Chapter 59: Whomever We Support Becomes the Hokage?
If the topic was running for Hokage, then the current Uchiha clan truly did not have that ability.
They fell far short in both strength and reputation.
However, they did have the power to decide who became Hokage.
Keeping the Uchiha from taking power was a shared consensus among the upper ranks of the Hokage faction. To anyone with clear eyes, it was obvious why. Letting an unstable group seize the Hokage seat would not be good for Konoha as a whole.
But the fact remained that the Uchiha were still part of Konoha, and they still held immense influence within the village.
Under that premise, as long as they were willing to take a side in the Hokage selection, they could create a decisive outcome.
After all, the number of shinobi in the Uchiha clan was by no means small.
In the future Fourth Shinobi World War, even the Sarutobi clan was able to field so many shinobi. The Uchiha of this era were known as Konoha's number one noble clan. The number of capable shinobi they could produce would not be small either.
That was pure manpower and pure strength.
And when that strength was combined with the Uchiha clan's reputation, it became influence in the truest sense.
To put it bluntly, as long as they were willing to show it, they could force a great result.
In truth, this was essentially the same playbook used by democratic politicians in his past life. It was already a familiar and common practice, nothing strange at all.
But in Konoha at this moment, most people simply had not realized it yet.
The Uchiha were the same.
The reason actually traced back to how the previous two generations of Hokage had been chosen.
When the First Hokage founded Konoha, he established a corresponding selection system, including a jonin vote. The Second Hokage later refined that system, hoping the village's succession would remain stable and smooth.
In practice, however, the selection of the Third Hokage did not truly allow that system to show its power.
The First Hokage went without saying. As the founder, he was never bound by any system.
The Second Hokage had, in reality, already been acting as Hokage for many years even before formally taking the title. He handled Hokage affairs on behalf of the First. Though he lacked the name, he had the substance, so the transition was naturally smooth.
There were some complications when the Third Hokage took over, but because of the Second Hokage's prestige, the vast majority of Konoha's shinobi followed his final instruction, choosing Hiruzen, the Second Hokage's disciple, to become Hokage.
During that entire selection, the system existed, but it played almost no role.
That was because the previous Hokage's prestige was too overwhelming, and because a successor was directly designated at the end.
When a Hokage has immense prestige and names a successor, even if a jonin voting system exists, most shinobi will still cast their votes for the person chosen by the previous Hokage.
"But compared to the previous two successions, this Hokage selection is completely different," Yuu said calmly.
"You mean…" Fugaku's eyes brightened. "The Third Hokage…"
"Exactly." Yuu nodded. "In this election, the Third Hokage has not designated a successor."
Honestly, in terms of prestige, the current Third Hokage was not as great as the first two.
But as Hokage, if he directly named the next one, there would still be no room to maneuver. Even if his prestige was weaker than the first two, most people would follow the momentum and vote for the successor the Hokage indicated.
But he had not done so, at least not openly. Instead, he had allowed several candidates to act freely.
After all, in terms of ties, whether it was Minato or Orochimaru, both could be considered from his side.
Orochimaru went without saying. He was the Third Hokage's disciple.
As for Minato, he was Jiraiya's disciple, making him the Third Hokage's grand disciple.
Both were from the same lineage, and both had outstanding ability and reputation. To the Third Hokage, it did not truly matter which one took the seat.
Because of that, there was now room to maneuver.
Or rather, there was value in placing a bet.
Past Hokage selections were less like elections and more like inheritances. No matter what stance you took, it would not change much.
But this time, it was a genuine election.
And in a genuine election, choosing the right side meant benefits afterward.
"The Uchiha clan is powerful, the only great clan in Konoha capable of rivaling the Hyuga and the Senju," Yuu said, offering the compliment smoothly. "You cannot win this election yourselves, but as long as you decide which side to stand on, that person will become the final Hokage."
"This is an indisputable fact."
Whoever we support becomes Hokage?
Yuu's words struck like lightning, leaving all the Uchiha present stunned.
Then, an indescribable pride surged up from the depths of their hearts.
That was right.
They were Konoha's top noble clan.
With the Senju gone, the Uchiha were Konoha's number one noble clan.
Even the Hokage would need their support.
"Hmph."
Not far away, an elder snorted coldly. "The Senju are one thing, but what skill or reputation do the Hyuga have, that they deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as our Uchiha?"
Already starting with the comparisons?
Yuu felt speechless inside.
What he had said just now was simply a passing bit of flattery. After all, this was the Uchiha's territory. Praising them where appropriate cost him nothing.
But in terms of real impact, the Uchiha's role was not actually that absolute.
In this Hokage election, even if the Third Hokage did not participate openly, as long as he truly made up his mind, the outcome would not be in doubt.
He was the real stabilizing force.
The Uchiha's influence did exist, but it only became decisive if the Third Hokage refused to personally step in.
Of course, in this election, there was a high probability the Third Hokage would not take the field.
If that happened, then the role the Uchiha could play would indeed be crucial.
In the original development, they were likely too stubborn, casting their votes directly for their own clan head, gaining nothing in the end. Worse, they pointlessly exposed their desire for the Hokage position, which only made the village's suppression even harsher.
But now, the situation was different.
"The purpose of my visit this time is simple," Yuu said with a smile. "I hope the Uchiha clan can support my teacher."
"If we have the Uchiha clan's support, then in the competition against Orochimaru, we will undoubtedly have a greater advantage."
"And for the Uchiha clan, this will be equally beneficial."
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