The Uchiha Clan Head, deeply aware of how quickly the situation had changed, felt as though his head were about to split in two.
He looked toward Uchiha Fugaku, whose expression was steady and who carried himself with the poise of a great commander—under ordinary circumstances, that unruffled composure in the face of anything would have pleased him greatly.
But when he noticed Uchiha Ren and Uchiha Mikoto exchanging glances while his own fool of a son remained calm, an indescribable agitation suddenly rose in his heart.
"What is this child thinking? She's already launching an offensive right in front of you. Why are you standing there like an idiot? At least nod and offer your congratulations!"
The Uchiha Clan Head, who understood social etiquette well enough, looked at Uchiha Fugaku, who seemed even more composed than he was, and sighed inwardly.
"Forget it. If Fugaku himself lacks the drive and the ability, then giving him the position of Clan Head would be a disaster, not a blessing."
"While the three old bones among us can still hold on for a few more years, we'll observe a little longer."
Regardless of their positions, Uchiha Setsuna, Uchiha Koh, and even he himself had always placed the clan's honor above all else.
Besides, the position of Clan Head had practically fallen into his lap for free. He had no psychological burden about stepping down and yielding it to someone more capable.
The Uchiha Clan Head gave a light cough, drawing the attention of the Uchiha present.
"The purpose of this clan meeting is mainly to announce two matters."
The Old Clan Head got straight to the point.
"First, the Hokage Building has requested that our clan dispatch at least ten Jonin squads to immediately head for the eastern coastal border, in preparation for Kirigakure ninja who are stirring restlessly and may have already crossed the sea."
A full-strength Jonin squad consisted of one Jonin and three Chunin. At this moment, aside from the Uchiha Clan, no other ninja clan in all of Konohagakure could produce ten Jonin squads in one go.
As for the Hyuga Clan?
Their distorted development, focused on suppressing the numerous branch families and protecting the scant main family, made it difficult not only to produce Kage Level experts, but even Jonin were pitifully few.
The Hyuga Clan's slogans might have been deafening, but their real function was that of scouts.
"Second, based on military merit, the Hokage has promised to open up as many additional Jonin positions and Anbu slots to our clan as possible."
As the Old Clan Head's words fell, the reactions in the hall varied. Some showed delight, while others could barely conceal their dissatisfaction.
Everyone knew that possessing the strength of a Jonin did not mean one would hold the status of a Jonin.
Within Konohagakure, setting aside the other benefits, every Jonin possessed both the right to vote and the right to stand for election.
Yet fewer than fifteen Uchiha Clan members held Jonin positions under Konohagakure.
Most of them had become Konohagakure Jonin through their positions as Police Force captains, while the rest were clan ninja unaffiliated with Konohagakure.
Among more than two hundred Konohagakure Jonin, the Uchiha Clan's registered Jonin could not make even the slightest ripple.
But if their numbers increased, things might be different. Then again, having more people did not necessarily mean they would be useful.
Most importantly were the Anbu slots in the Hokage's personal guard, formally known as the Assassination Tactical Special Forces. This was what truly delighted most members of the Clan Head Faction and Dove Faction, who felt that Konohagakure's upper ranks were extending goodwill to the Uchiha Clan.
On one hand, they could protect Konohagakure; on the other, they could gain the Hokage's trust.
Faced with such a win-win opportunity, Uchiha Fugaku immediately said,
"I am willing to lead a squad to the front lines and drive back Kirigakure!"
Uchiha Yakumi and Uchiha Shisui also spoke up, each taking command of a squad.
After they finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall abruptly fell silent.
Logically, the Uchiha of the Dove Faction should have followed right after them. This strange atmosphere made Uchiha Fugaku frown slightly.
His gaze first fell on Uchiha Mikoto's serene face. She merely returned a polite yet distant smile.
That courteous response gave Uchiha Fugaku an ominous feeling.
His eyes swiftly swept over the silent Dove Faction Uchiha behind Uchiha Mikoto. His brow furrowed deeper and deeper until it formed the character for river.
"What do they mean by this? Do they want me to fill all ten squads by myself?"
"If doing so could win enormous merit and exchange it for the clan's standing in Konohagakure, it wouldn't be impossible."
"Either way, the Uchiha Clan has to risk their lives. It doesn't matter who goes."
As that thought emerged in his mind, Uchiha Fugaku could not help looking toward the seat of honor.
That glance initially left the Uchiha Clan Head confused. Then he saw his son make a small hand gesture, and an Uchiha Jonin from his faction immediately spoke up to fill one of the vacancies.
Once the Old Clan Head understood, a stifled rage immediately surged in his chest. He wished he could slap this prodigal son across the face and send him flying on the spot!
And in the brief moment he was stunned, another Uchiha from the Clan Head Faction raised his hand.
"The Uchiha Clan is about to head onto the battlefield and fight Kirigakure, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages."
"This isn't some lucrative mission with plenty of money and little work. One lapse in attention could get even a Kage Level fighter killed!"
The frustrated Old Clan Head immediately raised his hand to draw everyone's attention. Looking at the Hawk Faction and Dove Faction, seeing that neither had moved as though they were waiting for something, he promptly asked,
"Ren, Mikoto, what do you two think?"
If the two newly elevated faction leaders did not speak, their subordinates naturally would not speak either.
They watched the Clan Head Faction volunteers take up half of the ten squads in the blink of an eye, their gazes filled with strange expressions.
War was no joke. People would die!
"Everyone is Uchiha, everyone is part of Konohagakure. Why is only Brother Fugaku willing to volunteer? Has Sister Mikoto changed? And what is Brother Ren thinking?"
Feeling the stares of the Hawk Faction and Dove Faction, Uchiha Shisui felt terrible.
It was like a whole family had been forcibly torn into three pieces, the love and trust between relatives shattered beyond repair.
He looked at the still gentle Uchiha Mikoto, then at the faintly smiling and composed Uchiha Ren. Recalling what they had said at the clan meeting, he quietly waited for what would come next.
"Clan Head, the Uchiha Clan is part of Konohagakure. Fighting for the village and defending the Land of Fire are only natural, but Mikoto has a small question."
Uchiha Fugaku and the others brightened at her words, but the Old Clan Head's heart skipped a beat.
In the light streaming down from the courtyard above, Uchiha Mikoto sat with her back straight and raised her head calmly. Her clear voice echoed through the grand hall.
"It is our duty as Uchiha to fight for Konohagakure, but why does Konohagakure always act so high and mighty, treating the merit and rewards we rightfully deserve as though they are charity bestowed upon us?"
She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping across the hall before finally returning to the Clan Head. Her tone was gentle and crisp, yet every word was as sharp as a blade.
"As ninja, we accept missions, complete missions, and receive the rewards for those missions."
"Clan Head, may I ask if there is anything improper about that?"
"Or is it that, as Clan Head, your communication with Konohagakure's upper ranks has itself been plagued by enormous problems?"
Those words were like a scoop of icy water in winter, splashed directly across the faces of Uchiha Fugaku and the others. The Old Clan Head's expression turned utterly stunned.
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