Uchiha's personal opinion

The elders looked at each other and all nodded in agreement.

The permission to transmit the teachings signifies that the master of the lineage is able to establish his own school of ninjutsu within the clan.

"Elders, seniors..." Uchiha Tokumitsu interrupted, saying, "I dare not accept the title of 'Master of All Arts'. Fire Release is still in its infancy and needs the seniors of the clan to study and improve it together so that everyone in the clan can make progress together. I am just a junior and I dare not accept such an honor."

“Since you have said so, then let it be.” Elder Setsuna pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. “However, I intend to open the Flame Release technique to the clan’s Jonin. Is that alright?”

“That would be even better.” Uchiha Tokumitsu quickly replied, “As the saying goes, one person’s skills are limited. Without the joint efforts and assistance of the elders of the clan, I don’t know when the rudimentary method of Fire Release would have been perfected.”

Elder Sha Na and everyone present nodded in approval.

Uchiha Nakagen and Emiko were very satisfied with their beloved son's way of handling things.

Sitting behind Uchiha Hatake, Uchiha Makoto's beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked at Uchiha Tokumitsu with a distinctly unusual glint in her gaze.

Chapter 43 The Girl and the Guard

The position of Samurai-no-Kanrei originated from one of the "three officials and four posts" in the shogun's office during the Warring States period. The Samurai-no-Kanrei was a high-ranking official responsible for the security of the daimyo's capital region and the shogun's residence. The Uchiha clan had long been employed by the shogun as guardian ninjas, so the title of the leader of the Uchiha clan's secret guard organization was also adopted.

It is evident that the Uchiha clan has a long history of engaging in police work, possessing a certain historical foundation and technological accumulation; the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, establishing the police department and having the Uchiha clan in charge can be seen as making the best use of their talents.

The radical clan meeting held at Elder Setsuna's residence lasted for three hours. Elder Setsuna and the heads and elders of various clans spoke passionately and enthusiastically, each giving an important speech on the profound significance of the Flame Release concept and its future application prospects for the Uchiha clan.

After a string of correct but meaningless words full of linguistic artistry, Uchiha Tokumitsu felt dizzy and disoriented. He felt that the elders' skills were no less than those of a general manager. They could approach the same content from different angles and return to the same point through twists and turns. Their rhetoric skills were definitely at the level of an elite Jonin.

"call……"

After finally enduring until Elder Setsuna announced the end of the radical faction's clan meeting, Uchiha Tokumitsu breathed a deep sigh of relief. Immediately, he felt his dizziness and headache subside, and he felt much more energetic.

But he couldn't leave for the time being, because the position of the head of the servants was a real appointment, and he had to at least go with Elder Setsuna to get acquainted with the servants.

Uchiha Nakagen and Emiko understood that this was a necessary procedure. "Little Deguang, we'll head back now. We'll prepare a midnight snack for you tonight. Remember to eat if you come back too late."

"Gentlemen." Elder Shana understood the meaning behind Zhong Xuan and his wife's words and said with a smile, "It won't be long. We will definitely send Lord Deguang home as soon as possible tonight."

Seeing that Elder Shana had explained things so clearly, Zhongxuan and his wife simply smiled and took their leave.

"Let's go, Tokumitsu-kun." After everyone left, Elder Setsuna called to Uchiha Tokumitsu to go to the Dark Guard base together.

Uchiha Hatake and Uchiha Makoto followed behind.

Uchiha Tokumitsu glanced at them, and although he didn't ask any questions, he knew that the two must have some connection with the clan's secret guards.

“Nagakage-kun is the captain of the clan’s secret guards, and he will be your subordinate in the future.” Elder Setsuna, walking ahead, guessed Uchiha Tokumitsu’s thoughts without even turning his head. “Makoto is a medical ninja trained by the clan, and her fire-style ninjutsu and puppet techniques are also quite good…”

Makoto Uchiha's cheeks flushed slightly, a hint of shyness in her expression, and she said timidly, "Young Master Tokukō, I hope to receive your guidance..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu was a little unaccustomed to the girl's intense gaze, and only returned the greeting with a slightly flustered expression.

He didn't know what to say in this situation.

Although Elder Setsuna, who was walking in front, did not turn around, he was able to sense the movement behind him with his superb perception. Uchiha Tokumitsu's slightly flustered actions and suddenly accelerated heartbeat, although different from his usual calm demeanor, also brought a smile to the corner of his mouth.

"Young Master Tokumitsu~ May I ask how you developed Fire Release?" Uchiha Makoto's big eyes stared straight at Uchiha Tokumitsu's small face, her ears already turning red, but she still didn't look away.

“I…” Uchiha Tokumitsu’s heart was beating even faster.

Makoto Uchiha was probably around fourteen or fifteen years old. Although she was much older than him, a nine-year-old kid, this was still a bit too direct.

Are all ninjas from the ninja clan this direct?

I need an answer urgently, I'm waiting online.

"I stumbled upon this while practicing combination ninjutsu. Originally, I just planned to add Yin Release attribute transformation to Fire Release chakra to enhance the power of the ninjutsu..." Uchiha Tokumitsu replied half-truthfully.

Of course, he couldn't say that this was inspiration he drew from all sorts of online novels from his previous life.

"Young Master Deguang is truly exceptionally intelligent~" Uchiha Makoto's rosy cheeks sparkled with her large, watery eyes, her pupils seemingly contracting continuously.

This is a sign that the Sharingan is about to awaken.

What kind of people are these...?

Uchiha Tokumitsu muttered to himself.

Although I wasn't used to the girl's intense passion, I was secretly a little pleased.

"Young Master Deguang must have excellent chakra control~" the girl continued, "I also synthesized the Flame Release chakra based on Young Master Deguang's Ninja Scroll, and I found it to be quite difficult. It seems to require a high level of chakra control."

"It's alright..." Uchiha Tokumitsu replied vaguely, but after thinking about it, he realized that being too perfunctory wouldn't be good, so he continued, "The secret to synthesizing Fire Release chakra lies in simultaneously refining and fusing Fire Release and Yin Release chakra in a 2:1 ratio... But Makoto-neechan's Yin Release training is quite good, has she already awakened the Sharingan?"

“Yes.” As soon as Uchiha Tokumitsu finished speaking, Makoto’s pupils suddenly contracted, and a pair of double-tomoe Sharingan eyes eagerly appeared.

Upon seeing this, Uchiha Tokumitsu habitually raised his eyebrows.

A fourteen or fifteen-year-old with two tomoe Sharingan eyes is considered genius even within the Uchiha clan.

However, most Uchiha clan members awaken their Sharingan under intense emotional stimulation, but they are unaware of what Uchiha Makoto went through.

As Elder Shana walked ahead, his smile grew wider and wider with the interaction between Deguang and the other.

The Dark Guard's base was located in the vicinity of the Uchiha Shrine in the Naga River. Although it was outside the village, the group passed through the south gate of the clan's territory, which was guarded by Uchiha ninjas, and arrived at the entrance of the Dark Guard's base without any hindrance.

Before me stood an unremarkable stone house, which, judging from its appearance, seemed to be merely an annex to the Uchiha Shrine.

Elder Shana stopped at the doorway. As he formed a hand seal, a tunnel entrance appeared silently on the ground, with blue stone steps leading down into the bottomless underground.

However, based on his chakra senses, Uchiha Tokumitsu seemed to have another secret about the underground staircase.

Elder Setsuna took the lead and stepped inside, followed by Uchiha Tokumitsu and his group.

After walking up about thirty stone steps, Elder Chan stopped, formed a hand seal again, and then pressed on the stone wall on the right, opening a hidden door.

"This is it." Elder Setsuna smiled and beckoned the group inside.

There are more stairs inside the hidden door, leading down to a large underground hall of about 200 square meters.

At this time, nearly thirty Uchiha ninjas were already lined up and waiting.

At a glance, Uchiha Tokumitsu noticed that everyone was dressed the same: they wore the Uchiha's signature blouse underneath a light overcoat, carried a nodachi on their backs, had bulging ninja tool pouches at their waists, wore arm guards, and had greaves on their legs.

Judging from their attire, they have a distinctly traditional Chinese style.

In other words, they don't resemble the current mainstream ninja armor, but rather the guards of the daimyo clans during the Warring States period.

"The Anbu are the clan's secret forces. During the Warring States period, they existed as guards to command the clan's ninja army." Elder Setsuna said with a touch of emotion, "However, since the clan joined Konoha, most of our clan members have been stuck in the police department and have had little opportunity to lead troops independently abroad. Therefore, the position of Samurai Commander has also been difficult to achieve."

Uchiha Tokumitsu was somewhat disappointed. He had thought that the Uchiha Anbu was a special assassination unit similar to the Anbu, but it turned out to be a guard unit.

“However, Tokumitsu-kun…you are different…” Elder Setsuna turned to Uchiha Tokumitsu, his face solemn, “Although the monkeys of the Sarutobi clan appointed you as the deputy commander of the ninja army with the intention of using someone else to do their dirty work and weakening the clan, you did a good job.”

Uchiha Tokumitsu bowed respectfully, intending to say a few words of humility.

"You don't need to be modest. Huo Men-kun told me everything." Elder Setsuna waved his hand, interrupting Uchiha Tokumitsu who was about to speak. "Although you are young, you are indeed very prudent in your actions, far surpassing your clansmen."

"Therefore, even without the contribution of Fire Release, I intend to entrust the Dark Guard to you." Elder Setsuna looked at Uchiha Tokumitsu seriously. "However, once you truly accept the position of Samurai Commander, you will no longer be allowed to compete for the position of Clan Chief. Are you willing to accept this?"

Although it seemed a bit sudden, Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded silently.

In any case, he could not refuse this elder in the family who had taught and guided him.

"Don't blame me, Deguang-kun..." Elder Setsuna sighed slightly, "The position of clan leader has actually always been passed down in the eldest branch. It was only after Lord Madara left that it was nominally changed to a competition among the clan's Jonin... However, the clan can no longer bear the heavy consequences of a new round of fierce civil war like the Naraku Yomi battle, so I have no choice but to let you suffer."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded firmly in approval: "Elder, I am very willing and honored to be appointed as the head of the service office."

Elder Setsuna patted Uchiha Tokumitsu's hair, "Good boy..."

His expression tightened, and he solemnly declared, "By order of the Uchiha clan head, I hereby appoint Uchiha clan Jonin Tokumitsu to the post of Chief of the Shogunate's Attendant Office. All you squad members shall immediately pay homage!"

"Shh!"

As the uniform clanging of armor echoed, the Uchiha ninjas below the stage knelt on one knee and bowed in respect.

Uchiha Hatake and Uchiha Makoto, who were standing beside him, also bowed down in worship.

"Greetings, Commander!"

A loud and resounding shout echoed in the secluded underground stone chamber.

Even though he had once commanded the ninja army in battle, Uchiha Tokumitsu's emotions were still surging and difficult to contain at this moment.

Elder Setsuna took out a folding fan from his robes and solemnly handed it to Uchiha Tokumitsu with both hands.

Uchiha Tokumitsu took a deep breath, bent down, and accepted the folding fan with both hands.

The folding fan is made entirely of iron, and the fan ribs, which gleam with a dark blue light, seem to be infused with a special chakra metal. When opened, one side displays the character "Yin" and the other side displays the character "Yang," making it a rare yin-yang military fan design in the contemporary ninja world.

"The military fan originated in the Warring States period and was a symbol of the power and authority of the samurai families under the command of daimyo..." Elder Setsuna stroked Uchiha Tokumitsu's hair, "Tokumitsu-kun, I have always known that you have been intelligent since childhood, and your talents have not yet matured into adulthood..."

"The only military post in the Uchiha clan is now entrusted to you... May you take command of the Dark Guard and restore the prestige of the Uchiha clan!"

"I obey your command!" Uchiha Tokumitsu bowed solemnly.

Chapter 44 Attack on the Street

The next day, Uchiha Tokumitsu slept in late, a rare occurrence for him, which was also the first time since he began learning from Elder Setsuna.

To be honest, sleeping in late feels really good.

It was nearly noon when Uchiha Tokumitsu finally got up to change his clothes and wash up.

When he yawned and casually went downstairs, he saw his mother and a young girl chatting and laughing in the living room.

It's Uchiha Makoto!

Uchiha Tokumitsu felt a chill run down his spine; he was also taken aback by this situation.

"Little Deguang~ You and Makoto-chan go have some fun first, just remember to come back for lunch~"

Uchiha Tokumitsu opened his mouth, but after stammering for a while, he finally managed to utter only one word.

"it is good."

……

The two walked slowly down the street, chatting idly.

At midday, pedestrians hurried along the streets, and the gray sky was covered with dark clouds, which had somehow been shrouded in a layer of leaden rain cumulus.

"The atmosphere in the clan's territory is still somewhat oppressive..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu walked around, admiring the surrounding scenery and making casual conversation.

Compared to the clan's territory, the atmosphere in Konoha Village is much more lively, with bustling streets, various shops teeming with people, and numerous vendors pushing carts through the alleys.