A Bid for the Fourth Hokage Position

Uchiha Daiki curiously approached Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku and asked in a low voice, "Why does everyone look like they're not very happy?"

"We won this war, didn't we?"

Uchiha Fugaku had been deep in thought, but upon hearing that, he stopped and looked Daiki in the eyes.

"Daiki, your outstanding performance in this battle has spread throughout the Shinobi World. We all recognize your strength. It's just a pity..."

Uchiha Fugaku wore a troubled expression. "If only the Uchiha Clan had a few more powerful members like you and Shisui."

After saying that, he pursed his lips, his eyes filled with regret and sorrow.

Uchiha Daiki said nothing. After a while, Uchiha Fugaku continued, "This time, the Uchiha Clan won a bitter victory."

"More than three hundred clansmen went to war with me. Now, fewer than half have returned unharmed."

"As Clan Head, I feel utterly guilty and ashamed..."

Uchiha Fugaku's words plunged Uchiha Daiki into silence.

Now he finally understood why the Uchiha clansmen all seemed so lifeless and quiet.

Among the more than one hundred fallen Uchiha clansmen might have been their relatives, friends, or lovers...

Under such circumstances, no one could easily be happy.

Besides, even if Uchiha Fugaku had not said it, Uchiha Daiki knew there was a deeper reason behind the Uchiha Clan's reaction.

It was an inescapable shadow hanging over their hearts, something even more unsettling than losing family and comrades.

Uchiha Daiki was not good at comforting people.

He took a light breath, then suddenly asked, "Lord Fugaku, looking on the bright side, the Uchiha Clan has rendered great service this time. Surely we have a shot at the Fourth Hokage Position, right?"

"The Fourth Hokage?"

Uchiha Fugaku froze slightly and looked at Uchiha Daiki in astonishment. "Why would you think that?"

He shook his head with a bitter smile. "The Third Hokage is still governing, and he is in his prime. I'm afraid it will be a long time before he chooses a successor."

From his gaze, his tone, and his words, Uchiha Daiki could see both intense yearning and helplessness.

As Clan Head, he bore the fate of revitalizing the Uchiha Clan on his shoulders.

And if they wanted to make the Uchiha Clan Konoha's foremost noble clan again, the best path was undoubtedly to control all of Konoha.

So long as the Uchiha Clan ruled Konoha, they could make all the rules.

Unfortunately...

So many years had passed, and Konoha had already seen three Hokage, yet there was not the slightest sign that the Uchiha Clan might become Konoha's rulers.

"I see things differently, Lord Fugaku."

Uchiha Daiki smiled faintly, wearing an unfathomable expression.

Uchiha Fugaku grew curious at those words. "And what is this different view of yours?"

"I think the Third Hokage will not remain in office much longer."

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

That clearly stirred something in Uchiha Fugaku. His gaze, once full of disappointment and helplessness, now held a trace of curiosity.

"Even the Uchiha Clan, Konoha's strongest clan, suffered such severe losses. One can imagine the price paid by the other clans and shinobi."

Uchiha Daiki's explanation brought an even more surprised look to Uchiha Fugaku's face.

He considered it carefully, and it really did seem to make sense.

Then he thought of something else.

Everyone knew that Konoha's upper ranks consisted of far more than Hiruzen Sarutobi alone. The other advisors and Shimura Danzō were all forces capable of influencing the entire village's political landscape.

Not to mention that behind Konoha stood the Land of Fire Daimyo Government.

With the war over, some people would surely be rewarded, while others would be punished.

Judging by the current situation, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage and overall commander, would likely be unable to avoid being held accountable by the Land of Fire Daimyo Government.

I didn't even think of something that deep. I never expected him to have considered matters so far ahead...

Uchiha Fugaku came back to his senses and gave Uchiha Daiki another deep look.

Only then did he realize that this young Uchiha clansman not only possessed strength beyond that of ordinary Uchiha, but also extraordinary vision and insight.

"For the Uchiha Clan to produce such an outstanding clansman is truly our clan's fortune..."

Just as Uchiha Fugaku began to see Uchiha Daiki in a new light and secretly admire him, Uchiha Daiki suddenly spoke again. "I made a bet with Minato-senpai."

"Hm?"

Uchiha Fugaku froze again and turned to him in surprise.

"We bet on who could kill the most enemies on the battlefield. The winner could make one demand of the loser."

Uchiha Daiki continued on his own, while Uchiha Fugaku listened silently without interrupting.

At that moment, Uchiha Shisui, who had been listening to their conversation from nearby, slowed his pace as well.

He turned and walked over to them.

"You made a bet with Minato-senpai?"

Uchiha Shisui looked at Uchiha Daiki curiously.

"He lost."

"I told him that if the Third Hokage decides to hand the Hokage Position to him after the war, then he must give up inheriting the Hokage Position."

Uchiha Daiki's plan for revival had already begun.

At this moment, he did not mind revealing these secrets to Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Shisui, once known as the Uchiha Clan's strongest.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Fugaku, along with several Uchiha Clan experts listening nearby, were all visibly moved.

The looks Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Shisui gave Uchiha Daiki became even more complicated and profound.

Then Uchiha Daiki suddenly flashed a bright, sunny smile and looked at them. "Do you think I can become Hokage?"

He asked with complete seriousness and sincerity, without seeming to be joking in the slightest.

Those words left Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Shisui, and the others stunned and astonished once more.

"You predicted that after the war, there was a strong possibility the Third Hokage would step down because of this, and you believed Minato was the most likely person to succeed him as the Fourth Hokage?"

Uchiha Fugaku furrowed his brow tightly, staring at Uchiha Daiki in disbelief as he muttered to himself.

Then Uchiha Shisui joined in with his own analysis. "So you made a bet with Minato-senpai—whoever lost would give up inheriting the Hokage Position?"

Uchiha Daiki smiled confidently. "That's right. And I won."