After deciding on a new course for the Uchiha Clan, the second elder and Uchiha Takashi immediately set off, returning to headquarters to find the first elder, who was guarding the clan.
"First elder! I have something to tell you!" The second elder rushed in and, without hesitation, dragged out the first elder, who had been analyzing the situation on a map.
The first elder held his forehead. "Second elder, what's the hurry?"
The second elder snorted, then said to Uchiha Takashi, "Third elder, tell him what the two of us agreed on."
The first elder immediately turned to Uchiha Takashi. "Oh? What have you two come up with? Let me hear it."
Uchiha Takashi said, "After some discussion, the second elder and I believe the future of our Uchiha Clan should be to establish a new country-"
"Pfft-" The first elder nearly spat out the water he had drunk. "What did you say? Do I know what you're talking about?
"Our Uchiha Clan has endured for hundreds of years, and we've never talked about founding a country. Do you know what that means? It goes against tradition.
"Besides, if we establish a country, the entire Shinobi World will become our enemy. Our Uchiha Clan isn't strong enough to stand against the whole Shinobi World yet."
The second elder folded his arms, his face full of disdain. "Heh, the third elder already has the Mangekyō Sharingan. It's only the Shinobi World! Before the Uchiha Clan, it's nothing worth mentioning!"
The first elder quickly caught the key point in the second elder's words. "Third elder, have your eyes already become the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"It seems you've heard of these eyes, first elder." Uchiha Takashi revealed his pinwheel-shaped eyes. "Then you should also know the immense power the Mangekyō Sharingan holds."
The first elder let out a long sigh. "Of course I know. But do you know why these eyes are called cursed eyes?"
"Using them too much causes blindness..."
"Because using them too much-wait... what did you say?" The first elder's eyes nearly popped out. "How did you know? Did the third elder tell you?"
"My eyes have already told me about that. All right, first elder, I can't disclose my eyes' abilities for now. All you need to know is that I'm fully confident I can lead our Uchiha Clan to the pinnacle of the Shinobi World."
Uchiha Takashi said calmly, "If you want to hear my analysis, I can explain it to you."
The first elder said, "Although you've already gained the second elder's support, and the two of you alone can force policies through, I really do want to know why you're so confident."
Uchiha Takashi spoke slowly. "First, we won't establish a country outright. That isn't realistic.
"At present, the major countries have essentially been established, so founding another country would only make us everyone's target.
"But we can quietly take in refugees in secret, choose a suitable location, establish a village, then keep claiming land and expanding while continuing to take in refugees.
"At that point, the other clans will, at most, be puzzled about why we're taking in refugees. They won't know our true intentions, and that will be when we pull ahead of them.
"Only when we establish our first town will they realize we're going to found a country of our own.
"And by then, do you think those clans will unite to attack us, or will they each start thinking about establishing their own countries?
"I'll tell you: both. They'll first try to join forces to attack us, but we'll already have a foundation of our own.
"We won't need missions to obtain enough funds to support our shinobi. The civilians in our towns and villages can produce and provide everything we need.
"We can even select shinobi from among them to serve our Uchiha Clan-in other words, establish an army of shinobi and samurai that belongs exclusively to us.
"The Allied Shinobi Forces will each have their own agendas. Faced with our Uchiha Clan's formidable strength, they won't possibly be able to defeat us. Once they scatter, they'll begin following our example and establish their own countries.
"But by that point, we'll already have pulled ahead of them. All they'll be doing is parroting our ideas. Our power will have grown even greater, and we can begin continually developing and expanding outward!
"We'll use our army of shinobi and samurai to keep annexing small countries and strengthening ourselves until we finally unify the entire Shinobi World!
"Of course, this won't be without the danger of our country being destroyed and our people wiped out. But aren't we facing the same danger now? The great clans attack one another. How many shinobi clans have already vanished into the river of history?
"By doing this, I can make our Uchiha stand not merely among all the other clans, but above the Shinobi World itself! We'll make the entire Shinobi World advance according to the will of our Uchiha Clan."
Listening to Uchiha Takashi's bold declarations, the first elder felt his own blood begin to boil, but he remained very rational.
"Your proposed course sounds sound, but we won't know how many dangers, detours, and pitfalls lie along it until we've walked it...
"When we take the first step and establish a village, will the daimyo notice? Will the other clans notice? Those are all risks.
"But... as you said, this is an opportunity for our Uchiha Clan to stand tall in the Shinobi World. Giving up isn't our Uchiha Clan's way.
"The final outcome won't be much different from what we face now anyway. In that case, what reason do I have to give up an opportunity for the Uchiha to advance further?"
Uchiha Takashi nodded. "Thank you for your understanding and support, first elder. Since you've accepted, then..."
"So I think you should take over as head of our Uchiha Clan..." the first elder said as though it were only natural. At the same time, he looked at the second elder. "Wouldn't you agree, second elder?"
The second elder rested a hand on his chin and looked at Uchiha Takashi. "I think the first elder is right. The third elder has sufficient strength and an outstanding mind. I believe he can do an even better job than Clan Head Ryo.
"He can lead the Uchiha Clan toward a more distant future!"
Uchiha Takashi froze briefly, then closed his eyes, gently shook his head, and smiled. "In that case, I'll accept."
He wasn't so roundabout now. Taking over as clan head would actually make it easier to realize his ideas. In that case, there was no need to be coy about it. He might as well take over directly.
"Then congratulations, Uchiha Takashi. You will be our Uchiha Clan's new clan head!" the first elder said, clapping.
The second elder said, "I'll give the orders to prepare the new clan head's inauguration ceremony right away. A new clan head deserves the full ceremonial treatment."
Uchiha Takashi said, "There's really no need to make it too grand. Something simple will do. I think what's more important right now is how we should take the first step toward founding our Uchiha country."
The second elder spread his hands. "I don't understand any of that, Lord Clan Head. You'd better talk to the first elder about it. I'm off to prepare the ceremony."
The first elder chuckled. "Second elder, that wasn't what you said when you came to find me just now. Still... we do need a ceremony. As for the first step you mentioned, come discuss the specifics of carrying it out with me."