"Did you know," Uchiha Yuukon asked calmly, his aged fingers resting on the arm of his chair,
"that Senju Hashirama once strongly recommended Lord Madara to become the First Hokage?"
Uchiha Fugaku straightened instinctively. "Yes. It is recorded in the clan archives."
"Then why," the old man continued without looking at him, "did Hashirama ultimately become Hokage instead?"
Fugaku paused, searching for the familiar explanation. "Senju Tobirama proposed the Jonin voting system. Lord Madara narrowly lost."
Yuukon nodded faintly, then pressed on. "After Hashirama's death, Konoha held a second election. The Uchiha also put forward a candidate. Who won?"
"Senju Tobirama," Fugaku replied. "By an overwhelming margin."
"And Hiruzen Sarutobi?" Yuukon's gaze sharpened slightly. "How did he ascend?"
This time, Fugaku's voice dropped. "He was personally designated by the Second Hokage."
Yuukon finally turned to look at him. "Then answer me this—why did Tobirama abandon the election system he himself created?"
Fugaku's fingers tightened unconsciously. "…Because he knew that if a true election were held, Hiruzen would not win."
"Exactly." Yuukon's voice was flat, merciless.
"So Tobirama cut off the competition first, then gave Hiruzen time to gather allies, build reputation, and manufacture legitimacy."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Now do you understand? A politician's promise is worth less than dust."
"When the rules benefit him, he praises them as sacred law.
When the rules obstruct him, he overturns them without hesitation."
"If you trust such a man simply because he wears the Hokage's robe," Yuukon said coldly,
"then the Uchiha Clan will not be far from extermination."
Fugaku hesitated, clutching the document in his hand. "Elder… are you saying the Sandaime will break his word? But this appointment letter—"
"Idiot."
Yuukon slammed the table, the sound sharp and final.
"Look at the seal."
Fugaku's breath caught. "It… bears the seal of Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"Then tell me," Yuukon snapped, yanking the letter from his grasp and shaking it in front of him,
"what reason does Jiraiya have to recognize this scrap of paper once he becomes Hokage?"
The implication struck like a hammer.
Fugaku felt his scalp go cold. In that instant, he finally understood—this was never a guarantee. It was bait.
"And even if Hiruzen kept his word," Yuukon continued relentlessly,
"do you truly believe Jiraiya could defeat Tsunade in a Jonin election?"
"Did you not see who stood behind Minato Namikaze today?"
His finger stabbed the tabletop.
"You've offended the major clans. You've offended the future Hokage.
Once Hiruzen dies, do you think this paper will protect you?"
Silence stretched.
Fugaku lowered himself fully, forehead touching the tatami. "This was my failure. I ask the Elder to guide me."
Yuukon exhaled slowly, then pushed the appointment letter back.
"Take this. Deliver it personally to Minato Namikaze."
"Tell him the Uchiha Clan abides by the Ninja Code—and will never betray Konoha."
Then his eyes gleamed faintly.
"And recommend the clan's talented youths. Say you hope they may receive his guidance."
"With Minato's political sense," Yuukon added coolly, "he will accept."
Fugaku looked up, startled—and then visibly relieved. "May Shisui… and Itachi be included?"
"Yes."
Yuukon closed his eyes briefly, suppressing a sigh.
Itachi is barely three. Talent cannot yet be judged.
But the clan's future must be tied to Minato's lineage, not Hiruzen's.
Fugaku, emboldened, continued. "Regarding the missing clan members—we've confirmed three abnormal cases."
Yuukon waved him off. "I know. One fell in the Land of Rain. One vanished in the Land of Rice Fields. The third disappeared after encountering Kumogakure ninja."
Fugaku's pupils contracted. "Then… has the Village discovered anything?"
"The Village, perhaps not." Yuukon's eyes hardened. "But the clan has."
"Before and after each disappearance—Root operatives were present."
A chill ran down Fugaku's spine.
Yuukon continued, voice low. "Do you remember how the Mizukage was controlled?"
"…The Sharingan," Fugaku said slowly. "In the left eye."
"And who," Yuukon asked softly, "in Konoha is missing an eye, keeps it wrapped in bandages, and seals it against detection?"
Fugaku's face went pale. "Danzo… Shimura."
"Even if for nothing else," Yuukon said coldly,
"the Uchiha must see this matter through."
"At the encirclement two days from now, you will demand an explanation—before the clans."
That night, Minato Namikaze sat quietly in Kushina's residence, listening as Jiraiya paced restlessly.
"There's really no other way?" Jiraiya asked hoarsely.
"The Sandaime must die," Minato replied calmly.
Jiraiya froze. "…Minato."
"What of the Root ninjas abandoned by the Hokage?" Minato asked. "Were their lives worth less?"
"He is the Hokage!" Jiraiya snapped.
"And therefore beyond judgment?" Minato's voice did not rise. "Then if Boss Li executes him—does power alone justify death?"
Jiraiya had no answer.
When Fugaku arrived and placed the appointment letter on the table, Minato barely glanced at it.
"I understand," he said quietly. "I will recommend Uchiha Fugaku for an Elder position."
Fugaku declined, as instructed, then spoke of Shisui and Itachi.
"I will teach them," Minato agreed. "If they pass my tests, I will take them as disciples."
Fugaku bowed deeply, emotion surging.
"The Uchiha swear loyalty to Lady Tsunade."
Outside, dusk deepened over Konoha.
And the clan had finally chosen.
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