For the Glory of the Uchiha - Naruto: The Uchiha Manifesto

"For the glory of the Uchiha!"

Uchiha Ye's resolute voice echoed through the Uchiha Naka Shrine.

Fugaku looked awkward but inwardly relieved. Though it was for the clan, the pride of the Uchiha — the mission being assigned was humiliating for him to voice aloud.

"Fugaku, look at Ye; the clan will rely on you all in the future."

The clan head glanced at his son with a rare look of displeasure.

Fugaku forced himself to speak seriously. "Ye-kun's contribution will not be forgotten by the family."

For a moment, he felt oddly reassured. He knew he couldn't match the young man's natural talent, even if he'd worked hard — some gifts were simply innate.

Ye stood there in a clean white kimono and black trousers, the top left slightly open to reveal lean, striking muscles.

Black forearm guards extended to his hands, a black belt wrapped his waist, and a straight ninja blade was sheathed across his back.

His chiselled, cold-featured face and upright posture were arresting — in style not unlike Sasuke as the tale told.

All of this was Mikoto's doing; she'd even had new clothes made for him to meet the elder. For a moment, she felt like she'd piled the weight on her own foot.

Seeing Ye's determined look and how Mikoto's gaze softened at him, Elder Setsuna nodded with approval.

"Young Ye, right now, is the clan's best chance. The Third Hokage's policies over these past twenty years have already upset the noble houses.

Why else would the Senju safeguard the next Nine-Tails host within their own clan?"

At that, the elder let out a rare cold laugh.

"White Fang's fame has already eclipsed the Third part of that is his strength, but much of it is the noble houses pushing him forward. Even the Senju are displeased with the Third's policy."

Listening to the elder outline the friction between Konoha's leadership and the noble families, Ye frowned. Whether it was true, he couldn't say for sure, but any ruler naturally feared overly powerful houses — even the Senju.

After the chain of incidents — Nawaki being blown to pieces, then Tsunade's lover dying, and the Senju line's Nine-Tails host Kushina being taken under the Hokage's wing — everything seemed to be centered on the Senju clan.

Later, White Fang was forced into death, and by the Third War and afterward, the Senju were nearly erased from politics. It all pointed to one conclusion: the Senju had lost the political battle.

Whether Tsunade was scheming or not, the fact that later generations hardly remembered the Senju name suggested the Third's hand in politics had been decisive.

"The more important point is that White Fang wasn't born into one of the noble clans," the elder continued. "That is why the Uchiha can coordinate with the other houses."

The elder's words were those of someone painting a grand plan. Ye glanced at Mikoto and, internalizing the situation and what he knew of future events, began to put the pieces together.

No wonder Mikoto had such a good relationship with Kushina — the Uchiha had multiple lines of preparation.

Moreover, the fact that the Uchiha could approach the Nine-Tails host unscathed suggested tacit acceptance by the Senju — or that Kushina was, at this stage, effectively a reserve.

At the mention of political friction, Ye felt the gears of strategy turning in his head. Politics was an art of compromise.

"Clan head, elder," Ye said, though inwardly wary, "I understand the situation. The Senju's current role doesn't equal their past; the Nine-Tails host is important, and aligning with them could secure the clan's future."

Mikoto gave an understanding smile. Clearly, she knew this mission's weight.

The elder then spoke straight and blunt:

"Ye, you have seen Uzumaki Kushina's file. She's likely to become the Nine-Tails' future host and currently lives within the Senju compound.

If the clan wishes to regain standing, forging close ties with the Nine-Tails' host is the most direct path."

As he said it, the elder's expression turned calculating.

"The First's wife was the first Nine-Tails host. Ye — isn't your ambition to one day be Hokage? Don't you want to restore the Uchiha's honor? If you succeed — with the Nine-Tails' host on the outside and Mikoto's clan supporting you from within — the path upward is not impossible."

Ye's face went pale at the grandness of the promise. Marrying or securing the patronage of the Nine-Tails host to gain political power — it sounded audacious, but history did contain those precedents.

Still, approaching the Nine-Tails host risked sparking village-wide fear. Not everyone would accept the idea of the Uchiha growing close to such a power.

The clan head agreed solemnly: "If we cultivate a good relationship with the Nine-Tails host, while we may not immediately seize the Hokage seat, the Uchiha will secure a position among the village's top echelons."

Ye listened, calculating. The elder and the clan head were dreaming big — two old strategists spinning a vision of Uchiha resurgence. Ye realized he could use it.

He bowed, steady. "For the sake of the clan, I will accept this burden."

Mikoto's eyes glimmered with pride and something warmer — confidence in Ye. He drew a breath and committed himself: "For the clan."

Yet beneath that vow, he added quietly to himself: — and for myself.

When they exited the shrine, Fugaku looked embarrassed. He handed Ye a scroll.

"This is the clan's manual for those who have awakened the dojutsu."

The Uchiha provided privileged support to those who opened their eyes: techniques, training regimens, and resources. Ye took the scroll and smiled.

"Thank you, Captain Fugaku."

Fugaku bowed, hiding a mingled sense of shame and gratitude — Ye's sacrifice for the clan was large and obvious. He wouldn't forget it.

Mikoto, always precise and polite, added with a gentle smile, "Night, your strength will grow after opening the eyes. The clan recently purchased quite a few chakra metal weapons." The implication was clear.

Ye raised a hand to stop her from continuing. "Mikoto-senpai, we do this for the clan."

Fugaku, watching the two, felt his chest tighten with an odd mix of pride and self-reproach. In time, Ye would likely receive a weapon forged from chakra metal.

Ye's mind buzzed — opportunity and danger intertwined. He wanted to progress; he wanted to win.

Chapter 13 - For the Glory of the Uchiha