The Origin of Uchiha Xiao

Uchiha Hirotomo agreed to Uchiha Xiao's terms. For an eighteen-year-old genius with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan and the Magnet Release bloodline limit to agree to serve as a clan elder was a move that deepened their bonds.

He chose to agree to all of Uchiha Xiao's requests as much as possible; after all, it was just an intelligence system—a minor matter. However, he had not expected Uchiha Xiao's next words to break him out in a cold sweat.

"Clan Leader, there is one more thing. Hand the position of Captain of the Konoha Military Police Force over to me. I will be responsible for communicating with the village's upper echelons." Uchiha Xiao's eyes were locked onto Uchiha Hirotomo, for he knew that the Military Police Force was the Uchiha Clan's only source of authority.

Uchiha Hirotomo hesitated. He opened his mouth, but eventually closed it again. He lowered his head, lost in thought. The Military Police Force was typically inherited by the clan leader, allowing them to manage the clan with one hand while maintaining contact with the village leadership with the other.

Now, Uchiha Xiao was clearly trying to strip power from the clan leader. Even though every clan leader had to be present during meetings, having the title of Captain of the Military Police Force made one's words carry much more weight.

Furthermore, the Military Police Force was the primary source of recruitment for the Uchiha Clan. Being able to crack down on illegal activities and punish evildoers was a particularly prestigious job.

Uchiha Xiao sighed. "If the Clan Leader is unwilling to agree, then I shall leave immediately and never concern myself with clan affairs again." With that, he stood up, ready to depart.

The implication was clear: if you are unwilling to give it, then I will not serve as this elder, and whatever happens to the Uchiha from this point on will have nothing to do with me.

"Wait, Xiao. I want to know why you want to take over the Military Police Force. Are you trying to divide the power of the clan leader's lineage?" Uchiha Hirotomo stared intently at Uchiha Xiao, wanting to see a shift in his emotions.

He was disappointed. Uchiha Xiao's expression remained unchanged as he sat upright and said, "Heh, let me ask you this: what is the villagers' attitude toward the Uchiha?"

Uchiha Hirotomo's face turned ashen. Because of this Military Police Force, how many of his clansmen had been subjected to the villagers' duplicity? They acted obedient on the surface, but cursed them as bastards behind their backs.

Even the clansmen in the Uchiha Military Police Force had lost their enthusiasm; they no longer even bothered to explain themselves, simply arresting people with grim, dark expressions.

"Furthermore, Clan Leader Hirotomo, don't you think that power is sometimes a double-edged sword? What do they call the Military Police Force on the outside? The 'Uchiha Military Police Force.' It has become synonymous with our clan. Have you ever considered the opinions of those above?" After saying this, Uchiha Xiao pointed in the direction of the Hokage Building.

Uchiha Hirotomo's face turned ashen once more. Uchiha Xiao knew this was the final strike. "Clan Leader, having held power for too long, you have almost become a slave to it. This has led to a lower state of mind, preventing you from thinking calmly." Having said his piece, Uchiha Xiao stopped speaking and sat there, calm and composed.

Uchiha Hirotomo recalled the past. It seemed exactly as Uchiha Xiao had described. When he first inherited the position of Clan Leader and the Military Police Force, he not only held the power of the clan but was also a high-ranking official in the village, protecting the safety of the villagers.

Yet, he did not know when it had started, but the Military Police Corps began to be maliciously slandered. The Uchiha were rumored to be villains who arrested whoever they didn't like.

He had reported this to the upper echelons, but they always said they would handle it. The matter was never addressed, yet he remained unwilling to give up the power of the Military Police Corps, choosing instead to remain silent and continue the arrests.

Just like that, the Military Police Corps became a universally loathed department, and the reputation of the Uchiha Clan took a hit, transforming from the number one noble clan into a family that bullied others by abusing their power.

Only the members of the Military Police Corps within the clan knew how stifled they felt. Their original intention was to maintain the property and personal safety of the people of Konoha, only to be insulted as bullies.

Uchiha Hirotomo looked up and asked, "Xiao-kun, do you have a way to change all of this?"

Uchiha Xiao leaned back tactically. "Ten percent. I have ten percent certainty, but I need the Clan Leader's cooperation; otherwise, I cannot guarantee success."

Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. "Since Xiao-kun is confident, I am willing to give up the position of Captain of the Military Police Corps. I will go see the Hokage tomorrow."

Uchiha Xiao shook his head. "Now—just as night has fallen—is the most appropriate time."

"Now? You are too impatient! The Hokage has already gone to sleep at this hour." Uchiha Hirotomo was stunned, then spoke in disbelief.

"Clan Leader, what I mean is that our visit to the Hokage tonight should primarily focus on the Uchiha Clan's full support for his administration. The change in the Military Police Corps is just a convenient side matter."

"You—have you forgotten the pride of the Uchiha! To think you would make our Uchiha Clan bow our heads!" Uchiha Hirotomo's expression was grim. He had not expected that the person he thought so highly of would be this kind of man.

Uchiha Xiao smiled slightly. "You must understand, the Hokage has just taken office and his foundation is unstable. At this moment, we are not bowing our heads; we are placing a bet."

"There is a saying: adding flowers to a brocade is not as good as sending charcoal in the snow. If we are the first to visit the Hokage and express our support, do you believe the rumors against us will all disappear?" Uchiha Xiao said confidently.

"Even if they don't disappear, the Hokage will step forward to clear our names," Uchiha Xiao laughed.

Uchiha Hirotomo was still hesitating. Uchiha Xiao frowned and said coldly, "Clan Leader, I hope you understand that I am doing this for the Uchiha. If you feel it is shameful, then hand the position of Clan Leader to me as well. I guarantee that the Uchiha will be much more comfortable, both within the clan and in the village."

"Instead of being ostracized and slandered like we are now!" As he said this, Uchiha Xiao's voice turned icy as he stared at Uchiha Hirotomo.

Uchiha Hirotomo's face went pale. He felt as if he were looking at Madara from the Warring States period; that glance just now had been filled with disdain and mockery.

"I... I agree, Xiao-kun. Let us depart at once!" Having said this, Uchiha Hirotomo grabbed Uchiha Xiao's hand, ready to leave. Uchiha Xiao pulled his hand away. "Clan Leader, are you going empty-handed?"

Uchiha Hirotomo was stunned. I've already chosen a side; I can't go empty-handed?

Uchiha Xiao sighed. "Clan Leader, do it like this: the Hokage has a son named Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who is currently a student at the Konoha Academy. You should gift him a set of ninja tools, preferably ones crafted by the Ninja Cat clan."

Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. He now felt that what Uchiha Xiao said made perfect sense. His grasp of human nature was something he could not compare to.

The Uchiha were all a bunch of reckless brutes; this was the first time a wise man had appeared among them.

After speaking, Uchiha Hirotomo summoned a member of the Ninja Cat clan. After a brief conversation, a brand-new set of ninja tools and a tool pouch were delivered within ten minutes.

Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Xiao pushed open the door and headed toward the Sarutobi Clan Compound.

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was reviewing documents; they were the information on Uchiha Xiao collected by the Anbu.

"Uchiha Xiao, son of Uchiha Donpu, grandson of Uchiha Izuna, and his grandfather is Uchiha Tajima." Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Uchiha Izuna—that was a legendary figure whose intellect was on par with his teacher's. This kid had certainly inherited quite a bit.