(Subhead: Uchiha Yorin! Konoha's Most Battle-Crazed Man!)
(Sub-subhead: First Target—Kirigakure!)
"That's the situation—that's why I propose we move on Kiri.
"Think about it, Minato: right now Kirigakure is in the hands of that lunatic Obito. His hatred for Konoha is sky-high, so Kiri's hatred for us is sky-high.
"They could attack Konoha any time.
"On the other hand, if Kiri's gekokujō succeeds and they overthrow him, they'll discover their Fourth Mizukage was mind-controlled by Sharingan.
"At that point, their hatred for Konoha will still be sky-high—and attack us any time.
"So instead of waiting for Kiri to explode, we should solve the risk now."
Hearing this, Minato wanted to collapse like Mei had—muttering:
"I never should've taken Obito as a student. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be in this mess…"
But he couldn't.
He's the Hokage.
He's the leader.
He can't fall.
So, heavy-voiced, he told Yorin, "You make sense." He accepted it.
…
Okay—Kiri invading Konoha never happened in the original timeline. Yorin's conclusion isn't strictly "correct."
Because during Blood Mist, Kiri tore itself apart—bloodline clans collapsed, the Seven Swordsmen were dead or gone—no way to wage war.
Later, when they fixed things and confirmed Yagura was controlled, their strength was already gutted. New Seven Swordsmen didn't exist; many bloodline clans were wiped out.
Hatred or not, Kiri could only lick its wounds and wait.
…
But Yorin's logic on resentment isn't wrong.
Does Kiri hate Obito?
Of course.
Will that hate bleed onto Konoha?
Of course.
So—no need to be polite. Hit hard—no—set things right. It's the just thing to do.
Minato: "So next we… ah…"
He'd wanted to talk next steps.
Per Yorin's earlier estimate, when Kushina gave birth, the filial son Obito would come to kill his teacher and his teacher's wife—and take revenge on Konoha.
Minato's plan had been simple. He plus Yorin—two Kage-class—enough to crush Obito.
If Obito could be turned back, they'd try. If not, his teacher would send him off—one Flying Thunder God Slash to the far shore.
But now Yorin had added Kiri into a simple equation. Minato saw trouble.
Killing Obito is easy. Without his pressure, when Yagura clears up—what then?
He'll shout in Kiri: "Damn it—Obito ruined me!"
Then Konoha sends a diplomat to explain:
"Obito's been scrubbed from the family tree. What he did has nothing to do with us."
Will Kiri buy it?
Not a chance.
If it were me, I'd go scorched earth. Dig up your ancestors and fling Indra's ashes to the wind.
A migraine clawed at Minato's skull. Getting Obito as a student was eight lifetimes of bad luck. Is it too late to expel him?
"Leave me a bit—I need to breathe. Let's talk tomorrow, okay?"
Time was tight—but his head was splitting. He needed Kushina now, or he'd pop a vessel and GG on the spot.
Yorin: "Oh—then about Mei and Pakura…"
"Register them under Anbu for now. It's settled anyway—you're the new Anbu Commander."
He sighed, helpless, and gave Yorin an apologetic look:
"Yorin, you're most suited to Hokage's aide, but with the Third… right now…"
"I know, I know—the old man lost his sweetheart. Strip him of 'Hokage's aide' and if he keels over, the Sarutobi will come after us.
"Let him keep the title a few more days. I'm not in a rush."
Yorin waved it off—but thought: "Whoever wants that job can have it. I'm not doing it.
Hokage's aide means all-nighters beside you. You have one Kushina. I have four or five. I can't afford that."
Ask him what he wants—Konoha warlord—lead armies to roam. Not Konoha regent, bleeding out in the tower.
Look what the Yellow Flash turned into.
Didn't notice it before, but now—his hairline is visibly retreating. One firm step toward bald brilliance.
Yorin is very happy with his own hair. He has no intention of joining that club.
…
That's what Yorin thought—Minato didn't know. Seeing him refuse the regent (Hokage's aide) post so breezily, he took it as noble virtue—and was moved.
"As expected of Yorin—my brother for life."
Being Hokage brought endless headaches—but thankfully Yorin always had a way. Without him, Minato didn't know what he'd do.
At the same time, watching Minato gaze at Yorin, Mei couldn't help thinking: "This Hokage… not the sharpest tool."
Of the trio, she had the highest IQ and EQ. Unlike carefree Tsunade and too-dumb-to-live Pakura, Mei had political sense—she could see it:
In their talk, Yorin led; Minato got led.
Yet everything Yorin said was true—reasoned—and every plan and conclusion was framed "for Minato's good," "for Konoha's good."
Why? Either he's a selfless sage. But would a sage build Akatsuki outside and a Young Officers Corps inside?
Great treachery wears loyalty's mask; great lies look like truth. That's Uchiha Yorin.
She shivered—and landed on Tsunade's conclusion from months ago:
"Uchiha Yorin is a terrifying man."
And she swallowed. The stronger he was, the more impossible it was to resist.
~~~
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