Advancing by Retreating

Minato flew back into the conference room.

He found Danzo and the others still arguing, still discussing how Minato should take the blame and how to further carve up Minato's power.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, his feelings complicated, had his eyes closed in deep thought, too lazy to argue with Danzo.

Seeing the main subject of their discussion return, Hiruzen finally spoke and asked:

"Minato, did something happen?"

Minato frowned deeply and deliberately said, "Kushina's condition is very bad."

"How bad exactly?"

"You all know that once a Tailed Beast is stripped from its Jinchuriki, the Jinchuriki immediately dies. Kushina, with the powerful life force of the Uzumaki Clan, managed to hold on for a little longer."

"Although the Nine-Tails was sealed back inside afterward, the life force Kushina lost cannot be replenished."

"Isn't that very dangerous?"

Hiruzen was greatly alarmed, fearing the Nine-Tails would riot again.

The other three also showed anxious expressions.

"What about the Nine-Tails' seal?"

"I can maintain the seal, but Kushina probably won't last much longer..."

"This... in that case, we should find a new Jinchuriki as soon as possible..."

"Before Kushina passes, I will not seek any other Jinchuriki. If she unfortunately leaves, I will personally seal the Nine-Tails and become the new Jinchuriki!"

"What? No, no! You are the Hokage, how can you become a Jinchuriki yourself?"

Mitokado Homura immediately rejected the idea.

In the hearts of all the ninja village's high-ranking officials, Jinchuriki had always been weapons, detestable yet indispensable powerful tools to control.

How could their own Kage become a weapon?

What if the Jinchuriki who was also the Kage went berserk, who could stop them?

"My mind is made up!"

Minato said solemnly and firmly.

"I disagree! Since the Jinchuriki is unstable now, we should find a new one as soon as possible! Fourth, as Hokage, are you going to protect your wife?"

Danzo piped up, loudly and righteously scolding.

The next moment, before he could finish speaking.

Minato suddenly turned his head to look at him, a powerful killing intent locking onto Danzo, and a fierce chakra pressure washed over him.

"Lord Danzo, do you want me to personally kill my wife?"

Danzo froze, the words he was about to say stuck in his throat.

He couldn't help but recall the fearsome reputation of this Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash, on the battlefield. If he truly forced the other party to kill Kushina, it would mean a complete falling out.

Danzo didn't believe his old bones could withstand Minato's ubiquitous 'Rasengan feasts'.

He could only grudgingly shut up and stop pushing.

"Minato, if you are constantly helping Kushina maintain the seal, then the village's political affairs..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe, slowly exhaling.

"Third, I apologize."

"For the next period, I will be by Kushina's side, helping her stabilize the Nine-Tails' seal."

"During this time, I can only trouble you, Lord Third, as well as the other two advisors, and Lord Danzo; to temporarily act as Hokage and handle the village's political affairs."

Minato deliberately conceded.

Hearing this, Danzo's eyes suddenly lit up, and he was so excited he almost stood up.

Good, good, good!

How long had he waited for this day?

Even if it was just temporarily acting as Hokage, it was something he had dreamed of.

Perhaps, after acting for a while, he could become permanent?

Utatane Koharu quickly asked, "Minato, how long will you need?"

"A shorter time might be three months, a longer time perhaps around half a year."

"Too long... You are the Hokage, how can you be away for so long..."

"I have always owed Kushina. I want to spend this last period of time with her as much as possible..."

"This..."

Seeing this, Danzo immediately interjected and agreed:

"I agree! Minato, you can rest assured and go be with your wife. The Nine-Tails' seal is also very important. During this time, we will help you manage the village."

"..."

The others clearly saw Danzo's intentions, but tacitly did not object.

Who wouldn't want more power?

Hiruzen wanted to say something more; he felt something was off.

But seeing Danzo's excited state, any further advice would be useless.

Besides, he wasn't in a position to stop Minato from accompanying his wife through her final moments.

"But, how should we explain this period of absence for the Fourth Hokage?"

Minato brought out his prepared statement: "We'll claim the Nine-Tails' rampage severely injured the Fourth Hokage, requiring a long period of recovery. It's better than claiming the Jinchuriki's sealing is unstable and risking another Tailed Beast rampage."

"If necessary, you can also attribute all the damage caused by the Nine-Tails' rampage to me."

Minato's swift concession delighted Danzo and the others.

What a young man!

He's willing to abandon something as wonderful as power for his beloved wife and child.

After six months, does he really think he'll get the Hokage position back?

How naive!

As for taking the blame, that's just an excuse.

Now that Minato is willing to step down voluntarily, nothing else matters.

"Good. We will do our best to appease public opinion and prevent you and Kushina from facing too much criticism," Danzo promised with great satisfaction.

"Thank you for your trouble, sirs."

"Allow me to take my leave."

His objective achieved, Minato immediately flew away.

Inside the conference room, Danzo and the others quickly erupted into a fierce dispute over who would temporarily assume the Hokage's authority.

After leaving the [Hokage Building], Minato did not go home immediately.

Instead, he secretly flew to the Uchiha compound on the outskirts of the village and sought out the current Uchiha clan head: Fugaku Uchiha.

Fugaku was overjoyed to see Minato arrive in person.

Nothing else mattered: Minato Namikaze was alive, and that was crucial for the Uchiha Clan!

As long as the Fourth Hokage was alive, the village elders wouldn't dare to make a fatal move!

"Minato! How are things? Is Madam Kushina alright?" Fugaku asked with concern.

Minato didn't rush to answer. Instead, he first closed Fugaku's door and set up a barrier to prevent eavesdropping.

"You…"

Fugaku wasn't foolish; seeing this, he knew Minato had something important to discuss.

"The situation is complicated."

"Before I explain, I want to confirm one thing: Clan Head Fugaku, will you support me unconditionally?"

"I…" Fugaku responded immediately, but Minato emphasized.

"Fugaku, think carefully before answering, preferably as the clan head. This choice could affect the future of the entire Uchiha Clan."

Fugaku was startled.

He vaguely guessed what was happening.

Is Minato really preparing to make a move against Konoha's higher-ups?

If he intended to attack another village, he wouldn't be this secretive.

At this moment, Fugaku felt not fear, but unprecedented excitement.

He had waited for this day for a long time!

Otherwise, he wouldn't have bet on Minato.

Based on his assessment of Minato, he thought this day would come much later, perhaps through peaceful evolution.

He hadn't expected Minato to make such a sudden turn.

Was it caused by last night's Nine-Tails' rampage?

Or some other reason?

It didn't matter anymore.

What mattered was that the Uchiha Clan didn't have many choices.

Especially after the devastating [Nine-Tails' Rampage].

This morning, numerous rumors had already begun to spread throughout the village.

Everyone is questioning why the Uchiha Clan didn't participate in repelling the Nine-Tails last night.

Why did the Nine-Tails seem to be controlled by the Sharingan?

And so on...

Although such whispers aren't enough to shake the entire Uchiha Clan, they are speaking the truth!

Those villagers who suffered heavy losses won't care about the root cause.

It won't be long before this public opinion turns into actual hostility, targeting the entire Uchiha Clan...

Fugaku had already foreseen how bad the situation for his Uchiha Clan would be afterward.

In short.

Ever since last night, when their clan was ordered by Konoha's higher-ups not to engage the Nine-Tails.

The Uchiha Clan's last retreat had already been blocked.

It was like: mud falling into the crotch—it's not shit, but it sure looks like it!

Therefore, he was eager for Minato to come find him so they could conspire together on a grand plan!

"Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, in the name of the Uchiha Clan Leader, I am willing to become your ally. I will serve you and never betray you!"

Fugaku swore with utmost solemnity.

This was his choice, and it was the future of the entire Uchiha Clan!