Years ago...
Uzumaki Mito could sense a hidden darkness in Sarutobi Ryo's heart.
It wasn't obvious.
Unlike Orochimaru and Danzo, who were very open about their darkness, this was different.
But her ability to sense bad intentions could still detect it.
This was also why Uzumaki Mito chose Namikaze Minato as the guardian of the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki.
Of course, her first choice was her own grandson, Senju Nawaki.
However, despite Uzumaki Mito's judgment, Sarutobi Ryo had become a ninja who possessed the Will of Fire.
"And speaking of darkness, Lord Danzo has plenty of it too... And so did the previous Hokage, because Lord Danzo got his darkness from him..."
Sarutobi Ryo shot back.
After a long explanation, Utatane Koharu finally understood what he was saying.
"Are you saying... the previous Hokage was wrong?!"
Utatane Koharu's eyes widened, and she looked very upset.
That was a serious accusation to make.
This must be what Sarutobi Hiruzen, his Old Father, faced whenever he tried to protect the Uchiha clan.
Accusing someone of not following the Will of Fire, of going against the previous Hokage... that would ruin anyone's reputation.
But what kind of person was Sarutobi Ryo?
He had seen enough of politics in his previous life to know exactly what to do.
So, he immediately started to argue against Utatane Koharu.
"Koharu-sama... Senju Tobirama could never be wrong."
Sarutobi Ryo started by agreeing with Senju Tobirama.
Anyway, Senju Tobirama was dead.
There was no harm in making him look good.
Whether people praised him or criticized him, the old man was gone, so giving him a good reputation wouldn't hurt.
Hearing this, Utatane Koharu's expression softened.
But Sarutobi Ryo's next words made her feel like she had swallowed a bug: "But I'm afraid some people... have misunderstood the Second Hokage's intentions..."
Utatane Koharu: "!"
Faced with Sarutobi Ryo's sneaky moves, Utatane Koharu could barely breathe!
"You!"
Utatane Koharu was furious.
"The First Hokage isn't wrong, it's the people who misinterpret him who are wrong, just like how people in the same Squad, the same Team, the same class, training together to become ninjas... yet some become Hokage, and some don't... Even if they learn the same things, they will end up going in completely different directions..."
Sarutobi Ryo made up a story to shut Utatane Koharu down.
You say Senju Tobirama is great and righteous? Fine, he is great and righteous, no mistake. But whether you are... that's another question.
"I thought..."
Then, Sarutobi Ryo began to improvise.
He started to twist Senju Tobirama's thoughts and ideals.
"Love runs deep, resentment cuts deep... It's precisely because the previous Hokage loved the Uchiha clan so much, hoping they would become great, that he felt such disappointment... Uchiha Madara's betrayal worried him deeply... That's why the Second Hokage kept such a close watch on the Uchiha clan, hoping they wouldn't repeat the same mistakes, but instead become ninjas with the Will of Fire like the First Hokage... What evil clan? It's just like parents giving their children strict lectures, or even physical punishment..."
Sarutobi Ryo looked up, his eyes sincere.
Hearing these words, Utatane Koharu started to breathe heavily.
"Good... good... good...!"
Finally, she said the word "good" three times.
Because she realized that Sarutobi Ryo was Stubborn!
There was no way she could change his mind today.
After speaking, Sarutobi Ryo looked at everyone, a slight smile on his face: "Everyone, I've persuaded Elder Koharu..."
Utatane Koharu: "..."
----
A moment later, Utatane Koharu stormed out.
"Good riddance."
Sarutobi Ryo glanced at her, then turned to Itachi with a kind expression.
"Itachi... from today onwards, you are my Adopted Son..."
I'm going to tell everyone in the Village. To let everyone know that even if Fugaku is gone, the Uchiha clan... will be well taken care of. The Son of a Hero will not be left to cry.
"As for your Mother, please rest assured, I believe Madam Mikoto has found the strength to keep living..."
Those who didn't know the truth were clueless.
They just thought everything was going well.
"Itachi, call me Mom..."
Yamanaka Hui excitedly said to Itachi.
Gaining a Son for no reason, without even having to give birth, how wonderful.
Yamanaka Hui, surprisingly happy to be a Mom, wasn't unhappy at all.
After all, she thought that giving birth was a very scary thing.
Such a world... ah, this world is getting better.
Then, maybe she could consider it in the future.
And so, a heartwarming scene played out.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was happy to have an Adopted Grandson, and Sarutobi Biwako was pleased as well.
Especially when Sarutobi Ryo again praised Itachi's talent, saying that he was even more talented than the Sannin. At least as good as Konoha White Fang...
Sarutobi Biwako couldn't help but look surprised.
"Everyone, let's patiently wait for Itachi to grow up, until he becomes a great inheritor of the Will of Fire..."
After Sarutobi Ryo finished speaking, he couldn't help but smile.
----
Several days later.
The Hokage Election officially began.
Having already learned that Sarutobi Ryo had taken Itachi as his Adopted Son, everyone was still talking about the Uchiha clan.
Since... Uchiha Fugaku died with the Third Raikage, and Obito survived and came back...
These events happened one after another, making the Uchiha clan the center of attention.
For a while, everyone felt that.
This Konoha, was about to change.
The Uchiha clan's bad luck was over, were they about to rise again?
Young Master Sarutobi Ryo taking Itachi as his Adopted Son, the Golden Flash taking Obito as his disciple...
All these things showed that the leaders were starting to change their direction.
Could it be because Obito had the First Hokage's Wood Release power?
Watching the crowd talking, Namikaze Minato looked troubled.
He understood that Young Master Ryo was using the Wood Release incident he had created to his advantage...
And smoothly achieving some... possibilities.
The members of the Uchiha clan came up to congratulate Young Master Ryo.
Yashiro looked especially happy.
After all, Uchiha Fugaku's death had made the Uchiha clan lose a powerful ninja.
The Clan's position was probably going to get even worse.
But when he heard that Itachi had become Young Master Ryo's Adopted Son, he drank a lot of alcohol that day.
Clearly, Yashiro and the others were very excited.
The Uchiha clan... this was definitely a sign of approval, and they had moved up in the world.
"Everyone in the Uchiha clan... I, Sarutobi Ryo, plan to run for the next Hokage. And Itachi... I believe he has the talent to become the Sixth Hokage."
Sarutobi Ryo announced this shocking news in the Conference Room.
Everyone there was a well-known Jonin from Konoha.
They were also the ninjas who were there to take part in the Hokage Election today.
Hearing Sarutobi Ryo say this, they gasped.
Yashiro and the other Uchiha Jonin were completely stunned.
Then, they got even more excited.
Heavens...
Young Master Ryo said that Itachi had the talent to become Hokage?!
This amazing news made them feel like the Uchiha clan had completely turned things around.
Because of Sarutobi Ryo's words, Yashiro and the others instantly became completely loyal to Sarutobi Ryo.
They felt that following Young Master Sarutobi Ryo would definitely lead to a bright future!
"In the future, I will need the support of all of you Uchiha clan comrades..."
Sarutobi Ryo bowed to everyone.
"Of course, of course...!"
Yashiro smiled so widely that he couldn't close his mouth.
He looked at the Uchiha Compatriots, his eyes flashing.
They all understood.
This time, every Uchiha clan Jonin would vote for Konoha White Fang!
Watching the situation change so quickly.
Obito, who was just being considered as a Jonin, gasped.
How did things turn out like this?
Wasn't it agreed that at least half of the people would support Teacher Minato?
Why is everyone...
"Hmph..."
Kakashi, who was also a Jonin, hmphed and looked at Obito.
"Obito, this time my Father will definitely be the Hokage."
"Dream on! Kakashi!" Obito was starting to panic.
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter 297 (Vol 2 Ch 239) (+130 Chapters Ahead!)
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 243 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
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]