At the Hokage Building, an Uchiha clan ninja stood before the entrance, confronting the guards on either side.
Except for the Uchiha themselves, no one in the village, be it from the major clans or the common ninja, held any fondness for their condescending attitude.
Minor conflicts were an everyday occurrence. Fortunately, the prolonged wars had slowed the Uchiha's development. If they had been allowed to stabilize and grow, it was uncertain who would truly hold sway in Konoha. Of course, the Konoha leadership wouldn't idly watch them grow too powerful.
In the Hokage's office, Uchiha Fugaku was reporting the situation to Sarutobi Hiruzen, with the Uchiha clan's elder following behind Fugaku.
The Uchiha clan was now firmly under Fugaku's control. After all, most of the peace faction within the Uchiha had perished on the battlefield. The majority of those remaining were the radicals, including the elder standing behind Fugaku.
"Fugaku… Clan Leader, your Uchiha clan has achieved great merit in the Mist Country battlefield, holding back the enemy's advance. Your spirit of striving for Konoha is commendable!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen inwardly grumbled: They were almost at their doorstep! If not for Might Guy's sudden burst of power, it was questionable how many of the Uchiha would have even returned!
Fugaku’s expression was serious. "Protecting Konoha is the Uchiha clan's undeniable duty. It is, however, regrettable that many excellent clansmen sacrificed their lives, significantly weakening our clan's strength."
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled. "I've heard that your Uchiha clan has produced a prodigy. The name 'Shisui of the Body Flicker' is quite renowned!"
Mentioning Shisui brought a smile to Fugaku’s face. After all, he was a capable subordinate after Fugaku became Hokage. Or perhaps… an aid in rebellion!
"Lord Hokage, you jest. Shisui is still but a child, who merely happened to defeat a few enemies on the battlefield. It is nothing worth mentioning."
Fugaku secretly rejoiced: You surely wouldn't have guessed that my four-year-old son, Uchiha Itachi, could already kill enemies on the battlefield!
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned solemn. "I understand the situation. I will ensure the maximum compensation for those sacrificed ninja, Clan Leader Fugaku. You can rest assured."
The unspoken implication was: If there's nothing else, you Uchiha can leave now!
Sarutobi Hiruzen had not yet taken any overt action to suppress the Uchiha clan. Although Danzo constantly nagged him, the Uchiha were still a major clan in Konoha.
With the war just ended, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't possibly cause large-scale disturbances within the village. Furthermore, the Uchiha had not yet shown any signs of rebellion.
Even though Danzo had said to him, "Fool! If you only decide when the Uchiha truly rebel, how much damage will that inflict upon Konoha?! Do you understand, Hiruzen?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't fathom why Danzo was so convinced the Uchiha would rebel. While they did look down on others with arrogance, and few in Konoha liked them,
But… they were the ones who had done wrong, why should they be the ones to rebel? Logically, shouldn't Konoha gang up on the Uchiha?
Sarutobi Hiruzen, constantly pestered by Danzo, had kept a contingency in mind and dispatched ANBU to secretly investigate the Uchiha clan's strength and foundations.
Fugaku maintained his smile. "Lord Hokage, regarding the Hokage candidate nominated by our Uchiha clan, have you considered it?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen selectively answered, "That is not something Clan Leader Fugaku needs to know. The decision doesn't rest with me alone; the elder council also has a veto."
Fugaku's smile remained unchanged, and he continued, "Lord Hokage, can you truly not offer any insight? After all, the final decision rests with you."
"Uchiha Fugaku! The Hokage candidacy concerns the future of Konoha, and I cannot make a hasty decision. You may leave for now, and your Uchiha clan will be informed when the time comes."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned stern as he looked at Fugaku, as if saying: You Uchiha have no chance. I'd give it to Danzo before I give it to any of you!
Fugaku retracted his smile and raised his hand, "Yes! Then, I shall await your good news at the Uchiha compound."
The Uchiha elder had not voiced any opinion from beginning to end, appearing merely as Fugaku's attendant.
The two emerged from the Hokage Building, their expressions unreadable, like that of a father whose daughter's period was late.
The Uchiha ninja who had been confronting the guards lowered their condescending gazes and anxiously whispered,
"Clan Leader, what is the situation? Did the Lord Hokage agree..."
"Silence! Do not speak carelessly! We are returning to the clan grounds!"
"Yes!"
The Uchiha ninja once again looked provocatively at the guards from their superior vantage point before eagerly trailing behind Fugaku, as if they had a tail wagging behind them.
Upon entering the Uchiha clan territory, the elder, walking a step behind Fugaku, softly said, "How was it? Are you clear now? Konoha will never allow our Uchiha to become Hokage, not even a chance!"
Fugaku's expression remained unchanged as he smiled and greeted passing clansmen.
"Elder, I was merely trying. I didn't expect reality to be more cruel than speculation. What wrong have we Uchiha done?"
Fugaku dismissed two ninja and walked with the elder within the clan grounds, his expression slightly contorted. "In war, our Uchiha clan led the charge, sacrificing countless clansmen, yet we are not even given a chance to compete for the Hokage position?"
The elder coldly stated, "Even if we were, would it pass the final Jonin trust vote? Besides rebellion, our Uchiha have no other chance to become Hokage!"
"But… given the current strength of the Uchiha, rebellion… is simply impossible."
The elder said, "Who said it's about now? We Uchiha don't want a broken Konoha; we want the number one ninja village! We Uchiha want to be the foremost clan in the ninja world!"
"Prodigies! We Uchiha are not lacking in them, only time. Shisui, and your son Itachi, once they mature, it's truly uncertain who will hold sway in Konoha!"
Fugaku nodded, understanding his son Uchiha Itachi's talent better than anyone. A prodigy! A top-tier prodigy!
He was mature and sensible from a young age, which was why he had agreed to Itachi going to the battlefield.
This made Fugaku ponder: Should I try harder and have another son for Itachi? When the brothers join forces, it will be the time for our Uchiha to dominate Konoha!
The elder continued, "Our Uchiha will recuperate for a few years, make up for the losses from the war, and by the time our next generation of prodigies grow up, the old guard of Konoha will be senile."
"I've also observed the students of this generation in Konoha; there are few noteworthy ones. Only Hatake Kakashi is somewhat outstanding. The others are mere extras, and there's even a green-haired, watermelon-headed fool who can't even use ninjutsu. It's laughable!"
"At that time, won't Konoha be under the Uchiha's control?"
Fugaku nodded. Although he was confident in his own strength, the clan still needed more combat power!
Ideally, another pair of Mangekyo Sharingan would appear. If two pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan were to appear! Then the Uchiha would firmly secure the Hokage position!
At this moment, Fugaku eagerly yearned for his son Itachi to grow up quickly. He was certain that with Itachi's talent, awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan would be effortless!