Personnel Arrangements

"Additionally, regarding the rapid improvement of the clan's strength, I propose that we immediately make internal adjustments."

Shien continued laying out the plan. "Select the twelve strongest among the clan's current fighters and form two elite squads."

"The first batch will consist of the remaining twelve strongest members of the clan, divided into two teams of six."

"These two squads will not take on scattered odd jobs. They will only accept large-scale missions of high rank and high risk."

"The purpose is not to make money, but to temper the members through intense real combat. At the same time, we will announce to the outside world—the Uchiha Clan's prestige and strength have not fallen!"

"The other team will remain within the clan to conduct elite training."

"They will rotate after every mission, ensuring that combat experience and instructional inheritance never lapse."

"Next, we must immediately screen all underage clan members, especially those children with potential, and launch a long-term elite cultivation plan."

"These promising children will receive systematic, integrated elite training using the clan's best resources and finest instructors, allowing them to develop combat strength as quickly as possible."

"Once they have grown up, our renewed next generation will be ready to take over."

"With this cycle repeating, in ten to fifteen years, our Uchiha Clan will be able to recover its vitality and perhaps even surpass its former glory!"

"The two squads will be called the Flame-Eye Squad and the Ash Squad."

"You can compete among yourselves for the members and captains."

"If we have more personnel, we can form more squads."

"As for cultivating the young, I'll call it the Sprout Plan!"

Shien's thinking was clear, and he had mapped out the Uchiha Clan's future in every detail.

Everyone was greatly invigorated!

Seeing that everyone was quite satisfied, Shien asked, "Does anyone have anything to add?"

After quickly jotting things down in his notebook, Zhi Ming asked, "What about the students at the Ninja Academy?"

Shien considered it briefly. This time, Konoha had not dared to touch them, and that was inseparable from the help of many clans such as the Ino-Shika-Cho and Hyuga Clan.

"Not every younger member can be selected for the Sprout Plan. Those who fall short will still attend the Ninja Academy."

"Although its teaching standards cannot compare to those within the clan, it is also a bridge for communicating with other clans."

"The Sprout Plan will implement a last-place elimination system. Children who perform too poorly will be eliminated to the Ninja Academy, where they can handle social connections for the clan."

Seeing that Shien had even considered such details, everyone became even more convinced by him.

"Since no one has any objections, Elder Zhi Ming, you will take full responsibility for this matter. Transfer whoever you need yourself."

"Shisui, come with me. Everyone else, meeting adjourned."

Danzo was holding back a bellyful of rage, his face black as the bottom of a pot as he hobbled all the way back to his gloomy Root Base, his cane going thud, thud, thud.

In his heart, he cursed the Third Hokage and those Uchiha people countless times.

He had only just returned to his dim office and had not even had time to sit down and catch his breath when a subordinate cautiously came forward to report:

"Lord Danzo, of the six people sent to the Uchiha last night... only Owl and Kabuto were fortunate enough to escape."

"The other four... are now hanging from the Uchiha walls, drying in the wind. How... should those two be dealt with?"

Danzo had already had nowhere to vent his anger, and hearing this made his fury flare even higher.

Still, he forcibly suppressed his rage and picked up the detailed mission report.

"Deal with them? Hmph!"

Danzo snorted coldly.

"The mission failed so completely that they nearly disgraced Root entirely! And they still have the nerve to ask how to deal with them?"

He looked over the report in his hand.

"They were caught in Genjutsu and did not even know how they passed out?"

"Yet Owl and that Kabuto woke up and escaped back here? Hm?"

Danzo was deeply suspicious by nature. He did not trust even his own subordinates.

Then he saw that Owl had been awakened by Kabuto, making him feel that something was even more wrong.

Danzo turned his gaze to Yakushi Kabuto's file.

He discovered that although the boy was young, he had spent a long time working as a spy outside and had sent Root quite a bit of valuable intelligence.

He was indeed capable, a good prospect for intelligence work.

But the more clever and long-term an outsider like this was, the less at ease Danzo felt.

He was a dangerous person!

That old fool, the Third Hokage, was going to cut off his funding! How was an organization as large as Root supposed to function without money?

How was he supposed to train subordinates? Danzo calculated inwardly. It seemed he had to cut some unnecessary expenses.

There was another female spy still working for him outside—Yakushi Nonō.

To support the children at the orphanage, she had no choice but to work for him. She had always wanted to find a chance to get Kabuto out of Root.

A vicious plan instantly took shape in his mind.

A cold smile appeared on Danzo's face. He ordered his subordinate, "Go bring me the mission files from the Land of Earth, along with Nonō's recent reports."

The documents were quickly brought over. As Danzo flipped through them, he calculated inwardly.

Nonō had been undercover in the Land of Earth for a long time. The plan he had prepared before could now be put to use.

He raised his head and first said to Root, "Owl failed his mission. Deduct half a year of his allowance and demote him for observation."

"As for Kabuto, although he failed this mission, he was clever enough to save his life."

"Send him to the fourth hidden site in the Land of Earth. Once he arrives, there will be a new mission for him."

Uchiha Clan Grounds.

"Shisui, what do you plan to do during this final stretch of time?"

Shien had already spoken with Shisui. The damage to Shisui's body had not recovered, which meant Shisui would not be able to remain for much longer.

"I plan to do my best to train the clan members. At the very least, before I leave, I want to make things a little more stable for them."

The deaths of his clansmen tormented him again and again. The once gentle Shisui was now taciturn every day, his face filled with gloom.

He also wanted to do more for the clan and lessen the guilt in his heart.

Shien considered it, then said, "There really is someone who can use the Impure World Reincarnation."

"Later on, do you still want to..."

Shisui grasped Shien's hand. "You must wake me again. I still have to continue atoning for the Uchiha!"

Shien nodded. "It requires a part of your corpse. Do you know where your body went?"

Shisui's expression stiffened. "After I jumped into the Naka River, I lost consciousness."

"If Itachi did not collect my body, then it will probably be very difficult to find."

Shien patted Shisui on the shoulder. "It's all right. I have other methods, though they will take longer."

"Then I'll leave it to you, Shien."

"While you can still watch over the clan, I'll spend the next two days arranging the clan's affairs before going out to search for promising talents."

"And Sasuke is highly talented as well. We cannot give up on him."

"Although I drove Sasuke out of the clan grounds, it was only to protect him."

"Only once Sasuke becomes strong will he have a chance to atone in the future."