"Cough… Yuzuru, since that's the case, why don't you share your thoughts."
At Uchiha Taro's signal, Uchiha Yuzuru calmly began, "To make the Uchiha Clan strong and increase its influence, there's a simple and effective method!"
Seeing how serious he was, everyone couldn't help but adopt a posture of serious listening.
Then, they heard Uchiha Yuzuru slowly say, "Have children!"
Have children… huh?
Have children?!
After hearing Uchiha Yuzuru's words, everyone froze in place.
Immediately after, they exchanged glances, their faces all showing strange expressions.
Having children… what kind of method is that?
Ignoring everyone's expressions, Uchiha Yuzuru continued, "I suggest that from now on, clansmen must marry before the age of twenty!"
"We must marry early, have many children, and exceed the birth limit!"
"Only this way can our Uchiha Clan become stronger and stronger."
Listening to Uchiha Yuzuru's shocking remarks, many felt insulted.
Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but stand up and say, "Uchiha Yuzuru, mind your words. This is a Clan meeting, not a place for you to spout nonsense!"
As Uchiha Fugaku's words fell, someone immediately echoed, "Exactly, are you looking down on us? Do you want us to pin all our hopes on the next generation?"
"I originally thought you were capable, but I didn't expect you to be so weak at heart!"
"Our Uchiha Clan will absolutely not stoop to needing children to prove itself."
Seeing the crowd's indignation, Uchiha Taro quickly waved his hand to stop them.
After everyone quieted down, he turned to Uchiha Yuzuru and asked, "Yuzuru, tell us your reasons. Everyone is waiting for your explanation."
Uchiha Yuzuru was not surprised by everyone's reaction.
Asking these Uchiha clansmen, whose pride shone through their bones, to pin their future hopes on having children, was indeed a bit of a blow to their self-esteem.
Thinking of this, Uchiha Yuzuru organized his thoughts and continued to state his views.
"Everyone should know that population is the foundation of a Ninja clan. The more people, the stronger the Ninja clan's power."
"During the Sengoku period, many Ninja clans plundered populations from other places precisely to increase the number of their clansmen."
"Take Konoha, for example. When the village was just founded, the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan were undisputed powerful Ninja clans, but what about now?"
"The Senju Clan has vanished without a trace, and the Uchiha Clan can only barely maintain its dignity through its past glory."
"And the Sarutobi Clan, the Shimura Clan, the Mitokado Clan, the Utatane Clan…"
"The Ninja clans that were once under our feet have now become an undeniable force in Konoha."
"Now, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura dare to heavily suppress Ninja clans, isn't it precisely because of the confidence their clansmen give them?"
Power and strength are interdependent.
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura received approval from Senju Tobirama, how could they firmly control power without the support of a powerful Family?
Facing Uchiha Yuzuru's questioning, everyone remained silent.
Everyone knew that Yuzuru was right.
Four Families that didn't even have a Bloodline Limit have now become formidable powers, relying on their population, that even they wouldn't dare to easily provoke… Seeing everyone's silence, Uchiha Yuzuru changed the subject, "If the Sarutobi and Shimura Clans can rise through population, our Uchiha Clan can certainly do even better."
"Compared to the Sarutobi and Shimura Clans, we not only possess a powerful Bloodline Limit, but our talent for becoming Ninja also far surpasses theirs."
"With the same number of people, which Ninja clan could be a match for our Uchiha Clan?"
Having been subtly praised by Uchiha Yuzuru, a hint of pride inevitably appeared on the faces of the Uchiha clansmen.
"What Yuzuru said seems to be correct. Having children doesn't seem so hard to accept."
"He should have just said increasing the population; 'having children' is a bit too direct…"
"I didn't react at first, but thinking about it now, Yuzuru is not wrong."
Seeing the clansmen become active again, Uchiha Yuzuru continued, "Therefore… marriage and childbirth are not a disgrace, but a century-long plan for the revitalization of our Uchiha Clan, a fundamental policy!"
"Without population as the cornerstone, anything else said is just a castle in the air."
"For the prosperity of the Uchiha Clan, I, Uchiha Yuzuru, am willing to lead by example!"
Everyone who heard this theory for the first time felt a storm raging in their hearts.
They had never thought that making the Family stronger could be approached from this angle.
But upon closer thought, it seemed very logical, and they couldn't find any reason to refute it.
However, leading by example in such a matter felt a bit strange… Seeing everyone's reaction, Uchiha Yuzuru didn't say anything more.
His proposal of marriage and childbirth this time was merely to give these Uchiha, whose minds were only on fighting and killing, some psychological preparation.
To truly implement it as a Clan rule would probably have to wait until he took power.
"Cough… Yuzuru's idea is quite unique. While it won't be mandatory for everyone to marry before twenty as Yuzuru suggested, everyone can certainly work towards this direction."
"Alright, today's Clan meeting ends here."
Before dawn, Uchiha Taro concluded the Clan meeting.
The Uchiha clansmen left one after another.
Just as Uchiha Yuzuru was about to get up, Uchiha Taro slowly said, "Yuzuru, you and Fugaku come here."
Although he really wanted to experience his newly acquired power, Uchiha Yuzuru was not in a hurry.
He followed to Uchiha Taro's residence and sat face to face with Uchiha Fugaku opposite Uchiha Taro.
Uchiha Taro picked up the teacup, poured a cup of tea for both of them, and spoke with a smile.
"Yuzuru, your strength is somewhat beyond my expectations. I didn't think that even Fugaku is no longer your opponent."
Uchiha Taro sized up Uchiha Yuzuru, a look of surprise on his face.
As Uchiha Fugaku's father, Uchiha Taro was quite familiar with his son's strength.
Fugaku, possessing a three-tomoe Sharingan, was an outstanding Jonin.
He hadn't expected him to be defeated so easily by Uchiha Yuzuru.
Uchiha Yuzuru didn't explain much, only smiling, "Clan Chief, you're not trying to find trouble with me on behalf of your son, are you?"
Uchiha Fugaku couldn't listen anymore. His face flushed as he said, "Yuzuru, Father is not that petty!"
"Losing to you today was due to my inferior skill. As an opponent, I will definitely defeat you fairly and squarely in the future!"
Uchiha Yuzuru smiled freely, draining the tea in front of him, "An enemy defeated by me is never considered an opponent. I will give you time to catch up until you can no longer see me."
As his words fell, Uchiha Fugaku was stunned for more than ten seconds before he came back to his senses, then felt as if ants were crawling on him.
He couldn't beat him, and he couldn't out-argue him… Damn brat, so annoying!!!
Seeing Uchiha Fugaku's composure somewhat crumble, Uchiha Taro cleared his throat and spoke at the right time, "Actually, the reason I kept you two here is to hear your thoughts."
"What are your opinions on the candidate for the next Hokage?"