"Whew—handled. Pretty decent… but that brat Minato left a Flying Thunder God mark here, didn't he? Welp, this house isn't fit for living anymore."
After confirming the Hokage and his wife had left, Uchiha Yorin stretched and grumbled.
He had zero interest in bringing a girl home for some "cards" only to turn his head and see a certain blond kid appear.
After the jab, he couldn't help but laugh:
Once they go into business together, the Uchiha clan's relationship with the village will keep improving.
Pile up enough of those wins and the Third and the other old fossils will start seeing Minato as an "Uchiha Sympathizer" and get salty.
Old-timers are proud as hell; once they're displeased, asking them to adjust policy or bow their heads hurts them more than killing them. So when they sour on Minato, they'll dust off the same old playbook:
The Third cozies up to Danzō to do the dirty work; the two advisors throw shade from the sidelines.
Even Yorin can see they're a coordinated trio—Minato certainly can.
The more they resent Minato, the more Minato will resent them—and the more he'll lean on the Uchiha.
Who says the Uchiha must wear the Hokage hat for it to be Uchiha holding the Hokage's power?
Just picturing Minato snapping clean from the Third's faction and embracing the Uchiha as his inner circle made Yorin want to let loose the full Uchiha cackle.
"Hahahahahahahaha!!!"
…
And so, the next day—
The Fourth Hokage convened Konoha's leadership and repeated what Yorin had told him the night before.
Conservative as they were, the geezers weren't stupid. Hearing Minato out, they immediately imagined more possibilities.
Newly opened trade routes? If merchants can travel them, so can armies. New warehouses? If they can store consumer goods, they can store munitions. Those Konoha folks out "hauling freight"? They can be a transport corps—and also 007s.
Economically and militarily, Minato's plan was solid. The Third even felt comforted, thinking he'd found Konoha an excellent successor.
"We'll handle coordination with the Land of Fire."
"I'll organize the transport corps."
"Root will get involved as well."
Just like that, the old guard started divvying up the work among themselves—already plotting how many of "their people" to plant inside Konoha's transport corps.
It's how they always operate—and this time it rankled Minato even more than usual.
"Everyone."
As they moved to finalize things on their own, the Fourth spoke again, drawing their attention.
"I have one more proposal: this transport corps must account for the interests of the Uchiha Clan."
"?"
"Why?"
"That's against protocol."
"The Uchiha have never been involved in administration."
They immediately refused—especially Danzō. His look at Minato grew even icier, which only stoked Minato's displeasure.
At last the Third asked, "I know you want to bring the Uchiha in, Minato—but having them join this transport plan, isn't that a bit…"
"No. The real problem would be excluding them—because this plan was proposed to me by Uchiha Yorin."
"I see." The Third frowned. He had a decent impression of Yorin—after all, the kid often cracked outrageous jokes like "Gramps Third kissed my Grandpa," farming goodwill points from the old people.
But liking Yorin is one thing; letting the Uchiha clan join is another. Still, as Minato said—if someone comes eager to cooperate and you kick them aside to go solo, that's rotten no matter how you spin it.
Do that, and the Uchiha–Hokage thaw ices over instantly. Yorin would likely feel betrayed by the village—and not just Yorin. Shisui and the others who hope for better Uchiha–village relations would grow disappointed and resentful.
And then…
While the Third and his two advisors hesitated, Danzō became their mouthpiece:
"The Uchiha are born untrustworthy. Why shouldn't we leave them out and do it ourselves?"
Minato didn't flinch: "Advisor Danzō, whatever the Uchiha did in the past—in this matter if we cut them out, the fault is ours. I will never betray a partner like that!"
"The Uchiha will turn on you—every benefit you give will become fuel for the Uchiha rebellion!"
"No. If we treat them properly, consider their interests, and make them partners, the Uchiha will become pillars of the village—they are a clan of love!"
"In any case, I will not allow the Uchiha to meddle! Let them stay in the Police Force. That's Konoha policy—Tobirama's plan!"
"Advisor Danzō—the Second's era is over. I am the Hokage now!"
"Minato, you'll regret this!" With that, Shimura Danzō stormed out—bang—audible even from afar.
The remaining three old-timers traded looks.
Mainly Homura and Koharu looking to Hiruzen. The Third pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a subtle dissonance—like some precious thing had just been snatched from his hands.
Across from him stood Minato.
Having shut Danzō down, Minato was bright and buoyant, smiling to the room:
"That's that. I'll invite Clan Head Fugaku to come negotiate with us. Any other questions?"
Silence.
"Then we proceed. Meeting adjourned."
The Third: "…"
He looked at Minato.
Minato's smile still shone like the sun—but to the Third, it had changed.
If before it was the warmth of spring, now it was the heat of summer—just a touch… fierce.
"Still—that's what a Hokage should be. But… a bit fast, isn't it? In such a hurry, Minato?"
A strange feeling crept over Hiruzen: "What changed you, Minato… or who changed you?"
…
Meanwhile, stepping out of the Hokage's office, Shimura Danzō was far more decisive—and far more resolved:
"Uchiha Yorin."
Clenching his fist, he mouthed the name: "A born-evil little Uchiha—there's no way I let you keep influencing the Fourth."
~~~
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