Orochimaru nodded. "I'll speak with Minato alone next. I hope he's prepared."
The others dispersed. Fugaku took a few steps out of the Hokage's Office, and a black shadow flashed past. He vanished on the spot.
When he reappeared, he was on the moon. The Uchiha had built a town there, and it was slowly growing into a city.
Their population remained the main obstacle to expanding the clan. Only time could solve that.
Kenichi and Matsudaira had returned to the Shinobi World. Takigawa and Sanada came out to meet him.
"Clan Head."
Fugaku nodded. "The construction looks good. Carry on. I'm going to the laboratory."
"Yes."
Fugaku entered the laboratory and took out a scroll. Sealed inside was flesh from the many powerful people he had previously summoned with Impure World Reincarnation.
It also held flesh from the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and Madara Uchiha. Any ninja proficient in Impure World Reincarnation who got hold of that scroll could probably destroy any Great Ninja Village other than Konoha at will.
Fugaku placed the scroll in Origin Ball Space and walked out. A moment later, he was back in Konoha.
In the Hokage's Office, Orochimaru and Minato sat across from each other.
"Hokage, what did you want to see me about?"
"We just held a meeting of the village's senior officials. I intend to step down as Hokage, and you're the best person in the village to succeed me."
Minato stared at Orochimaru in surprise. "Hokage, Konoha is thriving. Why are you thinking of stepping down?"
Orochimaru smiled. "I want to do something I enjoy. I've envied both of your teachers for years.
"One spends his time traveling the Shinobi World and chasing women. The other, as clan head, has handed all authority to the clan's senior officials. He