Chapter 15 — Secret Maneuvering and Choices
In the center of the village—the Uchiha clan compound.
It stood isolated from the outside world, its borders reinforced by tall walls. Outsiders could not enter. It was shrouded in mystery.
Inside the clan head's residence—
Uchiha Kajichi sat formally on the tatami, sipping tea.
"Elder Sōichi, what do you think about this matter?"
Elder Uchiha Sōichi, his hair already white with age, spoke calmly, making his stance clear.
"No matter what, the Uchiha are part of Konoha."
Having lived through the Warring States Era, Sōichi despised war more than anyone and longed deeply for peace. His attachment was to Konoha itself—not to the Hokage.
He yearned for the days when the bond between the Uchiha and the village had been close and inseparable. In his eyes, peace had not come easily. The Uchiha needed peace.
Besides—
Although the Uchiha had lost dominance during the Warring States struggle, their foundation remained strong. The powerful alliance between two great clans had created the first ninja village.
This was the Uchiha's village.
How could they slink away like rats?
Even Uchiha Madara, the so-called Asura of the ninja world, had been unable to change the clan's collective will.
The proud Uchiha would never accept such humiliation.
Moreover—
Compared to defection, the Uchiha preferred another path.
Becoming Hokage.
As Konoha's foremost noble clan, the Uchiha were filled with talented shinobi. All they needed was the right opportunity.
And now, that opportunity had arrived.
He spoke slowly:
"Uchiha Shigeru is our opportunity. As long as he forms bonds with those children, without obstruction from the other great clans, then with Uchiha strength, the Fifth Hokage will inevitably be Uchiha."
He didn't mention the Fourth Hokage—Uchiha Shigeru was far too young and had no chance at that seat.
Originally, the Uchiha had set their sights on the Fourth Hokage, intending for the clan's foremost genius, Uchiha Fugaku, to compete.
But now there was a better choice.
Compared to talent alone, Uchiha Shigeru had a far higher starting point. The heirs of all the major clans were his classmates.
An unparalleled advantage—something Fugaku could never match.
"That's right. Konoha was founded jointly by the Uchiha and the Senju. If anything, it's long overdue for our turn."
"However, the Third Hokage requires a show of sincerity from the Uchiha. If I'm not mistaken… it's Mikoto."
Though Hiruzen Sarutobi had said nothing openly, Uchiha Sōichi understood. It was silent pressure—a demand that the Uchiha make a choice.
Would they abandon clan pride and marry a daughter into another family to integrate further into Konoha and secure the opportunity to become Hokage?
Or would they continue to isolate themselves?
Uchiha Kajichi's expression did not change.
"The Uchiha are part of Konoha. That will never change. But the clan's kekkei genkai must never be allowed to leak. That is the bottom line."
His tone was decisive—non-negotiable.
They could be friends. Comrades. Allies.
But never spouses.
Not just him—no Uchiha would agree.
Unless one of those seven children could become like Senju Hashirama—the God of Shinobi—overwhelming the world with strength, and agree that any offspring would bear the Uchiha name.
Otherwise—
If one married out, then another, what would remain of the Uchiha? They might as well declare the clan dissolved.
After all, for bloodline clans, inheritance was everything.
Uchiha Sōichi stroked his white beard. His eyes turned cold, filled with killing intent.
"We'll need further negotiations. I don't believe Hiruzen Sarutobi is foolish enough to think that forcing the Uchiha to marry out is the price of acceptance. If that is truly the condition… the Uchiha would not mind replacing the Hokage."
"Yes. The Uchiha bloodline is not to be coveted."
...
"Phew… that's enough."
Kinoshita Hikaru came to a stop and turned around to look at the others.
"Uh (︶︿︶)"
The moment Hikaru stopped, all eight of them collapsed to the ground, completely unable to continue.
"You guys…"
He had just opened his mouth to speak when several figures suddenly appeared with whoosh whoosh sounds, each picking up one of the children and carrying them away.
One blonde beauty shot Hikaru a glare before leaving.
"..."
Hikaru glanced at Namikaze Minato.
"What's going on?"
"They're all important members of their clans. They were probably taken back for medicinal baths."
Hikaru's little face scrunched up as he roared:
"That's not what I meant! I meant why are only the two of us left behind?! We need medicinal baths too!"
Minato didn't answer. He simply panted heavily.
Medicinal baths are expensive. Do you have money?
Hikaru had no energy to argue.
So the clown was me all along?
After all that effort taking care of them…
And now they're pulling special treatment at a time like this? Bastards! ( ; ≥皿≤ )
With no other choice, he supported Namikaze Minato and slowly made their way home, grumbling internally.
Why didn't my brother come?
...
"Ah-choo!"
Kinoshita Muraichi rubbed his nose and attentively picked up food for Saisei.
"Muraichi-kun, are you sick?"
"Saisei-chan, I'm sick. Very seriously sick!"
Saisei hurriedly placed her hand on Kinoshita Muraichi's forehead. "You don't have a fever?"
"Not here." He pointed to his chest. "It's in my heart. I've come down with lovesickness. (´｡✪ω✪｡｀)"
"How annoying, Muraichi-kun, how can you say that? (〃ﾉωﾉ)"
"That's because you're so lovable. I could look at you forever and never get tired of it. (⑉°з°)-♡"
Kinoshita Muraichi had completely fallen into love, utterly forgetting that he still had two younger brothers to take care of.
Sorry, little brothers. Just this once.
...
When the two boys returned home, the house was pitch dark and silent.
Kinoshita Hikaru could only boil water himself to prepare a medicinal bath for Namikaze Minato.
The medicinal herbs had been purchased from the Nara clan. The confidentiality was excellent—just boil the water, add the herbs, and it was ready. Very convenient.
After preparing everything, Hikaru helped Minato into the tub to soak and then went back to his room to retrieve a water balloon, handing it to him.
Chakra was divided into shape transformation and nature transformation. Nature transformation could wait—but the Rasengan, as the pinnacle of shape transformation, had to be learned.
For that purpose, he had prepared many water balloons.
It wasn't plagiarism—commoner ninja simply had no access to ninjutsu, let alone an A-rank, hand-seal-less technique like this. Not "borrowing" it would be an insult to being a transmigrator.
Of course, they were still young. At this stage, it was mainly about adapting. Otherwise, their chakra reserves wouldn't be enough.
"Hikaru-kun, what is this for?"
"It's a training method. Use your hand to control chakra and make the water balloon burst."
"And then?" Namikaze Minato asked.
"We'll talk after you succeed."
Hikaru didn't elaborate. You had to take things one step at a time. How could you become fat in a single bite?
Suddenly—
Pop!
The water balloon burst.
"Like this?" Minato asked.
Hikaru jumped in shock.
He learned it that fast?
As expected of the creator of this jutsu.
Still—
Hikaru didn't tell Minato the next step. Instead, he told him to continue controlling the water balloon, making it spin at high speed without bursting.
Having grown up in the ninja world, Hikaru knew how explosive chakra could be. One careless mistake and it could detonate. If Minato injured his hand, he might regret it for life—he could even lose the chance to become a ninja altogether.
After all, Minato didn't have Naruto's monstrous recovery ability.
Hikaru stepped outside to practice on his own, carefully trying to control his chakra bit by bit. Fine chakra manipulation required immense talent.
Otherwise, the Rasengan wouldn't be classified as A-rank.
That ranking represented danger and difficulty.
And also power.
After Hikaru left, the water balloon in Namikaze Minato's hand was already spinning rapidly without breaking.
Fortunately, Hikaru didn't see it—or he would have been devastated again.
It had to be said—Namikaze Minato was a natural-born ninja. His talent might not have been overwhelmingly destructive, but it was perfectly suited for a shinobi.
Nerve reflexes. Delicate chakra control. Wind nature. Space-time affinity.
All talents ideal for close-combat assassination.
"This seems pretty simple. What's the point of training this?"
Minato stared at the spinning water balloon in his hand, puzzled.
Meanwhile, outside, Kinoshita Hikaru was still wrestling stubbornly with his own water balloon.
At the same time—
Within the Senju compound.
Nawaki soaked in a medicinal bath, his face flushed red, animatedly telling Mito about everything that had happened during the day.
Mito sat beside him, her expression gentle and loving as she listened to her grandson.
From the Warring States Era until now, she had long since become free of worldly desires. The only thing she wished for was to see Nawaki grow up safely and healthily.
She wore a kimono, her beauty flawless—without a single wrinkle. It was as though time had frozen around her, unable to leave even the slightest trace of age.
A diamond-shaped mark rested on her forehead, sealing her youthful appearance.
She took out a scroll.
"Release!"
With a poof, a straw hat appeared out of thin air.
"Little Nawaki, Grandma has added seals to it. Take a look."
Senju Nawaki's face lit up with excitement. He grabbed it, unable to put it down.
This was the straw hat that carried their dreams.
He had to protect it well.
Seeing how much her grandson cherished it, Mito smiled.
"Grandma has added five layers of seals to it. It's now fireproof, waterproof, and very durable. It can even be summoned back to you, so you don't have to worry about losing it."
"Amazing!"
Nawaki's eyes sparkled.
"But why would I need to summon it back? I'll never let it leave my sight."
Mito shot him a look but didn't have the heart to crush his confidence.
You?
If you don't lose yourself first, Grandma will have to burn incense in gratitude.