Uchiha's personal opinion

"It sounds like a title related to ceremonies."

Although there had never been a similar official title in the ninja world, Elder Setsuna noticed something amiss based on the literal meaning of the words.

"Not entirely. At least the position of Speaker of the Senate will be inherited by the Grand Master of the Clan in future generations."

Uchiha Tokumitsu explained, "However, the clan no longer needs to retain a clan head in name only."

"The hereditary Speaker of the Senate..."

Elder Setsuna was somewhat surprised by Uchiha Tokumitsu's generosity.

After all, he is the second most important person in Konoha, second only to the governor! He even surpasses Sakumo Hatake, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in terms of status.

"The direct line of command is strong enough to support such a high position."

Uchiha Tokumitsu said, "But that's all."

"...How is Fugaku doing in the west?"

Elder Shasana changed the subject.

"Not bad. In the recent emergency mobilizations, Fugaku's subordinates have performed quite well in terms of both ninja troop deployment and combat preparation."

Uchiha Tokumitsu raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat surprised.

“That’s fine. I’ll talk to Sifang about this. But you don’t need to get involved in this kind of thing. Besides, this way he can finally get a good night’s sleep.”

Elder Shasana brought the topic back to the present.

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded, about to say a few kind words, but Elder Setsuna continued, "Besides that... what about the clan?"

"The Uchiha clan will be a shogunate family. As long as the shogunate continues to exist and the Uchiha clan's strength remains intact, then the clan's position will be secure forever."

Uchiha Tokumitsu bowed slightly and replied, "Don't worry, Elder... I'm not a fool like Hashirama. I wouldn't do something as foolish as splitting up my own clan."

"Although he defeated Lord Madara, that guy really is an idiot..."

Elder Setsuna was also amused: "The so-called Senju clan these days... is truly a bunch of hopeless good-for-nothings!"

"Without the power of the orthodox bloodline as a backing, even if a genius suddenly emerges, it will not be able to reverse the decline of the clan."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded in agreement.

This is also the consensus among the Uchiha clan regarding the current state of the Senju clan.

Although the Senju clan seemed to have gained considerable influence after consolidating its branches and minor sects, in reality, apart from Tsunade and her son-in-law Dan Kato, the Senju clan did not have any truly formidable members.

Although his eldest son, Senju Nawaki, studied the orthodox ninjutsu of the Senju clan and received instruction from Orochimaru, the relatively stable external environment of Konoha to date meant that even the shogunate's several recruitment drives did not require mobilizing someone of his high status. Therefore, while Senju Nawaki's ninja skills were quite good, he had never received proper battlefield training and lacked combat experience, which naturally prevented him from being listed among the village's strongest ninjas.

The core reason is that the Senju clan's bloodline has become diluted due to intermarriage, and the overall strength of the clan members born in each generation has been declining. No matter how large the population is, there is still a considerable gap between them and the Senju of the Forest during the Warring States period, let alone the Uchiha clan, which was at its peak.

Nowadays, in the eyes of Konoha, the Shogunate, and even the major ninja villages and forces in the ninja world, the Senju clan is already considered a second-rate ninja clan in Konoha, similar to the Hyuga clan.

"After fighting for so many years, our people deserve a rest..."

Elder Shana sighed, "But we must be mindful of danger even in times of peace. If our people fall into ruin, there will be no hope of salvation!"

"Everyone will have a bright future."

Uchiha Tokumitsu promised, "Even if some clansmen only want to stay in the clan territory to reproduce, they can still live well, and that is the meaning of our struggle."

"very good!"

The Grand Elder nodded and beckoned, "Lord Deguang..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu bent down.

"I will explain things to him about the Fire Gate."

Elder Setsuna said, "The clan doesn't need a second Shogunate, but the Fire Gate has indeed endured some hardships..."

"Simply change the Fire Gate Shogunate to the Northwest Garrison."

Uchiha Tokumitsu answered immediately.

"Tomorrow..."

The elder looked up at the clock in the room and quickly calculated the time needed to get everything done.

"Isn't this a bit too hasty?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu acted very understandingly.

"The sooner I can completely integrate the family into one entity, the more peacefully I can rest..."

Elder Sha Na laughed.

Chapter 426 The Ninja Clan's Prodigy

"Looking back now, it seems like it's been ages since I've been back to the village~"

Standing atop a tree in a forest outside Konoha, Uchiha Himon, who had immediately set off back to Konoha after receiving instructions from Elder Setsuna, looked at the new Konoha district in the distance and couldn't help but sigh, "It's changing so fast..."

Regarding Uchiha Tokumitsu's decision to dismantle the Himon Shogunate, Uchiha Himon did not express any objection. Instead, he expressed to the messenger of Elder Setsuna that he would absolutely obey the clan's unanimous decision. However, it is impossible for him not to feel some resentment.

After all, although the Uchiha clan's shogunate mostly refers to the Tokukō Shogunate, as one of the only two shoguns of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Himon wielded considerable power. He had a certain say in both the Allied Corporation and the shogunate's ninja army system, and was even regarded by some of the Kusanagi ninja as the second most important figure in the Uchiha's ruling order.

However, no matter how unwilling he was, Uchiha Himon had no room for refusal or bargaining, both publicly and privately.

In terms of strength, even his clansmen serving in the Fire Gate Shogunate would not support him. In terms of prestige and martial arts, he is at best a person who can maintain the status quo, and he is clearly lacking in ambition.

Therefore, holding back the gas in my stomach and facing it with a smile became the only way out.

By changing the title of the Fire Gate Shogunate to a garrison, Uchiha Tokumitsu essentially preserved some of the power of the Uchiha Fire Gate.

"...The guardian of the Fire Gate?"

A patrol of ninjas leaped from afar and landed in front of Uchiha Himon and his group.

Judging from the way he was addressed, it was clear that the village already knew about his change in position.

Although the leader was an Uchiha clansman, in Uchiha Himon's memory, he was at most just at the threshold of becoming a Special Jonin, and was still far from the Jonin identity he was currently wearing.

"It's you... How have you been lately?"

Uchiha Himon chatted warmly with this clansman whose name he had already forgotten.

"Not bad~"

The Uchiha ninja chuckled, then extended his right hand, condensing a dark purple flame in his palm.

"This is... Fire Release!"

Uchiha Himon was taken aback.

According to his understanding, the entire Uchiha clan had at most seven or eight Fire Release ninjas, but now even a mere patrol captain had mastered this bloodline limit technique?!

"The Fire Gate Guardian will understand once he returns to his clan..."

The clansman ninja smiled mysteriously, then continued leading his patrol.

"Riddlers are so annoying..."

Uchiha Himon didn't intend to stoop to asking for details, but since they were about to arrive at the village, it would be better to go back and find out directly.

Just as Uchiha Himon landed at the entrance of Konoha in a flash, preparing to sign the entry formalities, a Uchiha Jonin came out of the village and greeted him warmly.

"You are... Zhong Xuanjun?!"

In Uchiha Himon's view, Uchiha Tokumitsu's father, Uchiha Nakagen, the head of Konoha's Internal Affairs Department, seemed to have become much younger.

"Long time no see!"

After exchanging pleasantries, the two returned to the village.

But five kilometers away, on the tree where Uchiha Himon had originally landed, a blond ninja emerged from the tree trunk.

"I thought we'd been exposed..."

Ashura, who had traveled a long way, slowly exhaled, calming his anxious heart slightly.

On the Iwagakure side, he left Huang Tu as a pawn and supported Huang Tu in organizing a secret organization within the village as a backup plan, but this was not enough.

Now he not only has to face the Tokugawa Shogunate, which is poised to annex the ninja world, but also the ancient White Zetsu force that he has just discovered!

No one knew the origins of White Zetsu better than him.

Therefore, after discussing with the toad sage of Mount Myōboku and the white snake sage of Ryūchi Cave, they also felt that their strength was insufficient and continued to add some powerful allies.

Looking across the ninja world, the only ninja clan that could pose a significant threat to the Uchiha clan was the ninja clan of Konoha.

At least that's what the Toad Sage thought, and he even gave Ashura a hint: to go to Konoha and find a ninja with the same blond hair, claiming that he would have the power to turn the tide of the war in the near future.

So, after arranging for Greninja and Yellow Earth to continue communicating, Ashura set off again, arriving at what he considered a "dragon's den and tiger's lair."

However, even though he was in the mountains outside Konoha Village, Ashura could still easily feel the prosperity of the new Konoha district.

The towering buildings, a rare sight in the ninja world, the constant flow of traffic, and the crowds of people coming and going—all of this makes one clearly feel the vigor and vitality of the new Konoha district.

This is only a part of the forces of Konoha and the Shogunate.

A large number of mercenary ninjas roamed the ninja world for the salaries of the United Company. The well-trained and valiant shogunate ninjas guarded the various regions. There were also ninjas from Kirigakure, Amegakure, Kusagakure, and even some Sunagakure who were eagerly awaiting the favor of the shogunate. They were all proud to join the shogunate and proud to fight for Uchiha Tokumitsu.

"They have lost their independent will as ninjas!"

Ashura silently labeled those ninjas who were willing to bow down for money.

He then imbued himself with several special breath-holding seals inherited from Mount Myōboku.

Ashura didn't try to be clever and infiltrate Konoha with shadow clones; instead, he planned to see for himself in his true form.

After his special identity was first discovered by the shogunate ninjas, Ashura patiently learned many of the mainstream ninjutsu of the contemporary ninja world. He also discovered the shortcomings of his ancient secret techniques and made targeted improvements, making significant progress overall.

But that's not enough. In terms of both strength and foundation, Ashura, despite possessing a vast amount of chakra, is still inferior to Uchiha Tokumitsu in terms of combat power.

It has nothing to do with age, but only with natural talent.

After disguising himself as a traveling merchant, Ashura unsealed a wheelbarrow from a sealed scroll, piled various goods he had prepared on it, and then silently blended into the ranks of the peddlers on the main road under the cover of illusion.

"This prosperity was built by plundering the entire ninja world..."

However, as they got closer, the new Konoha district also brought Ashura an indescribable shock.

Even in the various daimyo prefectures or ninja village headquarters he had visited, he had never seen such a bustling and prosperous scene.

Even though he internally perceived it as the result of invasion, the novel sight still captivated Ashura, making him linger.