This was also how Chiba felt about the White Fang incident.
As a famous Ninja, it was truly tragic that even his own son did not understand him before his death.
Chiba’s words opened Kakashi’s eyes.
He was his father; if even he didn’t support him, perhaps no one truly would.
“Thank you, I’ll head out first.”
Kakashi thanked him in a low voice and hurried home.
At a time like this, he wanted to be with his father.
Chiba scratched his head.
“Don’t tell me the White Fang is actually going to survive?”
“Probably not.
The collapse of an adult’s conviction isn’t that easily rebuilt, and Kakashi’s Talk no Jutsu isn’t that powerful anyway.”
“Whatever, forget it.
If he lives, he lives.
If he survives through this little butterfly effect, it’s not my fault.
Nine times out of ten, life doesn’t go as planned.”
Meanwhile.
Kiyone felt a bit of a mood because Chiba hadn’t come to spar with her; in short, she felt like something was missing.
After being reminded by her clan members, their interactions had been reduced to just sparring.
Now that he suddenly didn’t show up, she really felt a bit out of place.
“Did he go to see Kakashi?
Is it about the White Fang?”
Kiyone had naturally heard about the White Fang.
She didn’t quite understand what they were arguing about.
What was there to debate about companions versus missions?
It was utterly boring and had nothing to do with her anyway.
However, since it actually affected her, she couldn’t help but feel a sliver of curiosity.
“Grandpa, why is the White Fang being reviled by the villagers?”
Uchiha Shali was also wondering why Chiba hadn’t come.
Hearing his granddaughter ask about the White Fang, he figured it must be related to this matter.
“Kiyone, don’t concern yourself with this matter.”
Uchiha Shali didn’t want his granddaughter to learn about such dirty politics at such a young age.
“Grandpa.”
Kiyone simply said that one word, then stared unblinkingly at Uchiha Shali.
One minute, two minutes, ten minutes…
“Alright, alright, I really can’t do anything with you.”
Uchiha Shali couldn’t take the staring anymore.
Who could refuse their precious granddaughter staring at them like that?
Kiyone smiled softly, victorious.
“Ahem, in truth, this matter is nothing more than dirty politics.”
“Politics?”
Uchiha Kiyone murmured in confusion.
How did a debate about companions and missions suddenly get dragged into politics?
“Exactly.
Companions or missions, none of that matters.
It’s merely a scheme by the Konoha higher-ups to suppress the White Fang’s reputation.”
“Why would they want to suppress the White Fang’s reputation?”
“Because he could become the Hokage!”
When speaking the word ‘Hokage’, Uchiha Shali’s voice couldn’t help but grow louder as he sighed with emotion.
“What an outstanding Ninja.
To reach such heights as a civilian, even Sarutobi had to personally step in to suppress his reputation.”
“Grandpa, why doesn’t the Third Hokage want the White Fang to become the Hokage?
He would probably make an excellent Hokage.”
Kiyone had heard of the White Fang’s deeds.
Even the proud Uchiha admired him.
For someone like him to become Hokage should have been what everyone wanted.
“It’s only human nature.
Sarutobi wants his own disciple to inherit the Hokage position.”
Uchiha Shali understood this perfectly.
If he were the Hokage, his successor would definitely have to be Kiyone.
The White Fang, the Sannin—they would all have to step aside!
“Oh, so that’s all it is.”
Kiyone felt she had wasted her staring.
What a boring matter.
It would be better to have a fight with Chiba.
“Children will be children.”
Uchiha Shali sighed as he saw Kiyone’s indifferent expression.
This was about the position of Hokage!
“I wonder when our Uchiha Clan will ever produce a Hokage.”
“Competing under a Hokage from the Senju faction is completely unfair.”
Uchiha Shali felt his lifelong dream was hopeless when thinking about this.
The more he put himself in their shoes, the more despairing he became.
“If they, the Uchiha, held the Hokage position, they would probably just put on a show for the Senju, but when it came to the actual election, they wouldn’t give them a single vote.”
“Damn it, can’t we have some fairness?
We, the Uchiha, are second to none!”
Uchiha Shali scratched his gray hair, and his eyes suddenly lit up!
“Right, fairness!
Since the Senju-faction Hokage is unfair, we’ll replace them with someone who is.
White Fang, you’re so formidable, I choose you!”
“Someone, come here!
I want to convene a clan meeting!”
The Uchiha Clan was highly efficient.
Even though it was already eight or nine o’clock at night, if you were called to work, you had to show up!
“Third Elder, what is the reason for convening the clan meeting?”
Uchiha Fushan, the Chief of the Konoha Military Police Force, asked straightforwardly.
The Gunbai was the symbol of the Uchiha Clan’s leader.
After the Gunbai was taken away by Uchiha Madara, no new clan leader had been elected.
The last clan leader was Uchiha Madara.
Currently, the highest authority within the Uchiha lay with the Chief of the Konoha Military Police Force.
The other Uchiha also turned their gazes toward the Third Elder.
Calling them all here in the middle of the night—he had better have a good reason!
“Ahem.
Everyone, I propose that we help the White Fang turn public opinion around!”
Uchiha Shali didn’t beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.
Some Uchiha thought about it briefly.
The White Fang was very strong, and doing this would earn his goodwill, which might bring some benefits in the future.
Tsk, is that all?
I wondered what it was.
Couldn’t he just have mentioned this tomorrow?
What a waste of a wonderful night.
However, before anyone could show their dissatisfaction, Uchiha Shali continued to add.
“What is our Uchiha Clan lacking compared to a Hokage?
This old man can tell you: we lack nothing!
The Uchiha are second to none!
The Uchiha shouldn’t be like this!”
“But why can’t an Uchiha become the Hokage?
The answer is unfairness!
The Hokage of the Senju faction find our Uchiha an eyesore!”
Hearing this, the present Uchiha nodded in unison.
Exactly!
They, the Uchiha, were second to none.
Why couldn’t they become the Hokage!
“If the Hokage position remains within the Senju faction, we will never become the Hokage.”
“Third Elder, do you mean…!”
By now, some of the quicker-witted Uchiha had caught on.
“Exactly!
We are going to support a civilian Ninja to become the Hokage!
And that person is the White Fang!”
“The White Fang’s strength, influence, and achievements make him the prime candidate for the next Hokage.
Yet, to ensure the Hokage position remains in their faction forever, the Third Hokage actually resorted to such despicable means!”
“However, this also gives our Uchiha an opportunity—an opportunity to offer timely help and assist the White Fang in becoming the Hokage!”
“So, sons of the Uchiha, help the White Fang turn the tide and become the Hokage!
The White Fang is a grateful man.
No matter what, he will owe us this favor, and the Hokage after next will definitely consider our Uchiha first!”
Uchiha Shali grew more and more excited as he spoke, spit flying everywhere, but no one minded.
They wished he would say more.
What a brilliant insight indeed!
Led by such a wise and martial Third Elder, how could their Uchiha fail to produce a Hokage!
“Fugaku, you will personally visit the White Fang tomorrow.
Our Uchiha will help him through this crisis.”
Uchiha Fushan immediately said.
“Yes.”
Uchiha Fugaku replied in a deep voice, his eyes containing a hint of excitement.
If he represented the clan in helping the White Fang, this political goodwill would fall on him.
In that case, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to become the Hokage in the future!
The other Uchiha had no objections either.
After all, Fugaku was the most outstanding Uchiha of this generation.
Uchiha Shali curled his lip inwardly.
It would have been better if Kiyone went, but unfortunately, Kiyone was still too young to compete.
Still, as long as the Uchiha Clan could produce a Hokage, it was a good thing.
His Kiyone would always have a chance in the future!