Chapter 60: Alliance
"Beneficial?"
Fugaku was the first to speak. He clearly cared about the question Yuu had raised. "What do you mean by that?"
"The greatest benefit is simple," Yuu said calmly. "It is the chance to integrate into the Hokage faction."
He continued in an even tone, "I know the Uchiha clan has always wanted to enter Konoha's core. But to achieve that, you cannot remain hostile to the current Hokage faction."
"Even if you cannot be overly friendly with them, at the very least, you must ease the relationship."
"This time is undoubtedly an opportunity." Yuu's voice stayed steady. "As long as the Uchiha clan supports my teacher in becoming Hokage, then in the future, the Uchiha clan will be the Fourth Hokage's most loyal supporters."
"And at that point, the Uchiha clan will naturally be regarded as part of the Hokage faction."
If they could not become Hokage, then they would first become the Hokage's supporters.
Hearing that, Fugaku fell into deep thought.
To be honest, he had been troubled for a long time by the Uchiha clan's future.
The Uchiha were in an awkward position within Konoha. They were constantly being restrained and suppressed by the Hokage faction. Looking at the current reality, their chances of competing for the Hokage seat were indeed slim.
But Yuu's words opened a brand new path.
Since the Uchiha were destined not to become Hokage, why not fully utilize their influence and convert it into tangible benefits?
If they could not be Hokage, then being the Hokage's supporter was not bad either.
Just like Konoha's three clans today. As loyal supporters of the Third Hokage, the benefits they received were by no means small. Their situation was far better than the current Uchiha clan's.
The Uchiha's strength was definitely above those three clans. If they chose to support a Hokage, the benefits they could obtain in the future would certainly not be small.
And this would be a key step toward entering Konoha's core.
"Brilliant."
Fugaku replayed the proposal again and again. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.
What he had been trying to figure out was how to get the Uchiha accepted into Konoha's core, so they would no longer face this awkward situation.
But if they stood beside the next Hokage and became the Fourth Hokage's most loyal supporters, would that not achieve the same goal?
No, it might be even more effective.
Because how could pleading for acceptance compare to having your own spokesperson speak for you?
Even better, Minato also needed this.
Compared to Orochimaru, Minato was merely a rising star. Aside from his reputation as a war hero, he had almost nothing.
Orochimaru not only had a reputation no weaker than Minato's, he had also been famous in Konoha for many years and held immense influence.
A large number of shinobi admired him.
Many high ranking members within the Hokage faction also expressed support for him.
One could say Orochimaru held the advantage.
Although later history would prove that Minato was the final winner of this Hokage election, from the present perspective, Minato was undeniably at a disadvantage.
Compared to him, Orochimaru's advantages were too great. It was not a complete landslide, but he had the upper hand in nearly every aspect.
And the weaker Minato's position, the more he needed the Uchiha clan's support.
In that case, the Uchiha clan's importance would become even more prominent, and the benefits they could obtain later would be greater.
"Even if we choose a side, why can't we choose Orochimaru?"
Another voice spoke up, raising a doubt. "Compared to Minato, Orochimaru's chances of winning are undoubtedly higher, right?"
Although Yuu's words moved them, they still used this question to test how he would respond.
"Indeed."
To their surprise, Yuu nodded directly. "Compared to Orochimaru, Minato sensei is lacking right now."
"Whether it's the number of followers or other aspects, he is inferior to Orochimaru."
"But it is precisely because of that, that he needs everyone's support even more."
Yuu smiled. "Supporting Orochimaru is certainly easier. But how much value would that have, and how much of that favor would Orochimaru remember?"
"On the contrary, it's different with my teacher."
His expression remained calm, but his gaze locked onto everyone present.
"To turn the tide when it is about to collapse, to help the weak overcome the strong, that is how one truly shows their worth."
"With the strength of the Uchiha clan, why should you care who is strong and who is weak?"
"Whoever you support will become Hokage. Wouldn't that prove the Uchiha clan's strength even more?"
As those words fell, all the Uchiha present froze.
The ones seated here, besides Fugaku, were basically all elders. Yet even they were fired up by Yuu's speech.
"Well said!" An elder could not help cheering. "Bullying the weak takes no skill at all. Helping the weak defeat the strong, that is the behavior of the truly powerful!"
"So what if Orochimaru is stronger!"
"With my Uchiha clan's help, Minato will surely take the Hokage seat!"
"No problem at all!"
"Clan leader, make the decision!"
"The honor and prosperity of our Uchiha clan depend on this one move!"
They all turned toward Fugaku, urging him to decide quickly.
Looking at their reactions, it was as if they could not wait to step out and take part in the Hokage election themselves, just to help Minato win.
By nature, most of the Uchiha were proud.
In all of Konoha, they looked down on everyone except the Senju.
So when their strength and reputation were praised like this, they naturally felt satisfied.
Especially Yuu's earlier line, which struck straight into their hearts.
With the Uchiha clan's strength, why should they care who was strong and who was weak?
Even if Orochimaru was strong and Minato was weak, so what?
With the Uchiha here, why worry that Minato could not surpass Orochimaru and seize the Hokage seat in one sweep?
At that point, the Uchiha would also become part of the Hokage's direct line, Konoha's prestigious direct descendants.
Everything would naturally be different.
In an instant, the elders present shifted their stance and began actively persuading Fugaku.
Looking at their momentum, it was as if they were on the verge of losing control, ready for a big battle at any moment.
Yuu sat to the side, watching it all, and felt oddly speechless.
Before coming here, he had prepared a whole set of arguments, including tangible interests and many other plans.
But before he could even bring those out, things were already nearly settled.
Was the Uchiha clan really this easy to sway?
They were a great clan, after all.
Yuu was genuinely puzzled.
But this was fine too.
At least it saved him trouble.
Originally, Yuu had estimated he would need to grind for a long time to deal with this group.
But now, maybe he really could settle it in one visit.
"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment."
Fugaku sat opposite Yuu.
As a standard Uchiha, he was also stirred up by Yuu's words, and he nearly spoke out in agreement on the spot.
However, his responsibility as clan leader made him brake at the crucial moment, barely keeping a shred of calm.
"You said you want us to support Minato Namikaze."
He looked at Yuu and asked, "If we support him in becoming Hokage, what will the Uchiha clan gain?"
This was the real question.
Everything Yuu said suited his tastes, and the path he offered matched the Uchiha's current reality.
But even if the Uchiha were easy to excite, they still had reason.
Just like now.
Fugaku was already moved, yet he maintained a calm surface and still probed for concrete, practical terms.
Having the Uchiha invest their support was not a problem.
But they needed to know what they would receive in return.
"What can you gain?" Yuu smiled. "A chance to integrate into Konoha, and a tangible ally."
"An ally?" Fugaku fell into thought.
"To be honest, whether it's me or my teacher, we don't come from any great clan within Konoha."
Compared to earlier, Yuu's tone was now much more sincere. "Compared to those who come from great clans, or those who have been operating for many years, we don't have many supporters behind us."
"If the Uchiha clan is willing to join us now, then you will be our only ally within Konoha."
"Regardless of whether this Hokage election succeeds, or what happens in the future, my teacher and I will be the Uchiha clan's most loyal friends."
"And friends deserve to be treated seriously."
He looked at the Uchiha in front of him. "If my teacher becomes Hokage, the Uchiha clan will gain greater freedom, and the power to change Konoha."
"We are all dissatisfied with the status quo, aren't we?"
Yuu smiled faintly. "Since that's the case, why can't we unite and change this village together?"
"Even if we fail, at least we can make our voices heard, right?"
The meaning behind those words was clear. Minato had no major backing. If the Uchiha joined now, they would inevitably gain more power later.
After all, Minato truly had that need.
Minato came from no shinobi clan. He was a civilian born shinobi with no powerful relatives.
Among his disciples, even though Yuu and Kakashi came from shinobi families, neither held real influence.
The Hatake were just a small family. The Minamikawa clan had dwindled so far that Yuu was left alone.
In this situation, even if Minato became Hokage, he would be exactly as Yuu described, a bare poles Hokage.
Under those circumstances, what reason would Minato have not to heavily rely on his loyal supporters, the prestigious Uchiha clan?
This was each side getting what they needed.
Minato had strength and reputation, but no power base.
The Uchiha had a power base, but lacked the strength and reputation necessary to win the Hokage seat themselves.
In that sense, they matched perfectly.
After Yuu's sincerity and terms were confirmed, the atmosphere between both sides became relaxed and pleasant.
As for Yuu's original purpose for coming, Kakashi's Sharingan, no one even mentioned it.
It was not that they forgot.
It was a tacit decision to ignore it.
If the Uchiha chose to board Minato's war chariot and form an alliance, they naturally had to show sincerity.
In that situation, a single Sharingan did not count for much.
Moreover, the Uchiha higher ups led by Fugaku had never intended to pursue the matter too hard in the first place.
They pursued it earlier only to give the clansmen an explanation.
As long as the Hokage faction provided an acceptable way out, one that allowed them to step down gracefully, they would take it.
And now, Yuu had delivered that way out.
Fugaku and the others naturally knew how to handle the rest.
"There is one more thing."
During the discussion, Fugaku thought for a moment, then had someone bring in a child.
The child was not old, only three or four years of age, yet he appeared unusually calm, carrying a coolness beyond his years.
"Father."
Entering the hall, the child bowed respectfully to Fugaku, then sat down neatly to one side.
"This is my eldest son, Itachi," Fugaku said, looking at Yuu. "What does Yuu kun think of him?"
Hearing Fugaku's words, Yuu glanced over with genuine curiosity.
.....
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