Konoha: The Soul King from the Uchiha Clan

Chapter 21 The Choice of the Water Gate

After chatting for a while, Fugaku couldn't hold back any longer and brought up the important matter.

"Minato, we're quite familiar with each other, so I'll be frank with some things. Please don't take offense."

Minato smiled warmly and said, "Not at all. Having an open and honest discussion is the best way to solve the problem."

Fugaku nodded slightly and said solemnly, "The Sharingan is the most important thing in my Uchiha clan. Over the generations, the clan members have even developed a sense of worship for the Sharingan."

"Under normal circumstances, the Sharingan is absolutely not allowed to be leaked, but our Uchiha clan is not a heartless or unreasonable family."

"Obito and Kakashi are close comrades and heroes of Konoha. The Uchiha clan should respect the friendship between them."

"However, although I am the young head of the Uchiha clan, I cannot force my clansmen to do this important thing. I need to respect their views and opinions."

"Minato, can you understand?"

Minato smiled slightly: "Although I don't come from a prominent family, I understand Fugaku's difficulties."

"As the young clan leader, you need to act from the perspective of the clan, just like the Hokage, who should act from the perspective of Konoha."

As expected of a popular Hokage candidate, his understanding is truly insightful. If one doesn't act in the best interests of their clan, they will be abandoned by them.

Even someone as powerful as Madara Uchiha was back then, because he didn't stand on the side of his clan, not a single clansman followed him when he left Konoha.

"Minato, you're absolutely right."

"In order to quell public opinion within the tribe, I must give the tribespeople a plausible explanation."

"This is also for Kakashi's own good, so that no one will target Kakashi afterwards."

Minato's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Fugaku, what do you mean?"

Fugaku took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Obito is gone. Let's add another Uchiha to Minato's direct team and make him your disciple."

As expected, this was the idea. Uchiha Gen must have discussed it with Fugaku beforehand.

Why are you so determined to become his disciple?

Is it genuine admiration or ulterior motives?

Minato Namikaze leaned towards the latter, and couldn't help but feel some dislike for Gen Uchiha.

Despite his displeasure, Minato Namikaze did not intend to reject this solution, as he was confident he could handle it.

"Can."

Fugaku was overjoyed and quickly asked, "Minato, what do you think of Itachi?"

Minato: "???"

Itachi?

Isn't it Uchiha Gen?

Did that kid go too far?

"Ahem, Fugaku, isn't it supposed to be mysterious?"

A hint of embarrassment appeared on Fugaku's usually serious and dignified face as he said somewhat awkwardly, "Ken said that anyone from the Uchiha clan is fine, it doesn't have to be him."

"Although I am the young clan leader, I am also a father, so I inevitably have selfish thoughts at times."

"Minato, your strength is exceptional, renowned throughout the ninja world, and you even have a chance to become Hokage. If Itachi could become your disciple..."

Fugaku Uchiha's flattery made Minato Namikaze feel quite pleased, after all, he was the young head of the Uchiha clan, the most prestigious clan in the ninja world, and not an ordinary person.

At the same time, Fugaku's words dispelled Minato's displeasure, but also gave rise to some new ideas.

It turns out that Xuan values ​​family highly, but it's unclear whether the village or the family is more important to him...

However, it's highly unlikely that someone willing to sacrifice their own interests for their family would value the village more than their family.

It's a pity; he was exceptionally talented, but lacked vision.

A thought flashed through Minato's mind, but he smiled and said, "Fugaku, Itachi is a very good child, but he is too young."

"What the Seventh Squad needs is a teammate who can fight alongside them."

Upon hearing this, Fugaku felt a pang of disappointment, but he quickly dismissed it.

It doesn't matter if Itachi can't become an apprentice; at worst, he can become an apprentice of Minato's disciple in the future, so that they can still be connected.

"That's true, it was I who didn't consider it carefully."

"Then Minato, you'll have to choose between Gen and Shisui."

Minato had heard of Uchiha Shisui, a rising star on the battlefield of Kirigakure, one of the two geniuses of the Uchiha clan, who became famous even earlier than Gen.

I just don't know what this person's thinking is like...

Compared to natural talent and strength, Minato Namikaze places more emphasis on ideology.

If Minato Namikaze hadn't realized that Gen Uchiha might prioritize his clan, he would have naturally chosen someone he was relatively familiar with, thus skipping the adjustment period after becoming a full member.

But things are different now; Minato Namikaze plans to conduct a thorough investigation before making a decision.

"Choosing disciples is a major decision; could you give me some time to consider?"

"Of course."

Even if it wasn't his own son, Fugaku could have accepted either choice, but he still preferred Uchiha Gen.

Firstly, the two were more familiar with each other, and secondly, Fugaku believed that Uchiha Gen was smarter and more mature.

After finishing their business, the two chatted about all sorts of things while drinking tea.

By the time Kushina Uzumaki, Mikoto Uchiha, and Itachi returned, it was already quite late, so Minato took his leave with his wife.

……

The next morning, Minato Namikaze arrived at the Hokage's office.

"Minato, what's the matter?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a Hokage hat, a white Hokage robe, and a red ninja outfit underneath. He had a pipe in his mouth, raised his hand, and showed a kind smile on his face. His tone was gentle and warm.

"That's right, Lord Hokage."

Then Minato Namikaze recounted what had happened the previous night, without holding anything back.

"Lord Hokage, do you know anything about Uchiha Shisui?"

Uchiha Shisui was a descendant of Uchiha Kagami, who was once a teammate of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

As the descendant of his teammate, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been secretly keeping an eye on things.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not object to Minato taking another Uchiha as a disciple.

Speaking of which, Team 7, which Kakashi was in, was arranged by Hiruzen Sarutobi for Minato, so it's impossible that he didn't know that there were Uchiha members in it.

Without experiencing the Nine-Tails incident, the rift between the Konoha leadership and the Uchiha clan was not deep; at least, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not have much prejudice against the Uchiha.

"Shisui, he was my teammate, a descendant of Uchiha Kagami, one of the Second Hokage's disciples."

"Kagami is an Uchiha who possesses the Will of Fire, and as his descendant, I have been paying attention to him."

"Shisui was gentle and polite, unlike the average Uchiha. He loved the village and risked his life on the battlefield many times for it."

"In my opinion, he has the potential to inherit the Will of Fire, and he only needs a little guidance."

"Although Uchiha Gen has also made contributions to the village, judging from your description just now, his thinking is probably rather narrow-minded."

"As a candidate for Hokage, you must be careful when accepting disciples and choose the best of the best."

Minato Namikaze pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said, "Hokage-sama, I understand."

"Okay, go ahead."

After leaving, Minato Namikaze used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return home and tell Kushina Uzumaki about his decision.

After Minato left, Kushina Uzumaki left home and went to the Uchiha clan's territory. She found Mikoto Uchiha and told her husband about his decision.

Mikoto Uchiha went out to the Konoha Police Department again and told Fugaku Uchiha, who was working there.

Upon hearing the news, Fugaku Uchiha was slightly disappointed, but he quickly accepted reality. After all, they were all Uchiha. He then prepared to send someone to summon Gen Uchiha.

Uchiha Mikoto, who was about to return to her clan's territory, took on the mission.

(Damn, the next chapter got censored. I didn't write anything too outrageous.) Shisui's age is always a plot hole, so let's not dwell on it too much.

(End of this chapter)