Minato truly didn't understand.
Normally, if someone was confident of victory, shouldn't they be eager to win him over as an ally?
But Uchiha Kai? He only asked Minato to stay neutral.
This contradiction only made Minato more curious. He wanted to see what else Kai had to say.
Kai's expression remained unchanged. After a short pause, he spoke:
"The next part may sound unpleasant. Minato-nii, don't be offended. I can only promise that what I say makes sense."
Minato folded his arms. He was broad-minded enough not to sweat the small things.
"Just say it. Your big brother Minato has a big heart. I guarantee I won't hold it against you later."
"…Good." Kai inhaled deeply, then said flatly:
"It's because Orochimaru… is too strong.
He's a veteran of the Second War, with plenty of subordinates and clans backing him.
And his nature—he's a man who bows to no one.
If he became Hokage, he would rule Konoha by his own will. Not even Hiruzen, his teacher, could order him around.
As for the other elders? Forget it. Even if they opposed him, his commands would still be carried out. He has enough shinobi who'd follow only him.
That, Minato-nii, is what Hiruzen and the elders cannot accept.
They've held power in Konoha too long to ever give it up."
Kai's eyes sharpened as he continued:
"But you're different.
You rose too quickly—no time to build a real power base centered on you.
And because of your Flying Thunder God, it's hard for you to form bonds with comrades. Missions force you to swap teammates often.
So yes, your reputation is great—but you lack trusted followers.
You're a civilian by birth, with no clan backing you.
If you become Hokage, nothing changes.
Your words will be blocked by elders and the previous Hokage before they leave your mouth.
Forget the great divisions of the village—even the Anbu won't truly listen to you.
At best, you'll control the Hokage Guard Platoon.
But that's only four men at most. What can they do?
Even without thinking too hard, I know exactly who Hiruzen will support.
He'll support you, Minato-nii.
Because with you in the seat, he still runs Konoha.
Everything stays the same."
Minato kept a calm face, but his heart churned.
Nobody knew—earlier today, Hiruzen had already told him he'd back him to become the Fourth Hokage.
He had been overjoyed.
But now, after Kai's words, a cold dread spreads through his body.
He wanted to be Hokage to make a difference.
A puppet? That wasn't what he wanted.
So this was the truth?
He still didn't want to fully believe it. But his instincts whispered: Kai might be right.
Time ticked by. At last, Minato asked quietly:
"Even if Hokage-sama supports me, he only has one vote. Why are you so sure I'd win?"
"Is that even a question?" Kai shrugged.
"If Hiruzen supports you, then the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans will vote for you as well.
The Ino–Shika–Cho trio has always been allied to the Hokage's faction—they won't refuse.
Next is your teacher.
Jiraiya has no real faction, but he shed blood for Konoha. If he personally campaigns for you, that pulls a huge bloc to your side.
Even Tsunade would likely back you for Jiraiya's sake.
And if the Princess of the Senju steps forward? That's another wave of support.
You're also a civilian-born shinobi. Among the Jounin who came from civilian backgrounds, you'd take at least half their votes.
Remember—elections are 'votes,' but there's plenty of room to rig things.
Once the war ends, you'll see: most of the Jounin who favor Orochimaru will be assigned to border garrisons. They won't be present to vote.
The head of the Jounin assembly is Nara Shikaku. Who decides when the vote happens? One word from Hiruzen.
Securing the Jounin side, and the Feudal Lord is just a formality.
No one else will even have a chance.
And Orochimaru? The moment the war ends, Hiruzen will hand him a secret mission. Then he'll vanish from sight.
Hiruzen's influence runs through every vein of Konoha. That's not just talk."
Minato fell silent, stunned.
So that was how it worked?
Even the Hokage election could be controlled this way?
It opened his eyes in ways he didn't want.
Now he understood why Kai hadn't needed him as an ally in their wager.
A puppet Hokage wasn't worth courting.
He wanted to refute Kai, but no words came.
In the end, he could only shake his head helplessly.
"Kai-kun… I still can't believe you. You've said too much today—I need time to think it over.
But I can promise you this:
As long as you don't betray Konoha, I'll still consider you a friend.
Your power struggle doesn't interest me."
Kai nodded. That was enough.
He never expected Minato to help him fight Hiruzen—that was impossible.
No matter what, Hiruzen was Minato's teacher's teacher.
Neutrality was the most kindness he could hope for.
Just like Jiraiya.
Even knowing Konoha's rot, Jiraiya could never strike at Hiruzen. At most, he wandered the world, avoiding the village unless truly needed.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Kai's eyes narrowed as he added:
"Still, Minato-nii—because I respect you, let me give you a personal warning.
Either give up the Hokage election… or, if you win, settle for being a puppet.
Don't ever try to change things. Don't ever try to seize real power.
Or you'll die.
You have one fatal weakness: your wife, Kushina Uzumaki.
As Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, she is at her weakest when giving birth.
If Hiruzen decides you're disobedient, that's the perfect time to remove you.
He wouldn't even need to get his hands dirty. Just leak the time and place of Kushina's delivery to an enemy.
With your nature, if Kushina is gone, you'd never keep living.
And once you're dead, Hiruzen can step in again as 'acting Hokage.'
And remember—'acting' is just a word.
An acting Hokage for one month is acting. An acting Hokage for a lifetime is also acting.
So understand this.
Don't overestimate your own importance.
Think of your wife and child first."
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