Uchiha Naka Shrine.
The dim chamber was lit only by a flickering oil lamp. Ever since his confinement had been lifted, Elder Setsuna Uchiha had chosen to live here in seclusion.
"Cough… cough. So, you're the one Mikoto mentioned. Not bad."
The old, raspy voice echoed through the narrow room.
Ye bowed respectfully.
"Uchiha Ye, paying respects to Elder Setsuna."
Ever since awakening his Sharingan, Ye knew progress would only come through Mikoto's side — and meeting the old hawk himself was a necessary step.
This was the man who once inherited Madara's ideology — the same Elder who had dared to plot rebellion against Konoha. Though restricted to the clan compound, his influence remained powerful.
After all, he was still Uchiha.
Before Ye stood a frail, wax-faced old man whose eyes still gleamed with a sharp, dangerous intelligence. He skimmed through the scroll Mikoto had brought and gave a small nod.
"Impressive — dual bloodlines. But such power comes with its limits. Human potential isn't infinite, and your second bloodline is riddled with flaws."
To a man who had witnessed countless geniuses rise and fall, Ye's case was interesting, but not extraordinary.
"Elder," Ye replied politely, even as he quietly studied the man's condition. The elder's skin was pale, his breathing shallow. A few more years at most, Ye thought.
No wonder he's so eager to train successors like Mikoto — he's preparing his final act.
"Cough… let them in," Setsuna said suddenly.
At his words, the door slid open — and three figures entered.
The current clan head, Uchiha's young prodigy Fugaku, and Mikoto.
"Clan Head. Elder."
The two younger Uchiha bowed formally before taking their seats. Mikoto knelt gracefully beside Ye, her expression calm and composed.
Ye's eyes narrowed slightly. So this really is a council of succession, he thought.
The clan head's sharp gaze swept over Ye, studying him in silence before nodding faintly.
"Elder, this boy's talent is indeed worthy of the assignment."
Setsuna gave a satisfied smile.
Ye's heart tightened. So the clan head and the elder are supposed to be rivals — but right now, they look perfectly aligned. Acting for show, aren't you, old foxes?
"Fugaku," Setsuna began, his voice slow but firm. "You'll soon bear the weight of the Uchiha name. And Mikoto…" — his eyes softened slightly at his granddaughter — "you too. The clan's position in the village is precarious. All three of you must shoulder that burden together."
Ye resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
Fugaku, heir apparent — strong, young, already a three-tomoe Sharingan user. Of course, he'd inherit the title.
Mikoto, the elder's granddaughter, is naturally next in line for political influence.
And me? The errand boy? Spare me.
But before he could dwell on it, the clan head and the elder exchanged a glance — and a sealed scroll was passed to Ye.
Fugaku looked away awkwardly, clearly aware of what was inside. Mikoto offered Ye an encouraging smile, as if silently telling him to be calm.
When Ye broke the seal and read the contents, his eyes widened in disbelief.
Elder Setsuna's gravelly voice filled the silence:
"Ye-kun. The Uchiha are powerful — but distrusted. This mission will be dangerous, perhaps deadly. Yet, it is necessary. For the clan's future."
Ye's gaze lingered on the scroll, then slowly lifted toward Fugaku — deliberately. The glance didn't go unnoticed.
"Clan Head, Elder," Ye said carefully, "with all due respect, Fugaku-senpai already possesses the three-tomoe Sharingan, and his strength far surpasses mine. He's only a few years older — surely he's better suited for this task."
Fugaku's smile stiffened. Setsuna sighed.
"Ye," the old man said, voice heavy, "Fugaku's training talent may be exceptional — but your potential lies elsewhere. His is mere discipline. Yours is destiny."
Ye almost choked.
Mere training talent?
The insult landed like a kunai to Fugaku's pride. His expression froze, but he still nodded humbly, unwilling to contradict the elder.
Unbelievable, Ye thought, trying to keep a straight face. You're calling the clan head's son "ordinary" to make me feel special? Old fox.
He glanced at Mikoto, hoping for support — but she only smiled again, soft and encouraging.
Of course, she's fine with it, Ye realized bitterly. Her grandfather was grooming me into her future right-hand man.
Setsuna continued gravely, "This mission is crucial."
Seeing the clan head's silence, the old man coughed, then pressed on, irritation flashing behind his eyes.
"Ye-kun, you've seen the files on Uzumaki Kushina. She will certainly be the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki — and she now lives under the Senju's protection."
Ye's pupils narrowed.
"The clan's position in the village is fragile. If we wish to rise again, to regain trust, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is the key."
The elder's wrinkled lips curled into a faint, scheming smile.
"The First Hokage's wife was the first Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. Ye-kun, you dream of becoming Hokage, don't you? You wish to restore the Uchiha's glory. If you succeed — with the Jinchūriki at your side and Mikoto's family supporting you — your path to Hokage is clear."
Ye's face twitched.
What kind of insane matchmaking plan is this?
Marry the Jinchūriki to become Hokage?
Then again… that's exactly how the First, the Fourth, and even the Seventh did it.
He almost wanted to laugh. When you put it that way, it actually makes sense!
But the reality was another matter. If the Uchiha tried to get close to the Jinchūriki, the village would explode in paranoia.
Even the clan head, reading the room, nodded seriously.
"The elder is right. Gaining the trust of the Nine-Tails host would raise our standing immensely. Even if Hokage is out of reach, the Uchiha would earn a seat among the village's high council."
Ye stared between them, deadpan.
One plots rebellion, the other plots politics — what a pair of delusional strategists. The perfect combination of ambition and senility.
Uzumaki Kushina. The Senju Clan.
A dangerous puzzle began forming in Ye's mind.
Each of the Five Great Nations had its own Jinchūriki systems, carefully selecting compatible hosts to maintain the balance of power.
If the Uzumaki were truly wiped out, the other nations would have hunted down the survivors — but Konoha had kept this girl alive. Why?
Because she was meant to replace Uzumaki Mito — the First's wife — as Konoha's new seal bearer.
To the world, the Jinchūriki belonged to the Senju, not the Uchiha.
And the Senju's political strength still lingered — for now.
So that's their play, Ye thought grimly. They see Mito's status and think Kushina will inherit it. They have no idea that after the Second War, the Senju will vanish from Konoha's politics entirely… and the Jinchūriki will become nothing but the Third's weapon.
He closed the scroll slowly, bowing his head.
"Clan Head. Elder."
His tone was firm now, though his mind churned with calculations.
They may be short-sighted, but I can use this.
"Very well," he said aloud. "For the Uchiha… I'll carry this burden."
Mikoto's eyes softened, pride and something warmer glimmering within them.
He really will do it, she thought. He's willing to stand with us.
Ye drew a deep breath, shoulders straightening.
"For the clan," he said solemnly.
But inside, he added darkly —
—and for myself.
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