Even though the Uchiha Clan deeply trusted Aomi, they never imagined that Aomi would be carrying Uzumaki Mito's Spirit Coffin along with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsunade, and Kushina!
The implications of this are numerous, so much so that even the most composed and dull-minded clansmen couldn't help but let their imaginations run wild...
In this moment, the position of Hokage, which was as distant as a dream to the Uchiha, seemed within reach!
Especially since Aomi treated the clan members with such kindness, if he were to become the Clan Leader...
Wouldn't that be much better than Uchiha Fugaku, who was always frowning and ineffective?
[From the special talent Heart of Uchiha—You have gained an increase in Uchiha Bloodline purity and enhanced ocular power!]
Aomi felt the surge of strength in his body and chuckled inwardly.
Who says only the top-ranked guys and gals are useful?
The strength gathered from these scattered forces still has some effect!
In contrast to Aomi's support group, led by Uchiha Hachida, the expressions of Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Setsuna were grim and gloomy.
[Sensed Uchiha Fugaku's strong apprehension towards the host, now bound as a confrontation target!]
Uchiha Fugaku stared at Aomi's back, his mind in turmoil.
No matter what, he never expected Aomi to reach such heights, so highly recognized by Konoha's top officials.
For a moment, Uchiha Fugaku even considered bowing to Aomi...
But Uchiha Setsuna's words kept ringing in his ears.
One ambitious young man...
Would Aomi and his followers truly let him go generously?
These are the Uchiha, after all!
On the other hand, the current Uchiha Clan Leader is Uchiha Fugaku, not Aomi!
Just like a powerful feudal lord of the past, a fallen emperor, though aware of their precarious situation, few would hand over their power obediently.
There's always a need to struggle, to come up with some plan...
Especially now that he has just had a firstborn son.
Uchiha Fugaku grew increasingly somber, silently planning his future.
Directly confronting Aomi is extremely unwise; he definitely couldn't follow Uchiha Setsuna's advice. However, he sought to delay as much as possible, holding onto the position of Uchiha Clan Leader until the day his son grew strong enough.
Whether it can be achieved or not, Uchiha Fugaku didn't know, but he didn't want to do nothing and be a coward...
[Sensed Uchiha Setsuna's strong sense of denial towards the host, now bound as a confrontation target!]
Uchiha Setsuna stared intently at Aomi, muttering to himself, "I refuse to accept it, I refuse to accept it!"
In his perspective, Uchiha Setsuna had to admit that Aomi had adopted another way to secure the Uchiha Clan's future, and quite successfully at that.
But the problem is—
Who would pay for his, Uchiha Setsuna's, suffering, the anger from being imprisoned in a dark, sunless dungeon for over twenty years?
Uchiha Setsuna's eyes grew maniacal; the Senju Tobirama he hated was already dead, so his successors must face punishment!
Yet, he knew his own strength...
At this moment, Uchiha Setsuna recalled Uchiha Obito, the hawkish successor he favored.
"Manipulating power serves no purpose!"
Uchiha Setsuna gritted his teeth and whispered, "Gaining love, losing love, Obito, I will find a way to make you into my blade..."
"A blade to kill everyone!"
Aomi and his group walked slowly, gradually reaching the edge of the Barrier.
According to the original plan, Kushina and Tsunade were supposed to stop here, leaving the rest of the journey to Aomi and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
But Kushina felt the strangely calm Nine-Tails, and a desire inexplicably ignited within her—
She recalled Shimura Danzo's words, describing her with the cold term Nine-Tails Jinchuriki...
If she could control herself and cross this Barrier, would she then be recognized by the village?
Kushina increasingly longed to be called by her name, like Uzumaki Mito, instead of as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
What she didn't know was that the Nine-Tails was squinting its eyes, quietly releasing Chakra, and stirring Kushina's emotions.
As a new vessel, Kushina had already lost in her confrontation with the Nine-Tails.
"Third Hokage, I can do this. Let me finish this final stretch!"
Under the gazes of everyone, Kushina didn't put down the coffin as planned but said firmly in a low voice.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was startled, but such an occasion couldn't allow for delay, nor could the coffin be casually put down.
Aomi, however, softly said at this moment, "Trust Kushina, Uncle Hiruzen..."
Aomi keenly sensed something off about Kushina's emotions; with a pre-arranged itinerary on such an important occasion, someone of Kushina's intellect shouldn't recklessly change it.
Then the reason behind it was quite apparent...
It's the Nine-Tails!
Coincidentally, not only did the Nine-Tails harbor killing intent towards Aomi, but Aomi also missed this big furry fox.
The third-ranked's influence was gone, so someone needed to replace them, didn't they?
A beast could do the job too...
Aomi and Kushina didn't let go, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade with no choice but to continue their measured pace, step by step, towards the outside of the Barrier.