Fuma looked at the arriving Fugaku and Minato and smiled faintly.
In an instant, the black smoke and blood aura that loomed over the heavens and earth retreated back into Fuma's body. It was as if nothing had happened here; the world returned to calm once more.
Gesturing for the two to come closer, he said lightly:
"Speak. What's happening in the village this time? Is it Uzumaki Mito nearing the end of her life, or are the Third Hokage or Danzo making some new moves?"
Fugaku's expression turned awkward. Scratching his head in embarrassment, he replied, "No, Fuma-nii, it's nothing that serious..."
"Kumogakure has sent a delegation, claiming they wish to form an alliance with the village. But Minato thinks something's off, so we came to hear your opinion…"
Fuma gave a soft "oh." Such a thing was indeed a trivial matter.
However, the mention of Kumogakure and an alliance brought back a sense of familiarity to Fuma, even if the timeline didn't quite align.
Fuma thought back to Kumogakure's two notorious actions before shaking his head.
Currently, both Kushina and Minato lived within the Uchiha compound, protected by barriers and located close to Fuma's estate.
Moreover, with Minato's current strength and cautious nature, coupled with Kushina's Kagura's Mind Eye ability, there was no need for Fuma to worry about their safety.
Even if he had to act personally, it would be incredibly troublesome for anyone to deal with the duo, who possessed large-scale sensory capabilities and teleportation techniques.
Fuma stroked his chin thoughtfully:
"The abduction of Kushina probably won't happen. Unless Kumogakure has someone as idiotic as Hiruzen, it's unlikely they'd dare tamper with Uchiha's barrier…"
"Given Kumogakure's nature, an alliance is impossible. They're likely here to provoke trouble. I wonder if the Hyuga Clan will end up being the unlucky ones this time…"
Glancing at Minato, who seemed lost in thought while gazing at the sky, Fuma smiled and said lightly, "Not bad, Minato. Your observation is sharp. This matter isn't as simple as it seems. So, let's hear your thoughts."
Minato glanced at Fugaku helplessly. As the village's current biggest idler, he preferred not to get involved in such matters.
But being Fuma's first disciple, the Police Force had thoughtfully assigned Minato a position with a high rank and no actual responsibilities. He only needed to focus on training while still receiving a hefty salary.
This arrangement made him feel a bit guilty, so he occasionally offered advice to Fugaku.
However, ever since Fugaku made a mistake following Danzo's orders, he had become overly cautious and self-critical, fearing any mishap within the Police Force.
Thus, Minato's casual suggestion quickly escalated, leading Fugaku to drag him here to consult Fuma.
Clearing his throat, Minato's eyes gleamed as he analyzed the situation in detail:
"The logic is simple. From the moment the First Hokage passed away and the First Shinobi World War broke out, it's clear that all five great villages harbor ambitions of dominating the shinobi world."
"Genuine cooperation between them is out of the question—it's always a matter of mutual interest."
"Kumogakure seeking an alliance with Konoha would shift the attention of the other three major villages and stabilize Konoha's internal affairs. But what does Kumogakure gain? Nothing."
"So why would the Third Raikage pursue something that offers Kumogakure no advantage? This means their so-called alliance is a front, and Kumogakure must have ulterior motives. I just can't pinpoint their exact target yet."
Fuma gave an approving glance to his disciple, teasing him:
"As expected of the man destined to take over Kirigakure. Your perspective already carries the bearing of a Kage."
Minato smirked confidently, crossing his arms as he replied, "Don't underestimate me. If I were Mizukage right now, I'd definitely run the place better than its current leader."
Beside them, Fugaku pressed his lips tightly together, feeling an inexplicable sense of defeat.
In his heart, Fugaku aspired to become the leader of the Uchiha Clan. Meanwhile, Minato—his contemporary and silent rival—seemed to be aiming much higher.
"So you've already set your sights on other villages, Minato… Meanwhile, I'm still stuck dreaming about becoming Uchiha's head. Damn it, the gap between us keeps growing…"
Noticing Fugaku's dejection, Fuma sighed inwardly.
"I still haven't interacted enough with Fugaku. He's too reserved around me. But truthfully, he lacks the political acumen to climb higher in the future."
In the original timeline, Fugaku served as the final Uchiha clan head, remembered as a figure of disgrace.
During the Nine-Tails' attack, Fugaku followed Danzo's orders, failing to support the battlefield in time and missing his last chance to clear the clan's name.
This led to the Uchiha being ostracized by the entire village, with their two greatest talents, Itachi and Shisui, ultimately betraying the clan.
As Uchiha head, Fugaku bore significant responsibility for failing to understand his own son, Itachi, who became a double agent under Hiruzen. His missteps culminated in the tragic massacre of their clan.
Even Shisui, Uchiha's brightest hope at the time, was alienated by Fugaku's lack of communication and pushed toward the higher-ups, ultimately resorting to Kotoamatsukami to attempt control.
Finally, Fugaku tried to stage a coup at Uchiha's weakest moment—an undeniably foolish move.
While Fuma was still under thirty and didn't need to consider Uchiha's next successor just yet, if he had to choose, Fugaku wouldn't be his first pick. That honor belonged to the "good grandson" of the Uchiha Clan—Obito.
At just seven or eight, Obito was already influenced by Fuma's teachings. With proper guidance, resources, and emotional support, his talents, comparable to Indra's, could make him the next pillar of the Uchiha Clan.
"Sorry, Fugaku. I know you're trying, but your efforts just aren't enough..."
Still, Fuma patted Fugaku's shoulder and encouraged him, "Don't be discouraged, Fugaku."
"Minato grew up with me and has seen more than you in some aspects—it's only natural. Focus on training and learning; your future is no less bright than his."
Though Fugaku looked slightly uplifted, he still scratched his head awkwardly and said:
"As the deputy captain of the Police Force, I haven't been able to take much off your plate. Even small matters like this require your attention…"
"But I'll keep working hard, Fuma-nii. Please trust me!"
Fuma smiled and waved it off casually:
"You're already doing well, Fugaku. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
After a pause, his tone turned serious as he locked eyes with Fugaku:
"But when Itachi is born, make sure not to pass your stress onto him. Let him have a happy and carefree childhood."
Fugaku was stunned. "Fuma-nii is already concerned about my son?!" Feeling both flattered and determined, he quickly responded:
"I understand, Fuma-nii."
Meanwhile, Minato, observing Fuma's subtle expressions, sighed inwardly:
"Fugaku, if you don't find your own direction soon, it looks like you're going to be left behind..."
Breaking the tension, Minato chuckled and said:
"I'm just speculating, after all. It doesn't really count. But I've been idle lately, and my skills have improved a bit—I'm itching to spar with someone strong."
Fuma glanced at him with a faint smile, his Sharingan flickering ominously.
"If you're eager to test your strength, I could give you a few pointers myself…"
Minato's brow twitched. Glancing at Fuma's unsettling Sharingan, he swiftly placed a hand on Fugaku's shoulder and said seriously:
"No need for that. I've heard Fugaku's been making great progress lately. I'd rather spar with him instead…"
Thus, the unsuspecting Fugaku was about to experience the full force of the Second Hokage's ultimate anti-Uchiha techniques—albeit in their evolved form.
An incense stick's worth of time later…
Minato, glowing like golden rays of sunlight, deftly deployed the Bringer of Darkness Technique to obscure the field of vision. Smirking, he teased:
"Enjoying the Second Hokage's techniques yet?"
Fugaku, on the verge of a mental breakdown, muttered:
"This kind of absurdly tailored jutsu… It's purely designed to torment the Uchiha, isn't it? Truly despicable…"
..........
Two days later, at Konoha's Guest House~
The shinobi from the Hidden Cloud Village inspected their equipment meticulously, ensuring everything was prepared to accomplish their mission.
Over the past few days, they had gathered the intelligence they needed.
The head of the Hyuga clan was set to host a grand banquet that evening in celebration of his 60th birthday. The event had been widely publicized throughout Konoha, a clear display of the clan's prestige and influence.
Troy scanned his team, his sharp eyes settling on the composed and ready faces of his comrades. He nodded approvingly before speaking in a firm tone:
"Gentlemen, let us present the Hyuga clan with the most sincere gift the Hidden Cloud can offer!"
"Everyone, move out!"
The Hidden Cloud shinobi swiftly fell into formation, their movements precise and their intent resolute, as they set out for the evening's mission.
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