Chapter 3: "You Said It Yourself!"
At the waterfall, Uchiha Fugaku nervously checked around to ensure no one else was present, then finally sighed in relief. However, looking at Uchiha Yosuke, he showed a helpless expression.
"Yosuke, you should be cautious with words like that in the future."
Yet, Uchiha Yosuke put on a confused face, though he had already figured things out. Currently, White Fang is one of Konoha's brightest stars, known even in the ninja world for his reputation that opponents are allowed to abandon missions upon encountering him.
This hero, White Fang, already seems to be set up as a candidate for the next Hokage, despite the current Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, being in his early forties and in his prime. How could the idea of a future Hokage arise unless someone was pushing for it behind the scenes?
Uchiha Yosuke smirked inwardly, while Fugaku looked at him, hesitating slightly before finally lowering his voice to say:
"During the First Great Ninja War, the Third Hokage took the position only temporarily, and that war was won due to the combined efforts of all clans. Yet after the war, each clan was greatly weakened, and…"
As Fugaku's voice echoed around him, Uchiha Yosuke put on a look of realization.
Just as he thought, while White Fang is strong, the backing for his promotion to the next Hokage clearly involves powerful support. This support comes from various clans—and perhaps even from the Senju clan.
From the end of the First War to the Second, there were twenty years of peace. But if you analyze clues from the original work, it's clear that during this time, the number of civilian ninjas drastically increased in Konoha. Training them required resources, but Konoha was limited in size, so naturally, this put strain on resources.
Back when the ninja village system was new, the ninja academy had not yet created the influx of civilian shinobi. Even though Konoha won the war, the major clans within the village suffered great losses. The Third Hokage used this chance to strengthen his own influence, alongside the civilian shinobi.
"I see! No wonder our clan has been working so closely with the Hatake clan. When White Fang becomes the Fourth Hokage, Uchiha will finally gain the village's trust."
Yosuke appeared enlightened, which made Fugaku smile and nod approvingly.
"Exactly. The Fourth Hokage will become a bridge, helping ease Uchiha's relations with other clans."
Damn! Uchiha Yosuke thought, feeling amused.
Following Uchiha means always missing meals! This goes double since Fugaku's relationship with the eventual Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze was also cordial, even though it didn't end well.
Suppressing his thoughts, Yosuke spoke in an enthusiastic tone.
"Fugaku, you're truly wise. I've heard tales that the Third Hokage was a student of the Second…"
At this, Uchiha Yosuke put on a somewhat embarrassed expression, while Fugaku softened his own and waved it off.
"It's all in the past."
Seeing the two of them alone, Yosuke leaned in, speaking like a trusted confidante.
"Fugaku, I've read about the policies of the Second Hokage. I understand why, during those times, precautions against Uchiha were necessary."
During that period, there was the Madara incident, and then there was Elder Uchiha Setsuna. With such issues, anyone would be on guard.
Seeing Yosuke's careful expression, Fugaku reassured him, saying, "At least things are different now. Although the Third may have inherited the Second Hokage's views on Uchiha, the future Hokage won't."
Unknowingly, Fugaku had stepped right into Yosuke's trap, openly accepting the idea that the Third had carried on the Second's mistrust of the Uchiha.
Although Fugaku, for a moment, felt he'd misspoken, Yosuke nodded with conviction and flashed a bright smile.
"Fugaku, I'm certain White Fang, our Fourth Hokage-to-be, is a true hero. The clan will finally be treated as we deserve."
Uchiha Yosuke's smile concealed his true intentions. He had skillfully let Fugaku come to these conclusions on his own, even adding his full support.
From a different perspective, you could say the Third Hokage had never fully trusted the Uchiha, having inherited the Second's policies. Under normal circumstances, these thoughts would have troubled Fugaku, but Yosuke's mention of White Fang as the next Hokage diverted his attention.
In fact, Fugaku even smiled, reassuring Yosuke.
"Don't worry, Yosuke. White Fang is not biased against Uchiha. He isn't from that time."
He wasn't a disciple of the Third Hokage either, so naturally, he wouldn't inherit such narrow views.
Strangely, Fugaku found himself wanting to argue against his own thoughts but instead laughed it off. The clan had already placed their hope on the next Hokage; why think so much?
Thinking about the past with the Second Hokage—the incident with Madara manipulating the Nine-Tails, the First Hokage's death—who wouldn't have been cautious of the Uchiha during such a turbulent period?
It wasn't hard to imagine that the Third, who lived through that era, would have lingering doubts.
Looking at Fugaku's hopeful expression, Uchiha Yosuke chuckled to himself.
Letting Fugaku believe that the Third inherited the Second's distrust of the Uchiha and that a fresh start would come with the Fourth Hokage—perfect. Then, when he discovers that White Fang's path is cut short…
The seed of doubt was now planted in Fugaku's heart. Though invisible now, it would grow in time. With a bit of "watering," it would soon sprout, perhaps even into a towering tree.
By then, Yosuke mused, the Uchiha clan wouldn't repeat history, and he would ensure that Fugaku saw the reality clearly.
Meanwhile, a small, stealthy slug lay hidden among the leaves, relaying everything back to Tsunade in her tent. She opened her eyes with a proud smile, unable to hide her satisfaction.
"Those Uchiha kids really have guts!"
But despite her words, she felt encouraged. It proved something important: for now, at least, the Uchiha only cared about earning Konoha's trust. This was a positive sign.
After all, neither Yosuke nor Fugaku seemed overly ambitious.
*End of Chapter*
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