Minato's intent in having him and Kakashi attend this core meeting was self-evident: he wanted them to take a stand, side with the Uchiha, or at least maintain the position of "giving another chance" to balance the hardline attitude of the two advisors.
Kakashi went without saying; with the heavy bond of his crush, Obito, there was no way he could point his spear at the entire Uchiha clan.
As for himself... Takuno thought rapidly; his past relationship with Fugaku had been fairly harmonious, and he had never expressed a clear inclination.
In Minato's mind, even if he wasn't a staunch supporter of the Uchiha, he at least wouldn't stand against them.
The situation was now very clear: the two Advisors Elders stood in sharp opposition to the Uchiha, and Lord Minato, as the Hokage, found it inconvenient to directly show a stance too biased toward the Uchiha out of consideration for a neutral position and appeasing all parties.
Naturally, the burden of breaking the deadlock and forming a counterbalancing force fell upon the shoulders of himself and Kakashi.
Takuno felt a bit of a headache, his gaze glancing toward Kakashi, who was arguing heatedly with Mitokado Homura in an attempt to defend the Uchiha.
"What a... hassle," Takuno sighed silently in his heart, knowing he could no longer stand by and watch.
He took a deep breath, adjusted his tone, and met the gazes of Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, joining this "battlefield" destined to have no immediate result.
"Senpai Advisors, I do not mean to entirely negate your views. Regarding the research and analysis the Second Hokage conducted on the Uchiha clan, as juniors, we naturally hold the deepest respect and possess no right to lightly question its authority."
Kakashi leaned in the shadows of the corner, his mask hiding his face and making his specific expression unreadable, but his single exposed eye widened into a perfect circle due to shock, with waves of disbelief churning in the depths of his pupil.
He stared fixedly at Takuno standing in the center of the meeting room; this senior's current remarks sounded to him like nothing less than a silent betrayal—a betrayal of his teacher's trust.
Faced with Kakashi's silent interrogation, Takuno's expression remained calm, as if he hadn't noticed that burning gaze.
His opening statement was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, yet it did not trigger many ripples on Minato's face.
The Fourth Hokage sat in the primary seat, his azure eyes calm as water; he knew Takuno and knew this was definitely not his final stance—there would inevitably be a turning point.
The two advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, did not show even a hint of relief due to the "respect" for the Second's research in Takuno's words.
They likewise keenly captured the aura of a "but" coming, their sharp gazes tightly locking onto this Commander-in-Chief of the intelligence department.
Sure enough, Takuno's tone shifted, his voice suddenly rising a few notches with an unquestionable firmness: "However!"
"We must never forget: what was the fundamental will of the First Hokage, Lord Hashirama, to which he devoted his life's work in establishing Konoha Hidden Konoha?
It was to end the blood feuds and disputes between clans, allowing all ninjas of different bloodlines and all ethnic groups carrying different destinies...
I believe this must have included the Uchiha clan—to be able to lay down hatred under this one roof, understand one another, unite as one, and jointly protect this hard-won home!"
He looked around, his gaze finally landing on the two advisors as he questioned: "If today, simply because of historical shadows and potential anxieties, we view the entire Uchiha clan as outcasts and thoroughly marginalize them from the village...
Would this not be a complete betrayal of Lord First's original intention in founding Konoha? The high walls we build with our own hands would ultimately block the very undifferentiated bond that was Lord First's dream!"
"Absurd!" Utatane Koharu slammed the table, her aged voice trembling with sharp indignation. "That was then, this is now! Commander-in-Chief, do not try to confuse the issue!
Moreover, if it hadn't been for that damn Madara's treachery and his attempt to kill Lord First at the Valley of the End, how could Lord First have... have died so young!"
Mentioning this, anger burned in her old eyes.
"Advisor," his voice was steady and clear, "I have also repeatedly studied those dusty historical archives. However, the information I have interpreted perhaps deviates from the conclusions you two have reached."
He paused slightly, emphasizing his tone, "The records clearly show: when Madara resolved to betray Konoha and move to the opposite side of the village, the entire Uchiha clan did not choose to follow him; instead, they stayed firmly within the village and chose to live or die with Konoha!"
His gaze swept over the two advisors, over the contemplative Minato, and the shocked Kakashi, as he spoke with powerful conviction.
"This fact is precisely the most powerful proof of the First Hokage's dream!
It manifests with absolute clarity: even the Uchiha clan, viewed as 'heretics' by some, has a vast majority of members who deeply cherish the hard-won peace and bonds of the village.
Yes, there may appear deviant and extremist existences like Madara among the clansmen, but this is by no means the norm for the Uchiha clan!
Individual darkness should not become a dark cloud shrouding the entire group, let alone a reason to negate their collective!"
Mitokado Homura pushed the reading glasses on the bridge of his nose, the gaze behind the lenses flickering with a light that was rational yet stubborn.
"The Commander-in-Chief's analysis indeed has its merits. I am not entirely negating it." His tone returned to its usual caution and restraint. "However, the problem lies precisely with this 'small group of people.'
Just as the laws revealed by the Second Hokage's lifelong research show: it is often those Uchiha clansmen whose thoughts turn to extremes and who become estranged from the village whose inner power grows far beyond that of ordinary clansmen, erupting with unimaginable destructive force!
Because of this, even if we admit the main body of the Uchiha is loyal, we must still guard against and remain constantly vigilant toward those few 'aberrants' who might exist! Though the hidden danger is small, its harm is infinite."
Faced with this concern based on rational analysis and agreement with the Second's research conclusions, Takuno could not flatly refute it.
He nodded silently, acknowledging that the concern itself had a logical basis.
Minato, in the primary seat, couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
This was exactly the thorny point: if the words of the two advisors were entirely baseless nonsense, he could easily overrule them with his authority as Hokage.
But as it happened, the potential risks brought by the Uchiha clan's unique Sharingan bloodline limit and intense emotional entanglements were real historical lessons.
The starting point of the advisors was, after all, for the safety of the village.
This defensive argument based on "reasonable suspicion" was the most difficult knot to untie.
Kakashi, standing nearby, felt like he was listening to a lecture in a foreign language. The Second Hokage, the First Hokage... how did they know so much?
And why did he know nothing at all?
This wasn't really Kakashi's fault; after all, as a mission expert, most of his time was spent on missions, and he didn't pay attention to such matters.
As for Takuno in the intelligence department, he had plenty of reasons to be thoroughly familiar with all of this.
After a short while, Takuno seemed to have gone through a deeper layer of thought, and he spoke again.
"I understand your anxieties, seniors.
However, 'precaution' does not mean we must completely isolate and marginalize the entire Uchiha clan from the trust and system of the village!
That will only push more clansmen who might have remained neutral toward the opposing side!"
He straightened his back, casting his gaze toward the blond youth in the primary seat, his voice filled with unprecedented confidence.
"More importantly, the one sitting in the position of Hokage today is our Fourth Hokage, Lord Namikaze Minato!"
"With the speed of the 'Yellow Flash' that surpasses all in the ninja world, with his Flying Thunder God Technique capable of rewriting the layout of a battlefield, and with his formidable strength and unparalleled decisiveness tempered through countless bloody battles.
We have every reason to believe that even if an unpredictable and extreme disaster were to truly occur within the Uchiha clan, the Fourth Hokage possesses absolute power to thoroughly suppress and eliminate it at the first moment!
This power and determination to protect Konoha is exactly the greatest reliance we have today to dare to attempt trust and inclusion!"
Minato, suddenly called out, was slightly taken aback.
It wasn't that he lacked this confidence, but in such a sensitive and intense debate, Takuno had placed the weight of trust and the responsibility for resolving crises entirely upon his personal strength. This trust and heavy responsibility caused a ripple in his heart.
But immediately, a calm and powerful confidence welled up.
Yes, should that day come, he would be duty-bound.
In the name of the "Fourth Hokage," he would surely protect every inch of Konoha's land, including those Uchiha clansmen who might go astray—so long as there was still room for salvation.
"This..." Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were instantly rendered speechless.
The two opened their mouths, but their throats felt as if blocked by something, and they temporarily could not find words to refute.
Question the strength of the Fourth Hokage? In such a public setting, right in front of Minato himself?
Having lived most of their lives, they knew the weight of such words.
Even if they harbored a few doubts in their hearts as to whether this young Hokage could completely suppress the legendary forbidden power of the Uchiha, they would never dare to voice them in such a setting.
What's more, Minato's brilliant battle record and the strength he displayed had long since exceeded their expectations, leading them to admit privately that his edge had already surpassed that of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, in his prime.
Perhaps... what Takuno said was truly a viable path?
However, the wariness of the Uchiha clan, rooted for decades, had already evolved into disgust; it was not something a single set of arguments could easily eliminate.
Rationality might have softened, but emotional resistance remained stubbornly entrenched in their hearts.
Takuno's discourse was indeed reasonable, but it was still difficult for them to completely lay down their guard and accept them wholeheartedly.
Advisor Elder Mitokado Homura's voice, carrying deep-seated vigilance, broke the silence again:
"The Hokage's strength is undoubtedly top-tier.
However, the world is unpredictable—who can assert that every future Hokage will be able to completely suppress the Uchiha clan in terms of power?
Drawing the relationship too close at this moment is no different from burying an unpredictable root of disaster for the future.
We must be extremely cautious regarding this hidden danger."
His fingers tapped the table unconsciously, showing his inner persistence.
Facing the advisor's stubborn insistence, Takuno's expression was calm as he responded:
"The advisor's concern is indeed reasonable. However, while there is no absolute certainty, since the great Second Hokage gained insight into the deep secrets of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan awakening, shouldn't we try to go a step further based on his wisdom and explore a way to resolve it? There are always more solutions than problems."
"Hmph! Easier said than done!" Elder Utatane Koharu instantly flared up in anger, her voice rising sharply. "Research? That's easier said than done! How can the achievements of the Second Lord be easily replicated by those who follow? Are you not aware of the hardships and unknowns involved?"
Takuno was not intimidated by this anger; his gaze calmly swept over the two advisors, his tone carrying a rational persistence:
"Precisely because the difficulty is clear, it is all the more reason to try. Without starting, how can one know it's impossible?
Moreover, 'research' isn't our only path. Change can perhaps start from within the Uchiha."
He paused slightly and threw out a key name, "For example, the bloodline of the senior Uchiha Kagami—his grandson, Shisui.
If we can have a young man like Shisui, who inherited Senpai Kagami's will, become the leader of the Uchiha clan, the outlook might be quite different."
"Kagami..."
This name was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples in the hearts of Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
The gazes of the two suddenly met, their stagnant astonishment clearly visible.
The figure of their former comrade, Uchiha Kagami—who once fought alongside them and took the harmony of the village and the clan as his own responsibility—seemed to emerge before their eyes through time.
For a moment, all the words of heated refutation were stuck in their throats.
If it were his grandson... if it were Shisui, in whom flowed the gentle yet firm bloodline of Uchiha Kagami...
Miraculously, the two advisors fell into silence, and their stubborn attitude showed a clear softening.
This unexpected turn caused a gratified smile to quietly curl on the lips of the observing Minato.
He knew well that thoroughly resolving the deep-seated conflict between the Uchiha and the village was not a one-day task; however, being able to pry at the deep-seated prejudices of the two advisors—even if only by a fraction—was already a major development of today's meeting.
"In that case," Minato made the decision at the appropriate time, his voice clear and firm, "Regarding the issue of the overall policy for the Uchiha clan, we shall maintain the status quo for the time being and make no changes."
His gaze turned toward everyone present.
"Yes!" Kakashi, who had been tensing his nerves, immediately straightened his back upon hearing this and responded loudly.
He might not have fully grasped the complex political considerations, but the result of "no change" was undoubtedly the reassurance he most wanted to hear at this moment.
"Yes..." The two advisors looked at each other and, in unison, let out an almost inaudible sigh.