The next morning, Sarutobi Hiruzen sent a messenger to bring Uchiha Kai to the Hokage Building. Uchiha Kai arrived promptly and bowed lightly before the Third Hokage.
"Hello, Hokage-sama," he said calmly. "May I ask why you summoned me this time?"
Hiruzen smiled, a subtle glint in his eyes. "It's nothing too urgent. The Uchiha clan has been quite busy lately, and I thought it would be appropriate to discuss a matter regarding the clan's activities."
Uchiha Kai, aware of Hiruzen's underlying motive, immediately thought of the Uchiha Kindergarten. Without hesitation, he addressed the matter directly.
"It's nothing to worry about. Yato recently opened an Uchiha Kindergarten. It's been running well, and the children are learning steadily. Yato has everything under control."
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully. "I see… Then perhaps this kindergarten could be opened to the entire Konoha Village. I believe its curriculum is excellent, and it could serve as a good way to integrate the Uchiha's teaching staff with the village as a whole."
Uchiha Kai felt a pang of hesitation. This proposal, while seemingly innocent, was a step toward assimilating the Uchiha into Konoha's broader social system—something that could either strengthen the clan's influence or expose them to political vulnerability.
"After all," Kai said after a pause, "this was created by Uchiha Yato. It would be better to hear his opinion before making any decisions."
Before Hiruzen could react, Uchiha Kai drew a summoning scroll and, using a psychic technique unique to the Uchiha, summoned Uchiha Yato directly into the Hokage's chamber.
Hiruzen's eyes widened in surprise. He had seen summoning techniques before, but nothing quite like this. Yato appeared as if he were no different from a summoned creature, but the scroll he had used was no ordinary summoning scroll—it was a unique tool developed by the Uchiha.
"You've never seen anything like this, have you?" Uchiha Kai said with a smug grin. "Impressive, isn't it?"
Hiruzen could only shake his head in disbelief. Uchiha Yato, standing casually in the Hokage's office, gave a small bow.
"It's just a little gadget passed down by the Uchiha clan," Yato said, downplaying its significance. "Nothing too extraordinary."
Hiruzen, though slightly intimidated by Yato's presence, quickly refocused on the matter at hand. "I'd like your opinion regarding opening the kindergarten to all children in Konoha. What do you think?"
Yato considered for a moment before speaking, his tone measured. "Hokage-sama, you may not be familiar with the internal system of our clan."
"Although the ninjutsu taught to the children comes from the clan, it is earned by the children themselves through a points system." Yato's words carried both authority and a hint of caution. "The jonins mainly serve as protectors. They can confirm the accuracy of this system. No one is being deceived."
Hiruzen smiled wryly. "You are an unusually suspicious young man. I can hardly take your word at face value."
Yato responded coolly, his tone sharp yet playful in translation. "I have no intention of giving anything away for free. Hard work should be rewarded, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen chuckled, undeterred. "Nonetheless, we are all part of Konoha. Would you not assist the talented students of the Ninja Academy? There are many bright individuals among them who could benefit from your teaching."
Yato's expression shifted slightly. "Those are Konoha's backbone. The Uchiha must avoid appearing too favorable or special in their treatment. We cannot overstep or create suspicion."
Hiruzen nodded, attempting to reason with him. "It would not be fair for the Uchiha to be treated as exceptional. A solution must be found that is mutually beneficial. Perhaps a modest tuition fee—3,000 taels per child—could be acceptable."
Yato raised an eyebrow, his voice smooth but firm. "Too troublesome. Instead, we propose a Konoha Exchange Meeting. While the external students may not learn ninjutsu directly, they may exchange techniques and experiences with our students. Knowledge can be shared without direct instruction."
Hiruzen paused, clearly impressed by the young Uchiha's clever negotiation. He nodded in approval. "That seems reasonable. It allows both sides to benefit without compromising your clan's systems."
Uchiha Kai, standing beside Yato, suppressed a smile of satisfaction. The Uchiha had secured their position without yielding too much. "Don't give Hiruzen an inch without gaining something in return," Kai murmured. "That is the essence of dealing with him."
Yato's strategic mind operated quietly behind a calm exterior. The principle he followed could be summarized simply: never give away advantage without first ensuring reciprocal gain.
Hiruzen, sensing the subtle firmness in Yato's response, changed the subject. "Now, regarding the Sand Village. They have sent ninjas to study here. Would your clan provide them lodging and guidance?"
Yato considered the request carefully. "This matter falls under diplomacy and should be decided by the clan leader. If the task is within our tolerance and properly compensated, the Uchiha will comply. Otherwise, it is beyond our responsibility."
Uchiha Kai nodded in agreement. "Yes, this is a diplomatic issue. We can ensure the police department maintains vigilance and order. That should suffice."
Yato added plainly, "If compensation is provided, we will take care of it. Should any unexpected issues arise, they will be handled at that time."
Word of the arrangement spread quickly through Konoha. Danzo Shimura, upon learning the news, immediately began to contemplate ways to undermine both the Sand ninjas and the Uchiha simultaneously. He knew that conflicts of this nature could be exploited to the advantage of those seeking power.
After the meeting, Hiruzen turned to Hatake Sakumo. "Sakumo, fetch the small bottle from the secret compartment in the third row of the back bookshelf."
Sakumo obeyed swiftly, retrieving a small gourd-shaped bottle. Hiruzen handed it to himself, a glint of relief in his eyes.
"These are the quick-acting heart pills," Hiruzen said softly. "Yato provided them once, claiming they are rare medical secrets of the Uchiha. This medicine can stabilize a patient in critical condition. Though simple in appearance, its effects are extraordinary."
Yato had indeed shared this medicine during a prior discussion on medical care. Sarutobi Hiruzen had been skeptical, yet verification from Tsunade confirmed its efficacy. Since then, Hiruzen had regarded the pills as treasures, keeping them hidden away in a secret compartment.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Kai, walking alongside Yato, could not contain his curiosity. "Yato, is it really wise to defy the Third Hokage like this? Aren't you worried he might retaliate?"
Yato shrugged, a faint smirk on his face. "If we give them everything willingly, they will continue to press us. A little assertiveness is necessary to maintain our leverage. We cannot let them walk over us."
Kai nodded, understanding the strategy. "I see… And regarding the Sand ninjas?"
Yato's response was pragmatic. "Compensation is straightforward. We perform the service, they pay. If complications arise, we deal with them then."
By the afternoon, the news of the Uchiha's firm yet clever negotiation had spread throughout the village. Many people were talking about the upcoming Konoha Exchange Meeting, curious about how the Uchiha Kindergarten operated.
Danzo Shimura, however, was less than pleased. His mind raced, calculating how to exploit this situation to diminish both the Sand Village's influence and the Uchiha clan's standing. He had always viewed the Uchiha as a threat, and now, their growing influence presented an opportunity.
A new type of conflict was brewing in Konoha, one that was not fought with brute force but with intelligence, strategy, and subtle manipulation. The Uchiha had once again positioned themselves at the center of this emerging struggle, prepared for both diplomacy and confrontation.
As the sun set over the village, the quiet of the evening was deceptive. Beneath the calm, tensions simmered. The Uchiha had demonstrated their ingenuity, the Hokage had acknowledged their position, and the stage was set for a different kind of fight—one fought not with fists or weapons, but with wit, influence, and careful planning.
Indeed, the night would soon become a classroom of its own. Lessons of strategy, negotiation, and calculated risks would unfold, and all of Konoha would watch in anticipation. The "Night Fight Classroom" had begun.
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