Brother didn't finish, so I'll do it!

After processing the information Uchiha Fugaku provided, Namikaze Mirai exhaled, his eyes flickering slightly.

Mangekyo Sharingan?

There's an even higher level of Sharingan?

He had never watched Naruto.

All he knew was that it was a very popular Japanese anime.

His entire understanding of Naruto came from accidental glimpses of memes on social media, like "The Eye Saga: Five Villages Brawl," "Gundam vs. Aliens," or "Black Zetsu Saves His Mom."

Does "The Eye Saga" refer to this eye? I hope my "Gundam" theory isn't too far off.

And what the hell is "Saves His Mom" about?

Could there be some restricted, ethical drama plot involved???

Namikaze Mirai's thoughts began to wander.

Uchiha Fugaku watched Namikaze Mirai's expression, and seeing the look on his face gradually ease from solemnity, his tightly strung heart finally relaxed.

If possible, he absolutely did not want to be Namikaze Mirai's enemy.

This was a truly terrifying man.

Far more difficult to deal with than the Fourth Hokage.

Most importantly, he now had no attachments.

Naruto, his only remaining family, was all he had left.

At this point, provoking this lone wolf would be an incredibly foolish act! "I think I understand the situation now."

Namikaze Mirai's sudden voice made Fugaku's heart, which had just relaxed, clench up again.

"The Uchiha, it should have nothing to do with that night."

Namikaze Mirai narrowed his eyes slightly.

Combining the information he currently possessed with what he had just learned from Uchiha Fugaku, he could roughly sketch out a profile of the perpetrator.

Hidden identity, operating in the shadows, possessing Mangekyo Sharingan, most likely Space-Time Dojutsu.

Given the Wood Release traces discovered that night, it was also possible the person had Wood Release.

The reason he was so certain the opponent's dojutsu was a space-time type was because of his understanding of Minato.

Only space-time could defeat space-time.

Those were Minato's exact words.

His own space-time talent had always been poor; even with Minato's instruction, mastering Flying Thunder God was exceptionally difficult.

However, during those three years he was gone, he had also made tremendous gains.

Perhaps he could give it a try.

Dispelling the thoughts in his mind, Namikaze Mirai looked into Fugaku's eyes and calmly said, "Now, it's time to talk business."

Business?

Fugaku frowned, not understanding what Namikaze Mirai meant.

The latter seemed not to notice his change, his gaze distant, as if recalling something.

"When I returned to the village and learned what happened to my brother and sister-in-law, a thought has been with me ever since: to drive Sarutobi Hiruzen and his people from the position of Hokage."

"However, to achieve this, I alone am not enough; I need to borrow your strength."

The prolonged conversation had left Uchiha Fugaku feeling parched. He licked his dry lips, his heart uncontrollably pounding.

It wasn't just him; the surrounding Uchiha Setsuna, Inabi, and others began to breathe rapidly, their eyes turning crimson.

Insane!

Absolutely insane!

They could only use that word to describe Namikaze Mirai. Such a statement was undoubtedly a declaration of war against the entire Konoha leadership!

"As far as I know, the Uchiha's situation isn't good. So, this is also an opportunity for you: to stand behind me, or to continue being the lapdogs of those people."

Namikaze Mirai smiled, but that smile sent shivers down one's spine.

Fugaku's voice carried a hint of a tremor.

"Can you tell me why?"

In his memory, Namikaze Mirai had never been someone who craved power.

Otherwise, after the Third Great Ninja War, he would have been a stronger candidate for Hokage than Minato.

But he gave it up.

Willingly staying behind the scenes, silently assisting Minato.

Why?

Namikaze Mirai turned his head and looked out the window. From his vantage point, he could see three-year-old Naruto and Sasuke playing happily, their faces beaming.

"Is that child enough of a reason?"

That child?

Fugaku followed Namikaze Mirai's gaze.

The Fourth Hokage's orphan? Though Sarutobi Hiruzen had tried his best to conceal Naruto's identity, as the Uchiha clan head, he was naturally well aware of the connection.

"I've often wondered, if I had returned a few years later, or if I hadn't returned at all, what would Naruto's life be like? Would he, perhaps, spend his entire life being bullied by others…"

Namikaze Mirai closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, letting the cold air fill his lungs.

"Every time I think about it, a surge of anger rises within me."

"That child is the only existence my foolish brother left behind in this world. For him, is that reason enough?"

He opened his eyes, and faint arcs of lightning flickered within his deep blue irises. That cold gaze sent a shiver down Fugaku's spine.

He knew this beast was truly enraged.

The consequences would be dire.

"My foolish brother, though talented, wasn't ruthless or decisive enough. I tried my best to warn him, but still…"

"His death was far from simple; it was full of mysteries and conspiracies."

"If I hadn't returned, then so be it. But since I have returned, some things simply cannot be left unresolved."

"What my brother didn't finish, I will finish!"

"The position of Hokage, I, Namikaze Mirai, will claim it!"

The hall fell into complete silence.

Namikaze Mirai's final words, like a heavy hammer striking, reverberated throughout the entire hall.

Uchiha Fugaku, Inabi, and the others, all fell silent.

In this deathly quiet, a hearty laugh broke the stillness.

"Namikaze Mirai? That kind of spirit, I, Uchiha Setsuna, approve of you!"

Uchiha Setsuna, leaning on his cane, laughed joyfully. How long had it been since he felt such fervor?

Ever since Madara left the village, the blood and bone within him seemed to have gone dormant as well.

Finally, at Namikaze Mirai's words, the blood in his entire body began to boil, as if he had returned to his youth, to the glorious years of following Uchiha Madara!

For a moment, Namikaze Mirai's golden-haired face even overlapped with Uchiha Madara's.

Setsuna felt he had grasped the future!

"Fugaku, how much longer are you going to dilly-dally? Could it be that your fighting spirit has truly been extinguished?"

Seeing Fugaku hesitate, Uchiha Setsuna slammed his cane, his voice filled with discontent.

When would this clan head finally show some backbone?

Uchiha Fugaku took a deep breath, closed his eyes, as if hesitating, struggling…

Finally, he opened his eyes and sighed.

"As long as it doesn't endanger the clan members, I can stand by you."

Namikaze Mirai smiled slightly.

"As you wish."

He turned around, leaving the silent few, and pushed the door open to leave.

Outside the house, Naruto was playing with Sasuke. Seeing Mirai emerge, he excitedly ran up to him.

"Uncle, you're done talking business!"

Namikaze Mirai took his hand and walked outside.

Under the sunlight, their shadows stretched long.

"Uncle, you seem very happy."

Naruto looked up at his smiling uncle.

He didn't know why his uncle was so happy, but if his uncle was happy, he was happy too.

"Of course Uncle's happy!"

Namikaze Mirai smiled brightly.

Because Uncle was going to be Hokage!