Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him, with a trace of complicated emotions flashing in his eyes.
"Your choice is right." He said, "Konoha will never forget your loyalty."
Fugaku said nothing.
There was a brief silence in the office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's fingers continued to tap on the table, making rhythmic sounds.
It seems that some benefits are indeed going to be given.
"Fugaku." He suddenly said, "What do you think of Minato?"
Fugaku was stunned.
Minato?
Minato Namikaze?
That Yellow Flash?
Why did he suddenly mention this person?
He also knows Minato. After all, the relationship between both wives is quite good.
"Minato jounin..." Fugaku considered his words, "Young and promising, with outstanding strength, his performance in this war is obvious to all. And... he rescued Lord Orochimaru and is Konoha's hero."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
"Yes." He said, "Young, powerful, popular, and responsible. Young people like this are rare."
He paused and looked out the window.
"I'm old." He said, with a hint of emotion in his voice.
"What happened this time made me see a lot of things clearly. Shinnosuke was arrested, Danzo was arrested, Jiraiya was arrested... I, an old man, can't hold on much longer."
Fugaku's heart skipped a beat.
Third What does this... mean?
He... is going to abdicate?
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't look at him and just continued:
"Konoha needs fresh blood. We need young people who can shoulder the future. Minato, I have watched this kid grow up and I know everything about him. His character, his abilities, his responsibility... I can see it all."
He turned his head and looked at Fugaku.
"Fugaku, what do you think?"
Fugaku's heart beat faster.
He had already vaguely guessed something.
But he wasn't sure.
"Lord Third is right." His voice was a little tight, "Minato jounin... is indeed Konoha's future."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and was silent for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"No one can predict what will happen in the future."
He said, "But some things must be planned in advance. This child Minato has a long way to go and needs help. You Uchiha... if you are willing, you can walk around with him more."
Fugaku's eyes widened.
Do you want to walk around with Minato?
Help him?
This...
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him, the corners of his mouth raised slightly.
"Fugaku, you don't have to think too much."
He said, "I'm just chatting casually. You Uchiha Kazu Minato are all Konoha people. It's always good to have more contacts. Young people, making friends and learning from each other will be good for Konoha's future."
He paused and his voice became more casual.
"Besides, that kid Minato might reach a very high position in the future. When the time comes, he will be more relaxed with the help of old friends like you."
Fugaku took a deep breath and suppressed the pounding in his heart.
He understood.
He understood it completely.
Third This is telling him--
Minato will be the next generation Hokage.
And he hopes that Uchiha can become a supporter of Minato.
What does this mean?
It means that Uchiha finally has the opportunity to enter the core of Konoha.
It means that Uchiha can finally be truly trusted.
It means that Uchiha can finally see the future.
He stood up and bowed deeply.
"Lord Third!" His voice was trembling a little, "On behalf of the remaining Uchiha, thank you for your advice! Minato jounin... we will move more and learn more. As long as it is useful, we will do our best!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him, a trace of relief flashed in his eyes.
Uchiha Fugaku This guy is really sensible.
"Okay." He said, "Good boy, get up."
Fugaku straightened up, his eyes shining with light.
He remembered Shaoyu's proud smile when he left.
He secretly thought--
Uchiha Shaoyu, you took away so many people and thought you won.
But you don't know that these people left behind are the real future of Uchiha.
Wait until Minato becomes Hokage, wait until Uchiha becomes Hokage's helping hand, wait until we truly integrate into this village--
The people you took away were just exiles who had left their homes.
And what we leave behind is the root of Uchiha.
He took a deep breath, straightened his back, and strode out of the Hokage office.
The number of pedestrians on the streets gradually became fewer and fewer, shops closed one after another, and every house turned on its lights.
As he walked home, his steps were much faster than usual, but his face tried to remain calm.
Can't show it.
Can't be seen.
When passing by the commercial street, he heard several passers-by talking quietly.
"Have you heard? Uchiha A large number of people left today..."
"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. There were hundreds of people. It was a huge crowd."
"The one in red armor is the one who defected back then, right? Now he's come back openly..."
"Lord Third even sent him off in person... What the hell is going on?"
Fugaku did not stop, but only accelerated the pace.
Stupid guys, they Uchiha Clan are about to rise.
Uchiha Compound.
As night fell, the clan area seemed particularly deserted.
At this time in the past, there were still people sparring in the martial arts arena, laughter and laughter came from the clan's homes, and children chased and fought in the streets. But today, everything was eerily quiet.
More than half of the houses are empty.
In those houses, their neighbors, relatives, and friends once lived. Now, the buildings are empty, leaving only the dark windows, which look particularly desolate in the moonlight.
Fugaku Walking through those empty houses, I couldn't tell what it felt like.
"Alas..."
Fugaku's home is located in the deepest part of the family land, a not too big but elegant house.
He pushed open the courtyard door, walked through the short courtyard, and opened the house door.
The lights are on in the house.
Mikoto is sitting on the tatami, holding a needle and thread in his hand, mending a piece of clothing.
When she heard the door open, she raised her head and saw Fugaku, with a gentle smile on her face.
"You're back?" she said, "Have you eaten? I'll heat it up for you."
Fugaku shook his head.
Seeing this scene, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but feel excited.
So what if Uchiha Shaoyu took away most of the people, so what if he took away his son.
At this moment, he Uchiha Fugaku is the winner in life. He has a beautiful, virtuous and gentle wife and the support of Lord Hokage.
He hugged Mikoto tightly. Mikoto didn't know what happened, but still patted his head.
She also knew that her husband had been very tired in the past two days. Because of Uchiha Shaoyu's incident, he could not even sleep well.
"It's okay, Fugaku, it's okay, everything is over."
"Yes, it's over."