Chapter 422: Konoha's top brass is making plans! Uchiha Kai's invitation?
"Hokage's half-cape?"
In the Fujiwara, Tanaka, and Uesugi clan grounds, Fujiwara Tetsuya watched the Anbu's departing figure, and under Uchiha Mikoto's gaze, he couldn't help but sneer.
"What's wrong, Tetsuya-kun?"
"Why does your laugh sound so strange?"
Watching Fujiwara Tetsuya's expression return to its usual calm, Uchiha Mikoto asked, brushing aside her messy hair.
"Nothing! I just think those Old fellows are a bit too stingy."
"You know, Sakumo-senpai was an Anbu captain before, and after the war broke out, he achieved countless merits."
"Mikoto, do you think… a mere Hokage's half-cape, plus some negligible rewards, can truly compensate Sakumo-senpai for the merits he earned for Konoha?"
Hokage's half-cape!
Indeed, for ordinary Ninja, such a thing symbolizes the highest honor.
But does Sakumo Hatake need such a thing?
With Sakumo Hatake's current prestige in Konoha, in the Land of Fire, and in the entire Ninja World… could it not overshadow a mere Hokage's half-cape?
"Tetsuya-kun, are you suggesting…?"
During the years she spent with Fujiwara Tetsuya, Uchiha Mikoto had gradually grown accustomed to Fujiwara Tetsuya's way of thinking… "Hmm~ I'm afraid the Konoha Higher-Ups don't want Sakumo-senpai, who comes from the Hatake Clan, to take the Fourth Hokage position in the future…"
"The Hokage's half-cape, while seemingly the highest honor and a sign of recognition from the Hokage and the entire Higher-Ups… is actually the Village using this empty honor to strip Sakumo-senpai of the authority he currently holds in the Village, completely removing him from the list of Fourth Hokage candidates."
Fujiwara Tetsuya's analysis was not wrong, but… there was one small inaccuracy.
That was overlooking Hiruzen Sarutobi's personality!
In fact, in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart, there was still a slight hesitation regarding Sakumo Hatake… On that day, Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo's subsequent opposition was far stronger than imagined.
Even the honor of the Hokage's half-cape was only secured by Hiruzen Sarutobi after he transferred Orochimaru to Root to serve as Danzo's deputy, gaining Danzo's support through a trade of interests.
As he spoke, Fujiwara Tetsuya couldn't help but think of the rewards the Konoha Higher-Ups had bestowed upon him.
In some ways, his situation was much better than Sakumo Hatake's.
Besides being appointed to the administrative department, the Higher-Ups had granted him a large plot of land on the outskirts of the Fujiwara, Uesugi, and Tanaka clan grounds… or, to be precise, to the Fujiwara, Uesugi, and Tanaka Clans.
Although the controlled area still couldn't compare to second-tier Shinobi Clans like Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi… it instantly elevated Fujiwara, Uesugi, and Tanaka above Shinobi Clans like Uzuki and Shiranui, who had once looked down upon the Fujiwara, Uesugi, and Tanaka Clans.
"Tetsuya-kun?"
"Hmm?"
"Ah! Sorry, Mikoto, I was just thinking about the land the Village just granted us… I got a bit distracted."
"By the way, Mikoto, you said you had something to tell me when you came over? What is it?"
"It's Grandpa… he wants to see you."
The "Grandpa" Uchiha Mikoto referred to was naturally Uchiha Kai, the Third Elder of the Uchiha Clan.
"Grandpa Kai?"
As he pondered, Fujiwara Tetsuya was filled with curiosity.
Ever since Uchiha Kai clearly took a side, the relationship between Mikoto and Uchiha Kai had become distant.
He certainly wouldn't have any good feelings towards him!
Now he wants to see him? What is his purpose?
Or, have those Old fellows of the Uchiha Clan cooked up another scheme?
"Alright~ I understand. I'll go with you to see him later…"
"It's still early, we can still go back to sleep."
As the ancients said: when well-fed and warm, lust arises.
He had never truly felt the truth of this saying, whether struggling in his previous life or when he first arrived in the Ninja World, frantically taking missions just to get a full meal.
But now, especially after he had established relationships with Uchiha Mikoto and Torune Ryoui.
He had come to a profound understanding of this saying.
The words of the ancients never deceived me.
With a sigh, Fujiwara Tetsuya casually set up a barrier, his hands slowly reaching for Uchiha Mikoto's skirt.
"Tetsuya-kun… it's daytime now~"
…By the time Uchiha Mikoto arrived at the Fujiwara, Uesugi, and Tanaka clan grounds, Uchiha Kai had already gone alone to the agreed-upon location with Uchiha Mikoto… a bend in a tributary of the Naka River.
As time passed, Uchiha Kai's calm expression gradually became anxious.
Looking at the sun directly overhead, Uchiha Kai couldn't help but let his mind wander… "I'm truly sorry, something came up, and I made the Third Elder wait."
Just as Uchiha Kai was about to lose all patience and leave, Fujiwara Tetsuya, with his still-damp hair, appeared before Uchiha Kai.
"Hmph~"
Staring at the water droplets clinging to Fujiwara Tetsuya's hair, Uchiha Kai's face instantly darkened… As someone who had been through it all, he too had been wild in his youth.
"Where's Mikoto?"
"Third Elder, don't worry, Mikoto didn't come along!"
"You can speak freely, Old fellow."
As the person involved, no matter how thick-skinned Fujiwara Tetsuya was, he couldn't directly tell Uchiha Kai… that he had just slept with his granddaughter and she was still sound asleep, or words to that effect.
"At least you have some consideration, kid! What I'm about to tell you is indeed not suitable for Mikoto to know."
"The news of Mikoto's breakthrough to Quasi-Kage has been learned by the Uchiha Clan's Higher-Ups."
"Following the previous incident, the voices within the Uchiha Clan's Higher-Ups regarding arranging a marriage between Mikoto and Fugaku have gradually grown louder again."
"They believe that if Mikoto and Fugaku were to marry, their child would definitely possess the aptitude to awaken the Mangekyo."
"In the future, they would surely lead the Uchiha to their true peak~"
"So?"
"What is your stance?"
Upon learning of the Uchiha Clan Higher-Ups' scheme, Fujiwara Tetsuya's eyes gradually grew cold.
In the original plot, the children born to Uchiha Fugaku and Mikoto… whether Itachi or Sasuke, both possessed Ninja talent that most people could only dream of.
But he didn't believe… that if he, with the backing of the system, were to have children with Mikoto in the future, they would be weaker than Itachi and Sasuke.
Of course, these thoughts were getting a bit ahead of themselves.
Did these Old fellows really want to force him to kill them all off early?
As he pondered, Uchiha Kai also gave his reply.
"Mikoto… is my granddaughter after all; my Uchiha Kai's blood flows through her veins."
"Furthermore, I don't believe Uchiha Fugaku will possess the potential to surpass Mikoto in the future…"
"I called you out just to tell you that if there truly comes a day… when you and Mikoto 'truly' unite, I… and Uchiha Gen, will become your strength."
"Also, I know very well that your strength, kid, is terrifying, but before everything is settled, remember to protect Mikoto… and protect yourself."
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