Nothing More Than a Pawn Pushed Forward

Uchiha Kyu put on a sentimental expression, as though afraid the other party might misunderstand his good intentions for Konoha.

"Fourth, don't misunderstand us as taking this chance to seize power. The truth is, there is simply no one capable by your side."

With that, Uchiha Kyu clasped his hands toward Hyuga Hiashi with a heart full of righteousness.

"For Konoha's stability and peace, the Uchiha Clan can forgo all credit this time. We only hope that Clan Head Hyuga will fulfill his duties and properly assist the Fourth in maintaining Konoha's peace."

"Clan Head Uchiha is truly righteous and wise. This is Konoha's blessing."

Hyuga Hiashi had not expected Uchiha Kyu to play his part so deeply. Had he not known beforehand, he would probably have mistaken the man for a genuinely good person.

As Minato Namikaze watched the two decide the position of Hokage assistant with a word from each of them, he forced a smile and offered a few agreeing remarks.

Still uneasy, Minato Namikaze reminded them, "I only hope Lord Sarutobi recovers soon and can be transferred to Konoha's Medical Department as early as possible."

With the overall situation settled, Uchiha Kyu became much easier to talk to.

"The Third is blessed by fate. Perhaps he will recover from his injuries and wake up as soon as tomorrow."

Having received a definite answer, Minato Namikaze did not wish to remain here for another second. "Then I'll take my leave first."

"Take care. We won't see you out."

Uchiha Kyu wore a false smile as he raised his cup and watched him leave.

Hyuga Hiashi revealed a wary expression, somewhat concerned that he might be purged in the future.

"The Fourth can certainly endure. His future accomplishments will surely be no less than the Third's."

Uchiha Kyu clinked cups with him and laughed arrogantly. "Whether he even has a future is something we get to decide."

"That's true." Hyuga Hiashi grew much bolder, and the thoughts in his heart became even more frenzied.

Uchiha Kyu noticed Hyuga Hiashi's change but said nothing.

What had happened before would happen again. What had been done before would be done again.

Getting aboard was easy; getting off was hard.

"Your position should be secure now. But if you want to stabilize it completely, you'll need to resolve the internal issues of the Hyuga Clan."

Uchiha Kyu needed an obedient Hyuga Clan, not one whose elders held it back and dictated its decisions.

"I understand." Hyuga Hiashi tilted back his head and drank water, concealing the flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.

If the clan wanted to change, it had to take harsh measures.

The three commercial streets taken over by the Uchiha Clan had gradually begun to receive reluctant villagers coming to shop.

In just one day, Huo Uchiha sealed up a large number of shops, and their owners were arrested on charges of commercial espionage.

Most of those shop owners had ninja clans backing them.

But the Uchiha Clan was now extremely forceful, while Konoha's higher-ups chose to watch coldly and turn a blind eye. Naturally, those ninja clans dared to be angry but not speak out.

With the shops selling daily necessities gone, the villagers could only go to the Uchiha Clan's three commercial streets if they wanted to live their lives.

In order to bring Lord Sarutobi back safely as quickly as possible, Minato Namikaze even took the initiative to guarantee the three commercial streets with his own reputation.

With the Fourth Hokage's reputation as a guarantee, more and more people went to shop on the three commercial streets.

However, the three commercial streets were vast, and neither the Uchiha Clan nor the Hyuga Clan could take over all of them.

For the vacant storefronts, Uchiha Kyu planned to recruit some merchants from the Land of Fire to move in and collect a few placement fees.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's disappearance could be concealed from the ninja clans, but not from Konoha's two advisors.

But Konoha's advisors were now merely two old relics.

Without Hiruzen Sarutobi as their support, the two could only let Minato Namikaze make the decisions.

The news that Danzo had been designated an S-rank rogue ninja shocked the major ninja clans even more.

The amusing thing was that no one would speak up for Danzo. The ninja clans had suffered plenty of oppression from Danzo abusing his power, and they barely had time to celebrate his downfall.

No one bothered to investigate why he had betrayed the village.

Three days passed in a flash.

With Uchiha Kyu's support, Hyuga Hiashi easily took the position of Hokage assistant.

Minato Namikaze also reluctantly handed the authority to rebuild the Root Organization over to Hyuga Hiashi.

After reading the intelligence from the front lines, Uchiha Kyu raised his eyes to Fugaku. "How many people have you arranged to enter the Root Organization?"

"I've already arranged one Elite Jonin and ten Elite Chunin. That is enough for us to control half the people in the Root Organization."

"It's just..."

Fugaku Uchiha asked with some hesitation.

"The Root Organization could previously be said to have been Danzo's personal force. The Hokage assistant's authority is the greatest, yet we just handed it over to the Hyuga Clan. I think that's a huge loss."

"A loss?" Uchiha Kyu smiled meaningfully. "Then have you considered whether the Hyuga Clan can still turn back once it takes that position?"

"Besides, is being the Hokage assistant really that good?"

Fugaku Uchiha froze at those words, then immediately understood.

That was right. Was the position of Hokage assistant really that good?

Once Hyuga Hiashi sat in that position, there would be no room for regret. The relationship between him and the Hokage could no longer be repaired.

It was equivalent to the Uchiha Clan placing the Hyuga Clan in front of them, turning them into a pawn in the Uchiha Clan's struggle for power and profit with Konoha's higher-ups.

Fugaku Uchiha still did not understand. "Could it be that Hyuga Hiashi doesn't realize this?"

Uchiha Kyu spread his hands and shrugged. "So what if he does? Does he not covet the position of Hokage assistant?"

"This means truly entering Konoha's upper ranks. It is what the Hyuga Clan has longed for all these years."

"That's true." Fugaku Uchiha finally understood where the gap between himself and Uchiha Kyu lay. He had no choice but to admit it.

Next, Fugaku Uchiha compiled the supplies brought back from the Root Organization into a booklet and handed it to him.

"After clearing out the Root Organization this time, we obtained many secret records on various clans, as well as a large amount of money and supplies."

Uchiha Kyu casually flipped through a few pages. Seeing no records concerning the Uchiha Clan, he looked up and asked, "Did you dispose of the records about us?"

"Yes." Fugaku Uchiha nodded. The mention of it angered him, and he clenched his fists in hatred.

"I never thought Danzo had secretly coveted our clan's Sharingan and had even harmed quite a few clan members."

"It was my fault. If I had discovered it sooner, perhaps they would not have died."

Uchiha Kyu tossed the booklet back to Fugaku. "At this stage, there is no need for clan members to go out and carry out missions. Focus on improving your strength, especially the younger generation."

"Use all the supplies collected from the Root Organization as rewards and distribute them to clan members with potential."

"Also, you must pay attention to the safety of clan members when they go out. Prevent those clans from lashing out in desperation."

Fugaku Uchiha put away the booklet and promised, "Don't worry. I will definitely protect the younger generation of the clan."

"Kakashi, why do I always feel like the village has been strange lately?"

Might Guy, the thick-headed watermelon-haired youth, flashed his gleaming white teeth at his close friend Kakashi.