After Shinichi gave him a thorough tongue-lashing, Fugaku finally understood where the Konoha High Command's almost bone-deep prejudice against the Uchiha Clan-including that of the Third Hokage and Danzo-had come from.
It was none other than the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
Shinichi explained it all to Fugaku in clear, accessible terms, from Tobirama Senju's years of measures targeting the Uchiha Clan to his oft-repeated catchphrase, "The inherently evil Uchiha Clan."
"So when the Second put our Uchiha Clan in charge of the Konoha Military Police Force, he wasn't giving us power at all. He wanted to make sure our clan would never gain anyone's acceptance and would forever be barred from becoming Hokage!"
Realization dawned on Fugaku, and a trace of hatred crept onto his face.
Such an insidious scheme truly was impossible to guard against!
His malicious intentions even extended to future generations. He practically wanted the Uchiha Clan to remain downtrodden forever.
And the Third Hokage and Danzo, who had perfectly inherited the Second Hokage's will, had taken that prejudice against the Uchiha to its extreme, ultimately bringing about the night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre.
"Now you understand, don't you? The people you've been pinning your hopes on are actually the ones who truly want you dead."
Shinichi sighed softly.
In this conspiracy by the Konoha High Command against the Uchiha Clan, Shisui, Itachi, and Fugaku were merely sacrifices. Even that kid Sasuke's life had ended up filled with tragedy and absurdity.
"Shinichi, thank you."
Fugaku suddenly rose and bowed deeply.
Fugaku wasn't a fool. If Shinichi hadn't sincerely wanted to help, he wouldn't have laid out the entire story.
That alone showed that Shinichi truly stood on the Uchiha Clan's side. It dispelled all his doubts, and he now regarded Shinichi as a friend he could trust completely.
"Cut the empty formalities. If you really want to thank me, save it until we've actually saved the Uchiha Clan."
Shinichi waved a hand.
"All right!"
Fugaku nodded solemnly and asked, "You came here specifically to make your position clear today. That must mean you have a plan, right?"
Without realizing it, Fugaku had already begun deferring to Shinichi's opinions. That was only natural, though. The honesty Shinichi had shown today was certainly worthy of his trust.
"It's simple. My plan comes down to four words."
Under Fugaku's expectant gaze, Shinichi said calmly, "Turn this world around!"
Turn this world around!
Since the skies had become so thoroughly polluted, why not overturn the old order and restore clarity to the world?
Konoha's leadership had long since rotted away. Expecting those old fossils to lead Konoha into a new era was nothing but a pipe dream!
Prejudice between people was like a mountain. It wasn't something easily shaken.
The solution was simple, too. Forget trying to break down their prejudices-just replace the people who held them!
"You want to launch a coup? Forcibly replace the current Konoha High Command, rotten to the core as they are?"
A gleam flashed in Fugaku's eyes, and he said excitedly, "Good! That's exactly what I wanted! You did the Hyuga Clan a great favor during the Kumogakure Envoy Group incident, so Clan Head Hiashi will definitely support you. With our Uchiha Clan behind you as well, becoming Hokage will be a sure thing!"
If Shinichi really became Hokage, it would undoubtedly be good news for the Uchiha Clan.
Even though he and Shinichi had only met today, he felt he could trust the man before him completely.
Besides, among Konoha's younger generation, who could compare to Shinichi in achievements or strength?
So Fugaku decided to devote his entire clan's strength to helping Shinichi become Hokage!
"Who said I wanted to be Hokage? What kind of nonsense are you imagining? 'Exactly what I wanted,' my ass!"
But Shinichi's next words left Fugaku utterly dumbfounded.
"Huh?"
Fugaku stammered, "You mean you don't want to be Hokage?"
He couldn't understand it, no matter how hard he thought. With the perfect timing, circumstances, and support, Shinichi becoming Hokage was practically a foregone conclusion. Yet after all that, the man himself didn't want it at all?
Was this some kind of joke?
"What's so great about being Hokage? You work yourself half to death every day!"
Shinichi snapped irritably.
This scene felt awfully familiar. Was Fugaku just like Hiashi, so damn eager to push someone else into becoming Hokage?
"Then what exactly do you want to do?"
Fugaku didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
A Konoha ninja who refused the Hokage position even when it was handed to him on a platter?
Wasn't that a little too lacking in ambition?
"Konoha's leadership definitely needs a reshuffle, but we don't necessarily need an armed coup. I have plenty of ways to force them to step down."
Shinichi said calmly, "Even if all my gentler methods fail, I can slaughter those old fossils myself and force them out of office!"
He didn't have the slightest fondness for the so-called Konoha F4.
If it truly became necessary, he would absolutely kill them.
He didn't like killing, but in this miserable world, sometimes he had to harden his heart and kill to protect himself and the people around him. Besides, the Konoha F4 had been condemned by all kinds of Naruto fans in his previous life. Saying they deserved to die was hardly excessive.
"I believe you have that strength."
Fugaku nodded.
As someone who had also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he had read the detailed intelligence on Shinichi's battle against the Fourth Raikage. He knew perfectly well how powerful Shinichi's Mangekyō Sharingan abilities were.
Of course, what shocked him most was that Shinichi had easily defeated the Fourth Raikage without using Susanoo once.
He wasn't naive enough to think Shinichi hadn't mastered Susanoo yet. He had concluded then and there that Shinichi hadn't used his full strength. Otherwise, the Fourth Raikage would have died many times over!
"Getting rid of those old fossils isn't hard. The hard part is deciding who should become the next Hokage..."
Shinichi rubbed his chin, pondering.
When Fugaku suddenly fixed his eyes on him, Shinichi snapped, "Don't look at me! I'm not taking that sucker's job!"
Fugaku looked utterly helpless.
Since when had becoming Hokage turned into being a sucker?
How were all those kids who dreamed of becoming Hokage supposed to feel about that?
Naruto: Meow, meow, meow?
"I've got it!"
Shinichi's eyes lit up as realization struck him. "We can just bring Tsunade back to become Hokage! She's a descendant of the Senju Clan, with impeccable credentials. I doubt anyone in the village would object."
After all, in the original story, the Third Hokage had died after the Konoha Crush Plan, and Tsunade had subsequently taken over as the Fifth Hokage.
Taking the position a few years earlier wouldn't make much difference.
Most importantly, unlike the Third Hokage, Tsunade didn't really hold any prejudice against Konoha's major clans. She could genuinely treat them all fairly.
"Do you think Lady Tsunade would agree?"
Fugaku couldn't help remarking, "Honestly, I still think you're the best person to take over, Shinichi. All our problems would resolve themselves then. The Third Hokage and the others might not even object, and everything would surely go smoothly..."
"Shut your mouth!"
Shinichi shouted furiously.
For fuck's sake, would he ever let it go?
Was he really determined to shove me, Hatake Washing Machine, into the Hokage's seat?
Could he have a little conscience? I came here out of the goodness of my heart to save your Uchiha Clan, and you keep trying to screw me over?
This was too much!
"Ahem!"
Fugaku coughed twice to hide his embarrassment and explained, "Shinichi, there's something you don't know. Ever since Lady Tsunade lost her lover and younger brother, she's been utterly disheartened and wandering outside the village. Even if we find her and bring her back, she won't agree to become Hokage. Otherwise, she would have taken the position years ago..."
That was true.
Everyone knew Tsunade was an excellent candidate for Hokage. Unfortunately, she didn't want the job, and no one dared force her.
"Why worry about all that? When the time comes, we'll just dump Konoha's mess in front of her. Either she becomes Hokage, or she watches Konoha fall apart. We'll force her hand. She'll have to take it whether she wants to or not!"
Shinichi chuckled, a sinister smile on his face. "Konoha is the legacy her two grandfathers left behind. I don't believe she'd really bear to see someone ruin it!"
Don't want to be Hokage?
Then don't blame me for turning Konoha into a complete mess!
Lady Tsunade, surely you wouldn't want the legacy your grandfather poured his life into to be destroyed, would you?
"Shinichi, you really look like a villain!"
Fugaku couldn't help marveling.
"Fugaku, if you can't make conversation, don't force it. Don't think I won't beat you up!"
Shinichi revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan outright as he warned him.
You're the one who looks like a villain!
Your whole family looks like villains!
Have you ever seen such a kindhearted villain?
Before you continue