The next morning, sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows of Nanga Shrine, casting long patterns on the polished wooden floor. Inside, the Uchiha jonin, elders, and clan leaders were gathering for a meeting. The atmosphere was tense but controlled, a mixture of expectation and the weight of responsibility. Discussions today were not just about routine matters—they were about the future of the Uchiha clan itself.
Uchiha Kai stood at the front, looking at the assembly with a calm but firm demeanor. "Yesterday, Uchiha Yato spoke to me about reforming the Uchiha clan's education policy," he announced. "I believe his proposal is significant, and I am bringing it here today to hear everyone's opinions."
There was a murmur among the crowd. Many of the Uchiha present were already familiar with Yato's unconventional thinking, but this was a formal meeting, and Kai's words carried weight.
Uchiha Kai continued, "For clarity, the Uchiha clan can now be roughly divided into three factions. The first is the moderate faction, those who seek stability and balance within the village and our clan. The second is the war faction, a group of Uchiha who prioritize martial strength and maintaining the clan's influence through force. Finally, there is the neutral faction, members who have not committed to either extreme."
Among the elders present, the first and fourth elders were moderate. The second elder represented the war faction, while the third elder remained neutral. Uchiha Kai himself leaned toward the moderate faction, showing loyalty to both his clan and Konoha Village. His stance reflected the future position of Uchiha Fugaku, a kin who would later adopt moderation, shaped by the family's shared values and experiences.
Uchiha Yato, however, represented a unique position. He was a neutral party with a keen awareness of both the strengths and the vulnerabilities of the Uchiha. He was neither optimistic about Konoha's leadership nor completely trusting of the current state of the Uchiha. His pragmatic perspective often unsettled others, but his insights were difficult to ignore.
The discussion began with Kai's introduction, recounting Yato's vision. "Yato wants to reform the education system for our young generation, to ensure that they do not repeat the mistakes of the past," Kai said. The first and fourth elders exchanged thoughtful glances, clearly pondering the potential implications. The third elder, the neutral one, seemed distracted, absently inspecting his fingernails while listening, a subtle indication that he was analyzing the situation quietly in his own way.
It was the second elder who finally broke the silence. His voice carried authority, tinged with the arrogance typical of his faction. "What exactly do you mean?" he demanded. "Are you suggesting that we give up the glory of the Uchiha? The commoners in this village know nothing. Without our clan, Konoha would not even exist!"
This statement drew nods of agreement from some, though there were also subtle signs of discomfort. This fixation on past glories, the inability to self-reflect, had always been a weakness of the Uchiha. Pride often clouded judgment, leaving the clan vulnerable to both internal and external threats.
Uchiha Yato addressed the second elder calmly but with unyielding logic. "Second Elder, do you believe that the Uchiha clan has a real chance to produce the Fourth Hokage?"
The question drew immediate attention. Every Uchiha present pricked up their ears. Since the founding of Konoha, the Uchiha had consistently been denied the position of Hokage, despite their significant contributions. The First Hokage was Hashirama Senju, a member of the Senju clan, and while the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju was Hashirama's younger brother, he possessed exceptional talent and rightly earned the position. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was a complex case—his selection involved political maneuvering and the support of Uzumaki Mito, which allowed him to rise to the role despite some dissent.
The Uchiha, by nature, were confident in their strength and their heritage. As co-founders of Konoha with the Senju, they had every reason to believe that the Fourth Hokage should come from their ranks. Yato, however, spoke with a practicality that contrasted sharply with their expectations.
"We cannot become Hokage," Yato stated plainly. "The high-ranking officials of Konoha will never allow a member of the Uchiha clan to ascend to that position."
The words struck the room like a shockwave. An older Uchiha jonin's voice cracked with emotion. "Why not? We built the village alongside the Senju! We have contributed greatly to Konoha! Why should we be denied the highest honor?"
Voices began to rise in agreement, some arguing, some protesting quietly, all deeply invested in the honor and prestige of the clan. Yato let the initial hubbub settle before continuing, his voice firm but calm. "I ask you this: what defines a Hokage? What is the true measure of leadership in the ninja world?"
The room fell silent, waiting for him to elaborate.
"In this world," Yato continued, "power decides everything. Only those whose fists are the strongest have the final say. We must ask ourselves: are our fists strong enough to claim such a title? Do we have the means to protect the village and our clan if we attempt to seize power by force?"
The room fell completely silent. Even the proud second elder, leader of the war faction, felt the weight of Yato's words. The reality was undeniable. No matter their skill, no Uchiha present could rival the combined strength of Konoha's top ninjas: the young and vigorous Hiruzen Sarutobi, the influential and cunning Danzo, the White Fang, or the Three Legendary Ninjas. To challenge them would invite not only failure but devastation.
Yato pressed on, highlighting the practical limitations of the clan. "If we attempt to assert our will through force, we make enemies of every other clan. How many battles can we realistically win? If a prolonged war breaks out, can our resources even match those of the entire village? These are not hypothetical concerns; these are the hard truths that must guide our decisions."
The second elder's face darkened as he wrestled with the logic of Yato's argument. He was the staunchest pro-war voice among the elders, and to admit the limitations of the clan was both humiliating and dangerous to his influence. Yet, the clarity of Yato's reasoning was undeniable. Even outside the shrine, the shadow of Uchiha Madara loomed large in his thoughts. Madara had once harbored ambitions of leadership and recognized the constraints of the village's politics. He left in pursuit of the Moon Eye Project, sacrificing personal ambition to pursue a greater dream.
The second elder finally spoke, his tone subdued but thoughtful. "So, according to your plan, Yato, after these reforms, could the Uchiha produce a Hokage?"
Yato shook his head slightly. "Let's focus on the facts. We may not reach the Hokage position immediately, but if we implement these reforms, our situation will be no worse than it is now. More importantly, we begin with the children. They are the future. If we shape them properly, they will define the destiny of the Uchiha."
The elders and jonin listened intently as Yato outlined his vision. "First, we must address the arrogance ingrained in the new generation. Many young Uchiha dismiss basic techniques taught in the ninja academy, believing them beneath them. Five of six children I observed looked down on the Three Body Technique, considering it too simple or unworthy of their time. Such arrogance limits growth. We must nurture their abilities properly, but with discipline and structure. Any ninjutsu gained outside the clan, especially through private tutoring by parents, will not count unless sanctioned by the clan. This ensures both accountability and a consistent standard of learning."
Uchiha Kai, seeing the practical need for a training space, interjected, "We will allocate the No. 2 dojo permanently to the children. This will give them a secure place to practice and learn, without needing to sneak into other areas or risk exposure to outsiders."
Yato nodded approvingly. "Exactly. All elders and clan leaders, except when on missions or away from the village, will devote time to teaching at the dojo. Every instructor will receive compensation, not only for teaching but also for safeguarding our children. This is an investment in our future, a small price to ensure that the next generation is strong and disciplined."
The conversation paused as the implications sank in. Even the second elder, despite his initial skepticism, could see the value. Supporting the children's education and safety cost little relative to the potential benefits of a unified, well-trained next generation.
A senior jonin raised a question, his voice tinged with concern. "You also mentioned changing civilian perceptions of our clan. Won't this intensive training approach make us seem even more isolated and intimidating to ordinary villagers?"
Yato smiled faintly. "I have plans to address that. The education reforms are just the beginning. By strengthening ourselves from within, we create the foundation to interact confidently and respectfully with civilians. Over time, the village will see the Uchiha not as arrogant or detached, but as a disciplined and reliable pillar of the community."
The room fell into thoughtful silence. The old ways—the pride, the glory, the insistence on past dominance—were being challenged. Yato's vision offered a path forward: one that acknowledged limitations, promoted internal growth, and prepared the Uchiha to thrive in a changing world.
The moderate faction nodded subtly in agreement, recognizing the wisdom in Yato's measured approach. Even some of the war faction elders could not deny the logic behind preparing the next generation properly. The children, after all, were the true legacy of the clan, and their future success could not be left to chance.
Yato concluded, his voice firm but hopeful, "This is the time to plant seeds. The choices we make today will determine whether the Uchiha remain a proud but stagnant clan, or whether we adapt, survive, and eventually rise in influence—not through empty pride, but through true strength, discipline, and wisdom."
For the first time in many years, a sense of cautious optimism spread through Nanga Shrine. The clash between old and new ideas had begun, but with careful guidance, dialogue, and commitment, the Uchiha could take the first steps toward unity, strength, and a future defined by their own hands.
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