"Three days? Ren , isn't three days too slow? Delays may lead to unforeseen changes!"
After reaching an agreement with Uchiha Setsuna and Uchiha Ya to settle all disputes in a single Clan Assembly, Uchiha Ren returned home with Uchiha Fugaku.
The moment they entered the house, Fugaku pulled Ren straight into the study and asked impatiently.
From Fugaku's perspective, this matter should be resolved sooner rather than later. After learning about Setsuna's intentions, he was genuinely worried that the elder might act impulsively and do something irreversible.
Ren shook his head.
"Three days is already fast. I've asked Shisui to prepare a backup plan. That alone will take at least three days."
"I also have another contingency that needs time to prepare."
"And besides, the current situation between the Uchiha Clan and the village isn't chaotic enough yet. It still needs time to ferment."
"So don't rush… let the bullets fly for a while."
Right now, although the Uchiha within the Clan Compound appeared furious and indignant, most of them were merely venting verbally. The anger in their hearts had not yet been fully ignited.
What Ren wanted was to resolve every contradiction between the Uchiha and Konoha in one stroke. If all that resentment wasn't completely released, then the effort would be meaningless.
In Ren 's eyes, the current level of conflict between the Uchiha and the village was still far from sufficient.
At the very least, the relationship had to escalate to the point of swords drawn and arrows nocked before the time was right.
"Two backup plans?" Fugaku froze in surprise. "What plans? Why haven't I heard about this?"
Ren smiled.
"It was a last-minute idea. You'll know what it is in three days."
Fugaku frowned at Ren 's deliberately mysterious tone but did not press further. Instead, he said:
"But when I went to the Hokage Tower today, Hiruzen Sarutobi said he would suppress the rumors spreading in the village."
"He plans to build momentum using news that the shinobi on the frontline battlefield are returning."
"The rumors about the Uchiha in the village should already be decreasing. If that's the case, it may be difficult for the rumors to continue spreading."
"Shinobi returning from the frontlines?" Ren paused, intrigued.
"Did Hiruzen mention who?"
"Minato Namikaze," Fugaku said, a glint flashing in his eyes.
"While expressing goodwill, he's probably also using this news to intimidate us—making us afraid to act rashly."
"Even the Second Elder was shaken by this news. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry today."
Ren pondered for a moment before smiling.
"Hiruzen has actually played a foolish move. He probably never imagined that Minato is on our side."
"That works out perfectly."
"This time, we'll have him step down early and let Minato become the Fourth Hokage."
"Didn't he want to build momentum for Minato? Fine. We'll help him with that."
"Clan Head, later send someone to compile all of Hiruzen's stains since he took office—especially his strategic mistakes during this war and the details of his negotiations with Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure."
Fugaku thought for a moment and quickly understood Ren 's intent.
"You want to elevate Minato while discrediting Hiruzen?"
"But if we do that, although it will damage Hiruzen's reputation, it may also cause him to grow suspicious of Minato. That could affect Minato's chances of becoming Hokage."
In Fugaku's opinion, while Ren 's strategy would certainly boost Minato's prestige within the village, if that benefit caused Minato's image to deteriorate in Hiruzen's eyes, the loss would outweigh the gain.
To become Hokage, reputation was important.
But even more important was Hiruzen Sarutobi's approval.
Hiruzen had governed Konoha for decades. If he refused to let go of power, no one could guarantee their smooth ascension to the Hokage seat.
Ren 's eyes flickered.
"What if Hiruzen learns that these rumors were released by the Uchiha?"
Fugaku frowned immediately, instinctively about to refute him.
Hiruzen's tolerance toward the Uchiha was already nearing its limit. If the clan crossed his bottom line again, he might lash out like a cornered animal.
But before Fugaku could speak, Ren continued explaining.
"I'll have the First Elder's faction release the information."
"You can then meet Hiruzen and subtly reveal some of the First Elder's intentions—while clearly expressing your opposition to him."
"Since Hiruzen already believes the previous incidents were orchestrated by the First Elder, we might as well push him forward as a target to absorb the firepower."
"In Hiruzen's mind, the First Elder will certainly become someone who must die. Therefore, no matter how outrageous his actions appear afterward, Hiruzen's tolerance toward the rest of the Uchiha won't cross its limit."
"Then you can promise him that during the Clan Assembly three days later, you will resolve the problem of the First Elder's faction."
"With Hiruzen's personality, even if he's furious, he'll still endure it."
"In that case, he'll focus all his attention on our clan and believe the First Elder is trying to sow discord between him and Minato—creating chaos within the village."
"He won't develop any suspicion toward Minato."
"And Hiruzen's targeting of the First Elder will only make the Uchiha clan members even more dissatisfied."
"After all, we're one family. The clan won't care which specific Uchiha Hiruzen is targeting."
Fugaku carefully considered Ren 's reasoning and gradually relaxed.
If they followed Ren 's plan, there was indeed plenty of room for maneuver.
But soon Fugaku thought of another problem.
"How will you get the First Elder's people to act? That old fox notices even the smallest clues."
"If we're not careful, he might detect our entire plan."
"That's easy," Ren said with a smile, clapping his hands lightly.
"I'll introduce someone to you."
"Come out, Afei."
Fugaku was stunned.
The next moment, his expression changed drastically.
Before his astonished eyes, a strange spiral-patterned figure slowly emerged from beneath the ground.
"Hello! I'm White Zetsu. You can call me Afei!"
Guruguru waved cheerfully at Fugaku, his tone lively and playful.
"Th-this… this…"
Fugaku was completely shocked.
At such a close distance, he had never noticed that someone was hiding underground.
"Alright, Afei," Ren said with a wave of his hand.
"Show the Clan Head your abilities."
"Okay, Lord Ren . Let me think… hmm… ah! I've got it!"
Guruguru bit his finger thoughtfully, then suddenly looked enlightened.
In front of Fugaku's stunned gaze, his body gradually transformed—
Until he looked exactly like Uchiha Tekka.
"How is that possible?!" Fugaku exclaimed in shock.
"His physique, presence—even his chakra are identical to Tekka's!"
Fugaku knew Tekka quite well, yet he couldn't find a single flaw in the disguise.
If he hadn't witnessed the transformation himself, he would have believed that the person standing before him was the real Uchiha Tekka.
Ren smiled calmly.
"This is a high-level Transformation Technique. Even sensor-type ninja or close acquaintances can't distinguish it."
"With Guruguru around… where the rumors come from will be exactly what we say it is."
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