Chapter 56: The Uchiha Clan
"Yuu, what do you think?"
As he spoke, Minato turned his gaze to Yuu, who stood in front of him, and asked the question directly. For matters like this, he trusted Yuu's judgment more than anyone else's.
"Getting the Uchiha clan to drop this will be very difficult." Yuu sat upright, meeting Minato's eyes without flinching. His expression did not change. "But if it's handled properly, there might be a chance."
"What are you planning to do?" Kushina asked, curious.
"Regardless of the current tension, because of the relationship between Fugaku and Mikoto, our relationship with the Uchiha clan isn't truly hostile." Yuu's voice stayed calm and even. "The reason it's escalated this far is because they're being pushed by other clan members."
"So as long as we can give them a reason they can accept, that will be enough."
"A reason?" Kushina frowned at once, troubled. "What kind of reason could work for something like this…"
For any bloodline clan, losing a kekkei genkai was a massive issue. Kushina genuinely could not imagine what explanation could convince the Uchiha clan to stop pursuing a lost bloodline.
Minato stood to the side, listening quietly. Compared to Kushina, his intuition was sharper. He immediately caught the meaning beneath Yuu's words.
"So there really is a suitable reason." Minato looked at Yuu and continued, "But even with a strong enough reason, it'll be hard to convince them without real compensation."
"That depends on what the Uchiha clan wants," Yuu said softly. "What if they're exceptionally interested in this matter?"
"If that's the case, not only can it be resolved perfectly, it could even turn misfortune into blessing."
"And the compensation can be fulfilled in the future."
Minato thought for a moment, then nodded. "Then go negotiate. Talk to them. There's no need to fear anything."
"No matter what, I'll be right here."
"Worst case, I'll go to the Third Hokage…"
For Yuu, those words were the greatest reassurance.
Even if the negotiation failed, they could still go to the Third Hokage. No matter how much pressure the Uchiha clan applied, they could not overturn everything in front of the Hokage.
"Alright." Yuu nodded with a smile, then stood up.
"What are you two talking about?" Kushina raised her voice, completely lost. "What reason and compensation? What does that even mean?"
"Explain it clearly!"
Her eyes snapped to Minato, fierce and demanding.
"I'll take my leave first." Seeing the mood turning dangerous, Yuu bowed and turned to leave.
He moved fast, hurrying out of Minato's home in one breath. Only after stepping outside did he finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
From behind him, he could vaguely hear the commotion, along with something that sounded like Minato's screams.
Yuu could not help but chuckle, privately feeling lucky.
Good thing he ran quickly enough.
Otherwise, he might have been the one suffering too.
"It's time to prepare."
Standing in place, he looked ahead, a faint smile forming.
The next morning, he submitted a formal request to visit the Uchiha clan early.
"Just a mere child."
The one responsible for receiving him was a stern looking middle aged man. He read the request, then glanced at Yuu in the distance with clear disdain.
But in the next moment, his expression shifted.
Because the words on the request were unmistakable.
Disciple of Konoha jonin Minato Namikaze.
Within Konoha, with the Hokage selection approaching, the candidate list had already leaked.
Minato's name was prominently listed, tied with Orochimaru as the top favorite for the position.
Even if many people did not fully believe Minato would win, it was undeniable that he had immense popularity and support within the village.
Now that Minato's disciple had come to visit, the Uchiha clan could not be rude, by both reason and etiquette.
The man's face tightened. He turned toward the shrine to report to the clan head.
Inside the shrine, Fugaku sat alone.
He was still young, having only recently returned from the battlefield.
In the previous war, he had led the Uchiha in battle. After returning to Konoha, he had taken over as clan head.
"Clan Head."
A moment later, the man entered Fugaku's room and spoke respectfully. "Minamikawa Yuu has come to visit—he says he's here on Hokage-sama's behalf."
"Minamikawa Yuu?" Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly, a trace of surprise flashing across his face.
He had known for a while that someone would come today for negotiations, so he had been waiting early.
But he hadn't expected the envoy to be a young ninja, much less someone whose name had been circulating quietly within the village.
"And he submitted this… directly?"
Fugaku lowered his gaze to the paper in his hand. The seal and the handwriting were proper—too proper for a casual visit. His expression turned thoughtful, then instinctively he exchanged a glance with Mikoto in the distance.
A moment later, he withdrew his gaze and stood. He moved to welcome the guest.
As an ancient and great clan, the Uchiha had their own strict and elaborate standards for receiving distinguished visitors.
Even if Yuu's status as Minato's disciple was still not quite enough to be treated as an equal, Fugaku, considering the importance of this meeting, still ordered the highest level of reception.
As they advanced, pairs of Sharingan stared forward, focused on Yuu.
Under their gaze, Yuu walked in from the front.
He wore proper formal clothing. Every step was measured. Every movement was poised, carrying an unmistakable air of nobility.
His appearance had not changed, but as he walked forward, his presence became impossible to forget.
That bearing was unmistakably lofty.
Many within the Uchiha clan could not help but freeze.
"Isn't the Minamikawa clan a minor clan? How can he have this kind of bearing?" In a corner of the shrine, Uchiha Setsuna stared at Yuu, startled.
Many others shared the same thought.
Because Yuu, simply by standing there, gave the feeling of a high ranking noble. That nobility was clear and distinct, as if he were a daimyo.
Even more shocking was that his etiquette was flawless, without the slightest mistake, more standard than the most standard noble.
This etiquette had been passed down from ancient times, the oldest form of aristocratic conduct.
Forget ordinary people. Even among the Uchiha elders, few could perform it without error.
Yet Yuu executed it perfectly.
That alone was enough to prove he was anything but ordinary.
.....
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