When their discussion ended, the two wasted no time.
They hurried twenty kilometers out, exchanged a few words with the Konoha ninja stationed there, and then—
With Minato's Flying Thunder God, they blinked back to the Leaf in an instant.
Minato immediately headed to the Hokage Building to report the mission, while Uchiha Kai returned straight to the clan compound.
Of course, he didn't just lie back.
Instead, he called Fugaku and Hiroshi to convene a small council.
The topic?
Naturally, the aftermath of the recent battle.
Yes.
Though Kai had assured Minato that things should be fine, it was always wiser to prepare for the worst.
Better safe than sorry.
What if that old fool Sarutobi insisted on making trouble?
So—while Kai wasn't afraid, he still wanted contingencies.
"What? You… you killed the Third Raikage by yourself?"
"Is this real?"
"That's the Third Raikage we're talking about—the strongest shinobi alive, the man who could go toe-to-toe with the Eight-Tails!"
"This is… unbelievable!"
"Kai-kun, doesn't that make you the strongest in the shinobi world now?"
Nara Hiroshi and Uchiha Fugaku were completely shaken by the revelation.
Yes—
The Third Raikage!
Even Hiruzen, the so-called "Strongest Hokage," never dared fight him head-on.
And yet Kai had slain him in single combat.
The shock was overwhelming.
Though they'd always known Kai was strong, they hadn't dreamed he was this strong.
Kai only shrugged.
"Enough. Don't look so stunned.
What's important is the fallout.
I spared that Cloud strike team. Ōnoki will definitely lodge a protest with Konoha.
You know what Hiruzen is like—while I doubt he'd be so stupid as to pick a fight with me at this delicate moment, we can't ignore the risk.
After all, Sarutobi may have some sense, but Danzō is a lunatic.
So, we need a fallback plan.
My best cover is my reputation—I keep my word.
I acted to honor my promise, not out of whim.
And another angle—we can argue I prevented Iwa from swelling in strength. If they had wiped out that Cloud unit, they'd be too empowered.
Anything else you want to add?"
His tone was calm, as if this were only routine.
For him, these were just preventive measures, not true concerns.
The Hokage wasn't likely to act rashly with the Five Kage Summit looming.
Still, preparation never hurts.
Fugaku didn't bother to think too deeply—ever since Kai's rise, he'd grown lazy with strategy. Why rack his brain, when someone else excelled at it?
Hiroshi, on the other hand, replied lightly:
"Kai-kun's approach is solid enough. Nothing more needs adding.
We'll arrange everything and be ready—but truthfully, it probably won't come to that.
Sarutobi may be a fool, but my cousin Shikaku isn't. He'll counsel him against rash action.
As for Danzō…" Hiroshi sneered.
"I'll grant that he's ruthless and shameless, but cunning? Please. He's garbage.
Killing from the shadows, sure. But real scheming? He's got nothing beyond smearing reputations.
He managed to drive Hatake Sakumo to suicide only because Sakumo was too honorable.
Against anyone else? Hah!"
Hiroshi's disdain was palpable.
To him, Danzō was nothing but a thug propped up by Sarutobi's favor and his willingness to play dirty.
"If Danzō dares make a move, leave him to me," Fugaku said coldly, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"If he dares scheme against the Uchiha, I'll send him straight to the Pure Land myself.
Action will be my department!"
The air grew heavy with the weight of his words.
Once, as clan head, Fugaku had been forced to tread carefully, suppressing his temper for the sake of the clan's survival.
The villagers were reckless troublemakers, and he'd had to constantly smooth things over.
That had made him hesitant, cautious.
But now?
With Kai's strength backing the clan, and with alliances forming all around them, the Uchiha's rise was unstoppable.
He no longer needed to play politics.
Now, he could finally be what he was best at—a fighter.
If Danzō dared stir trouble, Fugaku truly would open his Mangekyō and put a kunai through the old snake's throat.
Kai and Hiroshi exchanged a glance at his declaration—then both burst out laughing.
Hiroshi inhaled deeply before continuing.
"Good. If it comes to blood, Fugaku, I trust you to handle it.
But now we look ahead.
The Five Kage Summit will cement peace.
That means the Fourth Hokage election is upon us.
Here's my thought—
When the Jounin confidence vote is held, what if we, the Uchiha, openly back Minato?
Do you think Sarutobi might panic?
Might he suddenly try to push someone else?"
Kai and Fugaku froze at the suggestion.
They hadn't considered that.
After a pause, Kai shook his head.
"Don't worry. It won't be an issue.
Right now, Sarutobi has no real alternatives.
Among his faction, only Minato and Orochimaru are viable.
Tsunade and Jiraiya may qualify, but neither would return to Konoha, much less take the Hokage seat.
As for Orochimaru—
Sarutobi can't control him. Unless the old man is willing to surrender power entirely, he'd never choose him.
That leaves only Minato.
Sarutobi has no choice.
So yes—when the vote comes, we'll throw our full support behind Minato.
And if that causes a rift of trust between him and the Hokage—
all the better for us."
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