Lin Feng stood with his back to the window, gazing at the port shrouded in mist. Fishing boats came and went, returning with full loads. Kirigakure's future had shifted from bloody infighting to prosperity built on money. Now it was time to turn his attention back to Konoha.
"Let him make a fuss. The bigger the fuss, the more chaotic Konoha will become." Lin Feng spoke softly, his voice carrying the depth of someone who had seen through the ways of the world.
"When he realizes that the 'Nine-Tails Incident' he worked so hard to create isn't going to happen, because we won't give him what he wants—that we'll let Namikaze Minato become Hokage in peace, and make Fugaku Uchiha Hokage Assistant instead—that's what truly serves our interests!"
Black Zetsu emerged from the shadows, his face indistinct in the gloom. He seemed a little confused by Lin Feng's talk of "our interests."
"Lord Madara, didn't you want to cause turmoil in Konoha and have Fugaku Uchiha compete for the Hokage Position? Now you want him to become Hokage Assistant... Doesn't that contradict your earlier plan?" Black Zetsu's voice held its usual sinister note.
Lin Feng turned around, his purple eyes fixed on Black Zetsu as if he were looking at a slow-witted student.
"Contradictory? Children have to choose. Adults like me can have it all." A playful smile curved his lips. "That kid Obito has a very narrow perspective. His so-called 'chaos' amounts to unleashing the Nine-Tails, killing the Fourth Hokage, and plunging Konoha into a brief period of upheaval."
"Such crude methods are both dull and pointless. They'll only make Konoha's hatred more entrenched, ultimately driving every Uchiha even deeper into the abyss."
Lin Feng walked up to Black Zetsu and lightly tapped him on the head with a finger.
"Remember, true chaos comes from dismantling things from within. True control isn't a momentary upheaval, but continual infiltration. I don't want Fugaku Uchiha to become a Hokage everyone can unite against. I want him to become an Assistant with real authority and the power to influence decisions."
Black Zetsu tilted his head, clearly still processing what Lin Feng had said.
"Making Minato Hokage will stabilize public sentiment in Konoha and divert most people's attention. Meanwhile, Fugaku Uchiha as Hokage Assistant will mean the Uchiha Clan has returned to the heart of power. To the villagers, it will signal reconciliation between the Uchiha and the village. But within the Uchiha Clan, it will mark the beginning of their reclaiming their dignity."
"This political gesture can stabilize Konoha's political situation and win people's support in the shortest possible time."
Lin Feng lowered his voice, but the implications behind his words sent a chill through even Black Zetsu.
"Think about it. A deeply rooted Uchiha Clan Head becomes the Hokage's right-hand man. How many Uchiha loyalists will he place in Konoha's various departments? How much influence will he have over the allocation of Konoha's resources? No matter how much the people adore Minato, he can't attend to every detail. In the end, power will gradually shift." "Eventually, the Uchiha Clan will truly be able to gather most of Konoha's power into its hands."
"What's more..." Lin Feng paused, a glint flashing in his eyes. "Doesn't Obito want to use the Nine-Tails Incident to deprive Konoha of the Fourth Hokage and intensify the conflict between the Uchiha and the village? If we do the opposite—let Minato take office safely and bring Fugaku into the upper ranks—then his plan will lose its most important purpose at the root."
Black Zetsu finally understood. This wasn't simply about stirring up trouble. It was a far more ingenious counterplay.
"But, Lord Madara, will Fugaku Uchiha really give up the Hokage Position and be content with becoming an Assistant? Given his ambition..."
"Ambition is a double-edged sword." Lin Feng waved a hand dismissively. "He wants to become Hokage for the glory of the Uchiha. But he also knows that on his own, even with my support, he can't challenge Minato in the short term—not when Minato has the support of the Third Hokage and the Daimyo. A direct confrontation would only isolate the Uchiha again."
"I'll give him another push," Lin Feng said. "Black Zetsu, return to Konoha at once and tell Danzo to change tactics."
"He no longer needs to obstruct Minato from becoming Hokage. On the contrary, he should help Minato take office—but on one condition: Fugaku Uchiha must be appointed Hokage Assistant."
Black Zetsu's eyes flickered. "Will the Third Hokage and the Two village elders agree to this?"
"Hmph. That depends on how damaging the dirt you've collected is." Lin Feng gave a cold laugh. "The ceremony for Minato's succession has already been postponed, hasn't it? That gives us room to maneuver."
"Spread the word that evidence implicating Koharu and Homura has already fallen into the hands of some faction unhappy with the infighting within Konoha. Then, at the right moment, have Danzo 'suggest' to the Third Hokage and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire that, for Konoha's stability, to reassure the Uchiha, and to demonstrate the new Hokage's magnanimity and vision, they should establish two Fourth Hokage Assistants, jointly appointing Fugaku Uchiha and Danzo. The village's shinobi clans will jointly nominate the new candidates for Fourth Hokage Advisor."
"The old guard of advisors should have been swept into the trash long ago."
"Of course, you'll also need to leak some of that evidence at the right time. Make them feel threatened and let them know that following my script is the only way they can save face and step down with dignity." Lin Feng's voice brimmed with the confidence of someone who had everything under control.
"As for Fugaku Uchiha, I'll speak with him myself. I'll tell him that becoming Assistant is the real key to changing the Uchiha's fate. The Hokage Position may look glorious, but it comes with all sorts of tedious matters and consumes far too much energy. An Assistant, on the other hand, can focus on increasing the clan's influence. In exchange, once Minato steps down, the Uchiha must nominate Danzo as Fifth Hokage!"
Lin Feng looked into the distance, the corners of his mouth lifting again.
"Doesn't Obito want to see Konoha torn apart? Then we'll give him a Konoha that's united on the surface but turbulent underneath, with the Uchiha's status on the rise. He'll surely be delighted by this 'surprise.'"
Black Zetsu accepted the order, sank back into the ground, and disappeared into the shadow beneath Lin Feng's feet.
Konohagakure, Uchiha Clan Compound.
The candles in Fugaku's residence had burned down, leaving only faint embers. He hadn't slept all night. His eyes were bloodshot, and the scroll still lay open in front of him, the Rinnegan depicted on it seeming to mock his hesitation.
"The Hokage Position..." he murmured, repeating Lin Feng's words. His heart felt as if an invisible hand were clenching it tightly.
Becoming Hokage was the dream of both him and every member of the Uchiha Clan.
But Lord Madara's strength, and his description of the "rotten core" of Konoha, had made Fugaku realize that the road ahead was far more difficult than he had imagined. A direct clash with Minato, even with "Madara's" support, could come at a terrible cost. After all, the Hokage faction had the support of the Konoha Sannin, whose strength was comparable to Kage Level, as well as the Ino-Shika-Cho clans' elite Jonin and the shinobi who had long bowed to the Third Hokage's rule. Even if Danzo remained neutral, the Uchiha Clan might barely manage to win with its own strength, only for Konoha to end up severely weakened under its rule.
"Rather than fight for the Hokage Position and put myself in the line of fire, I should... secure real power first." Fugaku muttered to himself. Madara's every word circled in his mind.
Just then, a faint spatial ripple appeared in the room. Fugaku snapped his head up, his Sharingan activating at once.
Within the warped space, Lin Feng appeared again.
"Looks like you've been thinking about it for days and still haven't figured it out." Lin Feng's voice carried a hint of amusement as he walked straight toward Fugaku.
Fugaku shot to his feet and bowed his head. "Lord Madara."
"No need for formalities." Lin Feng gestured for him to sit. "Tell me, what are you struggling with?"
Fugaku took a deep breath, doing his best to keep his voice calm. "Lord Madara, you said the Hokage Position should be held by the Uchiha. But right now, Minato has the highest standing in the village. If I forcefully compete for the position, I'm afraid it'll bring trouble down on me and reignite the conflict between the Uchiha and the village."
"You're more clear-headed than I expected." Lin Feng gave a light laugh, his tone carrying a note of approval. "But who said you had to take that position right away?"
Fugaku looked up sharply, confusion filling his eyes.
"The Hokage Position is merely the highest symbol of a village. Power, on the other hand, exists in every corner of it." Lin Feng sat down across from him and leaned forward, his voice carrying an irresistible temptation.
"As Uchiha Clan Head, becoming Hokage Assistant would give you a legitimate position from which to place Uchiha elites in every key department in the village. The Military Police Force, Anbu, even the various departments directly under the Hokage."
"Minato will be Hokage. He'll need to balance the various factions and maintain the appearance of peace in the village. You, meanwhile, can work behind the scenes, within the rules, and use the excuse of helping Minato, whose foundations are weak, to gradually infiltrate Konoha's departments and strengthen the Uchiha Clan's influence. You can make the Uchiha's voice an indispensable part of Konoha."
"Do you think being Hokage is easy? How many trivial matters does he have to handle every day? He has to grovel before the Daimyo and navigate the interests of clans big and small." Lin Feng's tone carried a hint of contempt. "That position is nothing but the village's public face. The Assistant is the one who holds real power and can truly influence the village's direction."
"Think about it. Would it be better for the Uchiha's rise to become a Hokage bogged down every day in endless, tedious affairs, or an Assistant who can extend the clan's influence into every corner of the village?"
Fugaku's Sharingan spun rapidly. He had never imagined that the position of Hokage Assistant could hold such enormous potential and temptation.
"And I'll support you behind the scenes," Lin Feng said. "Minato isn't the only power in Konoha. The Third Hokage may have stepped back, but his wariness of the Uchiha has never faded. Minato is young and ambitious, and can still tolerate the Uchiha. But if the Third Hokage dies someday, or something happens to Minato, why wouldn't you have a chance?"
"I've already made a deal with Danzo, the leader of Konoha's Root. He'll switch sides and support Minato's succession to Fourth Hokage in exchange for you and him jointly becoming Fourth Hokage Assistants. Then, after Minato steps down, the Uchiha Clan will give Danzo its full support to become Fifth Hokage."
"Once you've built up enough influence and power as Assistant, and the Uchiha have infiltrated Konoha to a sufficient degree, won't the Sixth Hokage Position be there for the Uchiha to claim?"
"If you can't take it, your son Sasuke Uchiha or Uchiha Itachi can become Sixth Hokage."
Fugaku's breathing grew heavy. As Lin Feng spoke, the ambition in his heart seemed to move within reach.
"Assistant... the position of Assistant..." he murmured.
"Exactly." Lin Feng stared at him, an unquestionable light flashing in his eyes. "Becoming Hokage Assistant is the right choice for you right now. It will allow the Uchiha to enter the heart of power legitimately, and give you enough time and room to make your plans. It's far more secure than a Hokage who takes office too rashly."
"If you insist on fighting for the Hokage Position now, you'll only deepen the village's suspicions of the Uchiha, ultimately forcing you and Minato into a fight where both sides suffer. Then the Uchiha will be pushed back to the margins again."
"Fugaku Uchiha, I'm offering you the chance to bring the entire Uchiha Clan to control Konoha. Do you want it?" Lin Feng's voice was like a devil's whisper, pressing him step by step.
Fugaku bowed his head and thought for a long time. At last, he raised it again. The confusion in his eyes was gone, replaced by a firm resolve.
"I understand, Lord Madara." Fugaku bowed, more respectfully this time. "I'll follow your arrangements and strive to become Hokage Assistant!"
Lin Feng smiled in satisfaction.
"Good. A wise choice." He stood up, his figure beginning to blur. "Remember, this isn't a compromise. It's a strategy. I'm offering you more than the position of Assistant—I'm offering the Uchiha Clan limitless possibilities for the future."
"Also, you'll soon receive a few 'surprises' concerning the Two village elders. They'll help you secure the position."
Lin Feng's figure disappeared completely into the warped space.
Only Fugaku remained in the room. His face was filled with a fighting spirit and ambition he had never felt before.
"Hokage Assistant... Hahaha, Assistant!" Fugaku laughed under his breath, his laughter full of long-suppressed madness.
He knew that the skies over Konoha were about to change. And he, Fugaku Uchiha, would personally drive that change forward, winning the brightest—and darkest—future for the Uchiha Clan!
Fugaku didn't know that his choice was merely one move in Lin Feng's grand plan. Nor did he know that far beyond Konoha, another young Uchiha was sharpening his blade, ready to unleash the "Nine-Tails Incident" he believed he could control.
Lin Feng returned to Kirigakure and used the Water Mirror to observe everything happening in Konoha.
"Obito, you won't be the only actor on your stage," he murmured, his eyes deep and unreadable.
"Soon, you'll discover that the Ninja World... is far more complicated than you imagined."
Meanwhile, in a secret corner of Konoha, a familiar figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
"The Fourth Hokage's succession ceremony... Heh. It's sure to be interesting."
His voice was low, brimming with an excitement difficult to describe. He thought he was the director of this grand show, unaware that everything he'd arranged was merely someone else's setup.
An eerie calm before the great battle hung in the air.
Lin Feng could already see the thrilling spectacle about to unfold—and the other "Uchiha Madara," hidden in the shadows, who had no idea how mistaken he was.
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