บท 75: Chapter 75: Uchiha’s New Plan
Location: Konoha, Underground of the Uchiha Clan Shrine
"Why did that old man Hiruzen take office again? Shouldn't we be holding an election for the Fifth Hokage?"
"Exactly! This old guard was in charge of protecting the Jinchuriki, yet the childbirth time still got leaked! And he has the nerve to keep being Hokage?"
"Hiruzen is clearly clinging to power. Really, it should be the Clan Head Fugaku or Orochimaru contending for the title of Fifth Hokage."
"When the Nine-Tails broke loose, our clan was right there on the front lines. But this 'Third Hokage'… He stepped down and then came back like nothing happened!"
...
In the underground chamber of the Naka Shrine, the gathered clan members seethed with resentment, their Sharingan eyes gleaming with an eerie red light in the dim room.
Standing before the clan's ancestral stone tablet, Fugaku himself looked deeply displeased. The news had not gone down well with him. Even if Hiruzen had recalled Orochimaru and convened a new Hokage selection, Fugaku wouldn't have been so unsettled. But Hiruzen stepping back into power outright was beyond Fugaku's expectations. After all, Konoha wasn't short on capable candidates for the position of Hokage.
"Everyone, settle down." Fugaku exhaled, his voice steady. "What's done is done. We must now consider the path forward for the Uchiha."
A brief silence followed, only to be broken by a new wave of muttering and discussion.
The Uchiha had gambled on the Fourth Hokage, and by all measures, it had seemed like a sound investment. But with the Fourth's unexpected death, that investment had become… awkward. They had achieved a form of success, only to lose out before seeing a full return on their efforts. The resources, time, and manpower poured into Minato's election had barely had a chance to yield any results.
As time dragged on, the conversations in the shrine went nowhere, only circling around the same frustrations. With Hiruzen back in power, the clan's options for political maneuvering felt increasingly limited. For now, it was clear there'd be no immediate solution. Although the Uchiha still hadn't reached the desperation of a full-on coup, the unjust treatment was impossible to ignore. Many still hoped that, through legitimate means, the Hokage title could ultimately fall into their hands.
Watching his restless kin, Fugaku sighed inwardly. It was frustrating. Some of the clan members were so agitated that they proposed assassination—taking down the Hokage in secret and having Fugaku ascend. The more extreme voices even suggested triggering a war, positioning the Uchiha as a divine force, striking down enemies and winning glory, so that the Hokage title would be theirs by merit alone. This mindset wasn't unique to just one or two individuals. The desire for progress was strong.
Such ambitions made sense, considering the clan's current strength. With three Kage-level fighters and numerous skilled jonin, the Uchiha could indeed wield immense influence in a large-scale conflict.
"Alright, enough for now." Fugaku raised a hand to dismiss the crowd, his tone tinged with impatience. "Meeting adjourned."
Then, he looked toward a particular Uchiha in the crowd. "Akira, stay for a moment."
Akira, who had been preparing to leave with the others, paused and turned back.
Soon, the shrine's basement was empty, leaving only Fugaku and Akira behind.
Once the others had left, Fugaku's stern expression softened, and he managed a weary smile.
"I still can't believe Minato is gone just like that."
"Life's unpredictable," Akira murmured, shaking his head. "Who would have thought someone as bright as the rising sun, like Minato, would fall so suddenly?"
Fugaku gave a bitter chuckle. "With Minato gone, we're right back where we started."
"If today's meeting was any indication, Hiruzen will undoubtedly let Danzo back into the fold to keep us in check," Fugaku said, looking deeply troubled.
Konoha's leadership didn't trust the Uchiha, not completely. And with the clan's current strength—three Kage-level shinobi and a roster of powerful jonin—they posed a formidable force. Hiruzen would certainly seek to balance that by keeping Danzo close.
Akira's eyes narrowed, a hint of a cold glint in them. "Maybe we should just take Danzo out. With my Mangekyo, I could do it."
Fugaku's eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head. "Danzo's no pushover. He trained under the Second Hokage and was part of his elite guard. He might not be on par with Hiruzen, but he's not someone you can easily dispose of."
"Plus, he's got his Root, nearly as powerful as the ANBU. It'd be a drawn-out struggle to eliminate him," Fugaku warned.
Seeing that Akira was still considering the idea, Fugaku added, "We've already gathered some leverage against him. When the time's right, we'll use it to bring him down for good."
Akira scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Fine. But when that time comes, we can go all-in. Even if things go sideways, I can handle Danzo if I have to."
Fugaku nodded, satisfaction clear in his gaze. "Our ace is proof of Danzo's and Orochimaru's human experimentation. That's not something to play casually. When we make our move, it has to shake Hiruzen's hold on power to its core, maybe even force him to step down."
Akira raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to be Hokage, Clan Head?"
Fugaku was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "I'm not suited for it."
Then, his gaze sharpened as he looked straight at Akira. "But if the opportunity arises, I want you to take that seat."
Originally, Fugaku had planned for his elder son, Itachi, to apprentice under Minato, gradually building up merit to compete for the Hokage position. But Minato's untimely death had disrupted everything. Now, with options running out, Fugaku realized he had no choice. Given the council's distrust, there was little hope of the Uchiha ever securing the title through normal channels. Only under exceptional circumstances, using unconventional means, could they ever place one of their own in the Hokage's seat.
The Uchiha clan had the strength now to make it happen.
"Me?" Akira was taken aback. He hadn't seen this coming.
Becoming Hokage? He had little desire for the title. Research at his ShinTen Biotech was his priority, and his current life suited him just fine. Holding the Hokage position would mean facing endless responsibilities, a weight he wasn't particularly interested in shouldering. He preferred the simplicity of focusing on his own goals without the burdens of leadership.
In the Hokage's seat, he would have to answer to all of Konoha and the Land of Fire itself.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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