The Exhausted Third Hokage
The memories of two lifetimes allow Katsuki to see things from different perspectives.
Moreover, as one of the few people who could get along well with the Uchiha Clan members, Katsuki clearly enough that the destruction of the Uchiha Clan was not accidental. Even without Madara and Black Zetsu playing tricks behind the scenes, the Uchiha's arrogant nature destined them to become so arrogant that they would turn against the village.
The Fire Fan Clan, possessing the Sharingan, looked down on the smaller clans in the village. Apart from the Senju of the Forest, they didn't even consider the Uchiha worthy of their attention. However, the Senju Clan retired, and the Uchiha lost its counterbalance. Once the balance is broken, it will continue to deteriorate, developing towards the worst possible situation.
"The Uchiha need friends. If the Uchiha were to stand against everyone else in the village... I don't need to scare you here. I'm sure you, Fugaku- senpai, know what will happen." Katsuki looked at Fugaku seriously.
Either the Uchiha usurped power in the village, or the Uchiha was expelled from the clan and became nothing more than a thing of the past.
The Uchiha Clan has no shortage of intelligent people, but none of them are able to reverse this stagnant situation; the root of the problem lies within the Uchiha itself.
The Sharingan is too powerful. Every clan member who has awakened it is at least Chunin, and those with Mitsudomoe are all Jonin- level experts. Such a powerful clan cannot prevent the development of pride. If there were a clan in the village that could rival the Uchiha, it would not have developed into such an extreme situation of looking down on everyone.
But which clan could rival the Uchiha?
Not to mention Konoha, there aren't many like that in the entire Shinobi World.
"Yuki, Kaguya... and whirlpools too?"
Fugaku looked at the three persuaders before him, his mind in turmoil, wondering what to do. To be honest, he was tempted.
He had only been in the position of clan leader for two years, and his passion was still burning. He hoped to change the clan's predicament and free the Uchiha Clan from isolation. However, like his predecessors, he was powerless to change anything in the face of the already stagnant situation in Konoha. Unless there was a powerful enough clan to temper the arrogance of the clan members, the situation would only continue to deteriorate.
"Fugaku, are you there? I heard Katsuki is back, is it true? Otome asked me to ask her..."
A very gentle female voice suddenly came from outside.
"Crash! Bang!!"
Pushing open the door, Uchiha Mikoto looked at the four people in the room, feeling a little awkward. She had only heard that Katsuki had come, but hadn't asked any further questions, assuming that Fugaku alone.
"... You all continue, I'll go get the tea."
She slowly closed the door, then hurried footsteps sounded and she ran away.
"... Mikoto is still so beautiful!"
Katsuki spoke in a dry tone, trying to break the somewhat awkward atmosphere.
"Can you represent the Yuki and Kaguya clans?" Fugaku suddenly asked.
"...Yes, that's fine." Katsuki nodded, Yuki Yoizuki and Rokuro Kaguya also nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I agree. I will do my best to support you... although even if I do my best, there's no guarantee of any results." Fugaku gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"No way. With the Senju and Uchiha joining forces, I believe no one will dare to ignore your opinions. Besides, with my teacher on board, I'm determined to win this battle." Katsuki clenched his fist, brimming with confidence.
"Lord Katsuki, where to next?"
Witnessing Katsuki successfully persuade the Senju and Uchiha, who were practically legendary figures, Yuki Yoizuki and Rokuro Kaguya's respect for Katsuki increased dramatically.
"Next! I need to think about it... not where we're going, but where we're going to get to."
Looking up, he saw Orochimaru walking leisurely, as if on a relaxing outing, and knew that his next stop was the Hokage.
"Katsuki- kun, let's go together!"
Orochimaru said softly, his smile somewhat sinister, but without the madness and stubbornness of his previous life. Standing here is the Hokage's Assistant, the most popular candidate among the next Hokage candidates.
"You arrived quickly, Orochimaru- senpai."
"I can't help it, the old man is pushing me hard, I can't afford to be slow, or I'll get a beating when I get back." Orochimaru shrugged, a hint of helplessness in his smile.
Led by Orochimaru, they arrived at the Hokage Building.
Katsuki had to spend some more time explaining the whole matter clearly.
"You're quite the troublemaker, aren't you?!"
The Third Hokage sighed heavily, looking utterly exhausted, and slumped back into the chair, rubbing their temples with their fingers.
"Haha, you flatter me. I've already convinced Senju and Uchiha about this. Next, I'm going to see my teacher. I hope you'll support me then... Perfect!"
Katsuki clapped her hands gently.
"You damn brat, don't you know how much trouble it will cause by rashly attracting the attention of two great Kekkei Genkai clan?" The Third Hokage was furious, glaring fiercely at Katsuki.
"How much of a stir could there be? The Senju and Uchiha have both agreed, so who would object? The Hyuga Clan has remained neutral for ten thousand years, and no one can shake the Byakugan's position. Apart from the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga clans, I don't know who else can stir up trouble," Katsuki retorted loudly.
Orochimaru sat to the side, chuckling as he watched Katsuki and the Third Hokage argue.
"No one will object openly, but what about behind the scenes? Do you know how many people will try to trip us up?" the Third Hokage questioned.
"As long as it passes in name only, that's fine." Katsuki smirked indifferently. "Those who dare to trip me up, I'll catch them and kill them one by one. I don't believe anyone dares to mess with me."
The Third Hokage rubbed his forehead in exasperation upon hearing this; this was exactly what he feared! More than worrying about Katsuki suffering a loss, he was concerned about those who were used to using power to solve problems. If they really encountered someone as unreasonable as Katsuki, he could almost foresee a bloody scene.
"Can't you solve this problem in a more civilized way? Do you know that dealing with your own people is a big taboo? If you really do that, I can't protect you either," the Third Hokage said in a deep voice.
"...Then I'll go find Danzo, and I think it should be fine to act under the guise of 'Root'?" Katsuki said with a smile.
With the tacit approval of the Third Hokage, the Root secretly grew stronger, acting as a bloodthirsty butcher's knife in the shadows, solving all problems that were inconvenient to deal with openly. For example, if someone was suspected of colluding with the enemy but no concrete evidence could be found, Root would arrange a reasonable death. Even if the truth came out in the end, Root and Danzo would Danzo, and the Third Hokage would not be implicated.
Therefore, Danzo had a terrible reputation in the village; he was the kind of guy who dared to tear apart even the Uchiha.
"You... you... you little brat..." The Third Hokage was enraged by this shameless remark. It had always been a weapon in his own hands, and he never expected that it would be used by a second person, especially not the next Hokage. This angered him so much that his hands trembled.