The other two of the Sannin weren't in Konoha and clearly had no interest in competing for the Hokage's seat.
And Orochimaru… well, he was firmly out of favor with the Third Hokage. That left one name looming larger than the rest...Danzo.
Uzumaki Kushina's expression soured at the thought. She had disliked Danzo for years, and after hearing about his underhanded deeds from Minato himself, her dislike had only deepened.
If that man ever became the Fifth Hokage, what kind of life would she and Naruto have as the Jinchuriki's mother and son?
No, absolutely not.
If Danzo really tried to run for Hokage, she would be the first to vote against him. Not just that, she would rally Minato's old supporters to make sure Danzo never got close to the seat.
"On the surface, it looks like Danzo's path to Hokage is smooth," Uchiha Gen said evenly, "but in truth, there's another possibility."
Mikoto's eyes brightened. "Another possibility?"
"The Third Hokage continues to rule. Maintaining the status quo. After all, the Third Hokage isn't that old yet," Gen added.
Kushina's eyes lit up at the idea. That… actually sounded acceptable.
The Third Hokage had always admired Minato, had always treated him kindly. As Minato's widow, she and Naruto would be safe under that shadow.
Mikoto also warmed to the thought. If Hiruzen stayed in power a little longer, it bought the Uchiha clan time.
Gen, being Orochimaru's disciple, might not be too favored by the Hokage. But Shisui, Minato's disciple, would naturally benefit from that connection.
If Shisui had a chance at becoming Hokage, then Itachi, his disciple, would follow in his footsteps. And when Sasuke grew up, he would become Kakashi's disciple.
In that chain of disciples, the Uchiha clan's path toward Hokage wouldn't be broken.
If she mentioned this to Fugaku, he would certainly approve. So would her father and the clan's three elders.
So many twists and turns… first Shisui had a chance, then Gen, and now it circled back to Shisui again. Truly, the Uchiha's path to Hokage was too difficult.
Gen, of course, was unaware of these quiet calculations between the two women. But even if he had known, he would have understood. Parents thought of their children first. Children, family, clan—that was natural. Nothing to be ashamed of.
If it were him, he would feel the same.
Losing the 'Hokage's disciple' identity would dent his prestige within the clan, but not by much. That stage of relying on titles to secure influence had already passed for him.
Even if he lost both the title of Hokage's disciple and his positions as Deputy Commander and Ninth Squad Captain, he would still be indispensable in the clan.
Within the Uchiha, only the Clan Head and the Three Elders stood above him. Outside the clan, even they couldn't match his influence. Only Shisui could be compared to him.
Once, Shisui's prestige had been slightly higher as Minato's disciple. But after Gen's achievements in the Hidden Mist front, that gap had closed.
And with Shisui's continued trust in him, the Clan Head and the Elders had no choice but to rely on him. With his strength added on top, Gen would live comfortably regardless. The only difference would be how comfortably.
"Gen, how long can you stay this time?" Mikoto asked gently. Despite Gen's value within the clan fluctuating, she remained the same, graceful, warm, and kind.
"One day," Gen replied, stretching lazily as he leaned back in his chair. "I'll leave the morning after tomorrow. I came back this time for my birthday."
Mikoto tilted her head. "Tomorrow isn't your birthday. Your birthday is August ninth, isn't it?"
As the Clan Head's capable wife, she remembered every important date within the clan.
Gen chuckled. "Thank you for remembering, Mikoto-nee. I'm celebrating early. My leave is short, after all."
His smile grew as he added, "If you're free tomorrow evening, Mikoto-nee and lady Kushina, come join me. I'll invite Kurenai, Anko, Yugao, Shisui, and Itachi too. It'll be livelier with you there. Life on the battlefield is far too dull—I need to unwind a bit."
Mikoto smiled. "Of course. I'll be there." She turned to Kushina. "You should come too. Gen followed Minato for a long time, he's no outsider. And Gen, don't call her 'Lady' anymore. Just Kushina-nee."
Gen nodded, while Kushina hesitated for only a moment. Both Mikoto and Gen sincerely invited her, and she had nothing else tomorrow. She wasn't the timid type.
"Alright then," she said, smiling faintly. "I'll come join the fun. And Mikoto is right, you can call me Kushina-nee from now on."
Ever since Minato's death, she had grown to enjoy livelier atmospheres. Silence at night only made the emptiness sharper.
Gen grinned. "Well, who wouldn't be happy to gain another beautiful big sister?"
"Sweet mouth," Mikoto and Kushina laughed together, scolding him lightly.
Just then, Naruto and Sasuke wriggled in their mothers' arms, rooting instinctively toward their chests.
Neither boy had been weaned yet. Naruto was still over a month away from his first birthday, Sasuke even younger. Both were restless, searching for milk.
Mikoto and Kushina flushed slightly and quickly restrained their sons. But denied their 'main meal,' the babies began crying loudly.
Gen coughed, rising to his feet. "I'm not full yet either. I'll go forage for something more. Mikoto-nee, Kushina-nee, don't forget tomorrow evening."
He knew better than to linger. Pretending not to notice was pointless, and they couldn't possibly nurse in front of him.
He mused wryly as he left. He couldn't Spirit Transformation Technique just to watch them breastfeed, could they? That would be too extravagant….
Besides, Kushina carried the Yin half of the Nine-Tails, and Naruto as well. Even if the fox was hostile toward Kushina, it wasn't impossible for it to tattle on him just to cause trouble. After so many years sealed, it must be starved for entertainment.
Best not to risk exposure.
If it had only been Mikoto, perhaps he would have been tempted. But not with Kushina and her son involved.
Gen wasn't a saint. He had his moments of justice, and his darker impulses too. Sometimes he resisted them, sometimes not.
But this time, he chose to leave.
The two women let out quiet sighs of relief at his departure and promised to be on time for the gathering.
Afterward, they intended to return home, but Naruto and Sasuke cried insistently, unwilling to wait.
Mikoto, more experienced, tolerated it calmly. Kushina, however, couldn't bear to see Naruto hungry. He was her whole world now.
So, with no other choice, the two mothers slipped into a secluded corner of the park, set Shadow Clones as lookouts, and nursed their sons in peace.