The Will of the Clan

Having not been worn down by the Second Great Ninja War or the Third Great Ninja War, the Uchiha Clan's strength was truly terrifying.

Even after the First Great Ninja War and the Uchiha Internal Rebellion—the Naraku no Yomiyama Battle—even though the Uchiha Clan was currently in one of the weakest periods in its history since the Warring States period, even though the current Uchiha clan members did not possess a single pair of Mangekyō Sharingan... with their numerous Three-Tomoe jonin, their unmatched Fire Style, their unfathomable Sharingan genjutsu, and their miraculous Ninja Tool Throwing Technique, the modern Uchiha Clan remained the strongest clan in the Ninja World.

Especially after the Senju withdrew from public life, neither Konoha nor the entire Ninja World had another ninja clan capable of standing alongside the Uchiha Clan.

The Byakugan-wielding Hyuga? The Uchiha regarded them as nothing more than Tombstone Bones.

It was precisely this overwhelming strength, coupled with their predicament of being trapped in the Konoha Military Police Force with no way to advance further, that made the Uchiha Clan increasingly dissatisfied with the Hokage Faction. All manner of bitter and sarcastic remarks emerged within the clan, and the loose-lipped Uchiha clan members made sure everyone knew of their dissatisfaction with the Hokage Faction. Naturally, this left the Hokage Faction suspicious and wary.

Especially after Kagami Uchiha died in battle, the Uchiha Clan and the Hokage Faction completely lost their high-level channels of contact. The two sides could no longer effectively exchange information or communicate, further deepening their disagreements and misjudgments.

Thus, when the Uchiha Clan Head came to the Hokage's Office Building for a meeting in accordance with the Hokage's verbal summons and heard the Third Hokage's terms, he was truly tempted.

Anbu slots.

A Hokage's disciple—perhaps even his final disciple.

This meant that the Uchiha Clan could immediately break free from the limitations of the Konoha Military Police Force and gain an opportunity to seize greater power.

This was also the opportunity the Uchiha Clan had sought without success for more than twenty years.

"Lord Hokage, thank you for your generous favor... However, the matter of whether to retain or abolish the Konoha Military Police Force Reserve Training Academy is not something I can decide alone. It still requires discussion with the clan."

The Uchiha Clan Head was deeply tempted, but he refused.

However, he did not shut the door completely, leaving himself some room. After all, the Hokage was offering too much. What if the clan members reached a consensus after he returned?

"Clan Head Shijo, back then, we had quite a few experiences fighting side by side. It is only that nowadays, both of us are busy with work, so we have indeed had fewer chances to visit and keep in touch."

The Third Hokage was not angered. With a chuckle, he changed the subject and began chatting warmly with the Uchiha Clan Head about family matters and old friendships.

"Indeed. Back then, you and I even served together in the Western Border Defense Force..."

The Uchiha Clan Head did not hesitate either, following along as he began boasting and rambling.

After a round of boundless mutual flattery that ranged from one topic to another, the Uchiha Clan Head felt his throat growing dry. Yet the Third Hokage still wore an enthusiastic expression as he recounted the past, looking as though he intended to continue for several more hours.

"Lord Hokage, it is getting late. I should return and discuss this with the clan members as soon as possible, so I can give you a reply promptly."

Unable to endure any longer, the Uchiha Clan Head deliberately ended the conversation and found an opportunity to slip away.

"Do you remember that one from the Akimichi Clan... Uh, ah... very well, then I shall trouble you, Clan Head Shijo." Though the Third Hokage had been talking with great enthusiasm, he was not displeased by the interruption. After exchanging a few courteous words, he sent the Uchiha Clan Head away.

The Uchiha Clan Head took his leave and departed. The instant the door closed, the Third Hokage's smile froze, then slowly faded.

He picked up his pipe, frowned, and slowly took a puff.

"Uchiha..."

After returning to his residence, the Uchiha Clan Head slipped into his study without saying a word. He pondered and hesitated for a long time before finally sighing deeply and ordering someone to summon the Branch Family Elders of each Family Lineage for another meeting.

Hold a grand meeting for small matters and a small meeting for major matters. That had always been an old Uchiha Clan tradition.

By the time the Branch Family Elders had all arrived, evening had fallen. The Uchiha Clan Head had already become anxious from waiting, and he could not help worrying about the Uchiha Clan's discipline and the degree of respect its members held for their clan head.

In the clan head's living room, among the dozen or so old men seated in a crowded circle were two young Uchiha: the clan head's eldest son, Uchiha Fugaku, and Uchiha Tokimitsu, whom Elder Setsuna had specifically brought along to broaden his horizons.

This was also Uchiha Tokimitsu's first close look at Fugaku, the "important figure" of later generations whose reputation would be so divided.

On the surface, Fugaku appeared mature beyond his years. His somewhat square face differed slightly from the oval faces of ordinary Uchiha clan members. The lines beside his nose and mouth gave him an aged appearance, but also lent him a degree of authority. Judging by his features, he seemed rather decisive and resolute.

Although Fugaku kept his expression composed, he had also been covertly observing Uchiha Tokimitsu, the younger clansman who had recently risen to fame. After all, as the clan head's son, he had heard plenty about the wind and waves stirred up by Uchiha Tokimitsu's proposal.

The Uchiha Clan Head laid out the Hokage's terms in full, then closed his eyes to rest while allowing the Elders to discuss the matter.

To be fair, the Hokage's terms were quite good. In exchange for merely a Konoha Military Police Force Reserve Training Academy that still existed only on paper and had not yet been implemented, such generous treatment was offered. Not only were the Conservative Faction members tempted, but even some Radical Faction Elders could no longer sit still.

After exchanging whispers for a while, everyone turned their gaze toward the unruffled Elder Setsuna.

Elder Setsuna surveyed the room and read everyone's expressions, knowing that the clan members had begun to waver.

What a disorganized mob!

Elder Setsuna silently cursed inwardly, but he did not intend to speak himself. Instead, he looked toward Uchiha Tokimitsu seated beside him.

"Little Tokimitsu, you were the one who proposed the Konoha Military Police Force Reserve Training Academy. What do you think?"

"Me?"

Uchiha Tokimitsu was somewhat surprised. He was still just a six-year-old brat. Although the Uchiha Clan had examples of youths maturing early, there had never been a precedent for someone so young participating in clan affairs and deliberations.

"Yes, tell us what you think." Elder Setsuna paused. "How are Monkey's terms? Compared with the Konoha Military Police Force Reserve Training Academy?"

"The Konoha Military Police Force Reserve Training Academy will be the clan's future." Uchiha Tokimitsu straightened his small body and spoke each word clearly. "It will also be the key to uniting the clan and breaking down the barriers between the various Family Lineages."

"More importantly, it is a necessary condition for strengthening the clan and expanding our influence through the Konoha Military Police Force."

"The Hokage's terms are nothing special. They are not worth abandoning the Konoha Military Police Force Reserve Training Academy for. Once our clan becomes stronger, once our clan members become more united, once one of our own becomes Hokage, then everything will naturally be ours. We do not need some second-rate Senju lackey, Monkey Sarutobi, to shamelessly bestow it upon us!"

"Seek peace through struggle, and peace will endure. Seek peace through compromise, and peace will perish. What Uchiha wants, Uchiha will take for itself. We do not need others to give it to us! Uchiha—will not eat food thrown in charity!"

"I have said my piece. Who agrees? Who objects?"

After saying that, he looked around, his small body brimming with high spirits.

"Anbu slots are one thing, but... only a Hokage's disciple can become Hokage..."

An Elder from the Conservative Faction said weakly.

"How can the Hokage position be something privately bestowed? Only the Jonin Council can decide the candidate for Hokage! Monkey Sarutobi came to power illegitimately; his position itself is not lawful!" another Radical Faction Elder shouted in rebuttal.

"But if all our clan members attend the Konoha Military Police Force Reserve Training Academy and no one goes to the Ninja Academy, would that not mean the younger generation would no longer have any contact with the village's next generation?"

"I already said it! The Konoha Military Police Force Reserve Training Academy will only select the best among voluntary applicants. It is not forcing every member of the clan to enroll!"

"Still, the Konoha Military Police Force Reserve Training Academy will deepen the divide between the clan and the village. That is ultimately not a good thing..."

"Then we can also allow the children of some ninja clans close to our clan to enroll." Uchiha Tokimitsu interjected, then looked up at Elder Setsuna. "Grandpa Elder, what do you think?"

At those words, everyone turned to look at Elder Setsuna.

"Mm..."

"My fellow clansmen..."

Elder Setsuna looked around the room and spoke slowly.

"...Since the Naraku no Yomiyama Battle, our clan's strength has weakened considerably. We are now at our weakest point in a thousand years. Though we live in peace, we cannot let down our guard."

When Elder Setsuna mentioned that brutal clan civil war, everyone still felt lingering fear.

"The various Family Lineages... have many divisions left over from the civil war. Although our generation has done much to repair them, they cannot be entirely avoided."

"And after Kagami died in battle, the relationship between the clan and the village also became strained."

Upon hearing this, the Conservative Faction Elders sighed inwardly.

"We are Uchiha. We are the Uchiha who have remained steadfast and valiant since the Warring States period a thousand years ago. Unity is the key to the clan's survival."

"Factions do not matter. Positions do not matter. We are all Uchiha! The strongest clan since the inheritance of the Ninja Sect!"

"Monkey Sarutobi's terms are poison wrapped in sugar! Only the clan's self-strengthening is the foundation upon which we Uchiha can survive and stand tall!"

"That is all I have to say! Who agrees? Who objects?"

Seeing the opportunity, the Uchiha Clan Head spoke up. "Elders, let us vote!"

A new vote was held on whether the Konoha Military Police Force Reserve Training Academy should continue. The Elders passed it unanimously!

The exchange terms offered by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, were unanimously rejected by the Elders!