Uchiha Fugaku stood outside the Uchiha Clan compound, unable to hide the delight on his face.
With Konoha about to declare war on Kirigakure, his inauguration as clan head had to be moved up.
Still, everything needed for the ceremony was ready, so there wasn't much difference.
"Fugaku, congratulations."
Nara Shikaku arrived with Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi, bringing a congratulatory gift.
It was a day for celebration, and these guests had received invitations from him personally. Uchiha Fugaku naturally welcomed them with a bright smile, ushering the Ino-Shika-Cho trio inside.
Normally, greeting guests at the entrance wasn't a job for someone about to become clan head.
But today wasn't only his inauguration. It was also the first step toward the Uchiha Clan's integration into Konoha.
In the past, when the Uchiha Clan held events like a clan head's inauguration, they rarely invited other shinobi clans. They usually kept the doors shut and celebrated on their own.
For one thing, the proud Uchiha Clan looked down on the other clans. For another, even if they sent out invitations, the other clans might not do them the courtesy of attending.
Although they were all part of Konoha, the other families held such deep-seated prejudices against the Uchiha Clan that, with Danzo constantly working to drive a wedge between the clan and Konoha, many of Konoha's shinobi clans had effectively become bitter enemies of the Uchiha.
But this time was different.
Once the Uchiha invitations went out, the other clans had no choice but to attend, no matter how reluctant they were.
That was because the Uchiha Clan had invited not only them, but also the Daimyo's Son, Ye Ning.
The presence of the Daimyo's Son alone might not have been enough to bring them in person, but adding Tsunade to the