The plan proposed by Naruto sounded bold, yet it was built upon the uncertainties of the Rinnegan. In an instant, it earned the high praise of Konoha's upper ranks and the various clan leaders.
"Naruto's right." Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, gave his final verdict after weighing the pros and cons.
"As for the Uchiha clan's matter, Sasuke is the person most compatible with the source of this power, and he is also someone we can control relatively well."
He loosened his grip on the Rinnegan in his hand and looked steadily toward the Uchiha gathered below.
Especially Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, and Uchiha Fugaku...
"Then who will bear the burden of wielding this power?"
For a moment, everyone's gaze turned toward the Uchiha clan.
Sasuke stood with his arms folded, his sharp eyes fixed on the Rinnegan before him.
Itachi lowered his eyes, seeming to calculate every possible consequence.
Uchiha Fugaku stared at the Rinnegan, uncertainty flashing in his eyes.
Uchiha Shisui let out a quiet sigh. Just as he was about to suggest using the Rinnegan himself—
Second Pillar suddenly spoke. "Lord Hokage, I think it would be better for me to use the Rinnegan."
Sasuke's words stunned everyone present.
Minato's pupils contracted sharply. Even as Sasuke's friend, he had never considered this option.
In his mind, the Rinnegan should naturally have been controlled by either Shisui, who had inherited the Mangekyo Sharingan, or Itachi, rather than Sasuke, who had not yet fully mastered his Mangekyo Sharingan.
Fugaku's face darkened, and he snapped angrily, "Nonsense! Is the Rinnegan something you can bear? Step back!"
Just as the suppressed silence was about to become suffocating, Minato raised a hand and stopped Fugaku.
He looked at Sasuke, golden light beneath his eyes piercing into the boy's heart. "Sasuke, tell me—why