Integrating into the New Environment

"After all, he carries the Uchiha bloodline, and Fei Shi cannot bear to see the Uchiha clan wiped out just like that."

Shisui chimed in as well.

"Is there anything we can do to help him? We can't just take a free ride after being saved by him."

With hundreds of people to account for, it was no small matter, and they didn't have the thick skin to freeload.

At this moment, Minato Namikaze spoke up:

"Don't worry, Clan Leader Fugaku. We have already arranged everything. You can explain the situation to your clansmen, and I will send people to guide them to their work assignments. Come with me to tour our base so you can have a better understanding of the cause we are working toward."

Uchiha Fugaku did not hesitate; led by Shisui, he went to meet the remaining members of the Uchiha clan.

After two hours of intense discussion, the remaining members of the Uchiha clan accepted their fate and their new home.

They were somewhat overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the commoners, a scene they had never witnessed before.

Even the elders who had lived through the reigns of the First and Second Hokage had never seen such a sight.

The First Hokage could be said to have been very good to the Uchiha clan, even after Madara Uchiha left Konoha and fought the First Hokage to the death.

The Second Hokage had also given them sufficient trust, though their relationship with the commoners could only be described as passable.

But upon arriving here, they received a different kind of treatment; they had never been welcomed by commoners like this—absolutely never.

Things were fine after the Third Hokage took office, but after Kagami Uchiha died, the Third Hokage's attitude became ambiguous, and the exclusion from Danzo and the other two elders caused their reputation in Konoha to decline.

Here, whether commoners or ninja, everyone was warmly welcoming them. They were saying, "Comrade, do you need any help? Sir, let me help you with that. Friend, head this way; I'll take you to register and get your new living quarters."

They helped carry new furniture, bedding, and all sorts of daily necessities.

The older generation had tears in their eyes.

The middle-aged generation felt moved, realizing that even the Uchiha clan, with their fearsome reputation, could be welcomed. They thought about finding the clan leader to learn more about the revolution he had mentioned, intending to contribute their share.

And the younger generation was even more touched.

They didn't know the clan's plight when they were children, and by the time they grew up, the clan was already on the brink of destruction.

The passionate atmosphere here raised their spirits, and Clan Leader Fugaku had told them he wanted to lead the Uchiha clan to join the revolution.

Say no more! With this kind of new atmosphere and such hospitable people, I am willing to follow them!

Seeing the various expressions on his clansmen's faces, a smile finally appeared on Uchiha Fugaku's stern face.

Minato Namikaze divided the Uchiha clan into several groups and scattered them throughout the base, responsible for the security of those areas.

While called a base, it was effectively a small town they had built themselves.

As for whether it was legal, a single genjutsu could handle that.

This town was prosperous, covering an area of about 1.5 square kilometers, with a large population.

With the arrival of the Uchiha clan, they could set up police stations to handle daily patrols and defense work.

Of course, Minato Namikaze also thoughtfully arranged a few days of training, teaching those about to become police officers how to get along with others, the importance of their attitude when speaking, and so on.

Once the training was completed, they could go to their assigned posts.

In this new environment, they studied earnestly, striving to set aside their pride and interact as equals with commoners and other ninja.

In less than a month, the Uchiha clan understood the meaning of the revolution. The Uchiha clan, once ostracized by Konoha, had found a home here and integrated into this big family.

One day they worked, and the next they went to the fields to learn farming and planting from the commoners.

Since most of the Uchiha clan possessed Fire, Lightning, and Water chakra natures, irrigation became much simpler.

Ninja had much greater stamina than ordinary people, which increased the efficiency of many tasks.

The ninja were also high-spirited; in their old village, no matter how much they contributed, it was considered their duty, and the rewards were few.

Here, it was different; their contributions received a corresponding response, and the gratitude of the people, the appreciation of the leadership, and the rewards all left them feeling satisfied.

"Clan Leader, I have something to discuss with you."

Just as Uchiha Fugaku was discussing the future planning of the Uchiha with other old and new elders, a young Uchiha clansman entered.

"Oh, Shingetsu, what is it?"

This young man named Shingetsu Uchiha was also a genius of the Uchiha clan; although not on par with Shisui or Itachi, he was quite prestigious among the younger generation of the Uchiha.

"Clan Leader, we young people have been discussing what Itachi did these past few days. We have come to understand that he is also a member of the revolution and why he did what he did, but we still cannot condone the act of killing our own kin. We heard that he is carrying out very dangerous missions for the revolution, which are essential to the cause. Although we cannot condone it, we still hope he can return safely. When the revolution is victorious, I will forgive his actions, and I hope he can return safely to apologize to the remaining Uchiha clansmen in person. This is the heartfelt wish of all the young Uchiha."

Fugaku did not expect him to say such things; this was the heartfelt wish of all the young Uchiha.

Fugaku didn't know what to say for a moment, only letting his tears flow continuously.

"Thank you, thank you all for giving Itachi a chance."

His son had killed his clansmen; this was a pain in Fugaku's heart that was hard to forget.

Although the clansmen had reinstated him as clan leader, he was him, and Itachi was Itachi. He would have to face what he had to face in the future; although he was the clan leader, he was powerless in this matter.

He had not expected the younger generation to be willing to give his son a chance, leaving him at a loss for how to express his gratitude.

If they could not be appeased, would Itachi have to pay with his life? Would he be exiled from the clan forever, shunned by his own kin? Or even if he returned, would he be unable to hold his head high before his people?

"Clan Head, we have considered this as well, and we are willing to follow the lead of the younger generation and give Itachi a chance. I believe that if the Uchiha clan had launched a rebellion, Fei Shi would not have stood with us, but would have helped Konoha instead—after all, Lady Tsunade is the person closest to him. If that had happened, the Uchiha would not only have been annihilated, but we would have been nailed to the pillar of shame for eternity, vanishing into the tides of history. Heh, his actions actually saved the entire clan, even if it makes all our kin resent him... I am still willing to give him a chance, just as the young ones said."

"That is correct, Clan Head."

"Ahem, Fugaku, you need not blame yourself so much. I have lived through war; I can understand his methods."

"Indeed. I heard it is a long-term undercover mission. Let him complete this task and make a great contribution to the revolution."

"THUD!"

Fugaku bowed his head heavily against the floor.

"Thank you! Thank you all! I will find a way to pass this on to him."