"Mikoto is Orochimaru's disciple and part of the Hokage Lineage's inner circle. She's talented, too. If she weren't still a little too young and inexperienced, joining the Anbu would be the natural next step for her," Uchiha Yi explained softly. "Lord Hokage was reluctant to send Mikoto and the others out before. The Shinobi World is too chaotic and dangerous right now.
"But if I lead the team, he won't have those concerns. I'll be leading not just Mikoto, but Hyuga Rinka and Nawaki as well.
"They'll also become the Hokage Lineage's next generation."
"A Hyuga, a Senju, and an Uchiha?" Yohei Uchiha was no political novice. As an elder of the Uchiha Clan, he understood quite a bit.
Was putting Uchiha Yi in charge of this team meant to pave the way for him to become Hokage?
The thought sent Yohei Uchiha's pulse racing. Uchiha Yi had a chance to achieve what Madara Uchiha never had, and many Uchiha would surely support him.
The Uchiha Clan desperately needed a Hokage born into their clan. They had waited from the First's time through the Third Hokage's. Perhaps the Fourth Hokage would finally be their chance.
"Yes. It's a good thing for me." Uchiha Yi smiled confidently. "As long as I resolve the Uchiha Clan's problems, no one will be qualified to compete with me for the position of Fourth Hokage."
It was still early. Hiruzen Sarutobi was at least ten years away from stepping down, and Uchiha Yi himself couldn't say how far he would grow in that time.
He might even awaken the Rinnegan. At the very least, reaching Madara Uchiha's strength at the time of the Valley of the End shouldn't be difficult.
He wondered whether the Battle Space could produce an Ōtsutsuki Physique for him.
There were