Ninja Clans and Civilians

After Uchiha Tokimitsu withdrew from the Land of Earth's border and returned to camp, he tossed aside the routine affairs and found himself a quiet place to train. The accompanying Hokage's Special Envoy, Jiraiya, obtained Uchiha Tokimitsu's signed reply document and sent it back to Konoha through a Summoning Beast. Yet he was in no hurry to leave, instead lingering in the Northwest Border Defense Force's camp.

As one of the Hokage's three disciples, Jiraiya had come as the Hokage's Special Envoy. His strength was formidable, and it was said that he had inherited the legacy of Mount Myōboku, one of the legendary Three Great Sage Locations. With all those advantages piled together, his Jonin rank hardly stood out anymore. Since he wanted to remain in camp, Uchiha Kamon, Uchiha Tokimitsu, Staff Officer Nara Kohei, and the others could only hold their noses and arrange lodging for him, letting him roam around as he pleased.

Uchiha Tokimitsu did not particularly dislike Jiraiya. Whether from what he knew in his previous life or from their interactions in this one, there was little about the man to find objectionable. Though born humble, Jiraiya possessed an unyielding temperament and a distinctly chivalrous spirit. While many resented him for arriving as the Special Envoy delivering the withdrawal imperial decree, Jiraiya had spent several days wandering throughout the camp and speaking with ninja of every rank, easing much of the dissatisfaction with the Hokage's Edict.

After several days of shut-in experimentation in the mountains, Uchiha Tokimitsu felt that his self-devised Super Uchiha Fire Style Chakra Mode had reached a bottleneck. Moreover, the various training supplies he had brought along had been almost entirely depleted after days of excessive Chakra consumption. His body, especially, was unbearably exhausted. He therefore brought his training to a temporary halt and returned to camp with the Guard Squad.

Throughout the camp and its surroundings, sentries, hidden guards, and Patrol Teams were all neatly organized. Ninja Medics, Ninja Artisans, and the Support Team each performed their respective duties. Uchiha Tokimitsu was quite satisfied with this.

In both his past and present lives, this was his first time commanding troops. Having an army of superhuman beings under his control and obedient to his orders gave him a considerable sense of accomplishment.

When Uchiha Tokimitsu reached the center of the camp, he suddenly heard a commotion from one side. Curious, he went over to watch. What he saw immediately darkened his face.

Jiraiya had apparently led a group of Civilian Ninja into an endless argument with the Uchiha clan members stationed at the Logistics Detachment, who were responsible for finances and material management. From the fragments of conversation drifting over, it seemed the conflict concerned the distribution of bounties.

How could he tolerate that?

Uchiha Tokimitsu's anger flared at once.

Whether his clan members had withheld the Civilian Ninja's Combat Merit Bounty or the Civilian Ninja had gathered to cause trouble, neither was something he could tolerate. His suddenly foul mood also made the Chakra around him unstable, and a cold, murderous aura spread outward.

"Lord Tokimitsu..."

"Commander Tokimitsu..."

Sensing Uchiha Tokimitsu's icy presence, the ninja all bowed in greeting.

"Why is there such a commotion?"

Uchiha Tokimitsu asked coldly.

"Tokimitsu brat! Your clan members have acted unfairly. You need to teach them a lesson!" Jiraiya shouted boisterously.

Uchiha Tokimitsu's anger intensified. He was already young in this life, and what he hated most was being looked down upon because of it.

"I asked you, why is there such a commotion?" Uchiha Tokimitsu struggled to restrain the eye power surging from his rage, his voice viciously cold. "Do you take my camp regulations for nothing?"

"Jonin Jiraiya claims that our Combat Merit Bounty distribution is unfair, so he led people in causing trouble," the Uchiha clan member in charge of finances hurriedly replied.

"What is unfair about it? Did we withhold your Combat Merit Bounty, or embezzle your severance pay?" Uchiha Tokimitsu turned his gaze toward the group of Civilian Ninja gathered behind Jiraiya.

Twelve people.

Uchiha Tokimitsu silently counted their heads and sentenced them to death in his heart.

"The Uchiha ninja receive twice the Combat Merit Bounty of everyone else. That isn't fair!" Jiraiya declared stiffly, chin raised.

The moment Uchiha Tokimitsu heard that, his anger rose even higher, and his Sharingan lit up involuntarily.

"That's all this is about?"

"Exactly! As the command of the Ninja Army, you must reward and punish fairly in order to win the troops' respect! The position of Ninja Army commander is not a toy for Clan Power Play!"

"Heh, heh, heh!" Uchiha Tokimitsu ground his teeth in fury. "Where is Commander Kamon?"

"Lord Kamon accepted an invitation from the Daimyo of the Land of Grass yesterday and has led the Clan Ninja detachment out," the Uchiha ninja quickly replied.

"Then where is Shinpei? Bring him here!"

"Yes!" An Uchiha ninja hurriedly bowed, then used the Body Flicker Technique to find the Staff Officer.

"Jonin Jiraiya, did you come here to disrupt my army's morale?" Uchiha Tokimitsu said with a small, grim face. "Do you not know that the Uchiha ninja's double bounty is an additional reward paid from my clan's own funds?"

"Tokimitsu brat! The Village has rules for rewards and punishments. How can they be changed at will? Do Clan Ninja get special treatment?" Jiraiya continued shouting without giving in.

"Go say that to Old Man Sarutobi!" Uchiha Tokimitsu could not be bothered with the fool any longer and directly ordered, "Seize them! If they dare resist, kill them on the spot!"

"Yes!"

The Uchiha ninja had already been holding back their anger. At the command, each stepped forward. They moved in pairs: one kept watch with a hand on his sword, while the other took out Chakra Restraint Ropes to bind and arrest the troublemakers.

Seeing this, the Civilian Ninja who had followed Jiraiya to cause trouble did not dare move. They could only turn pleading gazes toward Jiraiya.

"You dare!" Jiraiya's face flushed red with rage as he pointed at Uchiha Tokimitsu and cursed, "Are you going to harm your Village Comrades?"

The Uchiha ninja ignored him and simply bound and arrested every ninja involved in the disturbance.

"Jonin Jiraiya, please watch your words." Nara Shinpei, who had rushed over in haste, heard Jiraiya's words and was so frightened that his soul nearly left his body. He immediately called out.

"Lord Tokimitsu, forgive my lateness." Sweating profusely, Nara Shinpei lowered his head and saluted Uchiha Tokimitsu.

"Staff Officer Shinpei, have I ever withheld the bounties, supplies, or anything else belonging to the Headquarters Ninja Army?" Uchiha Tokimitsu's cold Sharingan fixed on Nara Shinpei.

"Never." Nara Shinpei wiped away cold sweat. "Lord Tokimitsu has always rewarded and punished fairly. There has never been any withholding..."

"Then why can the Uchiha ninja receive double bounties?" Jiraiya jumped in again and shouted.

"This..." Nara Shinpei was already cursing endlessly inside. "Lord Jiraiya, the Uchiha ninja's bounties are wartime allowances additionally granted by the Uchiha Clan. They do not come from Village funds. It is also customary for every clan to provide such allowances when drafting Clan Ninja for battle."

"Then why are the Uchiha Clan's allowances distributed by the finance office, while other ninja clans' aren't?"

"Each ninja clan has its own head responsible for distribution. The camp and the Village do not interfere in such matters... The Uchiha Clan has sent many people to war, and the camp's financial manager is also an Uchiha ninja, so..."

"Is that how it is?" Jiraiya seemed somewhat surprised this time. Looking around, he found that the other ninja who had gathered after hearing the commotion were merely watching coldly with folded arms.

"Hey! Hyuga brat!" Jiraiya called to Hyuga Seiji, the Hyuga Clan Jonin standing nearby.

Hyuga Seiji rolled his eyes at him and ignored him.

"Take them away and lock them up!" Uchiha Tokimitsu ordered the others to remove the troublemaking ninja, then stared directly at Jiraiya. "Jonin Jiraiya, I will let today's disrespect pass for now. But mind your words and conduct in the future. If you again disrupt military morale and stir up trouble without knowing right from wrong, I will certainly execute you without mercy! Also, leave Headquarters tomorrow!"

With that, he left with his men, face cold, abandoning Jiraiya with an ugly expression.

After returning to his sleeping tent, Jiraiya came knocking. He stubbornly made a scene with the Uchiha Guard Squad, demanding to enter and see Uchiha Tokimitsu.

Left with no choice, Uchiha Tokimitsu allowed Jiraiya inside.

"Jonin Jiraiya, what do you want?" Uchiha Tokimitsu's expression remained cold.

"Today's matter was my fault. I acted impulsively and caused trouble without understanding the situation." The moment he entered, Jiraiya bowed in apology. "I was indeed in the wrong. I hope Commander Tokimitsu will punish me."

"You are not my subordinate, so punishing you is not my place." Uchiha Tokimitsu still showed no kindness in his expression. "But I will report your reckless behavior back to the Village and demand an explanation from your teacher."

"Then... what about the imprisoned ninja? Can you forgive them?"

"They will be assigned to the Assault Team. If they survive the next three battles, this matter will be forgotten." Uchiha Tokimitsu said coldly. "Of course, if the Village issues orders to transfer them away, that will be another matter. But as long as they remain under my command, there will be absolutely no additional exemption from responsibility."

Jiraiya sighed faintly.

This time, he understood as well. Someone had clearly incited him deliberately, using him to step forward and cause trouble.

"Then... Commander Tokimitsu, what do you think of the Village?"

"The Village is the Village. What's there to think about?" Such empty grandstanding questions made Uchiha Tokimitsu even more impatient.

"Commander Tokimitsu, are you dissatisfied with Lord Hokage?" Jiraiya's eyes were bright. "Can you tell me why?"

"Every ninja clan whose interests have been harmed is dissatisfied. It isn't just me." Uchiha Tokimitsu frowned, showing no concern that Jiraiya was the Third Hokage's disciple. "The ninja clans chose Konoha because Konoha protected their interests. The clans can make appropriate sacrifices for the Village, but they must receive corresponding returns."

"But the Village's Civilian Ninja have also contributed much to the Village. Why shouldn't the ninja clans' additional allowances benefit them?"

"Use the ninja clans' money to pay Civilian Ninja?" Uchiha Tokimitsu laughed in anger. "Does Sarutobi think the clans have money to burn, or is he buying people's loyalty? Besides, why should I care about those who are not of my clan?"

Jiraiya hesitated to speak.

"Clan Ninja were never part of the Village's ninja system in the first place. They accepted their clans' summons and fought for the Village only to defend it. Under such circumstances, what does it have to do with the Village if the ninja clans establish their own combat allowances to take care of their descendants?"

"But... that isn't fair..."

"Would dividing the ninja clans' money among others be fair?" Uchiha Tokimitsu was utterly blunt. "Jonin Jiraiya, if you think the Combat Merit Bounty is too low, then make a suggestion to the Hokage yourself. But when it comes to the ninja clans' affairs, forget you—even the Hokage should not think of interfering!"

"Isn't Lord Hokage the Village's highest leader?"

"The Hokage is merely the representative of the Village's interests, not the representative of the ninja clans. Please understand that." Uchiha Tokimitsu glared at Jiraiya, speaking each word distinctly. "Our ninja clans have endured for a thousand years and have our own rules. No outsider may interfere with any of our decisions!"

"Is this why the relationship between Uchiha and the Village has become so strained..." Jiraiya's expression was complicated.

"Jonin Jiraiya, you are too naive." Uchiha Tokimitsu criticized him without mercy. "If you truly have the ability, go make the Hyuga Clan abolish the Caged Bird. Otherwise, don't come preaching this nonsense to me!"

"Ah..." Jiraiya let out a long sigh. "Then what about Clan Ninja and Civilian Ninja? Commander Tokimitsu, what do they represent in your eyes?"

"Whether born into a ninja clan or among civilians, ninja are ninja. Strength is everything." Uchiha Tokimitsu looked coldly at the dejected Jiraiya. "Strength is the foundation of dialogue and the root of equality. I assume Jonin Jiraiya understands that."

"But... can't you show a little more understanding toward the Village's comrades?"

"Understanding? What sort of understanding? Must the ninja clans squander all their wealth, or be exterminated so their property and ninjutsu can be divided up?"

"Jonin Tokimitsu, you are being too extreme..."

"This isn't extremism! I said it already: ninja clans have their own position! We are not fat sheep for the Village to take from as it pleases! Nor do we need you to teach the ninja clans how to conduct themselves!"

"But as one of the great clans of the Ninja World, can't the Uchiha Clan shoulder more responsibility?"

"Responsibility must match rights. I believe my clan has already done far more than the rights it enjoys warrant."

"Commander Tokimitsu, you are still too narrow-minded... The Senju Clan is also a ninja clan..."

"And that is why the Senju Clan now stands on the verge of extinction." Uchiha Tokimitsu was expressionless.

Jiraiya's expression became extremely strange. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, yet did not know where to begin. He looked as though he wanted to speak but could not.

The tent fell silent for a moment. Uchiha Tokimitsu repeatedly served tea to signal that it was time for his guest to leave, but Jiraiya remained standing there in a daze, ignoring the hint.

Just as Uchiha Tokimitsu was wondering whether Jiraiya did not understand the etiquette of serving tea to send a guest away and was about to tell him to leave, Jiraiya's expression turned serious and he continued asking, "Commander Tokimitsu, if the interests of the ninja clans conflict with those of the Village, how should one choose?"

"Ask your teacher. He is also the head of a ninja clan." Uchiha Tokimitsu did not want to answer directly.

"I want to hear your opinion." Jiraiya remained insistent.

After being pestered for a moment, Uchiha Tokimitsu grew increasingly impatient.

"Jonin Jiraiya, do you understand what a ninja clan is?"

Jiraiya nodded, then hesitated for a moment before shaking his head.

"A ninja clan is a shelter for Clan Ninja, a vessel for the inheritance of a clan's bloodline. It is the ninja clan that nurtures its descendants. Don't you find it laughable to ask me such a question?"

"Then what is the Village?"

"Jonin Jiraiya, I'll put it plainly. When the interests of a ninja clan conflict with those of the Village, weigh the two and choose the lesser one. Do you understand now?"

Jiraiya was left speechless.

Their conversation ended on an unhappy note.

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