In Uchiha Kin's home.
Kin and Uchiha Hokai sat facing each other, while Hizure and Hyuga Kiyoshi sat behind Kin.
Hokai glanced at Hizure. He knew of this man—once close to the Sannin, but now drifting apart. He'd heard many Konoha jōnin complain about him for failing to seize the opportunity to rise with the Sannin.
As for the Hyuga clansman, he had no clue. The Hyuga and Uchiha had never been close; if anything, they were subtly hostile.
Hokai gave Kin a meaningful look—these two shouldn't be here.
"Don't worry, Hokai-san. They're my people," Kin replied with a smile.
His words carried weight. It meant these two were loyal to Kin alone, with no ties to the Uchiha. After all, the three of them were tightly bound.
This astonished Hokai. Though Kin had achievements, they weren't enough to rank him as an elite jōnin. Yet he already had a jōnin follower and a Hyuga clansman by his side.
And everyone knew the Hyuga and Uchiha had never gotten along.
"Then I'll speak plainly, Lord Kin."
Strength was the foundation of the Uchiha. During the meeting, Kin had displayed overwhelming presence, proving his power. Thus, Hokai addressed him as "Lord."
"We wish for you to lead us."
Hokai placed his hands on his knees and bowed deeply, making a sincere request. It was a clear declaration—they wanted to break away from Uchiha Fugaku and pledge allegiance to Uchiha Kin.
"And who exactly are 'you'?" Kin asked with interest.
"All Uchiha who are dissatisfied with the current state of affairs."
The Radical Faction.
A group advocating for seizing the Hokage position by force, believing it rightfully belonged to the Uchiha. Originally led by Uchiha Setsuna, they had been suppressed by the Conservative Faction after his imprisonment.
Only later, under pressure from the higher-ups, did they gradually gain dominance.
The idea of a coup had always existed among the Uchiha—it was just constantly suppressed by the Conservatives.
"So you're their representative?" Kin inquired.
Hokai nodded.
This was the Radical Faction's collective decision. With Fugaku now fully aligned with the Conservatives, if they didn't act, the entire clan would fall under the Hokage's control, leaving them at the mercy of the elders.
In truth, Fugaku hadn't openly sided with any faction. But thanks to Kin's actions, he was now perceived as leaning Conservative.
Kin mentally patted himself on the back.
"Now, Sarutobi Hiruzen watches us like a hawk, Shimura Danzo persecutes us daily, and even the two advisors harbor ill intentions. If the Uchiha don't resist, we'll become lambs for slaughter."
Moreover, Kin's parents had been key figures in the Radical Faction. They'd supposedly been preparing a method to claim the Hokage seat before their untimely deaths on the Mist front.
Hokai wondered if Kin knew what that method was. But he didn't bring it up—mentioning the dead might provoke Kin's displeasure.
"So, what exactly are you proposing?"
Kin stroked his chin. Even if he took charge, he couldn't immediately think of a way for the Uchiha to rise without killing the F4.
"Hiruzen is old. In a few years, he'll step down as Hokage. We want to push you for the position."
"But I have zero interest in being Hokage."
Kin tilted his head, watching Hokai. He truly didn't care for the title—it would only restrict his actions.
"This..." Hokai was stumped. He hadn't anticipated this. Who in Konoha didn't aspire to be Hokage?
"However, I am very interested in becoming clan head. What are your thoughts on that?"
Kin stated his goal outright.
"We would support you, Lord Kin."
Hokai answered earnestly. They'd already discussed this. If Fugaku remained in power, their days were numbered.
Originally, they'd had no other choice.
But Kin's performance in the last meeting showed them alternatives. Even the Conservatives were shaken by his ideas.
"As long as you join the Police Force, we'll push for you to become vice-captain."
Currently, the Police Force had only Fugaku as captain. Though the Radicals were fewer in number, securing a vice-captain position was feasible.
But Kin shook his head.
"The Police Force can wait."
Right now, it was Fugaku's domain. Given his indecisive and idealistic nature, he wouldn't oppose Kin. But his supporters might.
The intricacies of clan politics were a tangled web. Without brute force, Kin doubted he could navigate it smoothly.
"If you have time, visit me in a while. As for other matters, we'll take them step by step."
Kin smiled. Since the Radicals were offering allegiance, he wouldn't refuse.
"Yes, Lord Kin."
Uchiha Hokai left.
Kin stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Now that the Uchiha's power structure was opening to him, how could he redirect it to the Land of Rain? They were desperately short on manpower there.
After organizing his thoughts, he turned to Hizure.
"Let's go."
Darkness enveloped the three of them.
When it dissipated, they stood in a brightly lit underground lab.
Someone had been waiting.
"My lord." Three figures knelt at Kin's feet, while three others looked on in panic.
"You're betraying Danz—"
Before they could finish, darkness swallowed them.
When it receded, the remaining three knelt as well.
"My lord."
Kin smiled warmly. "Good work. Proceed as usual."
"Yes!" the three answered in unison before leaving through the lab's exit.
"I never imagined you could even manipulate Danzo's men."
Hizure stared at Kin in shock. Those three seemed to have had their very cognition altered.
"A minor trick. Don't worry—I won't use it on my own people."
Kin's smile didn't waver.
Hizure wasn't fooled. He was starting to understand Kin's nature.
The man was as dark as his power.
"This will be your lab from now on. Bring your own test subjects. You needn't fear discovery—I've long since set up barriers here."
From the beginning, he'd been wary of Hiruzen's Telescope Technique.
...
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(End of Chapter)