Collision of Old and New Ideas

The next day, inside Naka Shrine.

The Uchiha Clan's jonin, elders, and clan head were all present, preparing for a meeting.

Uchiha Kei spoke directly. "Yesterday, Uchiha Yato proposed reforming the Uchiha Clan's educational policies."

"I've brought the matter before the council today because I want to hear everyone's thoughts."

At present, the Uchiha could generally be divided into three factions. One consisted mainly of moderate Uchiha, referred to simply as the moderate faction.

Another consisted mainly of war-minded Uchiha, referred to as the pro-war faction.

The last was the neutral faction, which belonged to neither side.

Among the four elders, the First Elder and Fourth Elder belonged to the moderate faction.

The Second Elder and Third Elder belonged to the pro-war and neutral factions respectively.

Uchiha Kei was also part of the moderate faction, though he leaned even more toward Konoha.

That was why Fugaku Uchiha would later become part of the moderate faction as well. They were family, after all; there was no reason for them to speak as though they were strangers.

Uchiha Yato, meanwhile, was a rather unusual neutral. He thought poorly of both Konoha and the Uchiha Clan's current circumstances.

In the original story, throughout several great ninja wars, there were practically no Konoha Kage-level powerhouses or notable jonin who died in battle.

Yet quite a few Kage-level figures had been stabbed in the back.

Konoha's White Fang and the Three Ninja were all famous examples of victims.

It was precisely these internal factors that made the other ninja villages begin stirring once they saw Konoha's forces diminished.

If one wanted to weaken Konoha Village, it would be far more effective to provoke the ambitions of Danzo Shimura and the others and make Konoha tear itself apart than to start a ninja war.

Therefore, Uchiha Yato's values centered on protecting the Uchiha Clan and binding it together as one.

Even if war raged outside, he would never allow the Uchiha Clan's children to suffer.

After Uchiha Kei proposed reforming Uchiha education and repeated what Uchiha Yato had said at his home earlier,

the First Elder and Fourth Elder, representatives of the moderate faction, fell into thought. The Third Elder of the neutral faction simply watched his nose, and his nose watched his heart.

The Second Elder was the first elder to speak. "What do you mean?"

"Are you suggesting that we abandon the Uchiha's glory?"

"What do those commoners know? Without the Uchiha Clan back then, Konoha Village might never have been founded."

Look at that—such a quintessentially Uchiha statement.

Forever wallowing in past glory without reflecting on themselves—this was the Uchiha's greatest flaw.

Uchiha Yato spoke directly. "Second Elder, do you believe the Uchiha Clan has a chance of producing the Fourth Hokage?"

The moment that topic came up, every Uchiha present pricked up their ears.

Ever since the First Hokage, the Uchiha Clan had missed out on the Hokage position time and time again.

The Second Hokage had been the First Hokage's younger brother, and his abilities were indeed outstanding. His election as Hokage had been thoroughly deserved.

As for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, quite a few people had their complaints about him. But Mito Uzumaki had gradually transferred power to him, allowing Hiruzen Sarutobi to establish himself as Hokage.

Given the Uchiha's temperament, the Fourth Hokage had to come from their clan. As one of the great clans that had founded Konoha Village alongside the Senju Clan, they had the confidence to say so.

And by raising this question, Uchiha Yato was undoubtedly about to place himself on the opposing side.

Uchiha Yato said, "We cannot become Hokage. Konoha's higher-ups will never allow an Uchiha to become Hokage."

Uchiha Yato's words immediately agitated one Uchiha jonin. "Why can't the Uchiha produce a Hokage? We founded Konoha together with the Senju. We made great contributions too, so why can't we?"

After hearing the jonin's words, many other Uchiha began shouting their agreement.

Most Uchiha basically agreed with that view, because it concerned their clan's honor to some extent.

Once the clamor gradually died down, Uchiha Yato finally spoke calmly. "May I ask everyone this: what do we have to become Hokage?"

"To put it bluntly, in the ninja world, only those with the biggest fists have a voice."

"Are our fists big enough?"

That single sentence silenced everyone. The Uchiha Clan did not lack jonin, and quite a few among those present were jonin.

But they all understood what Uchiha Yato meant. They had no Kage-level powerhouse.

Uchiha Yato continued, "Hiruzen Sarutobi in his prime, Danzo Shimura, the darkness of the ninja world, the Three Ninja, and Konoha's White Fang."

"If you intend to seize power by force, every other ninja clan will become our enemy. How many can we fight?"

"And if it becomes a prolonged war, can our clan's resources compare to those of all Konoha Village?"

As Uchiha Yato threw out one heavy issue after another, many Uchiha jonin slowly fell silent.

The first to speak was still the Second Elder. As the leading figure of the pro-war faction, he now faced a serious crisis of fighting spirit. He needed to say something that would leave Uchiha Yato speechless.

It was not just for his own dignity, but to steady the hearts of the pro-war Uchiha as well.

There was also an outsider who felt the same way—Madara Uchiha.

Back then, he had in fact entertained thoughts of the Hokage position. But after learning of the Eye of the Moon Plan, he had left the village to pursue his ideals, thus losing his chance at becoming Hokage.

Now, listening to his descendant analyze the Uchiha Clan's predicament could be considered a way to make up for his old regret.

The Second Elder said, "By your reasoning, will the Uchiha Clan be able to produce a Hokage after your reforms?"

Uchiha Yato replied, "I'm only discussing the matter at hand. At the very least, making changes cannot make things worse than they already are."

"And I made myself clear from the beginning—we have to start with the children."

The Second Elder did not speak. The other Uchiha all waited for Uchiha Yato to continue.

Uchiha Yato said, "First, the new generation of Uchiha must change their original arrogant nature."

"There are several promising Uchiha children right now who can be properly cultivated. Elders, stop saying such absurd nonsense."

This time, no one responded. Not only the elders, but most of these jonin had children too, and they had more or less bragged about themselves before.

Uchiha Yato continued, "I investigated before. Five out of every six children looked down on the Three Body Technique taught at the academy, considering it far too simple."

"Of course, perhaps they have already learned it. In that case, there is no need to waste time."

"Since the children look down on the Three Body Technique taught at the Ninja Academy, let them earn ninjutsu from the clan through their own labor."

"Remember the condition I stated: they must obtain new ninjutsu through labor."

"What their parents teach them does not count. Ninjutsu acquired from the clan may not be privately passed on to outsiders."

Uchiha Kei interjected, "Learning ninjutsu requires a place. We can permanently assign Training Ground Number Two to the Uchiha children for studying ninjutsu, so they won't have to sneak off elsewhere."

Uchiha Yato picked up the thread. "Everyone here, including the elders and clan head, should go to the children's training ground whenever possible to teach them the ninjutsu they have exchanged for, unless you are away on missions or outside the village."

"Of course, every ninja who goes there will receive a supervision fee. They will not only teach the children ninjutsu, but also protect the Uchiha children."

"Can the clan provide this supervision fee?"

As Uchiha Yato said this, he looked at Uchiha Kei.

Uchiha Kei said nothing, merely giving a slight nod to indicate his approval.

It was only a small expense. It would ensure the children's education, provide people to watch over them, and give the jonin a certain reward. Why not?

At the same time, a jonin interjected, "Didn't we say earlier that we wanted to change how civilian ninjas see us?"

"If we don't share it with them like this, won't they resent us even more?"

Uchiha Yato said, "I have other plans for that."