At that moment, Uchiha Masayuki couldn't help but recall the countless interactions between Mikoto and his youngest son over the past half year.
Combined with the fact that his son had specifically asked him—twice—to prepare medicinal bath formulas for Mikoto as well…
When he connected everything together, it really did seem like something… had taken on a different meaning.
The First Elder, however, had no idea what was going through Uchiha Masayuki's mind. He simply looked at him with a faint smile and asked:
"A child who, at just over one year old, can create such powerful formulas—and has displayed such extraordinary traits since birth… do you really think your son is an ordinary one-year-old?"
This wasn't a normal child.
This was a monster.
A monster with limitless potential.
As long as he didn't die young, he would inevitably grow to unprecedented heights—and elevate the Uchiha clan to heights never seen before.
In fact, the First Elder even saw a shadow of someone surpassing Madara in Uchiha Sora.
That was the real reason he hesitated over the marriage between Mikoto and Fugaku.
Compared to the steady but unremarkable Fugaku—
He now favored Uchiha Sora far more.
Combined with the growing bond between Mikoto and Sora… there was great potential here.
As for the possibility that Sora might fail to grow—
He had never even considered it.
With Uchiha Masayuki as his father, along with the Third Elder and himself…
He simply didn't believe they couldn't ensure Sora's safe development.
"Uh… that's true! That kid really can't be judged like a normal one-year-old! Haha!"
Uchiha Masayuki scratched his head and laughed.
Even so, he still felt that discussing a marriage between Mikoto and Sora at this stage was somewhat absurd.
After all, the age gap was quite large—
A full twelve years.
Still… he felt it was best to leave this matter to Sora himself.
He didn't think he could make that decision for him.
What if Sora actually liked the idea?
"This kind of matter… it's better left for Sora and Mikoto to decide themselves. I don't think we should make that choice for them."
"That said, I'm not opposed to it in principle. Misa probably wouldn't object either—she likes Mikoto quite a lot."
Uchiha Masayuki gave his stance.
"Mm."
The First Elder nodded in satisfaction.
"Then we'll leave it to the children. We won't interfere."
"As for Fugaku, I'll hold things off for now and see what Sora and Mikoto decide."
"I believe within three to five years, the two of them will be able to settle this matter."
Of course—
He also intended to use those three to five years to observe Sora's growth.
To determine whether he was merely a fleeting prodigy—
Or a consistent monster.
"I have no objections. Heh."
Uchiha Masayuki smiled knowingly.
—
At Uchiha Sora's home—
"What? The First Elder is trying to match Sora with Mikoto?"
Uchiha Misa was equally stunned after hearing her husband's words.
"More or less."
Uchiha Masayuki nodded.
"He didn't say it directly, but that's basically what he meant. Clearly, he's taken a liking to Sora's talent and abilities—and wants to invest early."
"What do you think? Is the age gap too big?"
Uchiha Misa, however, laughed and shook her head.
"What's the problem with that? I think Mikoto is a great girl!"
"Her looks, figure, personality, and talent—everything is excellent. She's a good match for our Sora."
"Of course, it still depends on Sora's own choice. As parents, we won't decide for him."
Even if they tried—
Sora might not listen anyway.
"Mm."
…
—
Inside the Hokage's office—
Danzo approached the Third Hokage and immediately asked:
"Hiruzen! You've heard about the situation with the Uchiha, haven't you?"
"Hm?"
The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe, glanced at Danzo, and nodded.
"Yes, I've heard. As expected of the Uchiha… geniuses continue to emerge."
"Hmph!"
Danzo snorted coldly.
"No matter how many geniuses they produce, it doesn't change the Uchiha's inherently evil nature."
"Hiruzen, don't forget our teacher's evaluation and policies regarding the Uchiha."
"I want to bring that Uchiha Sora into Root for training. What do you think?"
"Not happening."
The Third Hokage rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"That's Uchiha Masayuki's son—and he's only one year old. Do you really think they'd agree?"
What nonsense was Danzo even thinking?
If the Uchiha actually agreed to something like that, they wouldn't be the Uchiha anymore.
Danzo, however, didn't see it that way. His voice turned low and serious:
"So we just watch another Uchiha genius grow unchecked?"
"That child… feels even more monstrous than Uchiha Madara was at the same age. Who knows how far he'll go in the future?"
"A threat like that should be eliminated while it's still in the cradle."
He would never admit it—
That what he truly coveted was Uchiha Sora's talent.
That he wanted to control it.
To turn it into his own blade.
Did he truly hate the Uchiha?
No.
That was just the surface.
What he felt was jealousy—and desire.
If he possessed such innate talent—
The position of Hokage would already be his.
And surpassing the First Hokage and Madara, unifying the ninja world, becoming its supreme ruler—
Would not be a fantasy.
"That's enough."
The Third Hokage's expression darkened as he looked at Danzo with stern warning.
"A child is still a child. We cannot target him just because he was born an Uchiha."
"I will not allow you to lay a hand on that boy."
If Danzo were allowed to act recklessly—
It could throw both the Uchiha and Konoha into chaos.
Moreover, the Third Hokage wasn't blind to Danzo's true intentions.
Which made him even more unwilling to let him succeed.
"Hiruzen… you… you will regret this! The evil Uchiha are not worthy of sympathy!"
Danzo roared in anger.
The Third Hokage slammed the table, equally furious.
"Enough! Danzo—don't forget, I am the Hokage. I know exactly what I'm doing!"
"The Uchiha are also part of Konoha. I will not allow you to act recklessly. I have my own plans."
Danzo: "…"
Of course I know you're the Hokage!
Do you have to remind me every single time?
Do you know that every reminder feels like salt rubbed into a wound?
"If I had stepped forward just a little earlier back then, our teacher would have chosen me as Hokage…"
"Hiruzen Sarutobi… I'm not inferior to you. In fact, I'm more suited to be Hokage."
These thoughts churned violently in Danzo's mind—
But he did not voice them.
With a sharp flick of his sleeve, he snorted coldly:
"Hmph! Hiruzen—you will regret this!"
With that, he slammed the door and strode out.
Left behind, the Third Hokage continued to puff on his pipe, thinking:
"Danzo's hostility toward the Uchiha is too great…"
"This is not how a Hokage should act. Matters cannot be handled so extremely."
The Uchiha were still vital to Konoha.
Indispensable.
He could not allow Danzo to act recklessly.
"I need to accelerate the cultivation and recruitment of civilian ninja and smaller clans…"