Everyone Has a Bright Future

"Recruit them?"

Uchiha Setsuna was caught so off guard by the proposal that he nearly spat out a mouthful of tea.

He suppressed the burning sensation in his throat and coughed several times before finally steadying his breath.

Then, he raised his eyes, his gaze filled with incredulous surprise, "All that confident talk from you just now—was it all just bragging?"

"How could that be bragging?"

Ren quickly walked over, gently patted the old man's back, and explained.

"Think about it carefully. Currently, there are nearly twenty Uchiha children in each grade of the Ninja Academy, totaling just over a hundred across six grades."

"We will open our own Clan Academy, first assigning two jonin to teach each grade, and from them, we will select the six most outstanding students."

"Then, two clansmen who have awakened the Three Tomoe will provide comprehensive elite instruction."

The young man's voice was steady and clear, "At the same time, we will implement a bottom-tier elimination system, encouraging students in the regular classes to challenge for seats in the elite class."

"Under such resource allocation and competitive mechanisms, if any civilian student can still stand out and surpass all the Uchiha, that would only prove that this person's talent is worth our clan recruiting."

Setsuna looked up at Ren, who wore a gentle smile, and after a moment of contemplation, he nodded.

"Twelve jonin, twelve Three Tomoe jonin—a lineup of twenty-four people... This force alone is enough to wipe out any small nation outside the Five Great Nations."

The old man tapped his fingertips on the table, pride emerging in his eyes, "You are right. Such a grand gesture is something only our Uchiha Clan can pull off in the entire ninja world."

He picked up his teacup, the swirling steam blurring the wrinkles on his face.

"Under such cultivation, the children of the clan certainly have no reason to lose."

"If someone truly can surpass them, they must be a heaven-sent genius like Orochimaru, Namikaze Minato, or Hatake Kakashi. Such people are indeed worth winning over."

The teacup landed on the table with a soft click.

A smile crossed the corners of Setsuna's mouth, "It just so happens that most of the people in the clan have nothing to do; it's the perfect time to find them some proper work."

The Uchiha Clan possessed deep financial roots.

Since the Warring States period, they had acquired vast estates throughout the Land of Fire, owning not only sprawling manors but also several mines that provided a steady stream of profit.

The Senju Clan had been the same, but unfortunately, they had donated all their assets to Konohagakure, and in the end, no one knew whose pockets that wealth had fallen into.

Most Uchiha assets were managed by the Ninken Clan; the Uchiha only needed to show their faces when necessary to intimidate others and clear out any short-sighted forces before returning to the village to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

However, the number of jonin positions in Konohagakure was limited, the Police Force establishment was already saturated, and due to their wariness of the Konohagakure leadership, a large number of Uchiha jonin were just sitting idle within the clan.

These elites spent their days "loitering," wearing expressions that said "don't mess with me," as if they were ready to pull out their blades for a brawl the moment a signal flare went off.

Setsuna had discussed this issue with the others, and now that this group had a suitable place to go, they would naturally be pleased.

"You can discuss the personnel arrangements yourselves; I will naturally give my full support."

Looking at his grandfather, who spent his days drinking tea and holding meetings with the old clan leader and Elder Huoke after handing over all the real power of the Hawk Faction to him, the smile on Ren's lips grew even brighter.

"The Hokage personally serves as the headmaster of the Ninja Academy. Although our Uchiha Clan Academy is smaller in scale, our teaching staff is the best in the ninja world."

"Such an important institution naturally requires a respected elder to serve as the 'Head of Academy'."

A cunning light flashed in the young man's eyes as he aptly grabbed his grandfather's arm.

"Don't you agree?"

Setsuna, who had been thinking about finding Huoke for a drink and a game of shogi today, couldn't help but widen his eyes.

He stared at Ren, who was smiling and wearing an expression that said "I've got you," and the refusal that had reached his lips was swallowed back down.

He had just said he would give "full support," so to refuse directly now would be a slap in his own face.

Furthermore, the phrase "respected elder" truly made him feel quite comfortable.

However, if he agreed too easily, it would seem too undignified.

The old man coughed lightly, pretending to ponder, "The clan leader and Huoke are both suitable candidates; you might as well ask them first."

"How could they possibly compare to you!"

Ren shook Setsuna's arm while speaking with loud praise, his tone filled with sincere admiration.

"You are the pillar of the clan, the backbone that resists the Hokage's faction! If not for your strategic planning over these years, the clan would have long since been devoured by the Konohagakure leadership!"

Setsuna's other hand, which had been stroking his chin, paused slightly. A look of hesitation appeared on his face at just the right moment, but the pride in his eyes could not be hidden within the fine wrinkles.

He sighed deeply, pretending to be profound, though his gaze had already betrayed how much he enjoyed the flattery.

Seeing this, Ren immediately struck while the iron was hot, leaning forward.

"Grandfather, please think about it. The Hokage serving as the headmaster of the Ninja Academy is nothing more than an empty title."

"If you serve as the Head of Academy for our clan, you will be truly cultivating elites who can crush the entire younger generation of Konohagakure."

His voice gradually took on a passionate tone.

"When the time comes, Uchiha students will top every assessment and crush the competition in every match—"

"This will not only be a victory for the Uchiha, but also the most powerful response from you, the Head of Academy, to the Hokage's educational philosophy!"

"When the Uchiha Clan crest shines at the pinnacle of the rankings, the entire Konohagakure will understand who truly holds the future of the village in their hands!"

Setsuna's fingers tapped unconsciously against his knees, as if he could already see the Uchiha children punching the Hyuga and kicking the Sarutobi, looking down upon the entire training ground with disdain.

Ren caught this subtle movement and chuckled inwardly, lowering his voice as he spoke.

"At that time, everyone will say—as expected of a disciple personally cultivated by Elder Setsuna. Isn't this honor worth you taking up the teaching whip yourself?"

The old man finally couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips, the light in his eyes growing sharper.

"Hmph, honor or no honor, it is all about contributing strength to the clan."

Setsuna said righteously, "If I become the Head of Academy, the clansmen will have work to do, the children will benefit, and everyone will have a bright future."

Watching this tsundere old man, Ren almost couldn't hold back his laughter, putting on a solemn expression instead and saying in a deep voice.

"Then I leave it to you, Grandfather. Ren has other matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave."

Setsuna watched his grandson's departing figure, the smugness on his face already retracted, as if the joy from just a moment ago had been nothing but a phantom.

He took a light sip of his cooling tea and laughed, scolding him without ceremony.

"That brat, I wonder who he learned his flattery from. Was it practiced while chasing that girl Mikoto?"

The fragrance of tea lingered on his lips and teeth, yet the old man's gaze gradually deepened.

Even if Ren had never invited him, he was determined to secure the position of Head of Academy.

After all, those youths about to step into the Clan Academy were the true foundation of the Uchiha.

By the time they grew up, it would coincide with the prime of Ren's life.

This generation, cultivated by his own hands, would surely become the most solid arm of the clan leader.