When Interests Are Touched, So Are Souls

Meanwhile, in the still-unrelocated Naka Shrine within the Uchiha Clan Territory, the Uchiha Clan's core members had gathered together. The atmosphere was grave and solemn.

"Clan Head, First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, was there some major matter that required this sudden clan assembly?" A young Uchiha representative stood up, his voice filled with confusion and unease.

Fugaku Uchiha stood upon the platform, his gaze sweeping over the clan members below. He nodded solemnly. "Yes. Today's clan assembly was called because the three elders and I have decided to allocate one billion ryo and mobilize the entire clan to fully cooperate with Uchiha Chuan in cultivating super geniuses no less talented than him."

"One billion ryo?!" The moment that figure was announced, the entire hall erupted. The clan members looked at one another, their faces full of shock and hesitation.

If it was merely a matter of the whole clan cooperating, there naturally would have been no problem. After all, aside from carrying out missions, most Uchiha clan members had plenty of idle time. Ever since seeing through the Third Hokage's true nature, their loyalty to the village had already plummeted. They worked only to pass the time and avoid being assigned worthless low-ranking missions.

But one billion ryo... that concerned everyone's personal interests! Once that money was used, it meant their income for the year would be cut in half. Even those who supported Uchiha Chuan and considered him the Uchiha Clan's future leader and a super genius could not help hesitating now.

As for those who had already harbored dissatisfaction toward Uchiha Chuan, they completely exploded.

"Hmph, what kind of super genius is Uchiha Chuan? Has he even awakened his Sharingan?" A middle-aged Uchiha sneered, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Exactly! He merely learned ninjutsu a little faster and had a little more chakra. At most, he barely counted as an ordinary genius. But the Uchiha Clan has always measured genius by the Sharingan! In my view, even if he learned every ninjutsu in existence, as long as he hasn't awakened his eyes, he doesn't deserve to be called a genius at all, much less a super genius! Spend one billion ryo cultivating that trash? I absolutely refuse!" Another clansman loudly echoed him.

"Me too!"

For a time, those who were jealous of and resentful toward Uchiha Chuan rose one after another, their voices growing louder with each wave.

"You people are utterly ungrateful!" A clansman who supported Uchiha Chuan could not help slamming his hand on the table and rising to his feet, glaring furiously. "Don't forget—if not for Uchiha Chuan, you people would still be bitterly cursing the village's unfairness!"

"I admit that Uchiha Chuan has some clever tricks. If this were just a minor affair, we naturally wouldn't object. But one billion ryo? Sorry, but I can only suspect that the Clan Head and the three elders are trying to line their own pockets!" A clansman said coldly.

"That's right! I also admit that Uchiha Chuan has contributed to the clan, but you've exaggerated his achievements! He only made the initial move; everything that followed was entirely due to luck. He isn't some genius at all, just a brat who doesn't want to go to school or be disturbed! Everything he has today comes from the Uchiha Clan's foundations and the backlash from the village's oppression! Don't put him on such a pedestal!" Another clansman declared firmly.

If Uchiha Chuan had been present, he probably would have applauded that speech. Aside from putting the cart before the horse and being ungrateful, that person had been almost entirely right.

However, the Uchiha clan members did not possess such extensive experience in struggle. After hearing those words, many of them found them reasonable and even began to doubt Uchiha Chuan's abilities. After all, Uchiha Chuan was not even six years old. No matter how talented he was, it was difficult for people to be completely convinced.

The Uchiha's arrogance was carved into their bones. They never believed anyone could be stronger than them, especially those clansmen who had awakened their eyes. No matter how calm or resolute they appeared on the surface, there was still an arrogance deep within them that could not be concealed. And that arrogance needed only the smallest spark to be completely ignited.

And now, that spark was Uchiha Chuan's age.

Before their interests were involved, they could indulge Uchiha Chuan's antics, since that could also be considered part of the Uchiha's "arrogance." But now that one billion ryo of real money was at stake, they naturally began questioning Uchiha Chuan's abilities and even directly looked down on him because of his age.

"Hmph, everything you're saying is just hindsight!" Fugaku Uchiha suddenly slammed the table, his eyes blazing with rage. "If you were truly so capable, why couldn't you see through the Third Hokage and Konoha Leadership? Why weren't you the ones who brought hope and light to the Uchiha Clan? And now you dare jump out and question Uchiha Chuan? Are you worthy?"

"That's right!" The First Elder also stood, his voice carrying suppressed fury. "How could Uchiha Chuan's strategy possibly be predicted by the likes of you? You say he only made the first move and everything afterward depended on luck? Don't you know that luck is also a kind of strength? An extremely terrifying kind of strength! Otherwise, why had none of the countless Uchiha over all these years ever possessed such 'luck'?"

"Hmph, who said we couldn't see through the Third Hokage and Konoha's advisers?" A clansman from the Uchiha Hardliners sneered. "We saw their ill intentions long ago! It was your weakness, Clan Head, that kept suppressing us. Otherwise, we would have made them pay long ago!"

"Hahaha, how ridiculous!" Fugaku Uchiha laughed in extreme anger. "If I hadn't kept you in check, you idiots who think of nothing but launching a coup would have led the entire Uchiha Clan to its destruction long ago! And you still have the nerve to say Uchiha Chuan isn't a genius? Uchiha Chuan can leave Konoha Leadership helpless and unable to find any leverage against him. Can you do that?"

Fugaku's words were like a heavy hammer striking the Uchiha Hardliners' hearts. They opened their mouths, but for the moment, they could find no argument to refute him.

"Hmph, since neither side can convince the other, then we'll follow the rules—vote!" The Second Elder said coldly. He had once been one of the Uchiha Hardliners himself, but now he had grown sick of their stupidity.

"Fine, let's vote! I refuse to believe anyone truly thinks a six-year-old brat can cultivate any kind of super genius!" The Uchiha Hardliners said disdainfully.

"And I refuse to believe there are so many people as stupid as you!" The Third Elder shot back through gritted teeth.

The results were soon announced. The clansmen opposed to using the one billion ryo made up the majority.

"You... the majority of you are actually this foolish?" The Third Elder's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

"Hmph, you're the foolish ones!" The Uchiha Hardliners said smugly. "As long as Stilt Football continues to be held, our younger generation will keep awakening their eyes! They are the Uchiha Clan's true geniuses, not some Uchiha Chuan!"

"You are truly beyond saving!" Fugaku Uchiha angrily flung his sleeve and left.

"Sigh..." The three elders sighed and followed him out of the assembly hall.

Within Naka Shrine, only the smug laughter of the Uchiha Hardliners' clansmen remained, along with the helpless sighs of the few clansmen who supported Uchiha Chuan.