Lord Jiraiya quickly."
"That's enough," Seiryu nodded. "As for Lord Jiraiya, don't worry."
"Then there's the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka members," Fugaku said.
"We'll handle them," said Aburame Shibi and Inuzuka Ago. "But we'll need a few strong Uchiha Jonin."
"No problem. I'll send ten three-tomoe Sharingan Jonin to help," Seiryu said.