The Uchiha Clan Leader

The Uchiha clan head succession ceremony has concluded. During the ceremony, Uchiha Okura handed the Uchiha Gunbai, which symbolizes the power of the clan head, to Uchiha Nara. (The original was indeed taken away by Madara, so the one currently in use is symbolic.)

Upon receiving the Uchiha Gunbai, Uchiha Nara officially became the head of the Uchiha clan.

"From this day forward, I am the leader of the Uchiha clan. I will let the world know of the strength and majesty of our Uchiha clan!"

At the inauguration ceremony, Nara made a solemn vow amidst the enthusiastic gazes of his clansmen.

Hokage Office

"Uchiha Nara has become the leader of the Uchiha clan. Is Uchiha Okura planning to step back into the shadows?"

Mitokado Homura asked while looking at the letter in his hand.

"Young people are always easier to deal with than old fogies like Okura," Utatane Koharu said indifferently.

The Third Hokage sat in the Hokage's chair, smoking his pipe, and remained silent.

At this time, three of the four Konoha elders were present. They were not yet as obsessed with power as they would be in their old age, and were still racking their brains for the sake of Konoha.

Shimura Danzo, the missing member of the quartet, was currently leading ninjas in a fierce battle in the Land of Rain.

"I have met this child, Nara. He is a ninja who possesses the Will of Fire," the Third Hokage said slowly, exhaling a puff of smoke.

"The Uchiha are the largest ninja clan; we must never let them grow unchecked."

Growth, naturally, referred to preventing the Uchiha from entering the battlefield or other situations prone to emotional agitation, and guarding against the emergence of the Mangekyo Sharingan within the clan.

"Hmm." The Third Hokage puffed away, responding with a nasal hum.

Uchiha Nara was feeling a bit frustrated. He had been the successor for a few days, but as the supposed clan head, his only subordinates were Uchiha Yashiro and a few young chunin and genin.

The elite Uchiha ninjas who were part of the Konoha establishment were still in the habit of reporting their work to the Great Elder's house.

This wouldn't do. If he couldn't consolidate power, being a clan head in name only was completely meaningless.

Uchiha Nara led his few subordinates toward the Great Elder's house.

Great Elder's House

Living Room

"Nara, what brings you here?" Okura asked with some curiosity.

"Uncle, I have taken on the role of clan head, yet I cannot mobilize the clansmen, nor can I keep track of their activities. What should I do?"

Okura pondered for a moment. He had actually forgotten about this. The clan head they had pushed forward was merely a figurehead; the actual power still rested with Okura and Sanzang.

"Do you have any good suggestions?" Okura had already recognized that Nara possessed the bearing and demeanor to lead the Uchiha clan; Nara was no hot-headed youth.

"Uncle, I suggest we build a Clan Head's Office, or a Clan Affairs Hall. In the future, the activities and work of the clansmen should be reported and gathered there.

Whether it is the commission deductions from family ninja missions, pensions, ninja cultivation, ninjutsu training, ninjutsu registration, Sharingan training, or even street cleaning, clan security, artisan repairs, elder care, or raising orphans—all tasks should be distributed by the Clan Head's Office."

"What do you think?" Nara said softly.

When Uchiha clan ninjas completed missions, they were required to hand over a portion to the clan—not much, 10%—which was used to support the Great Elder and others, as well as to provide pensions for fallen family ninjas, support elderly people who had lost their families, and care for orphans within the clan.

Being a ninja was a high-risk profession. It was normal for a family of three to all be ninjas; the elderly burying the young, widows, and orphans without parents were everywhere. This was not something unique to the Uchiha; all ninja organizations were the same.

"A Clan Affairs Hall, you say? Your suggestion is not bad." Okura took a sip of tea. He neither rejected nor agreed to this proposal, which was clearly aimed at seizing power.

The reason Great Elder Uchiha Okura was able to control all matters within the clan was because he held the massive funds. Whenever family ninjas completed missions, they would voluntarily pay a portion of their earnings to the Great Elder.

With the purse strings in someone else's hands, in the eyes of the clansmen, if they were to die on a mission, the future upbringing and livelihood of their parents, wives, and children would all depend on that money! Since the Great Elder controlled the Uchiha's purse, how could the clansmen not curry favor with him?

"You are indeed well-suited to be a leader. I agree. Choose a site and build the Clan Affairs Hall."

Okura did not want to easily relinquish power, but he had been at the helm of the Uchiha for nearly thirty years, and combined with his age, he felt very weary steering the Uchiha ship.

Originally, Okura had approved of his son, Fugaku, but Nara was also good. Just as Sanzang had said, it really didn't matter which of the two was the clan head.

"Uncle, even if the Clan Affairs Hall is built, we will still need elders. We should select some who have made contributions to the clan or are elderly to be appointed as elders to assist the clan head in handling clan affairs. Uncle, perhaps it is not yet time for you to retire."

Uchiha Okura was nearly fifty years old, which was considered elderly in the ninja world. In an environment where genin were often in the single digits and constantly fighting, living to nearly fifty was indeed a long life.

Because of the various injuries sustained during missions and battles in their youth, as well as the use of drugs like military rations pills that overdraw the body's energy, few ninjas lived to old age or met a peaceful end.

The Third Hokage had become Hokage in his twenties and had never left Konoha since, which was why he had lived to such an old age.

"I see. The suggestion for a Clan Affairs Hall is excellent. Although the Uchiha have historically elected clan heads, there has never been an administrative body similar to the Hokage's office. Decisions have always been made by the clan head and a few elders.

Your suggestion is very good. Tonight, after Sanzang returns, we will discuss the site selection and construction of the Clan Affairs Hall."

Night

At Nara's house, just like last time, Great Elder Uchiha Okura and Security Force Captain Sanzang sat in the seats of honor.

Nara, the so-called Uchiha leader, knelt on the floor below, looking like a mere subordinate.

"Selecting a site to build a Clan Affairs Hall? A very good idea, and it is indeed quite necessary. With thousands of Uchiha clansmen and nearly a thousand ninjas, we do need an institution."

Nara's father, Uchiha Sanzang, stroked his chin. Like Okura, he was quite receptive to the suggestion.

"I think we should build it right next to the Hokage Building, so we can better proclaim the might of our Uchiha," Uchiha Sanzang said, his tone shifting as he chuckled.

Dazang nodded upon hearing this. "Brother, you are right. This is the only way to befit the reputation of our Uchiha."

Naraku was left speechless by their conversation.

"Uncle! Father! The Uchiha do not yet possess the strength to challenge the authority of the Hokage. While the Police Force is decent, the ninja divisions under the Hokage, the Jonin squad, the Anbu, and other departments are all comprised of elite shinobi. To flaunt the Uchiha's power and so-called reputation now is truly unwise!"

"We know that, of course. We were just talking; don't take it seriously."

Dazang and Sanzang exchanged a smile. They hadn't expected that this ninja, who had already made a name for himself, would have no interest in broadcasting his own fame. It was quite impressive.

"I think this location is quite good. Father, Uncle, what do you think?"

The spot Naraku chose was at the very center of the clan grounds, not far from their home, making it convenient to get to work.

Dazang and Sanzang actually already had locations in mind—three, to be exact: one in the center of the clan, one on the east side near the Hokage building, and one in the deepest part of the clan grounds.

Seeing Naraku choose the very center, the two couldn't help but ask curiously, "Naraku, why choose this location?"

"Because it is the center, making it convenient for all clansmen to come and go. If it were in a corner, it would be unfair to those living in the opposite corner due to the travel distance."

Naraku smiled; the reason was just that simple.

Dazang and Sanzang looked at each other and nodded.