Chapter 12
Chapter 12: Fugaku's So-Called Talent
**Uchiha Nanhe Shrine.**
In the dim, secluded room, the elder Setsuna, after being released, had been residing here long-term.
*Cough, cough.* "So, you're that kid Mikoto mentioned. Not bad."
The elderly voice echoed, prompting Uchiha Yosuke, seated respectfully, to bow and respond solemnly, "Uchiha Yosuke greets Elder Setsuna."
Since he had awakened his Sharingan, Yosuke sought progress through Mikoto's help to meet this elder. Elder Setsuna, a figure inheriting Madara's will and once daring enough to plot a rebellion, may be confined within the clan grounds, yet his influence remains strong.
After all, this is the Uchiha!
The elder, with his waxy yellow complexion, showing signs of age, glanced at the information scroll his granddaughter Mikoto provided and nodded, "Not bad, possessing dual Kekkei Genkai. But remember, having two bloodlines comes with its own limitations. Your stamina and energy are finite, and the drawbacks of this power are significant."
Dual Kekkei Genkai was rare, but to a seasoned elder who'd seen countless geniuses in the shinobi world, few truly survived long enough to prove themselves.
"Elder," Yosuke nodded respectfully, observing Setsuna's pale, frail state. Just as he suspected, the elder didn't have many years left. It made sense that he was eager to prepare Mikoto.
*Cough, cough.* "Come in," Setsuna said softly, glancing towards the door. To Yosuke's surprise, three figures entered: the current Uchiha clan head, Fugaku, and Mikoto.
"Clan Head, Elder!"
Fugaku and Mikoto bowed respectfully to the clan head and elder seated above. Mikoto then took her place at Yosuke's side.
Seeing this, Yosuke narrowed his eyes in thought. So the elder had some time left; why such urgency?
The clan head surveyed Yosuke, eventually giving a slight nod. "Elder, this Uchiha talent is indeed qualified to undertake this mission."
Elder Setsuna smiled approvingly, and Yosuke was startled. The clan head and the elder may have differing opinions outwardly, but it seemed to be a performance for others. These old foxes!
"Fugaku, you'll bear the weight of the Uchiha clan one day. And Mikoto, too," Elder Setsuna said, looking deeply at Fugaku and then Mikoto. "You are both aware of the clan's precarious position within the village, and each of you will bear the clan's burdens."
This hollow pep talk left Yosuke unimpressed. Fugaku, son of the clan head and the strongest of his generation, was obviously destined for leadership. Mikoto, as the elder's granddaughter, would inherit her role too.
But what did this make him? Yosuke wasn't naive.
Next, the clan head and elder exchanged glances, producing a scroll clearly intended for Yosuke. Fugaku, knowing its contents, looked awkward, while Mikoto offered Yosuke a calm, encouraging smile. Yosuke accepted the scroll, glanced over the information, and was visibly stunned.
Seeing Yosuke's shock, Elder Setsuna cleared his throat, a serious look crossing his face. "Yosuke, the Uchiha may be strong, but we are not trusted. This mission is incredibly challenging, but it is for the good of the clan!"
Yosuke felt the weight of the mission but instinctively glanced toward Fugaku. The clan head and elder exchanged looks.
"Clan Head, Elder, Captain Fugaku is already a jōnin with the three-tomoe Sharingan. He is only a few years older than us."
Fugaku grew uncomfortable, but Elder Setsuna sighed, "Yosuke, your talent is undeniable. Fugaku has mere natural skill in shinobi arts, but you are different."
This stung a little for Fugaku, who nodded quickly to avoid any impression of discontent.
'Come on,' thought Yosuke. 'What does 'mere shinobi arts talent' even mean?' Even so, he hesitated, casting a glance at Mikoto. This task was so demanding. He wasn't foolish; better one bird in hand than two in the bush.
Just then, Mikoto, seeing his hesitation, gave him an understanding smile and nodded reassuringly. Yosuke felt unnerved.
Elder Setsuna sighed, seeing this, and Fugaku looked down, hoping not to be involved in this task.
"This mission is very demanding!" the elder continued, exasperated that he had to be the one to push it forward.
"Yosuke, you've seen the intel on Kushina Uzumaki. She's likely the future Nine-Tails jinchūriki of the village, living now with the Senju. If our clan wishes to break into the village's higher ranks, establishing relations with her is the best way forward."
With a slight smile, Elder Setsuna added, "The First Hokage's wife was the first Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Yosuke, wasn't it your dream to be Hokage and restore the Uchiha's honor? With your bond to the Nine-Tails jinchūriki and the support of Mikoto's family, the path to Hokage isn't out of reach!"
'Really?' Yosuke thought, dumbfounded. So the elder wanted him to marry a jinchūriki to become Hokage? It *could* work—the First and Fourth Hokages were both married to jinchūriki, and the Seventh was one himself.
'But still! Would the village even allow an Uchiha to be so close to a jinchūriki? Wouldn't they just become even more suspicious?'
The clan head nodded gravely. "Indeed, a good relationship with the Nine-Tails jinchūriki would secure us a place in the village's upper ranks."
'These two are unreal,' Yosuke thought. Kushina Uzumaki? A member of the Senju? He felt like he'd grasped something critical.
Jinchūriki existed in all five great nations, and each nation constantly sought suitable individuals to be vessels. When the Uzumaki clan fell, the nations must have scrambled to capture any survivors as breeding stock.
It was clear that all five villages had their own means, and Kushina wasn't the only one suited to contain the beast; she was merely chosen because of the village's ties to Mito Uzumaki.
Kushina Uzumaki may be valued now, but the Senju would hold her as their asset. In the future, though, that could change.
"Clan Head, Elder!" Yosuke was full of reluctance on the surface, but inwardly he was thinking hard.
They assumed Kushina would inherit the Nine-Tails' status and influence due to her relation to Mito Uzumaki. But Yosuke, knowing the future, knew the Nine-Tails jinchūriki would eventually become little more than a weapon for the Third Hokage.
Seeing Yosuke's hesitation, Mikoto gave him a supportive smile. It was clear she knew about the mission.
Yosuke took a deep breath. For the clan, he would carry the Uchiha banner!
***
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