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Fugaku Uchiha argued with all his might, fighting for the interests of his clan. If he didn't make their stance clear now, incidents like this would only multiply.
After stating that Shisui was still too green to handle Qianyu, Fugaku pressed on. "Lord Fourth, the Uchiha are the Uchiha of Konoha. In the Third Great Shinobi War, our contributions were undeniable. We don't ask for special rewards, Lord Fourth. It was simply our duty as part of this village. But the war just ended. Our clan sacrificed many. To put it bluntly, a significant number of our ninja died as cannon fodder in Qianyu's frontal assaults against Kiri. Was he targeting the Uchiha? No one knows. But the resentment my clansmen hold for him is real and deep. To make this decision now… Lord Fourth, I understand your position. But my people are grieving. How can they possibly understand this? I implore you to reconsider. Please, withdraw this order!"
Fugaku had little else to bargain with. The clan's wartime record was his only card.
Minato could sympathize with Fugaku's difficult position. He truly could. But being the Fourth Hokage didn't mean he could decide everything. The village's power structure was complicated. Besides the retired Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, there were still Danzō, Koharu, and Homura. And even retired, Hiruzen's approval was still needed for many of Minato's actions. Being Hokage was exhausting. Take this new department, the Leaf Village Defense Force. Minato had opposed its creation. But Hiruzen and Danzō pushed it through. He couldn't stop it. He'd fought desperately to keep Qianyu from becoming its head, but no one listened. All he'd managed to secure was the deputy position for Shisui.
Minato knew the Uchiha's contributions in the war. He knew how inappropriate it was to create a department to counterbalance them now. But the decision was made. It was final.
"The establishment of the new department is set in stone. There will be no changes," Minato said, his voice firm. "I understand your concerns, Clan Head Fugaku. I'm aware of Qianyu's… forcefulness, and the history between him and your clan. That's why my own Anbu will also be integrated into the unit. And all Anbu assigned will answer to Shisui's command." He let out a quiet breath. "Many things are beyond our control. We can't always act as we wish… But I give you my word. The situation for the Uchiha will improve. Trust me, Clan Head Fugaku."
Minato met Fugaku's gaze, his expression utterly sincere.
Fugaku's own face was a storm of conflict. Minato's words were clear: this wasn't his decision. The architects were obvious—Danzō and Hiruzen Sarutobi. Minato had little say. But his promise… that was a promise from the Fourth Hokage. He might be powerless now, but that didn't mean he always would be. If Minato ever consolidated his authority as Hokage, he could pull the Uchiha out of this mire. The choice lay before Fugaku now. To tie the Uchiha clan's future tightly to Minato Namikaze.
He studied the man before him. Minato was humble, kind, intelligent. Gentle, but not weak-willed. He was a man of decisive action, proven by his legendary achievements in the chaos of war. Fugaku had always respected him. When Minato first became Hokage and visited, Fugaku had welcomed him warmly, expressing the Uchiha's desire to rebuild trust with the village. But this incident showed the truth. Minato's tenure was far from smooth. His authority was hamstrung.
Truthfully, Fugaku had no other choice. Among Konoha's highest ranks, only Minato held genuine goodwill toward the Uchiha. His own father, Masaki, had once believed Hiruzen Sarutobi held such goodwill. He was wrong. Hiruzen sought only balance. His "goodwill" existed only when he needed the Uchiha to fight. Fugaku didn't believe for a second that Qianyu's actions against Uchiha in the latter stages of the war happened without Hiruzen's tacit approval.
Fugaku took a deep, steadying breath. Binding the clan to Minato… it seemed the only path forward. Minato was young. He had years, possibly decades, ahead as Hokage. Men like Hiruzen and Danzō… they were old. Minato's future was bright.
"Lord Fourth," Fugaku said, his tone solemn and final. "I will comply. But understand this: I agree because it is you who asks. From this moment, any order you give, the Uchiha will execute. We stand firmly with you. I ask only that you remember us in the future. The Uchiha will always be Konoha's Uchiha."
The line was drawn. Fugaku had formally chosen his side.
A genuine, relieved smile spread across Minato's face. "I will. Thank you for your understanding, Clan Head Fugaku. I won't disturb your rest any further." He rose to leave. Fugaku and Shisui stood to see him out.
After Minato was gone, Fugaku turned to Shisui. "Come with me. We need to talk." Shisui nodded silently.
They sat facing each other on the tatami. Fugaku looked at the young prodigy and sighed. "You see it, don't you? This 'Leaf Village Defense Force' exists to counter our clan. Even as deputy, your position there will be… difficult."
Shisui's gaze was unwavering. "I know. But I'm prepared. Lord Fourth is in a difficult position himself. His desire to mend things is real. I want to do my part for both the clan and the village."
Fugaku heard the resolve in Shisui's voice. He felt no pride, only a deep, weary resignation.
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