Uchiha Qi: Huh? I Became the Grand Elder? Seriously?

What? Selling the Genjutsu Game as a regular product would let other villages gain the same benefits?

In theory, that was true.

However, since the core technology came from Konoha, couldn't the Genjutsu Games sold outside the village be "nerfed" to a certain extent?

Even if someone eventually managed to buy an unnerfed version of the Genjutsu Game by infiltrating Konoha, the quantity would definitely be limited. Compared with Konoha's scale and the benefits the entire Konoha-side ninja population could gain, that so-called risk was practically negligible.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not lack that level of vision and foresight. Besides, even if he suddenly had a lapse in judgment and failed to realize it, the Nara Clan, his greatest think tank, would tell him—after all, once the Nara Clan also held shares in the Konoha Gaming Guild, even that clan of slackers would become proactive.

Next, all Hiruzen Sarutobi needed to do was wait and observe, then decide on the next step based on how the games expanded.

"Whew... I hope... this can truly bring some good changes..."

Standing in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked through the window at Konoha, already shrouded in night, and murmured softly.

What this Hero of the Shinobi had not told his old friends was that this time, his leniency toward the Uchiha Clan was also a form of trial and preparation.

The current situation in the ninja world was like oil poured onto raging flames, filled with the sense that a storm was about to break.

Among the Five Great Nations, the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth were sharpening their blades, while the distant island nation of the Land of Water was also watching covetously. According to intelligence sent back by spies, all of them had set their sights on the Land of Fire and were frantically spreading anti-Land of Fire sentiment within their own countries. Only the Land of Wind, having suffered the greatest losses in the Second Great Ninja War, appeared relatively stable.

However, once the other great nations made their move, the Land of Wind would inevitably follow at once. When that happened, the Third Great Ninja War would descend.

Moreover, Konoha would very likely find itself facing a one-versus-four situation. After all, the Land of Fire had been the greatest victor in the previous two Ninja World Wars and had gained the most benefits.

Once the Third Great Ninja War began, the Land of Fire would inevitably become the target of all.

As Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi had long analyzed this with his think tank. Therefore, even though Konoha was currently strong in both troops and resources, he remained deeply worried.

During the first two Ninja World Wars, Konoha had also faced encirclement. Yet while those nations besieged the Land of Fire, they were also fighting one another. It had been a chaotic melee, so the pressure Konoha faced had not actually been as great as it seemed.

But the Third Great Ninja War would be different. If it began, the Land of Fire would very likely have to face the full-force assault of four great nations.

If they could not hold out, Konoha would truly be in danger.

That was what troubled Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The facts proved that Hiruzen Sarutobi's concerns were not unfounded. The Third Great Ninja War would be more intense than the first two, and Konoha would even be pushed back to its doorstep, nearly forced to fight a defensive battle for Konoha itself.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi did not yet know that something so brutal would happen, his worries over the Third Great Ninja War had indeed driven him to prepare diligently.

The Genjutsu Game presented by the Uchiha Clan was an outright open scheme, something Hiruzen Sarutobi, as Hokage, could not refuse. It truly was an excellent thing that could greatly strengthen the village and increase its revenue.

With that as the foundation, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not mind changing his policy of doing everything possible to suppress the Uchiha Clan. For the first time, he gave the Uchiha Clan some leeway and support.

Of course, the main reason was that even Hiruzen Sarutobi had to praise the Uchiha Clan's maneuver this time as "damn brilliant," then simply go along with it amid his admiration.

Shaking his head, Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to his seat and continued handling the mountain of accumulated documents while quietly reinforcing the defenses at several key border fortresses.

Meanwhile, a banquet was being held within the Uchiha Clan Compound.

It celebrated the perfect conclusion of the launch event, as well as the successful establishment of cooperation between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's major ninja clans.

It even celebrated...

The improvement of the Uchiha Clan's image within the village.

Although the higher-ups had not explained the subsequent plans in detail, they were already promoting that, through this launch event, the Uchiha Clan had embarked upon the correct path. So long as they followed the higher-ups' lead in the future and steadfastly advanced along the proper road Lord Qi had mapped out for the Uchiha Clan, the Uchiha Clan would surely become great again!

The main theme was popping champagne to their hearts' content.

Though the situation was different, it really did have the flavor of celebrating at halftime.

Still, Uchiha Qi did not pour cold water on them. The Uchiha Clan had indeed been suppressed for too long and had never seen even a sliver of hope. Now that the situation was looking so good, there was nothing wrong with letting the whole clan celebrate a little.

However, Uchiha Qi soon realized that he had still underestimated just how extreme the Uchiha Clan could be—

"My fellow clansmen, on this day worthy of remembrance, the time has also come for our Uchiha Clan to seek change and embrace rebirth!"

"From today onward, I, Uchiha Masanobu, will formally pass the position of Clan Head to my son, Fugaku. From now on, he will be the one who leads our Uchiha Clan!"

"At the same time, Elder Setsuna will step down from his position as Grand Elder. Our clan's new Grand Elder will be the guide who brought us all this—Uchiha Qi!"

"Under Clan Head Fugaku and Elder Qi's leadership, our Uchiha Clan will surely enter a brand-new chapter of glory!"

"Gentlemen, drain your cups!"

As he spoke, Uchiha Masanobu, seated in the place of honor, raised his cup high and then drained it in one gulp.

Drinking with him were the clan's higher-ups, led by Uchiha Setsuna. Clearly, these people had discussed it beforehand.

After the Uchiha Clan stood stunned for a moment, even more excited cheers erupted. Then everyone drank, each of them exhilarated, and quite a few directly activated their Sharingan.

Some Uchiha who had not previously awakened their eyes even awakened them at that moment—these people had awakened their eyes because of the daytime launch event. Under the impact of that atmosphere of collective revelry, followed by the major ninja clans taking the initiative to show goodwill and establish cooperation with the Uchiha Clan, some Uchiha had awakened their eyes because their emotions were too intense.

For a moment, it looked like a wild spectacle of red-eyed maniacs.

Uchiha Qi could no longer hold it together. Though he had indeed schemed to secure an extraordinary status within the Uchiha Clan, he only wanted an extraordinary status. He did not want to shoulder overly "heavy" responsibilities.

And what the hell was this Grand Elder position? In theory, it was a post within the Uchiha Clan that carried authority and status equal to the Clan Head's.

Previously, Uchiha Qi had already received the highest level of treatment, but that was merely treatment. Now that the position of Grand Elder had been thrown at him, it meant the corresponding authority had been handed over as well. It was a position that could truly control and influence everything in the Uchiha Clan.

Was it really alright to suddenly hand him such an important position?

Uchiha Qi looked at the higher-ups and found that they were all very happy. Even the most stubborn old conservatives wore delighted smiles, their gazes toward him filled with both gratification and respect.

Damn it, Uchiha Clan, could you all please be sensible?!

How old was he, Uchiha Qi?

Eighteen. At most, he would turn nineteen in a few months.

Could someone that young really be the Grand Elder?

Opening his mouth, Uchiha Qi wanted to say something.

However, Uchiha Setsuna smiled and said, "Qi-kun, you need not say anything more. We all believe this is the most suitable arrangement. I am already old. I thought I had spent my life striving for the Uchiha Clan, but in truth, I was merely a failure. In my entire life, I was unable to bring any real change to the Uchiha Clan."

"The new era no longer has a ship capable of carrying an old relic from the previous era like me. Rather than continue occupying this position and become a burden to the clan as I grow older, it would be better to give the position of Grand Elder to the person most suited for it—you—so that you can guide our Uchiha Clan forward along this correct course."

Uchiha Qi: "..."

Elder Setsuna, did you perhaps go study in the neighboring One Piece world?

Please vote, please bookmark, please keep reading.