"Drip... drip…" In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage puffed endlessly on his pipe, filling the room with smoke. Minato Namikaze ignored him and silently continued his paperwork.
Nearly an hour passed before the Third finally broke the silence. "Minato, what are you planning to do about the Hyuga incident?"
"Third, what you really want to ask isn't about the Hyuga clan, is it? You're wondering what I'll do about Danzō," Minato replied without looking up.
The Third didn't deny it. He nodded. "That's right. Danzō can't just die without explanation."
"I don't quite understand what's unclear about his death. You've seen the body—it was clearly smashed by overwhelming force, and it was found near the site where Yuan fought the Nine-Tails. Danzō died heroically, aiding the village in battle. Isn't that clear enough?
Or are you suggesting that Danzō wouldn't sacrifice himself for the village? That he couldn't have gone out to face the Nine-Tails?"
"I never thought that. I know Danzō well. But his body being so badly mangled—it might not have been the Nine-Tails. Uchiha Yuan's Susanoo could have done it too.
Besides, from what I know, Danzō left Root to question the Uchiha about the Nine-Tails being controlled. Why would he end up at the battlefield?"
"Is that suspicious? I don't think so. Frankly, it sounds like you're making baseless assumptions."
Hiruzen took a long drag and said, "Minato, Danzō devoted his life to this village."
"I know. I'll organize a grand funeral in his honor. I'll tell all of Konoha about his contributions—including his research on Hashirama cells, his arm full of Sharingan, and his hoarding of clan secrets—"
"Enough! Don't say any more, Minato!"
"So then, Third, let's leave it at that regarding Danzō?"
"Fine. But his name must be engraved on the Memorial Stone."
Minato nodded in agreement.
"And the Hyuga matter—"
"Third, Hiashi already came to see me yesterday. He said he's expelled Hyuga Asana and her family from the clan. That ends it."
"I see. Since Hiashi said so, I won't ask further. But Minato, the Hyuga clan's traditions are deeply rooted. The Caged Bird Seal has benefits—not just for them, but for us to keep the Hyuga in check. As Hokage, you should support that."
Minato frowned. "Are you saying the branch family isn't part of Konoha?"
"That's not what I meant. I just—forget it. You're Hokage now. Decide as you will." With that, Hiruzen turned and left.
Minato stared after him and sighed. Since becoming Hokage, he found himself understanding some of the Third's decisions. But more often than not, he couldn't. The more he governed, the less he understood.
"Was the Third truly upholding the Will of Fire?" he muttered.
—
Meanwhile, in the Rain Country, at the Akatsuki base.
Obito had reattached his arm and returned. For two days, he'd hidden underground, healing and figuring out how to remove the Flying Thunder God mark Minato left on him.
He thought he understood the technique well enough.
But no matter what he tried, he couldn't erase the seal.
In the end, he had to ask Tobi for help—cutting off the flesh with the mark to remove it completely.
During the Nine-Tails attack, Obito had unleashed the beast and even had Tobi use the Wood Human Technique to counter Yuan's Mangekyō. Yet it accomplished nothing. Only a few civilians and low-ranking shinobi died; none of the village's elites were harmed.
Obito now realized he couldn't take Konoha down alone. He'd need help—especially to gather the Tailed Beasts.
So he decided to manipulate Nagato, using the Akatsuki name to recruit members and amass power.
That's why he showed up at Akatsuki headquarters.
Nagato's group had already heard about the events in Konoha—but they didn't know Obito was involved.
Still, the fact that even Konoha suffered losses while facing a Tailed Beast made them wary.
Just then, Obito appeared and suggested Akatsuki begin recruiting. After thinking it over, Nagato agreed.
—
Back in the Uchiha clan…
If Uchiha Yuan's rampage through the Hyuga was a disgrace to them, to the Uchiha it was an unparalleled glory.
Since Konoha's founding, the Uchiha and Hyuga clans had been rivals, always eyeing each other with disdain.
Previously, the Uchiha's primary opponent had been the Senju. They didn't even consider the Hyuga a threat.
But with the Senju clan's decline, the Hyuga became their main external rival. A prolonged struggle began—covert and open.
Without Mangekyō users, the Uchiha were only slightly stronger than the Hyuga.
But the Hyuga had the backing of the Hokage line, and the number of Uchiha awakening their Sharingan dwindled with each war.
The Uchiha weakened. The Hyuga began to surpass them.
Then came Uchiha Yuan.
He broke into the Hyuga compound and slaughtered half their main family.
The Hyuga had no response. They turtled up in fear.
Add to that: during the Nine-Tails attack, Yuan had killed Danzō—who coveted their Sharingan—and nearly soloed the Nine-Tails, protecting the village.
All this skyrocketed Yuan's prestige within the Uchiha.
Young Sharingan users and Academy students alike idolized him.
Even the Hawk and Dove factions had ceased quarreling, unified under Yuan.
Except for Uchiha Yakumi's squad in the Police Force, everything now followed Yuan's lead.
Within the clan itself, Uchiha Yuan now controlled 80% of its power.
(To Be Continued...)