Even when the Fourth Hokage died during the Nine-Tails Incident, Uchiha Nanaya had always suspected that Danzo's secret manipulations played a key role in the tragedy.
But was the Third Hokage truly uninvolved?
At the very least, Hiruzen Sarutobi must have known something, right?
---
"But the Third Hokage lost his wife too!"
So what?
To a power-hungry man, losing a wife was a small price to pay.
And who's to say it wasn't an accident of convenience?
---
Even if he truly didn't know what Danzo was planning, why didn't he sacrifice himself using the Reaper Death Seal instead of Minato?
Maybe Uchiha Nanaya was overthinking it.
Maybe Hiruzen genuinely didn't have time to act.
Maybe Minato simply beat him to it.
---
But after the Fourth Hokage's death, the Third Hokage immediately stepped back into power.
Was there really no one else who could take the Hokage position?
---
Jiraiya?
Not an option. He wasn't interested, and he had no political backing.
Besides, Jiraiya had already left Konoha by that time.
---
Orochimaru?
Absolutely not. He had defected a year prior.
---
Tsunade?
She had been gone for years and had no interest in returning.
---
Danzo?
That rat in the shadows?
Hah. He could dream.
There was no way Hiruzen would ever allow Danzo to become Hokage.
---
Fugaku Uchiha?
Not a chance.
To Hiruzen, the Uchiha Clan was unworthy of the Hokage title.
---
Hiashi Hyuga?
The Hyuga Clan's "Caged Bird" system made them just as unworthy in Hiruzen's eyes.
---
"Hmm… as expected."
Uchiha Nanaya smirked.
"Don't you see? The Third Hokage has been grooming a successor for years."
"Especially since the start of the Third Great Ninja War."
"The old man knew his position would become unstable after the war."
---
Hiruzen wasn't an idiot.
Even if no one directly challenged him, Danzo would absolutely seize the opportunity to try and claim the Hokage seat.
Hiruzen needed a puppet successor—someone loyal and easy to control.
---
"Who?"
Tsunade's brows furrowed.
She thought carefully.
"It's not Orochimaru. The old man could never control him."
She scoffed.
"If he thought he could, then he severely miscalculated."
---
"Jiraiya?"
She snorted.
"Hah! As much as I love that idiot, he's NOT Hokage material."
"And he knows it, too."
Jiraiya as Hokage? That would drive him insane.
---
"No, it's not Orochimaru or Jiraiya."
Uchiha Nanaya shook his head.
"The Third Hokage would never choose a successor he couldn't control.
"And he needs someone with no strong roots in Konoha."
"Someone respected but politically weak."
"Orochimaru is far too independent. He has too many supporters. Too much ambition."
"If he became Hokage, Hiruzen would never be able to control him."
---
Tsunade's Eyes Widened.
"Wait… you're not talking about… Minato, are you?"
---
"Bingo."
Uchiha Nanaya smirked.
"Namikaze Minato is the perfect puppet successor."
A commoner-born genius.
A rising star in the war.
Respected, but with no deep political ties.
Jiraiya's disciple—making him Hiruzen's "grandchild" in a way.
A devoted believer in the Will of Fire.
"Is there anyone more perfect than Minato?"
---
Tsunade Was Speechless.
"Dammit… you're right."
She ran a hand through her hair.
"Hiruzen has been planning this for years."
She laughed bitterly.
"I bet at first, he just saw Minato as a loyal soldier."
"But the moment he saw Minato's potential, he decided to groom him for Hokage."
---
"Exactly."
Uchiha Nanaya nodded.
"Hiruzen doesn't want an independent thinker."
"He wants a successor who will obey him even after stepping down."
"Someone who won't challenge his influence."
---
"So, you want me to challenge Minato for the Hokage seat?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"You want me to go against my own nephew?"
---
"Not exactly."
Uchiha Nanaya smiled.
"We're not playing by Hiruzen's rules."
"I've already been making secret alliances."
"By the time the war ends, we'll have enough political power to simply force Hiruzen into stepping down."
---
Tsunade's Jaw Dropped.
"Wait… you've been planning all of this for YEARS?"
"How old are you again?!"
She stared at him in disbelief.
"Did you start planning this in the womb?!"
---
"Hehe, maybe!"
Uchiha Nanaya grinned.
"I've been preparing for this since before I was born!"
---
"Tch! Brat!"
Tsunade flicked his forehead.
Then, she sighed.
"Alright, then tell me this—why don't you just make your father Hokage?"
"The Uchiha have been wanting a Hokage for ages, right?"
---
"Not happening."
Uchiha Nanaya waved it off.
"My father doesn't even want to be clan head, let alone Hokage."
"Besides, making an Uchiha the Hokage would be a nightmare politically."
"It's better to have a Hokage who can unite the village."
"Someone like you."
---
Tsunade Fell Silent.
She studied him carefully.
He wasn't doing this for power.
He was doing this to protect his family.
To protect Konoha.
---
Finally, she sighed and smirked.
"Alright, fine."
"I'll do it."
---
Uchiha Nanaya Grinned.
"Great! Now you just need to build your reputation in the war."
"Make sure Hiruzen has no choice but to step down."
---
Tsunade Rolled Her Eyes.
"Please, I'm Tsunade."
"Earning prestige is the easy part."
She cracked her knuckles.
"Now, let's crush this war."
---
TO BE CONTINUED…
Advance chapter in PATREON
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