Meeting Uchiha Yashiro, Elder of the Hawk Faction

Uchiha Yao had been promoted to jonin.

The Hawk Faction within the Uchiha Clan was more invigorated than ever!

This was yet another Uchiha genius.

Unlike Uchiha Shisui, who was descended from Kagami Uchiha and ideologically leaned toward the Konoha High Command, making him a natural member of the Dove Faction.

As for the other genius, Uchiha Itachi, being the son of clan head Uchiha Fugaku and influenced by his upbringing, he too leaned toward the Konoha High Command and had even joined the ANBU.

Uchiha Yao was different. He belonged to neither faction and was a genius they could win over. If Uchiha Yao joined the Hawk Faction, he might truly be able to carry its banner and fulfill its long-held ambitions.

The day after his promotion, Uchiha Yao received a private invitation from Elder Uchiha Yashiro.

Uchiha Yashiro was one of the most senior and influential representatives of the Hawk Faction within the Uchiha Clan.

He was hardheaded and ruthless in his methods, and had always advocated for the Uchiha to adopt a tougher stance in order to secure greater power and status within Konoha.

The meeting was held in a simple yet elegant tearoom within Elder Yashiro's private residence.

"Yao, sit."

Elder Yashiro wore a traditional dark Uchiha kimono and sat cross-legged. Though advanced in years, his gaze remained as sharp as an eagle's.

Yashiro personally poured Uchiha Yao a cup of fragrant tea.

"Thank you, Elder Yashiro." Uchiha Yao nodded slightly and replied politely.

"Hehe, no need to be so polite." Elder Yashiro set down the teapot and looked at Yao with blazing eyes, his undisguised admiration evident.

"I have heard all about your performance during your promotion to jonin."

"Excellent work!"

"Lightning Release Chakra Mode, along with that immensely powerful S-rank composite ninjutsu... Tsk, tsk, what remarkable talent! It has been a long time since our Uchiha Clan produced a junior as dazzlingly gifted as you!"

"Yao, you are the hope of the Uchiha's revival!"

Elder Yashiro spoke excitedly.

Uchiha Yao lifted his teacup, took a light sip, and listened quietly.

He knew Elder Yashiro had not invited him here today simply to offer a few compliments.

"Yao, at such a young age, you already possess such strength and insight. You must have your own thoughts about the Uchiha Clan's current situation within the village, don't you?"

Uchiha Yashiro paused, a trace of dissatisfaction and helplessness flashing through his eyes.

"That Fugaku... Sigh, he is far too weak!"

"Ever since the Nine-Tails' attack, the village high command's suspicion and suppression of us Uchiha have only worsened!"

"The Police Force's authority has been weakened time and again, our clan grounds have been relocated to the edge of the village, and even our clan members are monitored by the ANBU when they go out!"

"You have seen all of this, haven't you?"

"Yet Fugaku only knows how to yield and compromise! Does he think that will bring peaceful coexistence? What a fool's dream!"

"Constant compromise will only make those people think the Uchiha are weak and easy to bully. It will only push our status further to the margins!"

Elder Yashiro grew more and more agitated as he spoke.

"We Uchiha were among Konoha's founding heroes! We possess a powerful Kekkei Genkai like the Sharingan! How much blood have we shed for this village? How many clan members have we sacrificed?!"

"Why should we suffer such unfair treatment?!"

"The Uchiha Clan needs a stronger, more resolute leader! A leader who can lead us out of this predicament and fight for true dignity and power for us in Konoha!"

Uchiha Yashiro's meaning could not have been more obvious.

If Uchiha Yao joined the Hawk Faction, they would fully support him and might even push him onto the clan head's seat.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the tearoom became somewhat delicate.

Uchiha Yao listened in silence throughout, his expression calm and unreadable, revealing none of his true thoughts.

Only after Elder Yashiro had finished did Uchiha Yao slowly set down his teacup.

"Elder Yashiro, I understand everything you have said."

"In my view, whether it is the Hawk Faction or the Dove Faction, their ultimate goal is the survival and development of the Uchiha Clan."

"The clan's glory and interests come above all else."

"For now, I do not wish to take sides too early. However, I agree with the Hawk Faction's principles. The weak can only place their hopes in the mercy of the strong."

"The Uchiha should not compromise as we do now! There is only the first compromise and countless more after it. The Uchiha Clan's current plight is precisely the result of Clan Head Fugaku compromising again and again."

Uchiha Yashiro stared fixedly at Uchiha Yao, as if trying to see through the young man completely.

After a long while, he burst into hearty laughter!

"Good! Well said!"

"Very well said!"

Elder Yashiro was exceptionally pleased with Uchiha Yao's response!

This young man had more intelligence, ambition, and courage than he had imagined!

He was not some hotheaded fool who could be easily incited, but a true pragmatist with independent thoughts who dared to put them into action!

Only someone like this could possibly become the true future leader of the Hawk Faction!

Perhaps... even the future leader of the entire Uchiha Clan!

Ding!

System Notification: Uchiha Yashiro's "Attention" toward the host has greatly increased!

System Notification: Uchiha Yashiro's "Loyalty" toward the host has increased slightly (30%)!

The system's notification sounded in Uchiha Yao's mind.

After this conversation, Uchiha Yao decided to deliberately display his vigilance and dissatisfaction toward the Konoha High Command, especially Danzo and Root.

This would cater to the Hawk Faction's sentiments and deepen his connection with them.

Of course, Uchiha Yao would never become anyone's pawn.

Uchiha Yao was confident that, with strength far surpassing ordinary people and the heaven-defying Clan Growth System, he would eventually make every member of the Hawk Faction willingly submit to him!

Then, using that as a springboard, he would ultimately take control of the entire Uchiha Clan!

"Yao, you are a smart child." The smile on Elder Yashiro's face did not fade. "I believe that in your hands, the Uchiha's future will surely regain its former glory!"

"You flatter me, Elder." Uchiha Yao replied modestly.

The two spoke for an entire morning before Uchiha Yao finally took his leave from Uchiha Yashiro's residence.

Both sides achieved their respective goals in this meeting.

Uchiha Yao would receive the Hawk Faction's support from now on, while the Hawk Faction had confirmed his stance and learned that his views leaned toward theirs.

Yet no sooner had this ended than Uchiha Yao received another invitation, this time from Uchiha Shisui, a representative of the Dove Faction.

This was the change brought by increased strength, identity, and status. Uchiha Yao had now become someone both the Uchiha Hawk Faction and Dove Faction were eager to approach and recruit.