Well, aren't you being a little too polite?
Twenty Chunin and fifty Genin were easy enough to arrange.
The Uchiha Clan had over a thousand shinobi, most of them at that level.
Even thirty million ryo in cash wasn't much of a problem.
After all, the clan worked with the Ninja Cat Clan in the arms trade. They weren't short on money.
But those five Three Tomoe jōnin were another matter.
That was a big problem.
The Uchiha Clan had only fifty or sixty jōnin in total, over forty of whom had Three Tomoe.
If all these conditions were met, a faction would emerge within the clan, independent of the clan head's faction, the conservative faction, the radical faction, and the neutral faction.
On top of that, Yan had already put forward several outrageous ideas.
This left Fugaku unsure what to do, caught in a difficult position.
After thinking it over for a long time, Uchiha Fugaku didn't object outright, but he did impose some limits.
"You can have the Chunin, the Genin, and the thirty million ryo. But I'll reduce the five Three Tomoe jōnin to three. You can choose them yourself, but they have to volunteer."
"To make up for it, I can give you one Two Tomoe jōnin."
"How does that sound?"
Yan rubbed his chin and considered it carefully for a moment, then nodded.
"That works!"
"Good!" Uchiha Fugaku clapped his hands. "Come to my residence tomorrow to collect the thirty million ryo. As for the people, you have seven days."
Then he turned his gaze toward the clan members below.
"Any other objections? If not, the meeting is adjourned!"
"..."
Once the clan meeting ended, the clan members began to leave in small groups.
Some of them told Yan they were willing to follow him as they passed by.
Some were betting on a better future, while others genuinely believed in Yan's ideas.
Yan smiled and nodded, saying he would give it careful consideration.
It was already well past midnight.
The moonlight was hazy, its silver glow blanketing the earth and veiling the land in mystery.
The fresh scent of soil and flowers drifted through the air, lifting the spirits.
Fireflies danced through the night, like spirits of the darkness, lending the quiet night a touch of magic.
Yan and Shisui walked side by side along the deserted street.
"Yan!" Shisui scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "About what happened at the clan meeting earlier..."
"I understand, Shisui!" Yan interrupted. "That idea really was a little dangerous."
"I didn't take it to heart!"
"Glad to hear it!" Shisui let out a long breath, seeming to believe Yan, then changed the subject.
"How about making me one of the three Three Tomoe jōnin?" He also wanted to keep an eye on Yan.
After all, several of Yan's ideas had been far too extreme. Only the casino idea seemed relatively harmless.
Ever since Yan had shared his ideas, a nameless worry had been lurking deep in Shisui's heart. He was afraid Yan might suddenly come up with another wild idea at any moment.
And now, with some of the clan's strength behind him, Yan might actually put those ideas into action.
That was the last thing Shisui wanted to see, but he was also afraid Yan would misunderstand him because of it.
Yet Yan seemed not to have noticed his intentions.
He simply draped an arm around Shisui's shoulders, gave him a hearty pat, and teased him.
"That'd be great! With the famous Body Flicker Shisui working for me, I'll have something to brag about for the rest of my life."
"Then it's settled. No backing out!"
Shisui gave Yan a skeptical look, but didn't notice anything unusual.
Maybe Yan really did mean it!
"So when do we start?"
"No rush!" Yan smiled. "Let's wait until I have the money and the people."
"Want me to help?"
"No need. It's a small matter. I can handle it myself."
Seeing that Yan refused, Shisui didn't press him.
They reached a crossroads.
Shisui's home lay to the left, and Yan's to the right.
They smiled at each other, patted each other on the shoulder, and went their separate ways.
The next morning, Yan woke from his sleep.
As for Shisui's suggestion the previous day, Yan truly had no objection.
Shisui was stubborn by nature, wavering between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's leadership, always imagining that there was some way to make both sides happy.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have awakened Kotoamatsukami, which could alter another person's will.
To change Shisui's mind, especially with Sarutobi Hiruzen's influence already taking hold, he would have to take things slowly.
As for Itachi... Yan had no comment.
Noon gradually drew near.
During that time, Yan finished his usual training: running, Hand Seals, and fine control over his chakra, among other things.
He also took out the reward the system had given him.
It was something called "Mastery of Fire-Style Chakra Nature Transformation." Quite a mouthful.
But its effects were undeniable.
It immediately brought Yan's control over Fire-Style chakra to a new level.
He watched the flames in his palm turn into a monkey, then a crow, then a dragon, each one vividly lifelike.
That made Yan truly realize just how powerful the system's so-called mastery was.
With this and his Three Tomoe, Yan was confident he could hold his own against any elite jōnin.
"I wonder how I'd compare to Shisui," Yan thought, but quickly shook his head.
I'm getting carried away!
Shisui might be young, but his strength was terrifying. He had earned the name Body Flicker Shisui on the battlefield, and it was well deserved.
Speaking of Shisui, he was currently in the Hokage's office, reporting yesterday's clan meeting to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Perhaps he believed Yan had truly abandoned that frightening idea.
So he only briefly mentioned the God-Making Plan and the Coup Plan, focusing instead on the Marriage Alliance Plan, the Surrender Plan, and the Casino Plan.
Sarutobi Hiruzen could tell Shisui was holding something back, but he didn't pay it much mind.
What surprised him was Uchiha Yan.
He'd never heard of Yan before, yet the young man had suddenly awakened Three Tomoe and then made several proposals at the clan meeting, drawing plenty of attention and winning many people's approval.
He was an unpredictable factor!
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, blew out a smoke ring, then looked at Shisui with a kind smile.
"I never expected it. The Uchiha Clan is full of talented people. You've done well, Shisui."
"With you there, I believe Uchiha Yan will also become a worthy bearer of the Will of Fire."
"Together, you'll serve as a bridge between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan, helping the clan truly become part of Konoha."
Then he rose from his chair, walked around the desk, and patted Shisui on the shoulder.
"I believe you can do it. We all do!"
"Lord Hokage!" Shisui lifted his head.
Looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen's kind, warm face, Shisui felt moved. He nodded firmly and said, "Thank you for your trust. Rest assured, Lord Hokage. I'll guide the Uchiha Clan in the right direction."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. "I'm counting on you."
Before you continue