Hearing Tarou's question, Yuzuru didn't rush to speak. He lifted his teacup and took a light sip.
Fugaku, meanwhile, frowned and sank into serious thought.
After a while, seeing Yuzuru still silent, Tarou prompted, "Fugaku, you go first."
"Yes, Father."
Fugaku considered, then said slowly, "As things stand, the next Hokage will likely be chosen between Sakumo Hatake and Orochimaru."
"Although Sakumo has already been granted the right to wear the Hokage half-robe, I still lean toward Orochimaru, the Third Hokage's disciple, becoming the next Hokage."
Having laid out his view, Fugaku couldn't help asking, "Father, are you thinking of investing early in the next Hokage? That would be a sound move."
But after listening, Tarou shook his head. "No. I'm wondering… if our Uchiha clan can compete for the Hokage position ourselves."
"As the strongest members of the new generation in the clan, I have high hopes for both of you."
"What?!"
Fugaku's pupils shrank; he blurted out despite himself, as if he'd heard something outrageous.
Compete for the next Hokage?
What a joke!
Tarou glanced at the flustered Fugaku, then at Yuzuru—whose expression hadn't changed from start to finish—and felt a twinge of disappointment.
He'd intended to groom Fugaku as the Uchiha's next leader, but compared to Yuzuru, Fugaku's composure fell short.
Unaware of Tarou's reaction, Fugaku spoke his mind. "Father, how could you think that?"
He truly didn't understand.
Setting aside Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, whose single-handed exploits had terrified enemies into issuing orders to abandon missions upon encountering him.
Even Orochimaru—granted the title of Sannin by Hanzō of the Salamander in the Second Great Ninja War—was already famed across the shinobi world.
The two of them were unmatched in Konoha.
By comparison, neither he nor Yuzuru could compete in renown or strength.
Seeing Fugaku's confusion, Tarou explained, "I'm not saying you'll compete with Sakumo or Orochimaru. I'm not that delusional."
"Then what do you mean?" Fugaku asked, even more puzzled.
"While both Orochimaru and Sakumo are impeccable in reputation and strength, they share a fatal flaw."
Tarou looked at the two and said gravely, "Age."
"Age?"
"Exactly."
Tarou took a sip of tea, confident. "The Third Hokage is in good health. If nothing unexpected happens, he could remain in office for a long time yet."
"In that case, by the time he steps down, both Orochimaru and Sakumo may no longer be in their prime."
"At that point, the Hokage might well be chosen from among the standouts of the next generation."
"And that… would be your opportunity."
Fugaku's eyes cleared as the logic clicked.
Thinking it through, it sounded very plausible.
Konoha had no tradition of stepping down early.
Both Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama relinquished their office only in death.
And since taking the hat, Sarutobi Hiruzen had stayed in the village, never venturing anywhere truly dangerous.
At his current pace, living another twenty years wasn't out of the question.
By then, Orochimaru and Sakumo would be past their golden age.
Understanding dawned, and Fugaku couldn't help a note of respect. "As expected of you, Father—your considerations are thorough."
Then he snorted lightly at Yuzuru. "If things unfold as Father predicts, you have a better chance than I do to become Hokage, Yuzuru."
"Work hard. The entire Uchiha will pour our resources into backing you and building your momentum."
Compared to Yuzuru, he was only five years younger than Orochimaru; by the time Sarutobi stepped down, he'd hardly be young.
And just before the assembly, Yuzuru had overpowered him with sheer ocular might.
If they had to contest the Hokage seat, Yuzuru did seem the better fit.
Seeing Fugaku take it so calmly, Tarou nodded in satisfaction.
In the Uchiha, the strong are respected. Even though Fugaku was his son, he would not suppress Yuzuru for that reason.
Turning to Yuzuru, Tarou asked, "What do you think?"
Yuzuru set his cup down with a dull thud.
Then he shook his head and sighed. "I don't know whether to call you optimistic or call you foolish."
Perhaps it was this very optimism—or stubborn refusal to face reality—that led to the Uchiha's tragic end.
Hearing Yuzuru's murmur, the praise Tarou had expected curdled at the corner of his mouth.
Not only un-praised—insulted.
He nearly coughed blood.
Beside him, Fugaku slammed the table, furious.
"Yuzuru, what do you mean by that?"
"Arrogance has limits. How dare you speak so rudely to the clan head!"
Yuzuru glanced at Fugaku, calm. "I just didn't want to keep what I wanted to say bottled up."
"If you feel offended, I can apologize."
"You!!!"
Fugaku felt as if he had punched cotton. His face turned red with anger, and he pointed at Yuzuru, unable to speak.
He'd expected Yuzuru to lock horns; he'd been ready to fight.
He hadn't expected a straightforward apology…
Where was his Uchiha pride?!
Tarou, however, looked unsurprised.
Over the years, he'd seen plenty of Uchiha prodigies—some more outrageous than Yuzuru.
"Yuzuru, your reasons?"
"Is there something in my plan that I haven't fully considered?"
Thinking of the clan's fate in the original course of history, Yuzuru got straight to the point. "You were wrong from the start."
"No matter the opponent, an Uchiha can never be Hokage."
From Tobirama onward, the Hokage faction had harbored deep suspicion toward the Uchiha.
In their minds, the Uchiha were a time bomb in the village—Uchiha shinobi must never become Hokage.
Still hoping to wait for Sarutobi to step down?
By the time he does, the Uchiha will already have been slaughtered by the Hokage faction.