Jin understood the Uchiha far too well.
Their pride was real.
Their arrogance was habitual.
And when arrogance went unchecked, it turned into recklessness.
If certain matters were not clarified in advance, there was no telling what kind of chaos this clan might create on its own.
Fortunately, the Uchiha also shared another trait—
When confronted with someone undeniably stronger, they could become surprisingly disciplined.
Minato's strength spoke for itself. Combined with Jin's presence, that was more than enough to keep the clan in line.
Yashiro was the first to grasp Jin's meaning.
"So," he said carefully, "you and Namikaze Minato are… partners?"
Jin nodded.
"More than partners," he said, emphasizing each word. "We are comrades with aligned ideals."
Setsuna frowned.
"It's not that I doubt you," he said slowly. "But Minato's relationship with Hiruzen is well known."
"If you cannot provide something concrete, it's difficult to accept that he's truly one of ours."
That suspicion was reasonable.
For months, Hiruzen Sarutobi had openly cultivated Minato as his successor.
And Minato had publicly proposed reforms targeting the Uchiha-controlled Police Force.
From any surface-level perspective, he looked like Hiruzen's inheritor.
At that moment, Fugaku stepped forward.
"I can vouch for Jin."
All eyes turned toward him.
"First—Orochimaru."
"My eldest son, Itachi, is currently receiving treatment under him."
"That alone should demonstrate that Orochimaru is not hostile to us."
He paused before continuing.
"As for Minato…"
"Our families were close."
"My wife, Mikoto, and Minato's fiancée, Kushina, are close friends."
"That is something everyone here already knows."
The room stirred.
It was true.
Before recent tensions escalated, the Uchiha head family and Minato's household had been on good terms.
Uchiha Mikoto was one of Kushina Uzumaki's closest confidantes.
That goodwill had been buried under the recent political storm.
Now, with Fugaku's reminder, some of the hostility toward Minato began to loosen.
Jin raised a hand, quieting the murmurs.
"Whether Minato is truly aligned with us will become clear soon enough."
"But understand this—"
"Until he firmly secures the Fourth Hokage's seat, he must not appear to be ours."
The meaning was obvious.
Public neutrality.
Private alignment.
The Uchiha were proud—but not stupid.
They understood the implications immediately.
"Understood," several voices answered.
Jin gave a faint nod.
He had revealed Minato's alignment early because this clan was unique. Aside from a few extremists—already under his control—the Uchiha did not breed traitors.
But they did breed impulsive brilliance.
Better clarity than misunderstanding.
Yet Setsuna still looked troubled.
"There's something I cannot reconcile," he said.
"Even without our support, Minato is almost certain to become Fourth Hokage."
"If anything, visible Uchiha support would risk costing him Hiruzen's backing."
"Why would he take that risk?"
The question hung in the air.
It was a sharp one.
Even Yashiro found himself nodding.
Jin smiled faintly.
"That logic holds true—under normal circumstances."
He tilted his head slightly.
"But have you considered this?"
"Why did Hiruzen abandon his direct disciple Orochimaru in favor of Minato?"
Setsuna froze.
He had never questioned it.
To him, both Orochimaru and Minato were merely extensions of Hiruzen's will.
Jin continued calmly.
"Orochimaru rose during the Second Shinobi War."
"He commanded on the frontlines in both the Second and Third Wars."
"Over more than a decade, he cultivated his own loyal cadre."
"In terms of experience, seniority, and military command—he was the stronger candidate."
Heads began to lift.
"If Orochimaru became Hokage," Jin went on, "he would naturally appoint his own trusted subordinates to key positions."
"That is both a political obligation and practical necessity."
"But positions within Konoha are limited."
"One seat per post."
"If Orochimaru's people rise…"
"Whose people fall?"
The implication landed heavily.
Yashiro slapped his thigh.
"Hiruzen's people."
Understanding flashed across his face.
"Minato only rose during this most recent war. His foundation is thin."
"If he becomes Hokage, he has no entrenched faction to promote."
"He would be forced to rely on Hiruzen's existing network."
"And that makes him manageable."
A puppet.
The word went unspoken—but everyone heard it.
Jin nodded.
"Exactly."
"If Minato does not want to become a puppet…"
"Then he needs his own base of power."
His gaze swept the chamber.
"And that base—"
"Is us."
Silence followed.
Not shocked this time.
Realization.
For Minato, the Uchiha were not a liability.
They were leveraged.
Support from the Uchiha gave him independence from Hiruzen's shadow.
For the Uchiha, Minato's ascension offered entry back into the center of power.
It was not a master and servant.
Not manipulation.
Mutual necessity.
Jin's voice lowered slightly.
"We are not backing a puppet."
"We are becoming the trusted confidants of the Fourth Hokage."
"And when he stands at the top—"
"He will not stand alone."
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