Chp-136: Visit from the Uchiha

These days, the village of Konoha seemed to be engulfed in unprecedented fervor. Everyone, from street vendors selling buns to the various clans, was caught up in heated discussions.

At the centre of these discussions was the selection of the Fourth Hokage.

It could be said that this was the most exciting time in Konoha since the appointment of the Third Hokage. The new Hokage's ascension would affect the lives of everyone in the village and the interests of various factions.

The change of Hokage would inevitably lead to a reshuffling of the existing power structures, making the Hokage election more turbulent than it appeared on the surface.

Today, the Hyuga clan had a special visitor.

The visitor's face bore a dignified look, with two shallow tear troughs running down the sides of his nose.

"Ah, Clan Leader Fugaku! I didn't expect you to visit in person."

After a moment of surprise, Hyuga Hizashi quickly composed himself, smiling at the approaching figure.

"Clan Leader Hizashi, I apologize for not giving prior notice before my visit. I hope you don't mind."

Seeing the kind smile on Fugaku Uchiha's face, Hizashi felt a slight sense of relief. After all, the Uchiha clan's reputation for obstinacy was well-known throughout the village. The Hyuga and Uchiha clans had rarely interacted before, so Hizashi was unsure of the purpose of Fugaku's visit. However, it seemed that at least Fugaku wasn't here to cause trouble.

"Clan Leader Hizashi, is Hyuga Satoru in the clan today?"

Fugaku took a deep breath and asked tentatively. Although Hizashi was the nominal head of the Hyuga clan, it was clear to any discerning observer that Satoru was the real power behind the clan, with Hizashi acting more like a steward.

Here to see Satoru, huh…

After a brief moment of thought, Hizashi quickly connected it to the ongoing Hokage election. Not daring to delay, he replied, "Clan Leader Fugaku, please wait a moment. Satoru is in the pavilion at the back. I'll fetch him right away."

As Hizashi walked toward the back, he muttered to himself.

Satoru was probably working on that portable electromagnetic sniper cannon for the clan. But considering the matter might be related to the Hokage election, he couldn't worry about interrupting him.

A few minutes later, Satoru appeared with Hizashi, smiling as he greeted Fugaku.

"So it's Clan Leader Fugaku. What brings you here today?"

"Satoru, I'm glad you're here."

Fugaku let out a sigh of relief, his eyes flickering as he spoke solemnly.

"I suspect that regarding the Fourth Hokage candidate, you prefer Orochimaru, right?"

"Oh? What makes you think that, Clan Leader Fugaku?"

Satoru asked with a hint of amusement.

The two of them sat at a round table, with Hizashi seemingly reduced to a mere bystander, quietly sitting next to Satoru.

"Because of your newly opened acupuncture clinics. The promotional material seems to favour Orochimaru."

"Indeed, compared to Minato, I do prefer Orochimaru as Hokage."

Satoru openly admitted, seeing no need to hide it.

"So, who does Clan Leader Fugaku favour?"

Fugaku hesitated before sighing. "If I have to choose between the two, I lean towards Orochimaru as well."

"Oh?" Satoru's curiosity was piqued. "Despite Orochimaru's connections to Danzo and being Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciple, you'd still choose him over Minato, who has no clan background and should be more favourable to the Uchiha?"

Fugaku gave Satoru a wry smile.

"Satoru, you should know better than anyone that while Minato's lack of clan ties makes him more easily controlled by certain individuals, Orochimaru, despite his past with Danzo, would more likely ally with you than Danzo."

Satoru chuckled, looking at Fugaku with interest.

In the original timeline, Fugaku, like Sarutobi Hiruzen, hesitated between the family and the village, lacking the decisiveness of a true leader. Eventually, he and the entire clan were wiped out, leaving only Sasuke.

But at least now, Fugaku seemed to have some vision.

"That's precisely why I support Orochimaru."

Satoru smiled.

Fugaku breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Satoru was being candid, which made further conversation easier.

For the Uchiha clan, the identity of the Hokage was more crucial than for any other clan, as it directly affected the clan's relationship with the village for the next decade.

If Orochimaru stood with Danzo, Fugaku would undoubtedly support Minato, who had no interest in the Sharingan. But if Orochimaru sided with Satoru, the situation changed. At the very least, Satoru did not harbour animosity toward the Uchiha.

"How confident are you that Orochimaru will win?"

Fugaku asked, his gaze intense.

"Seventy percent."

Satoru thought for a moment before replying.

He wasn't being overly modest. Currently, Orochimaru is more popular than Minato. The only variable was the counterattack from the Hokage faction. As the current Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen controlled many of the major clans, and any preemptive measures were unpredictable.

Fugaku's eyes gleamed. "And if you had the support of the Uchiha clan?"

Satoru took a deep breath.

"Ninety percent."

He held back 10 percent to prevent Orochimaru from getting too complacent.

"Good."

Fugaku smiled, visibly relieved. Ninety percent was a high enough probability for him to take a chance. Whether or not Orochimaru became Hokage was secondary. The key was to form an alliance with the Hyuga clan, which would greatly benefit the Uchiha's future.

"Satoru, our two clans are now allies. When the Jounin vote takes place, I'll ensure all Uchiha Jounin vote for Orochimaru."

"With that, I'll take my leave."

Fugaku laughed heartily and stood up.

"Great, I'm looking forward to that day."

Satoru smiled as well, standing up.

In the original timeline, the Uchiha clan probably supported Minato. His presence seemed to have changed the course of events.

"Oh, Satoru."

As if remembering something, Fugaku gave Satoru a knowing look.

"If you ever decide to propose to Rin, don't forget to inform me!"

Satoru felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him.

Although Rin and Fugaku were not blood-related, as the only visible Mangekyou user in the clan, she was highly valued by Fugaku.

"Rin chose you because she has good taste."

Fugaku sighed.

He had initially been against it, believing that the Mangekyou needed to be tightly controlled within the clan. But seeing Rin's determination, he had gradually wavered.

Instead of pushing a Mangekyou user to rebel, why not form an alliance with the Hyuga clan through her?

This was the main reason for his visit today. With Rin around, Satoru wouldn't be hostile toward the Uchiha.