The other members of the Uchiha Clan in the shrine also nodded in agreement.
"Becoming Hokage is important and everyone knows that, but how to become Hokage is another matter," said one Uchiha.
As soon as these words were spoken, the shrine fell into silence.
Though harsh, these words reflect reality. Currently, the Sannin are the hot candidates for the Fourth Hokage, and no ninja within the Uchiha Clan holds the same fame and power as the Sannin.
"If we become excellent enough to gain everyone's approval, isn't that enough?" Obito spoke up, breaking the silence with his answer.
With only Obito speaking, it was easy for the Uchiha to identify the speaker. Many of them stared at Obito as if he were foolish. If it were that easy, would they remain silent?
"Very good, our Uchiha Clan needs this kind of ambition," Uchiha Yashiro said, looking at Obito with admiration.
Some Uchiha found it strange. Yashiro, typically strict, shouldn't he be criticizing such nonsense? Why was he praising it?
"Didn't you watch the Chunin Examination? Uchiha Obito can be considered the most talented ninja of our young generation in the Uchiha Clan. Of course, after Shisui graduates, that may not be the case," reminded an Uchiha who had watched the Chunin Examination.
Obito became quite famous within Konoha during the Chunin Examination, and many Uchiha knew that their clan had produced a young genius.
The reminded Uchiha immediately understood that among the Uchiha, strength was paramount. If Obito was talented enough, he had the right to speak such words.
"I think we should lift the restrictions on the Police Squad and allow other Konoha ninja to join," Shisui said after some thought.
Shisui had been studying history with Mokgetsu for more than a year. He believed that the Uchiha should not focus on getting stronger but instead think about stepping out of their predicament.
The Uchiha were being monitored by Anbu, feared by fellow Konoha ninja, and disliked by village residents. If they didn't resolve these issues first and only sought to become stronger, it would only deepen the conflicts.
Shisui didn't yet know how to solve the problems himself, but he could ask Mokgetsu. In Mokgetsu's vision, the Police Squad was the first issue that needed addressing.
This was because the Uchiha's current predicament was fundamentally caused by the direct or indirect influence of the Police Squad.
It was natural for a single clan to control such a powerful department and arouse suspicion, and the Uchiha who wielded this power would become more arrogant. At the same time, because most of the clan's ninja worked in the Police Squad, communication with other ninja was reduced, and they basically only interacted with their clan.
Shisui's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing an uproar in the shrine.
"How can we let others join our Police Squad? You know that the emblem is the symbol of our Uchiha Clan. If they don't do their job well, it would tarnish our Uchiha name!"
"Our Uchiha ancestors earned the Police Department through great achievements, and their efforts must not be in vain."
"If we let others join the Police Squad, what if someone takes the opportunity to usurp the position of captain? Then we Uchiha would lose the Police Department forever."
"If outsiders come, it will disrupt the atmosphere of the Police Squad, which is composed of only clansmen."
The opposing voices filled the shrine, with nearly everyone rebutting Shisui's "outrageous" statement.
"Shisui, how could you have such thoughts? It's detrimental to our Uchiha's development," Uchiha Inabi said, shaking his head in disapproval.
He almost wanted to say that words that aren't conducive to unity shouldn't be spoken.
Even Shisui didn't expect to encounter so much opposition. He thought at least a few Uchiha might have considered this point.
"Shisui, your thinking is dangerous. At your age, you need to read the clan's history more!" a Uchiha Jonin, who knew Shisui well, said directly.
He said this because he knew Shisui was a genius. Otherwise, what's the use of a powerful Uchiha who doesn't align with the clan?
Faced with the disapproving gazes of many Uchiha, Shisui didn't show any fear. He opened his mouth to explain his point of view.
"Don't clan meetings require one to be a ninja to participate? Isn't Shisui yet to graduate?" someone noted, interrupting.
"If you're not a ninja, you're still a child. What business does a child have at a clan meeting?"
Even though Shisui was thus belittled, he couldn't help but frown. Some of those speaking couldn't even defeat him.
"So what if he's not a ninja yet? With Shisui's ability, becoming a ninja is just a matter of time," Obito couldn't help but speak up when he saw his friend being targeted.
"Isn't the clan meeting a place for discussion? Or does it mean you can't say what you don't want to hear?" Obito retaliated, using the skill he honed in arguing with Kakashi.
Obito's sharp words left some Uchiha temporarily speechless.
"It's not about what's being said, it's about following the rules," a Uchiha Jonin said flatly.
The Genin and Chunin might hesitate to respond due to strength disparities, but the Jonin had no such qualms. No matter how talented the younger generation is, they are still juniors.
"It was my oversight, thinking I could let Shisui experience the atmosphere of a clan meeting in advance," Uchiha Fugaku stood up to address the anger caused by Shisui's remarks.
"Fugaku, even though Shisui has shown remarkable talent, rules must still be observed," a middle-aged Uchiha said solemnly.
"This won't happen next time." Fugaku was forced to concede; it was difficult to argue with the elders when at fault.
Shisui wasn't foolish. Once he calmed down, he left the shrine on his own, preventing Fugaku from facing further embarrassment.
Obito, already finding the clan meeting dull, left immediately after the only person he got along with, Shisui, departed, showing no regard for appearances.