Uchiha Fugaku's expression gradually became serious.
He hadn't initially paid much attention to this meeting with Minamikawa Yuu.
For no other reason than the vast difference in status.
If Minato Namikaze himself had come, he would have had the standing to sit as an equal.
But Minamikawa Yuu was merely Minato Namikaze's disciple; there was a massive gap between them in both status and strength.
Clearly, however, Minamikawa Yuu's performance surprised him, and he couldn't help but turn serious.
He began to take this meeting seriously.
Opposite him, Minamikawa Yuu remained seated, his every movement resembling that of a high-ranking noble; his aura was very unique.
In reality, that was indeed the case.
In his past life, Minamikawa Yuu was the noble Emperor of the Land of Ancestors, husband to Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, and father of the Six Paths Sage—in a sense, the most honorable person in the world.
His nobility was innate, standing above everyone else in this world.
Usually, it was fine when he didn't reveal it, but now that this aura was manifest, everyone around him was instantly stunned.
"Yuu..."
The two groups sat across from each other inside the shrine. After a moment of silence, Fugaku finally spoke first: "I am glad you could come to see me, but at this moment, there is not much I can say."
"If you have come regarding the matter of Kakashi Hatake, then please see yourself out."
His words were polite, yet filled with a sternness that felt unquestionable.
"The matter of Kakashi is indeed my purpose for coming this time."
Minamikawa Yuu was silent for a moment, then spoke with a smile: "But it is not the primary reason..."
"Oh?"
Hearing Minamikawa Yuu's words, Fugaku and the others were somewhat surprised.
At a time like this, what could possibly be more important than the matter of Kakashi?
"Oh?"
Uchiha Fugaku spoke indifferently: "I'm listening."
"I wonder how Clan Head Fugaku views the current situation in Konoha?"
In front of him, Minamikawa Yuu spoke softly.
The situation in Konoha?
Everyone present immediately frowned.
How else could it be viewed?
Isn't the current situation in Konoha already obvious?
Only a few people were lost in thought.
"You might as well speak more plainly."
Uchiha Fugaku thought for a moment and then said.
To be honest, his position at the moment was quite awkward.
From the standpoint of a friend and colleague, he could understand Minato Namikaze's thoughts and intentions, and he agreed with them.
But besides being Minato Namikaze's friend, he had another identity: the Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan.
As the Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan, he had to retrieve Kakashi's Sharingan.
Otherwise, once the Uchiha Clan's Bloodline Limit was leaked, it would inevitably have a massive impact.
Regardless, out of his personal relationship with Minato Namikaze, he was still willing to give Minamikawa Yuu a chance.
As long as the other party could provide a reason sufficient for him to convince the other clansmen, he could accept it as a matter of course.
Of course, the premise was that the reason Minamikawa Yuu provided had to be substantial enough.
If it were too absurd, then even if he wanted to let them off the hook, it would be useless.
After all, the others weren't NPCs; they had their own thoughts as well.
"Regarding the matter of the Hokage election..."
Minamikawa Yuu had no intention of being mysterious.
In front of Uchiha Fugaku and several Uchiha elders, he spoke frankly: "It won't be long before the Hokage selection begins. May I ask what the Uchiha Clan's stance is regarding this election?"
"Hokage selection?"
The topic Minamikawa Yuu brought up instantly drew the attention of the surrounding Uchiha elders.
Even Uchiha Setsuna, who was just listening in, couldn't help but turn his gaze toward Minamikawa Yuu.
The Hokage—this could be described as the Uchiha Clan's obsession.
In the beginning, Konoha was co-founded by the Senju and Uchiha families, and they had played their part.
To put it bluntly, the Uchiha were the original shareholders of Konoha, occupying a vital position within it.
Yet from the founding of Konoha until now, through three generations of Hokage, the Uchiha Clan has remained estranged from the position of Hokage.
Both the First Hokage and the Second Hokage were from the Senju Clan.
Although the Third Hokage was not of the Senju Clan, he was a disciple of Senju Tobirama and could thus be considered part of the Senju faction.
As one of the two founding families of Konoha, the Uchiha Clan has yet to gain anything significant.
Aside from the position of Head of the Guard Division, they haven't even managed to secure a spot as an Advisor.
Seeing the Hokage selection approaching once again, they naturally had some thoughts in their hearts.
"In this Hokage selection, who does the Uchiha Clan support?"
Meeting Fugaku's gaze, Minamikawa Yuu's expression was calm as he spoke softly.
The Hokage selection—who does the Uchiha Clan support?
This was indeed a practical question.
Because as of now, the Uchiha Clan had no candidate they supported.
Or rather, their choice of candidate had always been clear: themselves.
"Our Uchiha Clan naturally supports Fugaku."
An Uchiha elder spoke: "That is only natural."
"Support Clan Head Fugaku?"
Minamikawa Yuu nodded: "A commendable ambition."
"What do you mean?"
Another elder stared at Minamikawa Yuu, his tone somewhat cold: "Are you saying that, in your eyes, our Uchiha Clan is not worthy of running for Hokage?"
"I didn't mean it that way."
Minamikawa Yuu shook his head and then spoke softly: "It's just, what are the chances of winning?"
As he spoke, every Uchiha present frowned.
Someone was about to speak, but Fugaku waved them down.
"Yuu-kun is not optimistic about my run for Hokage?"
He looked at Minamikawa Yuu before him, his eyes filled with scrutiny.
"I imagine it's hard to be optimistic about such a thing."
Minamikawa Yuu's expression was calm: "If I may be blunt, the Uchiha Clan currently lacks the ability to run for Hokage."
"To run for Hokage, in my view, one needs at least three things."
"Oh."
Fugaku became interested: "Yuu-kun, please elaborate."
"First is strength."
Minamikawa Yuu spoke softly: "Those who become Hokage are without exception the strongest among Ninjas. If one's strength is insufficient, it is absolutely impossible to take that position."
"In this regard, how does Clan Head Fugaku feel he compares to Minato-sensei and Senior Orochimaru?"
"I am not their equal..."
Uchiha Fugaku was silent for a moment, finally forced to admit this point.
His strength was indeed very good, top-tier within the entire Uchiha Clan, and he wouldn't necessarily lose to some of the weaker Kage.
But compared to Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru?
The result went without saying.
Regarding strength, it would be a different story if it were his two future children.
Both Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke possess sufficient strength.
But Fugaku?
It really wasn't enough.