Uchiha Ren 's words stirred the hearts of the Uchiha gathered in the secret chamber.
For the first time, someone had clearly laid out an entire path leading to the Hokage position before them.
How could they not feel excited?
Uchiha Setsuna suppressed the agitation in his heart and slowly exhaled before looking at Ren with skepticism.
"Winning the people's hearts and forming alliances—I have no objections to these measures. I also admit that your methods are quite unique."
"But I still have one question."
"What if those old men led by Hiruzen Sarutobi interfere?"
"I firmly believe they will never sit by and watch while the Uchiha begin to change."
Ren smiled faintly.
"First, you need to understand something."
"Whether the Uchiha change or not, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others will still suppress us."
"They've been doing so all along."
"So whether we change or not has nothing to do with whether they will target us."
"All we can do is respond to each move as it comes."
"And besides…"
"Our situation is already this bad."
"Even if our reforms fail, how much worse could things possibly get?"
"But one thing is certain."
"Whether it's winning public support or forming alliances—once we achieve even a little success, the Uchiha clan's position in the village will improve significantly, even if we never become Hokage."
Setsuna fell silent.
Though unwilling, he had nothing to refute.
Compared to the future of the entire Uchiha clan, his personal hatred toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Konoha leadership was merely private resentment.
He had been extreme only because he saw no hope.
But now, through Ren 's plan, he could finally glimpse a future for the Uchiha clan.
He could not drag the entire clan into ruin because of his personal vengeance.
However, although Setsuna had nothing left to say…
Ren had not finished speaking.
Looking at the Uchiha gathered before him, Ren cleared his throat.
"The path I just described is stable…"
"But it is too slow."
"Even under ideal circumstances, it would take one year, several years, or even more than a decade before we see results."
"And that's assuming everything goes smoothly."
"If we encounter obstacles, years of effort could be wasted, leaving us stuck in the same place."
"So the path I want to lead the clan down…"
"…is a more radical path built upon that foundation."
Ren 's expression became solemn.
His gaze swept across every Uchiha present.
Then he spoke four cold words:
"Seizing power. A coup."
The chamber exploded with shock.
Elder Setsuna widened his eyes in disbelief.
Elder Ya stood frozen, his mouth hanging open.
The rest of the Uchiha looked much the same.
Just moments ago, Ren had carefully explained the many disadvantages of a coup, convincing them to abandon the idea.
Yet now he was saying he intended to lead them into one.
Then what were all his previous arguments supposed to mean?
Uchiha Ya finally regained his senses and abruptly stood up.
"Ren , what are you trying to do?!"
"You said yourself that the Uchiha have no chance of succeeding in a coup!"
"And now you want to lead us into one?"
"Isn't that simply dragging the Uchiha clan toward destruction?!"
"Second Elder, please calm down," Ren said calmly.
"What I said was seizing power and a coup."
"The key point is seizing power."
"The coup itself is secondary."
"And besides…"
"Did I ever say the Uchiha would launch a coup to become Hokage ourselves?"
Ya froze.
"What exactly do you mean?"
Ren replied calmly:
"I'll repeat what I said earlier."
"The Uchiha currently have no popular support and no allies."
"So using a coup to become Hokage ourselves is basically impossible."
"But just because the Uchiha lack those things…"
"…doesn't mean others do."
"The Fourth Hokage hasn't been chosen yet, has he?"
Ya was stunned.
He suddenly realized something—but still found it hard to believe.
Meanwhile, Setsuna's eyes flashed with realization.
"Ren … you mean to take advantage of the upcoming Fourth Hokage election and support a puppet Hokage from the Uchiha's side?"
"Impossible!"
Before Ren could answer, Ya immediately shook his head.
"First of all, there are only nine days left before candidates for the Fourth Hokage are nominated."
"There isn't enough time for us to establish a close relationship with a candidate."
"And more importantly—"
"In the current village, there are only two people qualified and strong enough to compete for the position."
"Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze."
"As for Minato Namikaze—there's no need to discuss him."
"He is the grandstudent of Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally promoted by him. He represents Sarutobi's will."
"And even Orochimaru, whom Sarutobi seems to have abandoned, is still his direct disciple."
"So tell me—"
"Which of these two candidates could we possibly buy over?"
Setsuna frowned and remained silent.
Although Ren 's idea was inspiring…
Ya was right.
Under the current circumstances, they had no suitable candidate to support.
Ren simply smiled.
"What if I told you…"
"Both Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru are actually on the Uchiha's side?"
"?!?!?!"
Every Uchiha in the chamber widened their eyes in utter shock.
Ren continued calmly.
"I've already spoken with Orochimaru."
"He will not participate in the Fourth Hokage election this time."
"In other words…"
"The position of Fourth Hokage will inevitably go to Minato Namikaze."
"And as for Minato…"
"He has always been one of us."
Uchiha Ya trembled with excitement.
He stared at Ren intensely.
"Ren … you're not joking with us, are you?"
"Didn't Minato say he intended to strip the Uchiha of control over the Konoha Military Police Force?"
"How could someone like that possibly be on our side?"
Ren explained calmly:
"That statement was something Minato and I planned in advance."
"The purpose was to deceive Hiruzen Sarutobi and lure out that old fox Shimura Danzō."
"There are many details behind this matter, but I won't go into them now."
"You only need to understand one thing."
"Minato Namikaze truly stands on the same side as the Uchiha."
After a pause, Ren looked at the clan again and spoke seriously:
"But there is one thing I must make clear."
"When Minato Namikaze ascends to the Hokage position…"
"He will not be a puppet Hokage controlled by the Uchiha."
"He will be the Fourth Hokage who rises to power with the support of the Uchiha clan."
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