Be More Practical

"Everyone already knows that the clan members who went out on missions recently have all been killed, right?"

Everyone nodded grimly. Four squads had left Konoha recently.

Other than Senyo, all eleven of the others had died. Most of their bodies had not even been recovered.

Senyo's teammates had also been blown to pieces by an Explosive Tag trap. Their bodies could not even be put back together, so they could only be buried in the Land of Grass.

"Konoha has been targeting our Uchiha Clan for a while now. Not only have they been encroaching on the Security Force's territory, they've also been assigning us especially difficult missions."

"The mission system has always been controlled by Konoha's upper ranks. They suffered a major loss this time, and they definitely won't repent."

"It's very likely that they'll set traps for us next."

"For the time being, no one should accept any missions from the village."

No one objected to this, and they all nodded in agreement.

"Clan Head, if no combat personnel go out on missions at all, how long can the clan support everyone?"

After thinking for a moment, Fugaku answered, "Although the Uchiha Clan's businesses have shrunk considerably compared to the Warring States era..."

"Our accumulated wealth is enough to support everyone for several years."

After all, they were a clan with a thousand-year legacy. It was impossible for them to have no money at all.

Senyo smiled. "It won't take that long. This is only a transitional period."

The Great Elder suddenly spoke up. "Those clan members at home can't sit still. Letting them rest for a couple of days is fine, but if it goes on too long, I'm afraid they'll cause trouble."

Senyo remained calm. "That's simple. They're doing missions anyway—where they do them makes no difference."

"There are plenty of missions on the black market. The Uchiha were mercenaries to begin with; we're simply returning to our old trade."

"The number of people leaving the clan can't be too large, so they'll have to compete in an arena for the slots themselves."

"Those who lose can take a vacation at home. Only those who win may go out on missions."

The Great Elder laughed heartily. "That's a good idea."

The Uchiha could not afford to spread themselves too thin right now, so those who went out had to be elites.

A strength-based method like competing for slots was perfectly suited to the Uchiha Clan's circumstances.

"As for the Security Force's work, we only need to guard our own turf. There's no difference from before."

"Konoha will definitely come to test us. Our Uchiha now have three Mangekyō Sharingan, so we can be more forceful."

"If you find any Root members, kill them on sight!"

"If Konoha people shield them, fire a Signal Flare. I'll be walking around Konoha tomorrow and can come support you at any time."

"Non-combat personnel don't need to change anything. Just live normally."

By non-combat personnel, Senyo meant civilians who bore the Uchiha surname but lacked ninja talent.

Such civilians generally made a living through small businesses.

For example, Uchiha Huoshao and Uchiha Jing were a married couple who sold flatbread.

The largest group among those bearing the Uchiha surname consisted of these civilians.

When the Uchiha wanted to produce gifted descendants, they would also prioritize choosing partners from among these civilians.

But generally, no one targeted these civilians—unless their own clan had no civilians at all.

Fugaku nodded slightly, indicating his agreement with Senyo.

After all, by his way of thinking, merely bearing the Uchiha surname did not make one a clan member; one also had to possess ninja talent.

"Other than the Great Elder, the Clan Head, and Itachi, everyone else may leave first."

The Second Elder and Third Elder exchanged looks, then both looked at Fugaku. The meaning was clear: they were elders too, so why could they not listen?

Great Elder Shihu slapped the back of the Second Elder's head. "What are you looking at? Go stabilize the clan members."

The Second Elder, Yanhe, had once served under Great Elder Shihu as his squad captain. Even after receiving that slap, he did not dare talk back.

"Yes, Great Elder."

Third Elder Hiroki immediately behaved himself as well, leaving together with the somewhat aggrieved Second Elder.

Itachi said something to Yusuke. Yusuke gave Itachi a strange look, but ultimately agreed.

After everyone had left, Senyo cleared his throat and spoke.

"Itachi, there's nothing wrong with your wish for peace. I also don't want a large-scale war."

"But you need to consider what kind of person Konoha's Third Hokage is."

"Have you ever thought about how the Senju Clan was wiped out?"

Hearing the implication in Senyo's words, everyone present was horrified!

Itachi was utterly stunned. "Didn't the Senju Clan change their names and merge into Konoha?"

Senyo patted Itachi on the shoulder. "You're far too naive."

"With our entire Uchiha Clan here, why would they need to integrate into Konoha?"

"Sarutobi Hiruzen replicated Wood Release—how many Senju clansmen became test subjects, and how many survived?"

"Didn't he know how dangerous those experiments were? Even after the first person died, he still wouldn't stop?"

"What do you think happened to the Senju Clan after all its young and able-bodied members died?"

"Nawaki, the sole remaining heir of the Senju Clan, went to the battlefield at twelve. Why didn't Asuma?"

"How did rumors that drove White Fang to his death spread throughout Konoha when the Anbu were everywhere?"

"Why did the Third Hokage recommend Minato as the Fourth Hokage instead of Orochimaru or Tsunade?"

"Why did all of Konoha know Naruto was the Demon Fox, yet no one tell him that he was the Child of the Hero?"

"Leaving Kushina's property aside, could the Fourth Hokage's inheritance not even guarantee Naruto three meals a day?"

"Naruto caused trouble everywhere, yet he was never truly punished. Can you guess why?"

Senyo's rapid-fire questions made Itachi's gaze grow increasingly profound.

"Our Uchiha geniuses only need a little flattery before they start thinking they're capable of anything."

"But there are many things right under your noses that you still can't see clearly."

When Senyo said this, he was completely detached from the Uchiha Clan, making his stance somewhat strange.

However, no one noticed that detail.

"Too many of our clansmen are arrogantly self-important and blindly convinced of what they believe."

"No matter how many holes there are in it, they never question it. The stronger they are, the more stubbornly self-willed they become."

"Clan Head, I have a question for you."

After what had happened tonight and hearing Senyo's insights just now, Fugaku no longer dared underestimate him. He said gravely, "Go ahead, Senyo."

A cryptic smile curled at Senyo's lips. "Could the method recorded on the stone tablet to save the Uchiha Clan be fake?"

Without even thinking, Fugaku answered, "Impossible!"

Senyo spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "Before this, you also believed Itachi was absolutely on the family's side."

Fugaku fell silent, suddenly not knowing what to say.

The Great Elder spoke up from the side. "Senyo, do you mean we should learn to question ourselves?"

Senyo shook a finger. "No. I want our clansmen to be more pragmatic."

"Rather than believing in such vague and intangible things, we should be thinking about how to deal with Konoha."