Silence.
After Uchiha Kai finished speaking, the entire room grew oppressively still.
So still it seemed a pin could be heard if dropped.
Every single person had fallen into deep thought—even Nara Hiroshi.
Kai's proposal… was too novel.
Nowhere in the ninja world had anyone ever pursued such a path.
And yet—
When considered carefully, it made sense.
The distant histories were too hazy to prove, but examples close at hand abounded.
The Kaguya clan of the Mist: once glorious, able to rival Senju and Uchiha alike. And now? A shadow of their former selves.
The Clan of the Blood Pond, the Hōzuki, the Hagoromo branch…
So many families that once stood tall in the Warring States era, shining as bright as any great house. Yet today, most lay exterminated; the few that remained were reduced to stragglers.
Even within Konoha—
The Senju, who once stood astride an era, had all but vanished.
The mighty Uzumaki, known for their sealing arts, were completely erased from history.
Even the Hyuga, who in the Warring States period had contended with Senju and Uchiha, could now only grovel before Sarutobi Hiruzen.
And the Uchiha themselves…
If not for Kai's meteoric rise, they might well have already fallen below even the Hyuga.
So yes. Kai's words struck home.
To walk openly into power was simple. But could one guarantee that future generations would forever remain worthy?
Step back, instead—leave the limelight—and survive through the ages.
No matter who wore the Hokage's hat, the true reins would rest in their hands.
Perhaps not eternal dominion, but at least the family's survival.
"I think Kai-kun makes sense."
"Yes, it's true. We must learn from history."
"Think of the Senju's glory—what brilliance! And now… sigh!"
"Kai-kun is right. I agree!"
Voices rose in support.
They were not fools.
With Kai laying it out so clearly, anyone still blind to the truth was unworthy of leadership.
Even the Uchiha, who moments before had clamored for the Hokage position, now fell silent.
They could not help it.
Yes, their pride longed for the prestige of Hokage. But then they remembered—the Senju.
Their old rivals had not fallen to Uchiha hands at all, but had been slowly strangled by Sarutobi Hiruzen himself.
What greater warning was needed?
A helpless sigh ran through them. Pride warred with reason, but in the end, silence won.
Nara Hiroshi was the first to speak, voice low and contemplative.
"Kai-kun… your reasoning is sound. I admit, I never thought of it this way. I've learned much."
"However—compared to simply seizing the Hokage's office, your vision is far more difficult."
"Do you have a concrete plan to achieve it?"
The others nodded quickly.
Yes, being Hokage was straightforward—an office with authority, cloaked in legitimacy, life-and-death at one's word.
But to reject the throne and still wield the true power of Konoha, unseen…
That was another matter entirely.
Kai smiled faintly.
"This brings us back to the original question: why must I honor Minato Namikaze."
"Beyond his kindness and fairness—beyond my willingness to befriend him—the key reason lies here."
"All of you are clever. You must already realize it: barring accidents, the Fourth Hokage can only be Minato."
"Hiruzen has no choice."
"If he refuses to step down, his reputation crumbles.
If he appoints Orochimaru, he loses control—Orochimaru has his own will, his own faction, and would never obey Sarutobi's leash."
"And so, Minato it must be."
"Which suits me perfectly. For Minato, though of the Hokage faction, is kind, just, and despises Hiruzen's underhanded methods as much as I do."
"More importantly—Minato has no foundation."
"Once he takes the seat, he will inevitably clash with Hiruzen. Yet with no power base of his own, his struggle will be bitter."
"And that, my friends, is when we move."
"He cannot defeat Hiruzen. But with our aid… he doesn't need to."
"Even without real authority, Minato will still be the Fourth Hokage in name. And with his nod, our people can enter ANBU, the hospitals, the academy—every department."
"From there, we plant seeds. Train our own. Grow roots in every arm of the village."
"Add to that the Uchiha Police Force, and our goal is not to sit on the Hokage's throne, but to fill the mid- and lower-ranks of every vital office."
"The result? Nothing in this village can be done without our quiet consent."
"And on another front—commerce."
"I intend for all clan industries to be merged, forming a single conglomerate spanning every sector."
"Shares will be distributed proportionally by each clan's initial assets. Under the protection of the Police Force, the group's influence will grow exponentially."
"Profit is secondary. Our true aim is control—over Konoha, even over the Fire Country itself. Control of food, clothing, shelter, medicine. Control of daily life."
"To the point where angering us means one cannot even buy grain."
"And for this—Nara Hiroshi-kun, I want you to take charge."
"This is my broad plan. The details, we can refine together."
"Do any of you object?"
Kai's eyes narrowed as he swept his gaze over them.
Brows furrowed. Eyes contemplative.
They were thinking hard.
Of course they were.
Such an approach had never been seen in the shinobi world.
It could not be accepted lightly.
Ten minutes of silence passed.
At last, Nara Hiroshi exhaled, sharp and slow, before looking at Kai with something between awe and unease.
"Kai-kun… remarkable."
"I, Nara Hiroshi, am convinced. If this plan succeeds, then truly our clans can sleep in peace for generations."
"But at the same time—this must never leak. If even a whisper escapes, we will become the target of all."
"My recommendation: use binding seals."
"And as for support—Ino-Shika-Cho will be the first to stand behind you."
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