Treating a Hero's Son Like This

A faint smile tugged at Uchiha En's lips.

"We'll go."

"Of course we will."

"The Hyuga Clan has extended an olive branch. We have no reason to turn it down."

His words lifted everyone's spirits.

But Uchiha En did not linger on the subject. He changed tack and brought up something else.

"Oh, and there's one more thing I need you to do."

Everyone listened closely.

Uchiha En swept his gaze across the room, his voice steady.

"Do any of you know which of the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze's former subordinates are still in Konoha?"

The question came out of nowhere.

They exchanged puzzled looks, unsure why the Clan Head was asking.

Uchiha Tsuyoshi thought for a moment before answering. "The Fourth Hokage's subordinates... Hatake Kashi is probably the best-known. Then there were his guards: Genma Shiranui, Namiashi Raidō, and Tatami Iwashi..."

"There are also some retired veteran Jonin who went on missions with the Fourth Hokage."

"Most of them hold posts with little authority now, though."

Uchiha En nodded.

"Good."

"I want you to make contact with them."

Everyone froze.

Contact the Fourth Hokage's subordinates?

What did he mean?

Uchiha Takuma could not help asking, "Clan Head... why would we contact them?"

Uchiha En did not answer directly.

He fell silent for two seconds, then spoke slowly.

"Tell them one thing."

"Naruto Uzumaki... is the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."

Dead silence filled the room.

Everyone stared at Uchiha En, eyes wide with disbelief.

"What?!"

"Naruto Uzumaki... is the Fourth Hokage's son?!"

"Is that true?!"

"Isn't he the Demon Fox incarnate?!"

"This..."

The Meeting Hall erupted.

This revelation was even more shocking than the news on those three flyers!

Naruto Uzumaki, that troublemaking kid who was always at the bottom of his class...

He was the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze?!

Uchiha En raised a hand for silence.

Once every eye was on him, he continued.

"Tell the Fourth Hokage's former subordinates that Naruto Uzumaki is the son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki."

"Then take them to see how Naruto Uzumaki lives now."

Uchiha En's voice was calm, yet it carried an indescribable force.

"Let them see for themselves what kind of home the Fourth Hokage's son lives in, what food he eats, and what clothes he wears."

"Let them see how the villagers treat this hero's son."

"And then..."

He paused, his gaze turning cold.

"Let them take a guess."

"Where did the inheritance Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki left behind actually go?"

"Why didn't Naruto Uzumaki inherit a single thing from his parents?"

When he finished, the Meeting Hall fell utterly silent.

Everyone was stunned.

A Jonin opened his mouth, his voice dry. "Clan Head... are you saying..."

Uchiha En gave a cold laugh.

"A hero sacrificed his life to protect the village, yet his son eats spoiled food, lives in a run-down home, and gets shunned like a monster."

"So this is the Will of Fire the Third Hokage is always talking about."

He leaned back in his chair, a trace of mockery in his eyes.

"Let the Fourth Hokage's former subordinates think that over."

"This is the village they serve."

"This is what they risk their lives to protect."

For a long while, silence held the Meeting Hall.

Then Uchiha Takuma slapped his thigh, an excited grin spreading across his face.

"Brilliant... Clan Head, that's ruthless!"

"If the Fourth Hokage's old comrades see Naruto living like that... they're bound to be furious!"

"Even if they don't turn against Konoha outright, they'll never believe the Third Hokage's story again!"

Uchiha Tsuyoshi nodded too, his eyes gleaming.

"Exactly... the Fourth Hokage's former subordinates may have little authority now, but they're all veterans who've been through war."

"Among the rank-and-file ninja, their words carry far more weight than those of the High Command looking down from above."

"If they side with us Uchiha... our position in Konoha will be secure!"

The others caught on as well.

"Right! If the Fourth Hokage's old comrades speak up, the undecided neutral faction will waver!"

"And... once word gets out, the Third Hokage's reputation will be ruined!"

"A hero's son being mistreated... that would be an enormous scandal in any village!"

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

Excitement surged through the room again.

Seated at the head of the table, Uchiha En wore a knowing smile.

Winning over the Fourth Hokage's former subordinates was only one of his goals.

What he truly wanted to see was how they reacted when they learned the truth.

Anger.

Resentment.

Doubt.

Once those people began questioning the legitimacy of the Konoha High Command...

That was when the real show would begin.

"All right."

Uchiha En stood and looked around the room.

"I've made everything clear."

"I'll handle tonight's meeting with the Hyuga Clan."

"As for contacting the Fourth Hokage's former subordinates..."

He looked at Uchiha Takuma and Uchiha Tsuyoshi.

"You two will handle it. Remember, keep it quiet. Approach them discreetly."

"First let them learn the truth, then... let them see Naruto's life with their own eyes."

"As for what they think and do after that..."

Uchiha En's smile deepened.

"That's no longer our concern."

Uchiha Takuma and Uchiha Tsuyoshi exchanged a glance and answered in unison.

"Understood!"