Confrontation

Minato Namikaze had allowed him and Kakashi Hatake to attend this core meeting. The intent was obvious: he wanted them to state their position, to stand with the Uchiha Clan—or at least support giving them another chance—in order to balance the hardline stance of the two advisors.

Kakashi Hatake went without saying. With that weighty bond he shared with Obito Uchiha, the one he held dear, there was no way he could turn his spear against the entire Uchiha Clan.

And himself... Minamoto Takuya thought rapidly. His relationship with Fugaku Uchiha had always been fairly cordial, and he had never displayed any obvious leanings.

In Minato Namikaze's eyes, even if he was not a staunch supporter of the Uchiha, he would at least not stand against them.

The situation was already clear: the two advisor elders stood openly opposed to the Uchiha Clan. As Hokage, Minato Namikaze could not directly show too much favor toward the Uchiha, considering both his neutral position and the need to placate all sides.

That meant the burden of breaking the deadlock and forming a balancing force naturally fell onto Minamoto Takuya and Kakashi Hatake.

Minamoto Takuya felt a headache coming on and glanced at Kakashi Hatake, who was fiercely debating Mitokado Homura in an attempt to defend the Uchiha.

What a... pain. Minamoto Takuya sighed inwardly, knowing he could no longer stand by and watch.

He took a deep breath, adjusted his tone, met the gazes of Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, and joined this "battle" that was destined to yield no result.

"Elders, I do not intend to wholly deny your views. As for the Second Hokage's research and analysis of the Uchiha Clan, we juniors naturally hold the deepest respect for it, and we are in no position to casually question its