"Jonin Hatake, this is a gift, premium nourishing lamb. Even now that it's being bred and sold, only a few are sold each year."
Uchiha Yoichi presented the gift box of lamb. The meat of the Magic Goat is quite unique; even if frozen for several months, its freshness doesn't fade, and it's a fine dish even if simply boiled in water.
The exquisite taste of the Magic Goat spread among the nobility of the Land of Fire, quickly gaining many admirers.
Hatake Sakumo had also tasted this lamb before when Kakashi brought some back. It was indeed top-quality meat, unmatched by anything else in the Ninja World, and addictive when consumed.
"Such a gift, I really find it hard to refuse. Thank you, Mr. Yoichi, and please come in and try the red bean soup I've cooked."
Hatake Sakumo accepted the gift box with a smile and then welcomed Uchiha Yoichi inside.
Uchiha Yoichi found it a bit strange to be served red bean soup when visiting, but once inside, he only hoped the red bean soup was normal.
The living area at the front of the Hatake residence isn't very large, but considering the dojo for swordsmanship practice and the courtyard, it is relatively big.
After Uchiha Yoichi sat down, it wasn't long before Hatake Sakumo served the tea treats for the guest... desserts and red bean soup.
"Senior Sakumo really has a sweet tooth..."
Uchiha Yoichi took a small taste to confirm it was normal sweets before eating with peace of mind; he was worried that Hatake Sakumo remembered he said he loved spicy food last time and made him spicy-filled dumplings.
"Mr. Yoichi, is there something you came to see me about today?"
"Hmm, it's kind of business. I wanted to ask if Senior Sakumo has any intention of becoming Hokage?"
Uchiha Yoichi put down the red bean soup and asked Hatake Sakumo directly.
"Hokage, huh..."
Hatake Sakumo wasn't surprised; instead, he showed a knowing expression and then said, "If the responsibility to protect everyone and the village falls to me, I will undoubtedly take the charge. But to actively run for it, I might not have that much motivation."
"Although I am a ninja, every member of the Hatake family will find their lifelong principle to believe in. I have found mine, which is a bit different from being Hokage."
After hearing this, Uchiha Yoichi sighed inwardly. He sensed that Hatake Sakumo didn't want to be Hokage, but hearing it out loud still felt a bit regrettable.
"Senior Sakumo, as I told you last time, if a Hokage is still chosen among the ninjas who inherit the Second Generation Hokage's philosophy, the Uchiha Race will eventually clash with the village. By then, either the village is destroyed, or the Uchiha Race perishes."
Uchiha Yoichi said calmly, "I will become the clan leader and also want to be Hokage. So I hope you first become the Fourth Generation Hokage and then give the Uchiha Race a fair chance."
Hatake Sakumo was slightly surprised by these words, then said, "Mr. Yoichi, isn't that a bit of an exaggeration..."
"Not at all. Due to matters involving Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Setsuna, the Second Generation Hokage will always regard our Uchiha Race as restless. Furthermore, given that the Sharingan's evolution requires strong emotions as a stimulus, this solidifies the Second Generation Hokage's belief...
He believed the Uchiha Race posed a rebellion risk. His successors would only further commit to this ideology. To have the Hokage they choose make changes, one must either dethrone them or simply ignore them. Senior Sakumo, who in the village do you think can achieve that?"
Hatake Sakumo thought about it carefully and realized that no one seemed capable of stepping out of the master-disciple cycle. Not even Orochimaru seemed able to.
Though he hadn't interacted much with Orochimaru, he could tell at a glance that Orochimaru was a ninja with his beliefs and ideals, and Orochimaru's ambitions didn't lie in the position of Hokage.
Once in office as Hokage, faced with tedious matters, one might end up delegating village affairs to others; this would leave only Orochimaru's master and the previous generation of Konoha Advisors, essentially stepping into a cycle.
Hatake Sakumo sighed, "Mr. Yoichi, can't you get along with the next generation? If you become the Uchiha Clan Leader by then, the Fourth Generation Hokage might accept you."
"If they're not as good as me, I see no need to submit or yield to them. If I were to run for the Fourth Generation Hokage, the current Third Generation Hokage, the Konoha Advisors, and their networks would do everything to block me. Hence, my chances of becoming the Fourth Generation Hokage are quite slim due to a lack of fairness."
Uchiha Yoichi paused for a moment and then continued, "My capabilities are strong enough to make every member of the Uchiha Race prosperous; in the future, I can make every villager prosper. I have the capability but not the platform."
"If someone else becomes the Hokage, then the Uchiha Race will surely not coexist peacefully with the village. Senior Sakumo, do you think the Third Generation Hokage or the next Hokage would want the Two-tailed Jinchuriki?"
Hatake Sakumo didn't respond. The Two-tailed Jinchuriki, such an essential figure, wouldn't likely be agreed upon. It was through his interactions with Uchiha Yoichi that Sakumo trusted that Yoichi wouldn't act against his principles.
Though Hatake Sakumo didn't understand why the Third Generation Hokage hadn't asked Uchiha Yoichi to give up at the Jonin meeting, the higher-ups in Konoha likely wouldn't dismiss this idea.
"Mr. Yoichi, I need to think this over carefully..."