Uchiha Hirotomo agreed to Uchiha Ryun's conditions. An eighteen-year-old genius with three tomoe sharingan and the Magnet Release kekkei genkai, agreeing to become a clan elder, was a way to deepen their bonds.
For Uchiha Ryun's requests, he chose to comply as much as possible. It was just the intelligence network, a minor matter. However, he did not expect Uchiha Ryun's next words to make him break out in cold sweat.
"Clan Head, there is one more thing. Hand over the position of Konoha Military Police Force captain to me. I will handle communications with the village higher-ups." Uchiha Ryun's eyes fixed on Uchiha Hirotomo, because he knew the Military Police was the Uchiha's sole authority.
Uchiha Hirotomo hesitated. He opened his mouth but then closed it again, lowering his head in thought. The Military Police had always been inherited by the clan head, allowing them to control the clan while also interacting with the higher-ups.
But now, Uchiha Ryun was clearly trying to take power from the clan head. Even though the clan heads of every family had to attend meetings, holding the position of Military Police captain gave them stronger influence.
Moreover, the Military Police was the main source of official positions for the Uchiha clan. It allowed them to combat crime and punish wrongdoers, making it a highly respectable job.
Uchiha Ryun sighed. "If the Clan Head is unwilling to agree, then I will leave immediately and no longer involve myself in clan affairs." With that, he stood up, ready to leave.
The implication was clear: if you won't give me this, then I won't take the elder position, and whatever happens to the Uchiha afterward will have nothing to do with me.
"Wait, Ryun. I want to know why you want to take over the Military Police. Is it to divide the power of the main family?" Uchiha Hirotomo stared intently at Uchiha Ryun, trying to gauge any emotional reaction.
But he was disappointed. Uchiha Ryun remained expressionless, sitting upright as he replied, "Let me ask you this—what is the villagers' attitude toward the Uchiha?"
Uchiha Hirotomo's face darkened. Because of the Military Police, how many clan members had been treated with false respect by the villagers? On the surface, they acted obediently, but behind their backs, they cursed them as scoundrels.
Even the Uchiha in the Military Police had lost their enthusiasm. They no longer bothered explaining themselves and just arrested people directly, their expressions grim.
"Furthermore, Clan Head Hirotomo, don't you think power can sometimes be a double-edged sword? What do outsiders call the Military Police? The Uchiha Military Police. It's practically become our clan's private force. Have you ever considered how the higher-ups feel about that?" Uchiha Ryun then pointed in the direction of the Hokage Building.
Uchiha Hirotomo's face turned even darker. Uchiha Ryun knew this was the final push. "Clan Head, you've held power for so long that you've almost become its slave. This has clouded your judgment." After saying this, Uchiha Ryun fell silent, sitting calmly.
Uchiha Hirotomo recalled the past. It was just as Uchiha Ryun said. When he first inherited the clan head position and the Military Police, he not only held the clan's authority but was also a high-ranking village official responsible for protecting the villagers.
But at some point, the Military Police began to be slandered. The Uchiha were portrayed as tyrants who arrested anyone they disliked.
He had reported this to the higher-ups, but they always said they would handle it—yet nothing changed. Unwilling to relinquish the Military Police's authority, he chose to silently continue arrests.
And so, the Military Police became a despised department, and the Uchiha's reputation suffered. They went from being the greatest noble clan to a family of bullies.
Only the Uchiha in the Military Police knew how frustrating it was. Their original intention was to protect the villagers' safety and property, yet they were insulted as oppressors.
Uchiha Hirotomo looked up. "Ryun, do you have a way to change this?"
Uchiha Ryun leaned back confidently. "A hundred percent. I have absolute confidence. But I'll need the Clan Head's cooperation. Otherwise, I can't guarantee success."
Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. "Since you're so confident, I'm willing to give up the position of Military Police captain. Tomorrow, I'll go see the Hokage."
Uchiha Ryun shook his head. "Now. Just after nightfall is the best time."
"Now? You're in too much of a hurry! The Hokage must be asleep by now." Uchiha Hirotomo was stunned, unable to believe it.
"Clan Head, what I mean is, tonight's visit to the Hokage should focus on expressing the Uchiha clan's full support for his administration. The change in the Military Police is just a side matter."
"You—have you forgotten the Uchiha's pride?! You want our clan to bow our heads?!" Uchiha Hirotomo's expression turned furious. He never expected the person he admired to be like this.
Uchiha Ryun smiled faintly. "You must understand, the Hokage has just taken office. His foundation is unstable. We're not bowing our heads—we're placing a bet."
"There's a saying: adding flowers to brocade is not as good as delivering charcoal in snowy weather. If we're the first to visit the Hokage and declare our support, do you believe all the negative rumors about us will disappear?" Uchiha Ryun said confidently.
"Even if they don't disappear entirely, the Hokage will step forward to clear our name."
Uchiha Hirotomo was still hesitating. Uchiha Ryun frowned coldly. "Clan Head, I hope you understand—I'm doing this for the Uchiha. If you think this is humiliating, then give me the clan head position as well. I guarantee the clan will live much more comfortably, both within and outside the village."
"Instead of being ostracized and slandered like now!" At this point, Uchiha Ryun's voice turned icy as he stared at Uchiha Hirotomo.
Uchiha Hirotomo's face paled. For a moment, he saw the shadow of Madara from the Warring States Period in that gaze—filled with disdain and mockery.
"I… I agree, Ryun. Let's go now!" Uchiha Hirotomo grabbed Uchiha Ryun's hand, ready to leave. Uchiha Ryun pulled his hand back. "Clan Head, are you going empty-handed?"
Uchiha Hirotomo froze. Wasn't pledging allegiance enough?
Uchiha Ryun sighed. "Clan Head, listen. The Hokage has a son named Sarutobi Shinnosuke, currently a student at the Ninja Academy. Give him a set of ninja tools, preferably ones crafted by the Nekobaa clan."
Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. He was starting to see the logic in Uchiha Ryun's words. His understanding of human nature was far beyond his own.
The Uchiha were all reckless warriors—this was the first time a true strategist had appeared among them.
With that, Uchiha Hirotomo summoned a summoning scroll for the Nekobaa clan. After a brief discussion, a brand-new set of ninja tools, along with a weapon pouch, arrived within ten minutes.
Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Ryun pushed open the door and headed toward the Sarutobi clan's compound.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi was reviewing documents—intel collected by ANBU about Uchiha Ryun.
"Uchiha Ryun, son of Uchiha Ippo, grandson of Uchiha Izuna, great-grandson of Uchiha Tajima." Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes sharp.
Uchiha Izuna—that was a legendary figure, a strategist said to rival the Second Hokage. It seemed this young man had inherited much of that.
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