Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Kyo Uchiha before him and couldn't help drawing a deep breath. His gaze turned grave. The Uchiha Clan... was definitely a tough nut to crack!
"I'm sorry, Great Elder, for visiting you without giving you any notice."
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke slowly.
Looking at Kyo Uchiha in the room, a glimmer appeared in his eyes. At the moment, the Uchiha Clan had no clan head.
Ever since Uchiha Madara had left, the Uchiha Clan had been without a clan head. But this hadn't affected the clan's operations. On the contrary, the entire Uchiha Clan was now under the control of the Great Elder before him.
And the Uchiha Clan had become even more united!
No wonder he was Uchiha Madara's cousin.
The cousin of that ruthless man was definitely no pushover. If he wanted to win Kyo Uchiha's support this time, he might have to... cough up blood!
Sarutobi Hiruzen had prepared himself for anything.
He had even imagined being given all sorts of trouble and humiliation.
It didn't matter. He would accept it all.
But once he became the Third, he would repay the Uchiha Clan double for everything they had done!
"Long time no see, Sarutobi Hiruzen. I'm already an old man, so it's an honor to receive a visit from a powerful young man like you from the village. Don't you agree, Lord Hokage, soon to become the Third?"
Kyo Uchiha smiled as he filled Sarutobi Hiruzen's teacup.
The two sat facing each other on their knees.
Kyo Uchiha's opening words left Sarutobi Hiruzen completely baffled.
What the hell? That was way too direct!
Straight to the point?
As a Shinobi Hero, he had never been one to beat around the bush either. He smiled wryly and said, "Great Elder, please don't make fun of me. Although I've won the support of some clans, I'm still facing difficulties—and very difficult ones to overcome at that!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath and lowered his head until it nearly touched the floor.
It was a gesture of respect!
"So I hope I can gain the support of the Uchiha Clan. If the Uchiha Clan encounters any problems in the future, I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, will do everything in my power to help!"
His expression was grave.
He was uneasy.
Even if he won the support of every other clan, if the Senju Clan stood in his way, then even the Second's verbal approval wouldn't help him.
After all, the Senju were the true founders of Konoha!
But the Uchiha Clan before him was the key to breaking the deadlock!
After all, the Uchiha were also founders of the village.
"There's no need for that."
The Great Elder smiled as he helped Sarutobi Hiruzen back to his feet. "You're Kagami's junior, and I watched Kagami grow up from childhood. So, Sarutobi Hiruzen, you have ties to the Uchiha Clan as well."
"What!?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen snapped his head up, his gaze filled with excitement. "You mean... you can support me!?"
He looked at the old face before him.
He couldn't help feeling bewildered. Was this really the Uchiha Clan he'd heard was so difficult to deal with?
They were this easygoing?
He couldn't help... doubting it!
"Who gets elected isn't very important to the Uchiha Clan. We just don't want it to be a Senju. We can support you, but there are two conditions."
Kyo Uchiha spoke calmly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen breathed a deep sigh of relief. He wasn't afraid of conditions; he was afraid there wouldn't be any!
"Please, go ahead. If it's within my power, I'll do everything I can!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was solemn, tinged with gratitude.
Compared to what he'd initially imagined—the Uchiha Clan acting arrogantly and making demands without limits—this was already as easy as it could get. In fact, they were asking for even less than the Hyuga Clan had!
"First, there's a junior in my clan who needs to learn Water Release. So I need Senju Tobirama's Water Release scroll. That shouldn't be a problem for you. Once you take office, it'll be as easy as taking something from your own home."
Kyo Uchiha spoke with a smile.
"The second thing is that I hope you'll look after Keigo Uchiha once you take office."
He finished speaking.
Then he paused, smiling as he watched Sarutobi Hiruzen.
That was it?
Sarutobi Hiruzen froze. These weren't merely simple conditions—they were, damn it... far too simple!
They were practically giving him their support for free!
If he'd known the Uchiha Clan was so easy to win over, he'd have started by persuading them, then gone to the Hyuga Clan and the other clans to scare them into line. Wouldn't they have all fallen for it?
"Thank you, Great Elder. I'll remember your kindness today!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen rose and bowed deeply. He'd never expected things to go so smoothly, and his goodwill toward the Uchiha Clan soared!
He was so damn moved!
Ever since the end of the First World War, he'd been constantly taking missions to build up merit, persuading various shinobi clans, and managing Konoha's affairs on top of everything else.
To put it bluntly, he was living a dog's life!
"Please rest assured, Great Elder. Keigo is Kagami's son, and Kagami and I were as close as brothers. Looking after Keigo is simply what I should do. And if you ever need anything from me, Hiruzen, just ask. I'll do everything I can!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said earnestly and solemnly.
Looking at the kindly Kyo Uchiha before him, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help wondering: the Uchiha Clan was so nice. Had Teacher Tobirama been too petty? Was that why he'd made the Uchiha Clan sound so terrible?
He had to admit, Teacher Tobirama really was petty!
Kagami and the Great Elder, Kyo Uchiha, were both easy to get along with. Maybe they could even help him in the future!
Once he took office, it looked like he'd have to revise Teacher Tobirama's strategy for dealing with the Uchiha Clan!
"Then I wish you success, future Third. I also hope you'll lead Konoha to even greater heights. I won't keep you today; I'm sure you have more important things to do."
The Great Elder spoke with a chuckle and rose to see him out.
A timely helping hand.
Keigo's Water Release plan was already taken care of!
Sarutobi Hiruzen left gratefully, his heart soaring and his grin nearly splitting his face.
Once he reached somewhere no one could see him—
Sarutobi Hiruzen burst into laughter!
"Hahaha! My becoming Hokage... is as good as settled!"
But then his expression turned cold. "Hmph, those damn fools from the Senju Clan, looking down on everyone. I'll make things difficult for you every chance I get. I'll remember this!"
"But the Uchiha Clan... they're so damn wonderful. Without them, becoming Hokage would've been nearly impossible!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen mused, "The Great Elder values personal bonds. He helped me because Kagami and I were close. And those two conditions—what's the difference between them and getting their support for free?"
Once he became Hokage—
Whether it was the Water Release Ninjutsu or looking after Keigo—
It would all take just a word. There'd be no difficulty at all!
Grateful, he said with conviction, "Kagami, I never imagined that even after your death, you'd still help me solve the most important problem of my life!"
"Don't worry, I'll look after Keigo. And I'll have to revise Teacher Tobirama's strategy for dealing with the Uchiha Clan, too!"
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