Recruiting Disheartened Uchiha Clansmen, the Arrogant Sarutobi Clan!

Give up part of the Military Police Force's authority, and make the clansmen apologize to those villagers who had made mistakes?

Uchiha Fugaku's words echoed in the clansmen's ears.

This was a humiliation to the Uchiha Clan.

Some clansmen looked at Uchiha Fugaku with utter disbelief. Had their Clan Head gone mad? He wanted to trade Uchiha interests for an uncertain future, for the village to trust the clan again?

Compromise in exchange for the other side's pity?

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous!

A moment later, noisy voices erupted throughout the clan grounds:

"No! Giving up half of the Military Police Force is already more than enough. Why should we apologize? The Uchiha cannot be humiliated."

"We did nothing wrong, so why should we apologize!"

"Clan Head, I refuse to accept this!"

"We consider the village, but why won't they consider us Uchiha? They keep targeting Uchiha clansmen and expect us to endure it again and again!"

"We Uchiha have already tolerated enough, so why are they still pushing us so relentlessly!"

"Clan Head, do you intend to abandon half the clan?"

As Fugaku made his decision, quite a few Uchiha clansmen protested.

Some even believed that their Clan Head had abandoned them.

Their faces showed despair, helplessness, and even indignation.

"My decision has been made. If you refuse to apologize, then withdraw from the Military Police Force!" Uchiha Fugaku's expression turned cold as he watched half the crowd protesting.

His icy words stopped the words on everyone's lips.

The Clan Head had already made his decision. No matter how many objections they had, there was nothing they could do. They could only sit back down in frustration.

Hmph!

The First Elder, who had remained silent the whole time, snorted coldly. Without saying another word, he rose and left the clan grounds.

Three elders followed behind him, including the Fourth Elder. He feared that if he stayed any longer, he would be driven mad with anger.

Itachi stared coldly at the departing man. In his heart, these people were unstable elements. If he ever had the chance to become the Uchiha Clan Head, he would clean out these stubborn old fools.

They were all unstable elements.

Watching the elders leave, some people shook their heads in disappointment and prepared to leave the clan grounds as well.

They were disappointed in their Clan Head—deeply disappointed.

There was no way they would apologize.

"Dad, now's the perfect time to recruit people for the Merchant Guild!" As he watched the crowd slowly disperse, Xuanyu tugged on Uchiha Hanjō's clothes and leaned close to urge him, "Hurry up, this is the best opportunity!"

Huh?

Uchiha Hanjō's gaze was briefly startled, but then his eyes lit up. He gave his son a thumbs-up. His son truly was his lucky star.

This was indeed a fine opportunity.

Uchiha Hanjō's eyes gleamed as he looked at the people preparing to leave. Then he said, "Everyone, please wait!"

The crowd stopped and looked at Uchiha Hanjō in confusion, not knowing what he intended to do.

Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi, who had not yet left, also turned their gazes toward Uchiha Hanjō.

Uchiha Hanjō pondered for a long while, coughed twice, and then continued, "I won't say much else. If you don't want to live unhappily in the village, my Merchant Guild welcomes all fellow clansmen. I, Uchiha Hanjō, will not mistreat a single one of you!"

As soon as he said this!

Uchiha Kai and the others beside him puffed out their chests and stood ramrod straight!

They wanted to make Uchiha Hanjō look good.

The others all looked at Uchiha Hanjō. This time, there was no mockery. Instead, a gleam appeared in their eyes.

Their hearts were stirred. They exchanged glances, as if all considering the possibility.

"Uchiha Hanjō?"

Uchiha Itachi stared at Uchiha Hanjō as well, and his usually expressionless face was now incomparably cold.

In his view, Uchiha Hanjō was taking advantage of the Uchiha's internal troubles to divide the Uchiha clansmen. His intentions were far from good!

In his heart,

Uchiha Hanjō had already become an unstable element. According to the Hokage's way of thinking, uncontrollable elements needed to be eliminated.

Uchiha Hanjō was one of them!

"Uchiha Hanjō, what would I need to do if I joined the Merchant Guild? What is the compensation like?" One ninja, clearly tempted, began asking questions.

"I, Uchiha Hanjō, have always determined compensation based on strength. Of course, your treatment will be the same as that of the Uchiha clansmen already in the Merchant Guild!" Uchiha Hanjō said frankly.

The ninja was still somewhat hesitant. "Can I think about it?"

"Of course. The Merchant Guild will welcome you at any time!"

Uchiha Hanjō nodded. He had stated his intentions, and he knew these people could not possibly join his Merchant Guild immediately. They could think it over.

The Uchiha Clan's situation in Konoha was becoming increasingly difficult, and the Military Police Force's benefits would only worsen in the future. These people would come around.

Already, some people's minds had begun to stir as they started considering their futures.

Sarutobi clan grounds!

This clan had been among the earliest founding clans to join Konoha after the First Hokage and Madara established it together. Its members were all skilled in Fire Release ninjutsu, and it was now at the height of its prosperity.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was also Konoha's current Hokage!

Inside a luxurious residence.

"Father, do you think Uncle will make the Uchiha compromise? Make them surrender half of the Military Police Force?"

A bearded young man with an arrogant demeanor looked at an elderly man before him, his eyes filled with excitement and anticipation.

The old man resembled the Third Hokage by fifty or sixty percent. Sitting in his chair, he carried the bearing of someone in power, as though he were a Hokage himself.

At a glance, it was obvious that he occupied a high position.

The old man was Sarutobi Hiruzen's younger brother, Sarutobi Ri Tian. The young man speaking was Sarutobi Hiruzen's biological nephew, Sarutobi Asuma!

"The Military Police Force will belong to our Sarutobi Clan sooner or later. The evil Uchiha have already declined. They have no choice!" Sarutobi Ri Tian took a puff from his pipe and slowly exhaled a ring of smoke.

He was calm and composed, as if victory were already in his grasp.

"Haha... right, the Military Police Force is mine!" A smile spread across Sarutobi Asuma's bearded face, though it carried a trace of cruelty.

Over the years, the clan had grown stronger and stronger, with the Third Hokage backing them!

They had become somewhat lawless.

The Sarutobi Clan's influence could be found in many key positions throughout the village. Even the Daimyo of the Land of Fire was under the Sarutobi Clan's protection. Sarutobi Asuma was also the Young Clan Leader of the Sarutobi Clan!

With the Sarutobi Clan's power, they had already become Konoha's strongest force. No one could contend with them.

If the Sarutobi Clan wished it, they could even control Konoha's situation.

"Tomorrow, take those civilians whom the Uchiha persecuted and receive the Uchiha clansmen's apologies. Then take over half the Military Police Force's authority and divide the village into two areas!" Sarutobi Ri Tian took another puff of smoke, certainty in his eyes.

A smile appeared on Sarutobi Asuma's face, though it was vicious. "Father, don't worry. I'll make the Uchiha apologize properly. Only a sincere apology can earn forgiveness!"

"Haha."

Please recommend, bookmark, and vote with monthly tickets! There will be another chapter shortly!