Chapter 12: Fuyue Cultivates Talent at Uchiha Nanga Shrine. Within the dimly lit chamber, Elder Setsuna had long resided after being released from his duties.
"Ahem, so you're the one Mikoto mentioned. Not bad." The elder's voice echoed in the room, prompting Uchiha Ye, seated within the chamber, to nod solemnly.
"So, Uchiha Ye has met Elder Setsuna."
With his eyes opened, Ye understood that any further advancement now required passing through Mikoto and meeting Elder Setsuna. Though confined to clan territory, Elder Setsuna—who had once boldly plotted rebellion and inherited Madara's will—commanded immense respect. After all, he was an Uchiha!
The elder, whose face appeared sallow and tinged with melancholy, nodded as he flipped through the information scroll presented by his granddaughter.
"Not bad. You indeed possess double bloodlines, but with double bloodlines come limitations. Human energy is finite, and your bloodline is severely flawed."
While double bloodlines were rare, the elder had witnessed countless geniuses in the ninja world. Yet, how many had lived to his age?
"Elder," Uchiha Ye nodded respectfully, observing the old man closely. As expected, Elder Setsuna's frail and sallow appearance reflected the years he had endured. No wonder he was so eager to train Uchiha Mikoto—it was clearly preparation for his eventual departure.
"Ahem, come in."
At that moment, Elder Setsuna cleared his throat lightly and glanced outside the door. Uchiha Ye's astonished eyes widened as three figures appeared: the current Uchiha clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, and Uchiha Mikoto.
"Clan leader, elders!"
Uchiha Fugaku and Mikoto bowed respectfully to the seated elders. Among them, Mikoto sat beside the elder. Seeing this, Ye narrowed his eyes. He thought to himself: This old man might still have time, but why is he so anxious to make arrangements for his funeral?
The clan leader scanned Uchiha Ye up and down before nodding slightly.
"Elder, this Uchiha genius is indeed capable of handling this task."
Elder Setsuna smiled and nodded. Uchiha Ye was secretly surprised. While clan leaders and elders often disagreed on external affairs, this display seemed merely ceremonial. They are all old foxes!
"Fugaku, you will shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the Uchiha clan in the future. And Mikoto," Elder Setsuna's gaze shifted from Fugaku to his granddaughter, "you should also understand the situation of our family within the village. The three of you will bear the clan's burdens."
Faced with such expectations, Uchiha Ye felt speechless. Uchiha Fugaku, the son of the clan leader, was the most talented and powerful young man in the family, naturally poised to inherit leadership. Uchiha Mikoto, the elder's granddaughter, would also inherit influence.
And Ye? He hadn't even considered such matters, and surely no one would believe it.
Yet, the clan leader and Elder Setsuna exchanged glances and produced a scroll clearly meant for Ye. Fugaku, standing beside him, lowered his head in embarrassment, while Mikoto smiled encouragingly.
Uchiha Ye examined the scroll suspiciously, and his eyes widened as he read its contents.
Elder Setsuna coughed lightly and spoke gravely, "Lord Ye, while the Uchiha Clan is powerful, it is not fully trusted these days. This mission will be difficult, but it is for the sake of the Clan!"
Reading the scroll, Ye's expression turned solemn. His gaze fixed on Uchiha Fugaku, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
"Clan leader, elders," Elder Setsuna continued, "in terms of talent and strength, Captain Fugaku has already awakened the three-magatama Sharingan. He is a Jonin and only a few years older than you. But Ye, your talent is unquestionable. Fugaku excels in cultivation, but you—your potential is different."
Good grief! What does he mean by 'only excels in cultivation'?
Although Uchiha Fugaku felt embarrassed, he nodded repeatedly, fearing misunderstanding. Uchiha Ye, meanwhile, tried to hide his own embarrassment, glancing at Mikoto. She smiled at him with understanding, silently conveying support.
Ye realized the task ahead was daunting. A bird in the hand was worth two in the bush. With Mikoto by his side, he could bide his time before taking the clan position. Yet, now this enormous responsibility had fallen on him.
"Ye-kun," Elder Setsuna continued, "you have read Uzumaki Kushina's information. She is destined to become the future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Our family is currently in an awkward position within the village. We aim to secure trust and influence at the top. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is the key."
A rare, bewitching smile spread across Elder Setsuna's face.
"Ye-kun, the wife of the First Hokage is the First Nine-Tails Jinchuriki! Isn't your dream to become Hokage, to restore the glory of the Uchiha clan? If you succeed, with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki outside and the Mikoto family inside, you will surely rise to Hokage one day!"
Ye's face went pale. Could marrying the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki really lead him to Hokage? It seemed plausible—after all, the First and Fourth Hokage had close ties with Jinchuriki, and the Seventh Hokage himself had been involved.
Yet, could the Uchiha clan truly intertwine with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? That would provoke the jealousy of the village!
The clan leader nodded solemnly, "Excellent! Befriend the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. I cannot guarantee his future as Hokage, but he will certainly have influence in the upper echelons of the Uchiha clan."
These two old foxes are audacious! Ye thought. They were true hidden dragons and phoenixes of the Uchiha clan.
Uzumaki Kushina, the Senju clan… they've already grasped something!
The five major ninja villages always had Jinchuriki and trained appropriate candidates. Uzumaki wasn't the first choice for the Jinchuriki role; it was simply that in Konoha, the First Hokage's wife was Uzumaki Mito. Kushina's surname made her an outsider, yet with Mito's presence, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki remained linked to the Senju clan for now.
Future developments? Unknown. The future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had already become a weapon of the Third Hokage, yet the elders and clan leader didn't know this. Politics was an art of compromise.
"Clan leader, elder," Uchiha Ye murmured, his face full of embarrassment, yet inwardly resolved. Though the elders had foresight, they could not predict the future.
Who could have guessed that after the Second World War, the Senju clan's influence would nearly vanish? That Tsuna would be isolated? That the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's status would be limited without Mito's intervention? Yet, the elders were acting with the knowledge of current circumstances, unaware of the true future.
Ye glanced at Mikoto, her understanding smile unwavering. Clearly, she knew about the mission. Seeing this, Ye drew a deep breath. For the sake of his family, he would bear the Uchiha banner, no matter the challenge.
(End of Chapter 12)