Konoha's celebration wrapped up happily the very next day. Yorin isn't Caesar—there was never any plan to feed the entire village a week-long banquet.
So with that, everyone went back to business as usual.
Under that light, cheerful mood, a few not-so-cheerful things moved quietly along in Konoha.
First was the Third's retirement into salted-fish mode.
Maybe his childhood friend's death hit him too hard; Hiruzen's appetite for power plummeted. Within days he handed Minato his resignation. When it was refused, he didn't push—he just showed up less and less, spending most of his time at home playing with the grandkid.
Yorin only hoped the boy wouldn't be named Konohamaru. The name's too big; odds are the kid can't carry it.
…
Minato: "It won't be that bad."
The next day in the Hokage's office, as Yorin grumbled and filed black marks on the Third, Minato waved both hands, insisting it wouldn't go that far.
Yorin didn't press. If the old man can talk smack about him, he gets to return the favor—it's only fair.
The old man's stepping back; he won't be hovering around Minato. Yorin is on duty—he sees Minato eight times a day. We'll see who's really on the back foot.
…
Yorin: "Alright—let's talk clan-guardrails. I've made up my mind. When I get back, I'll speak with the clan head.
"The Uchiha will give up one-third of the Police Force. Those seats open to all of Konoha.
"The Uchiha who are cut will join the Gestapo, Cheka, and Tonton Macoute—and report to you, Minato. You point—they cut.
"That's phase one. The final goal is to Konoha-ize the Police Force completely—no more Uchiha monopoly; we integrate across all departments. What do you think?"
Minato didn't know how a short trip made Yorin even more formidable.
Whatever—over in Kumo there's a jinchūriki with 25 years' training who sings, dances, and raps. By comparison, Yorin's tame. So—no problem.
The real shock was Yorin's promise. "Really?"
Minato was visibly thrilled.
The Uchiha had always been a headache for Hokage HQ. If Uchiha Fugaku could be persuaded to reform—to fully integrate—the Fourth would go to bed smiling every night.
But after the glow, worry crept back. "That's great—but will Clan Head Fugaku agree?"
"He doesn't get a choice." Yorin's eyes flashed. "There's a spot open for him next door to the Third's nursing home.
"If he wants to step down with dignity, we'll let him. If not, we'll help him do it."
Minato: "Uh—is that appropriate?"
Yorin: "Why wouldn't it be?"
Minato: "Isn't this a bit… hasty?"
Yorin: "Can't be helped—time isn't on our side. Your wife's due in two months, right?"
Minato: "Yes—why bring that up?"
Yorin: "Because if I were Obito, I wouldn't miss that window."
Minato: "…You mean Obito will strike Konoha at that time?"
Yorin: "Yes—and Kumo, Iwa, maybe even Kiri and Suna.
"Konoha's 'long-haul trucking' has made us a lot of money lately. The Third Ninja War just ended, and we're already bouncing back. You think the other four villages aren't jealous?
"If we delay, we'll only get stronger while they don't recover… If I were them, I'd strike first."
"You're saying… a Fourth Ninja War?"
"Mm. A Fourth Ninja War."
Minato fell silent at that.
As a "passerby Hokage," he loved peace deeply. The very thought of war made him go flat—like a champ horse with unchangeable traits, wearing a look like his mother just died.
Yorin was different.
The word "war" fired him up. At the thought of four villages all-in on Konoha, he nearly jumped up for an impromptu speech:
"Gentlemen—I love war!"
…
"In that case—we can't rush this."
After a beat—his hairline retreating another 0.001 mm—Minato drew a long breath. "Don't move against Clan Head Fugaku on the eve of battle, Yorin. We must unite every force we can. If he'll reform, wonderful. If not—take the long view."
"Tch—fine…"
Yorin was helpless. That meant a whole pile of system-achievement quests couldn't be tackled.
"So my super-industrialization plan? The Capital Relocation plan? Road modernization? Army reorg? Tech re-equipment… all off the table?"
He already knew the answer—but still looked at Minato with big, hopeful eyes.
Under that earnest Uchiha gaze, Minato could only turn aside and mumble, "That said… wait for notice… we need to study this…" vague words with no meaning.
Yorin sighed. "What about Mount Myōboku? The toad oil development plan?"
He clung to one last hope. "It doesn't need much time or money—spin-up is minutes, quick returns, short cycle. That's got to be okay, right?"
Minato: "It's not impossible, but you know Myōboku oil carries natural energy. Handle it wrong and you turn people into stone."
Yorin: "I know."
Minato: "Then you… You're planning a white-label product? It's 'Myōboku Toad Oil' in name only—but actually something else?"
Yorin: "Yes!" (voice bright)
Minato gave the "I knew it—of course it's you" look and sighed deeply.
"All right… One last question—what's the selling point of your Myōboku Toad Oil?"
Yorin: "Virility." (voice bright)