If You Get in the Way of My Taking It Easy, I'll Keep You Busy

Upon returning to the clan grounds, Clan Head Fugaku Uchiha and the First, Second, and Third Elders were already waiting.

"Clan Head, First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder!" The Police Force members respectfully bowed upon seeing Fugaku Uchiha and the three elders.

"Chuan, well done!" Fugaku Uchiha gave Uchiha Chuan a thumbs-up, his face full of approving smiles. His attitude made everyone present breathe a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed.

"You may return and rest first. Arrange the shifts. Uchiha Chuan, come with us." The First Elder waved his hand, his tone carrying a touch of authority.

"Yes!" The Police Force members exchanged glances before leaving one after another.

"Come on, Chuan. Let's talk." Fugaku Uchiha patted Uchiha Chuan on the shoulder, his tone somewhat warm.

Before long, they arrived at Fugaku Uchiha's home. The atmosphere in the room was somewhat solemn, but Uchiha Chuan remained calm, as though he had long expected all this.

"Chuan, we shouldn't have been asking you about these matters, but your performance today was simply too astounding. It far exceeded our expectations." Fugaku Uchiha spoke first, sounding somewhat emotional. "Even if it had been us, we probably couldn't have done half as well as you. Clearly, your genius isn't limited to ninjutsu. You're just as much of a genius in thought, perhaps even greater than us. From now on, we will treat you as an equal. Furthermore, all the clan's forbidden and secret techniques will be open to you starting today."

"Uh, thank you, Clan Head." Uchiha Chuan nodded calmly. He had long known he was a genius. As for losing ten-odd days of time to take it easy, he could accept that. At worst, he could make up for it later.

"Good. Starting tomorrow, I'll personally teach you the Uchiha's forbidden and secret techniques." Fugaku Uchiha continued solemnly. "With your brilliant mind, I believe you can control yourself and won't practice, much less use, those forbidden and secret techniques before your body is suited for them."

"I understand. I'll keep myself in check." Uchiha Chuan nodded confidently.

"Alright, the trivial matters are settled. Now for the important matter." The First Elder slowly spoke, his tone serious.

"Uchiha Chuan, you offended the Hokage and Danzo quite badly today. Of course, our Uchiha offended them badly as well. They won't give up on suppressing the Uchiha because of this. They may even become more ruthless and look for more opportunities to target us. Uchiha Chuan, how do you think we should respond next?" The Second Elder asked directly, his gaze full of anticipation.

Uchiha Chuan smiled faintly, speaking calmly. "Why do we have to respond to them? Wouldn't it be better to make them respond to us?"

"Oh? What do you mean?" The Third Elder asked in surprise. The other three immediately sat upright, their eyes fixed on Uchiha Chuan.

"To make them respond to us, we first need to know where their foundation lies." Uchiha Chuan spoke slowly, his words carrying deeper meaning. "Clan Head, First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, do you know where the Hokage's foundation lies?"

"The Ino-Shika-Cho clans, the civilian ninja, and their own clans." Fugaku Uchiha pondered briefly before answering.

Uchiha Chuan shook his head, his tone mocking. "None of them. The Hokage's foundation is the Ninja Academy."

"The Ninja Academy?" The First Elder and the others froze, clearly not expecting Uchiha Chuan to give such an answer.

"That's right, the Ninja Academy." Uchiha Chuan nodded firmly. "The Ninja Academy gives civilian ninja a path upward. Although that path only lets them become cannon-fodder ninja, it is still better than being civilians without power. Therefore, the Hokage naturally gains the support of civilian ninja."

"So the Hokage's lifeline really lies in the Ninja Academy?" The Second Elder said in surprise, a flash of realization appearing in his eyes. His gaze toward Uchiha Chuan gained a measure of admiration. "What a genius!"

"Once we know the Hokage's foundation, we also need to know the Uchiha's own foundation." Uchiha Chuan continued, guiding them. "What is the Uchiha's foundation?"

"Isn't that obvious? Our Kekkei Genkai—the Sharingan!" The Third Elder said without hesitation.

"That's right, the Sharingan." Uchiha Chuan nodded confidently. "So, Clan Head, First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, do you know how to make the Hokage respond to us now?"

"Have all Uchiha clan members withdraw from the Ninja Academy?" Fugaku Uchiha asked tentatively, sounding uncertain.

Uchiha Chuan looked at Fugaku Uchiha speechlessly, his tone helpless. "What would the Third Hokage lose from that? He never liked the Uchiha to begin with, and the Ninja Academy was never a place for the Uchiha to study anyway."

"Uh, Chuan, just say it outright. Stop beating around the bush!" Fugaku Uchiha said with a bitter smile, his tone almost pleading.

"Ugh!" Uchiha Chuan sighed helplessly, then spoke directly. "Fine, I'll spell it out. Clan Head Fugaku, prepare a proposal to establish an Uchiha Ninja Academy. The excuse is that the Konoha Ninja Academy's curriculum is too basic. It only has the Three-Body Technique and lacks the Five Nature Transformations. Meanwhile, the Uchiha Ninja Academy would teach at least three ninjutsu for each nature transformation."

"No, that would be privately spreading ninjutsu. The village has rules forbidding the private spread of ninjutsu!" The Second Elder immediately objected, sounding concerned.

"Second Elder, are we spreading anything?" Uchiha Chuan rolled his eyes mockingly. "We're only submitting a proposal. If the proposal is approved, then it won't count as privately spreading ninjutsu. If it isn't approved, find someone to spread word of it. Understand?"

"Brilliant!" Fugaku Uchiha's eyes lit up, his tone delighted. "If they agree, we can build a Ninja Academy and compete with the Konoha Ninja Academy for the support of civilian ninja. If we fail, our good intentions will still have been spread around. The civilian ninja will naturally be grateful to us and resent the Third Hokage for rejecting it. That way, we gain support while creating a rift between the Third Hokage and the civilian ninja."

"The Uchiha's foundation is the Sharingan, something no one can take from us. As for ninjutsu, once the eyes awaken, we can have as much as we want. Therefore, we don't need to be stingy about ninjutsu being lost, nor do we need to fear its spread. As long as we have these eyes, the Uchiha will forever remain one of the top great clans." Uchiha Chuan spoke lightly, his tone full of confidence.

"This..." The First, Second, and Third Elders all looked dumbfounded, clearly not having fully digested Uchiha Chuan's words.

"I imagine the Police Force's funding often gets withheld, doesn't it?" Uchiha Chuan suddenly asked meaningfully.

"Yes. Do you have a solution?" Fugaku Uchiha immediately asked, a trace of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

"It's simple. Submit a proposal to sell ninjutsu and raise funds for the Police Force." Uchiha Chuan said lightly.

"Brilliant! Just like submitting a proposal to build a school, the key is driving a wedge between the Hokage and the civilian ninja." Fugaku Uchiha said excitedly.

"Good that you understand. I should head back now." Uchiha Chuan stood up, his tone relaxed.