Uchiha's personal opinion

The Uchiha clan, which had not suffered losses during the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars, possessed a strength that was truly terrifying.

Even during the First Shinobi World War and the Uchiha Clash: The Battle of Naraku and Yomi, even though the Uchiha clan was at its weakest point in history compared to the Warring States period, and even though the current Uchiha clan members did not possess a pair of Mangekyou Sharingan... thanks to the clan's numerous three-tomoe Jonin, their unparalleled Fire Release techniques, their unpredictable Sharingan genjutsu, and their miraculous ninja tool throwing techniques, the contemporary Uchiha clan remained the strongest clan in the shinobi world.

Especially after the Senju clan went into seclusion, there was no other ninja clan in Konoha or even the entire ninja world that could compare with the Uchiha clan.

Byakugan Hyuga? The Uchiha regarded him as nothing more than a skeleton in a tomb.

It was precisely this overwhelming strength, coupled with their predicament of being unable to advance further due to their position within the police department, that led to growing dissatisfaction among the Uchiha clan with the Hokage lineage. Various sarcastic and absurd remarks arose within the clan, and the outspoken Uchiha members made their discontent with the Hokage lineage known to everyone. This inevitably caused suspicion and distrust within the Hokage lineage.

Especially after the death of Uchiha Kagami, the Uchiha clan and the Hokage lineage severed high-level communication, making it impossible for them to exchange information effectively, which further deepened their differences and misjudgments.

Therefore, when the Uchiha clan leader, who had come to the Hokage Building to meet with the Third Hokage as instructed by the Hokage, heard the conditions offered by the Third Hokage, he was truly tempted.

The number of positions available in the secret service.

He is a disciple of the Hokage, and may even be the last disciple he leaves behind.

This means that the Uchiha clan can soon break free from the limitations imposed by the police department and have the opportunity to seize more power.

This is an opportunity that the Uchiha clan has been seeking for over twenty years but has yet to obtain.

"Lord Hokage, thank you for your kindness... However, the matter of whether to abolish the Police Department's preparatory training academy is not something I can decide on my own. It still needs to be discussed with the clan."

The Uchiha clan leader was very tempted, but then he refused.

However, he didn't completely rule out the possibility of conflict, leaving room for maneuver. After all, the Hokage had given him too much, and what if his clansmen were to unite back home?

"Clan Chief, back in the day we had many experiences fighting side by side, but now we are both very busy with work, and we have indeed had less contact with each other."

The Third Hokage wasn't annoyed. He chuckled and changed the subject, seemingly becoming intimate with the Uchiha clan head, reminiscing about their past friendship.

"That's right, we even worked together in the western border defense forces back then..."

The Uchiha clan chief didn't mince words either, and started spouting nonsense.

After a long and rambling exchange of boasts, the Uchiha clan chief felt his throat was very dry, while the Third Hokage was still full of passion for reminiscing, as if he were ready to chat for several more hours.

"Lord Hokage, it's getting late. I'll go back and discuss this with my clan as soon as possible so I can get back to you soon."

Unable to withstand the pressure, the Uchiha clan chief deliberately killed the conversation and looked for an opportunity to slip away.

"Do you still remember that... uh, oh... well, then I'll trouble you, clan head of the Yomo clan." The Third Hokage, who was in the middle of a lively conversation, was interrupted, but he was not displeased. After exchanging some polite words, he saw the Uchiha clan head off.

The Uchiha clan head took his leave and left. The moment the door closed, the smile on the Third Hokage's face froze and then slowly disappeared.

He picked up his pipe, frowned, and slowly began to smoke.

“Uchiha…”

The Uchiha clan patriarch returned to his private residence, slipped into his study without a word, pondered for a long time, and finally sighed, ordering someone to summon the head elders of each clan for another meeting.

Small matters are discussed in large meetings, while important matters are discussed in small meetings. This has been a long-standing tradition of the Uchiha clan.

By the time all the clan elders had arrived, it was already evening. The Uchiha clan chief was growing impatient, deeply worried about the discipline of the Uchiha clan and the extent to which the clan members respected him.

In the living room of the clan chief's house, among the dozen or so old men sitting together, there were two young Uchiha: the eldest son of the clan chief, Uchiha Fugaku, and Uchiha Tokumitsu, who was specially brought by Elder Setsuna to broaden his horizons.

This was also the first time that Uchiha Tokumitsu had closely examined Fugaku, a "great figure" whose reputation was mixed in later generations.

On the surface, Fugaku appears mature beyond his years. His slightly square face is a little different from the oval face of the average Uchiha. The nasolabial folds on his cheeks give him a dignified look in addition to his slightly aged appearance. Judging from his appearance, he seems quite decisive and resolute.

Although Fugaku's expression remained unchanged, he did take a good look at his younger cousin Uchiha Tokumitsu, who had recently risen to fame. After all, as the son of the clan head, he had heard a lot about the trouble caused by Uchiha Tokumitsu's proposal.

The Uchiha clan chief explained the Hokage's conditions in detail, then closed his eyes to rest, allowing the elders to discuss the matter.

To be fair, the conditions offered by the Hokage were quite good. For a preparatory training school for the Uchiha Police Department that was still only on paper and had not yet been truly implemented, such generous treatment was not only tempting to the conservatives, but also making some of the radical elders restless.

After whispering amongst themselves, the crowd turned their gaze to Elder Shana, who remained impassive.

Elder Shana glanced around at the crowd, observing their expressions and knowing that the clansmen were beginning to waver.

What a disorganized mess!

Elder Setsuna secretly cursed in his heart, but he did not intend to speak himself. Instead, he looked at Uchiha Tokumitsu sitting next to him.

"Xiao Deguang, you are the proposer of the Police Department's preparatory training school. What are your thoughts on this?"

"I?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu was somewhat surprised. He was still a six-year-old kid. Although there were examples of precocious teenagers in the Uchiha clan, there was no precedent for someone so young to participate in clan affairs and politics.

"Well, tell me your thoughts." Elder Setsuna paused. "How are the conditions the monkey offered? Compared to the Police Department's preparatory training academy?"

"The Police Department's Preparatory Training Academy will be the future of the clan," Uchiha Tokumitsu said, straightening his small frame and enunciating each word clearly. "It is also the key to achieving clan unity and breaking down the barriers between different factions."

"Moreover, it is a powerful group, which is a necessary condition for expanding its influence through the police department."

"The conditions offered by the Hokage are nothing special. They're not worth us giving up the Police Department's preparatory training academy. When our clan becomes stronger, our clansmen more united, and when our clansmen become Hokage, everything will naturally be ours. We don't need some third-rate Senju lackey or Sarutobi monkey to shamelessly bestow these upon us!"

"Peace is achieved through struggle, while peace is lost through compromise. The Uchiha will take what they want; they don't need anyone to give it to them! The Uchiha do not accept handouts!"

"I've finished speaking. Does anyone have any objections?"

After saying that, he looked around, his small body brimming with pride.

"The Anbu are one thing, but... only a Hokage's disciple can become Hokage..."

"A conservative elder said weakly."

"The position of Hokage is not something that can be granted privately. Only the Jonin Council can decide who will be the Hokage! Sarutobi's rise to power is illegitimate; it is illegal in itself!" another radical elder retorted.

"But if all the clansmen go to the police department's preparatory training school and no one goes to the ninja academy, wouldn't the younger generation have no connection with the next generation of the village?"

"I already said! The Police Department's Preparatory Training Academy only admits students based on merit, not on the entire family being required to attend!"

"But after all, the police department's preparatory training academy has deepened the rift between families and villages, which is ultimately not a good thing..."

“Then we could allow some ninja clan members who are close to their families to enroll,” Uchiha Tokumitsu interjected, then looked up at Elder Setsuna, “Grandpa Elder, what do you think?”

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Elder Shana.

"Um……"

"Fellow family members..."

Elder Shana looked around and slowly spoke.

"...Since the Battle of Naraku and Yomi, our clan's strength has been greatly weakened. We are currently at our weakest point in a thousand years. Although we are in a state of peace, we must not let our guard down."

When Elder Shana mentioned the brutal internal family war, everyone felt lingering fear.

"The various families... have been quite divided since the civil war. Although we have tried our best to make up for it, it is still inevitable."

"After Jing's death, the relationship between the family and the village became tense."

Upon hearing this, the conservative elders sighed inwardly.

"We are the Uchiha, the Uchiha who have been resilient and brave since the Warring States period. Unity is the key to the survival of our clan."

"We don't care about factions or stances, we are all Uchiha! The strongest clan in the history of the Ninja Clan!"

"Sarutobi's conditions are a poison disguised as sugar! Only the self-strengthening of our clan can ensure our survival and well-being!"

"That's all I have to say! Who agrees, who disagrees!"

Seeing an opportunity, the Uchiha clan leader said, "Elders, let's vote!"

……

The elders voted again on the question of whether the Police Department's Preparatory Training School should continue to exist, and the vote passed unanimously!

The elders unanimously rejected the exchange terms proposed by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Chapter 14 In Full Swing

Peace is achieved through war; peace is lost through compromise.

The profound words of great men, even across different times and eras, still have a powerful and thought-provoking effect.

Spring of Konoha 32.

The ninja world is in turmoil, with the five great nations and various smaller countries becoming increasingly restless. Local conflicts, raids behind enemy lines, and small-scale battles are erupting one after another. Peace seems to be temporarily leaving this tragic world, and the flames of war appear to be spiraling out of control.

Two years ago, Uchiha Tokumitsu made a statement at the clan meeting, and this particular sentence has become the most widely circulated among the clan. Many Uchiha members regard this sentence as their motto and guideline. There's no way around it; this sentence is just too appealing to the Uchiha.

Moreover, thanks to Uchiha's big mouth, this famous quote has gained popularity beyond its original circle and has gradually become popular in Konoha.

Especially in this turbulent era in which the contradictions between the world's five major powers are growing, and there are more and more open and covert conflicts.

"Peace can be achieved through war, but the foundation of lasting peace will surely come from the war to unify the ninja world!"

In the Hokage's office, Danzo spoke solemnly to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hiruzen, with the village's strength, as long as we plan carefully, we can definitely overthrow the other four great nations. Don't hesitate! Lord Hashirama's wrong choice led to an even bloodier Shinobi World War, and our mission is to correct that mistake and make Konoha the only, eternally strongest ninja village!"

"What are you still hesitating for, Hiruzen! Make up your mind now!"

Danzo Shimura's tone grew increasingly arrogant, as if the scene of Konoha unifying the ninja world was right before his eyes.

The third generation took a deep drag on his pipe, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke.

"Danzo...maybe the militants in other villages think the same way you do, which is why the war is so bloody..."

"You're still talking nonsense about peace! Hiruzen, when did you become so childish!" Danzo was so angry that his nose twisted.

"Where the leaves dance, the fire will never die. The firelight will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout..."

The Third Hokage recited the specific description of the Will of Fire with a dazed look in his eyes.

"Lord Hashirama established the village to better protect our children, not to turn it into a tool for some ambitious people to do whatever they want to satisfy their personal desires."

The Third Hokage seemed to be implying something, which enraged Danzo.

"Sun Slayer!"

Danzo!

You'll regret this!

"I am the Hokage!"

As usual, the conversation between the two ended in the classic scene: Danzo stormed out, slamming the door behind him, and the Third Hokage, also distracted by Danzo, lost all interest in handling state affairs and just kept smoking in silence.

To be fair, it is the dream of every Hokage to bring an official end to the bloody war that has continued since the Warring States period.

The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, chose to maintain a balance among the five great ninja villages. The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was bogged down in internal strife with the Uchiha and other ninja clans and ultimately died in an attack at an alliance meeting with the Land of Lightning. As for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in terms of strength, he was still quite far behind his teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Although he was known as a "Hero of the Ninja," he could not suppress the various countries externally, nor could he pacify the powerful clans internally. At this point, talking about planning to unify the ninja world was simply an unrealistic fantasy and a pipe dream.