Subordinates (Seeking Collection)

Good grief, you really aren't holding back at all, are you?

Twenty chunin and fifty genin are easy enough to handle.

The Uchiha Clan has over a thousand ninja, and the vast majority fall into those tiers.

Even thirty million ryo in cash isn't much of a problem.

After all, the clan collaborates with the Ninja Cat Clan on the arms trade, so they aren't exactly short on money.

But those five Three Tomoe jonin are a different story.

That is a massive issue.

The Uchiha Clan only has about fifty or sixty jonin in total, with just over forty of them being Three Tomoe.

If all these conditions were met, it would create a faction within the clan that exists outside the four established groups: the Clan Head, the conservatives, the radicals, and the neutrals.

Coupled with the several insane ideas Yan had proposed previously.

It left him unable to make up his mind, caught in a dilemma where he couldn't easily back down.

After a long period of consideration, Uchiha Fugaku did not voice his opposition, but he did impose some limitations.

"The chunin, genin, and the thirty million ryo can all be yours, but the five Three Tomoe jonin will be reduced to three. You may choose the individuals yourself, but they must be volunteers."

"As compensation, I can add one Two Tomoe jonin to your roster."

"How does that sound?"

Yan stroked his chin, thought it over carefully for a moment, and then nodded.

"That works!"

"Good!" Uchiha Fugaku clapped his hands. "Come to my estate tomorrow to collect the thirty million ryo. As for the people, I will give you seven days."

He then turned his gaze toward the clansmen below.

"Any other objections? If not, the meeting is adjourned!"

"..."

The clan meeting ended, and the clansmen began to disperse.

Some of them expressed their willingness to follow Yan as they passed by him.

Some were gambling on a future, while others genuinely believed in Yan's ideas.

Yan nodded with a smile, indicating that he would give it careful consideration.

It was already late into the night.

The moonlight was hazy, casting a silver glow over the earth and draping the land in a mysterious veil.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of soil and flowers, refreshing to the senses.

Tiny fireflies danced in the night sky like spirits of the night, adding a touch of dreaminess to the tranquil evening.

Yan and Shisui walked side by side down the empty street.

"Yan!" Shisui scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed. "Back there at the clan meeting..."

"I understand, Shisui!" Yan interrupted. "That idea was indeed a bit dangerous."

"I didn't take it to heart!"

"I'm glad to hear that!" Shisui let out a long sigh, seemingly believing Yan's words, and shifted to another topic.

"How about you count me in for one of those three Three Tomoe jonin spots?" He also had the intention of keeping an eye on Yan.

After all, the ideas Yan had proposed were all too extreme, with the casino being the only relatively normal one.

Ever since Yan expressed his thoughts, a deep, indescribable worry had been lurking in Shisui's heart, fearing that Yan might suddenly come up with another wild idea at any moment.

And now, with the backing of a portion of the clan's power, he might actually put those plans into action.

That was something Shisui didn't want to see, but he was afraid that Yan would misunderstand his intentions.

Yet, unexpectedly, Yan didn't seem to notice his true motive.

He simply draped an arm around Shisui's shoulder, patted him firmly, and joked.

"That's fantastic. To have the famous Body Flicker Shisui working for me—I'll have plenty to brag about in the future."

"It's a deal then, no backing out!"

Shisui looked at Yan suspiciously, but couldn't detect anything unusual.

Perhaps that really was all he was thinking!

"So, when do we start?"

"No rush!" Yan smiled slightly. "Let's wait until I have the money and the people in hand first!"

"Do you need my help?"

"No need. If I can't even handle such a small matter, what good am I? I can manage on my own."

Seeing that Yan had refused, Shisui didn't press the issue.

They reached a fork in the road.

To the left was the home of Shisui, and to the right was the home of Yan.

The two shared a smile, patted each other on the shoulder, and then went their separate ways.

Early the next morning, Yan woke from his slumber.

Regarding Shisui's proposal from yesterday, he truly had no objections.

Shisui had always been such a stubborn person, wavering between the Uchiha Clan and the Konoha high command, always fantasizing that a perfect solution could be found for both sides.

Otherwise, he would never have awakened Kotoamatsukami, a technique capable of altering the will of others.

To change Shisui's inner convictions, especially with Sarutobi Hiruzen's influence already firmly established, would be a slow process.

As for Itachi... Yan had no comment.

Time gradually approached noon.

During this interval, Yan first completed his daily training, which consisted of running, hand seals, and the precise control of chakra.

He also took the opportunity to claim the reward provided by the system.

It was something called "Mastery of Fire Style Chakra Nature Transformation," a bit of a mouthful.

But the effects were solid and tangible.

It directly elevated Yan's mastery of Fire Style chakra to a higher level.

Watching the flames in his palm shift into the shapes of a monkey, a crow, or a dragon, all of them vivid and lifelike, Yan truly realized how powerful the system's so-called mastery really was.

With this, combined with his Three Tomoe, Yan was confident he was no weaker than any elite jonin.

I just wonder how I compare to Shisui? Yan thought, but quickly shook his head to dismiss the notion.

Getting arrogant, getting arrogant!

Although Shisui was young, his strength was terrifying. The title of Body Flicker Shisui was earned through slaughter in the Ninja War, and its value was indisputable.

Speaking of Shisui, he was currently in the Hokage's office, reporting the situation of yesterday's clan meeting to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Perhaps believing that Yan had truly abandoned that terrifying idea, he glossed over the God-Making Plan and the Coup Plan, focusing instead on the Marriage Alliance Plan, the Surrender Plan, and the Casino Plan.

Sarutobi Hiruzen noticed that Shisui was holding something back, but he didn't pay it much mind.

Instead, this person named Uchiha Yan surprised him a little.

He had never heard of him before, yet he had suddenly awakened the Three Tomoe and then proposed various ideas at the clan meeting, stealing the spotlight and gaining the approval of many.

He was a variable!

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, exhaled a ring of smoke, and then looked at Shisui with a benevolent smile.

"I never expected it; the Uchiha Clan truly produces talent one after another. You have done well, Shisui."

"I believe that with you there, Uchiha Yan will also become a qualified bearer of the Will of Fire."

"You two will become the bridge between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan, allowing the Uchiha Clan to truly integrate into Konoha."

He then stood up from his chair, walked around the desk, patted Shisui on the shoulder, and continued.

"I believe you can do it; everyone believes in you!"

"Lord Hokage!" Shisui looked up.

Looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen's kind and harmonious face, he felt moved, then nodded heavily and said, "Thank you for your trust. Please rest assured, Lord Hokage, I will definitely guide the Uchiha Clan toward the correct path."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled slightly, "Then I leave it to you."