"The breakthroughs from the Research Division... if our Uchiha clan hadn't supported them so tirelessly at the start, how could they have ever been born? Now that success is within reach, they think they can just jump in and reap the rewards? What kind of logic is that?"
"What is he trying to do? This is a blatant attempt by the village to suppress us! They just can't stand to see the Uchiha growing stronger!"
Standing beside Uchiha Tekka, another Jonin in a tactical vest—Uchiha Enka—spoke up with a face flushed with indignation. His veins bulged as if he were on the verge of a physical explosion.
The numerous clansmen attending the meeting could no longer suppress their resentment. The miraculous effects of those medicinal pills had already become legendary within the clan. After all, several members, including Tekka, Enka, and Tohka, had seen significant boosts in their visual prowess and overall strength recently.
At the last meeting, their stunning performance had been a heavy blow to the skeptics, shaking every clansman to the core. Now, every Uchiha Jonin was pinning their hopes on the next batch of experimental results, looking to take the clan to new heights.
Yet, the Konoha high-ranking officials had suddenly issued this unacceptable decree. It was salt in an open wound.
"We cannot let the Third's conspiracy succeed!" one clansman roared, his voice echoing and drawing a chorus of agreement.
"Clan Leader!" Uchiha Tohka turned to Fugaku, his eyes urgent. "This cannot be the Third's true intention."
Seeing the emotions of the clan rising like a flood about to break a levee, Uchiha Fugaku slowly raised his hand and pressed down firmly. That one authoritative gesture, backed by an invisible weight, instantly silenced the anxious crowd. Like tamed beasts, they waited for his next words.
"Shisui, you explain the situation," Fugaku called out softly, his gaze landing on the young boy who had been standing quietly to the side.
"Shisui? What does he have to do with this? Isn't he under Lord Orochimaru? Does he have news from that side?" Whispers rippled through the crowd.
A slightly lean figure stepped forward. He was barely half the height of the men around him, looking somewhat frail in the shadow of the tall warriors, yet his straight back exuded a peculiar resilience.
Under the burning gaze of his kin, Shisui spoke calmly: "This was not the intention of the Hokage. It came from Danzo-sama of the Root and the two advisors."
"How do you know?" a clansman demanded, brow furrowing in suspicion.
"Lord Orochimaru informed me," Shisui replied coolly, unfazed by the questioning.
"That old bastard Danzo again!" At the mention of Shimura Danzo, the Uchiha members ground their teeth in unison. If there was one person in the Konoha hierarchy they loathed more than any other, it was Danzo. He was like a buzzing fly that never ceased pestering the Uchiha.
"Put Danzo aside for a moment. We need to know where Orochimaru and Hiruko stand," a warm, steady voice cut through the silence. The eyes of the crowd shifted to Uchiha Akishiro. Unlike the fiery tempers of most Uchiha, Akishiro was calm and possessed a strategic mind. It was his support that had helped Fugaku solidify his position as Clan Leader years ago.
"The stance of Lord Hiruko and Lord Orochimaru is this: Research will move forward, and the medicine supply will continue, but the support from our side must not stop," Shisui stated, reciting Orochimaru's words.
"And what about Danzo and the advisors? Will they just let it happen?" Akishiro's face showed a flicker of relief, followed by a deeper scowl. "It's good that the scientists are on our side, but if the political pressure isn't resolved, the end result is still uncertain."
The Research Division had some autonomy since the Hokage wasn't directly funding them, but as a village department, they were still subject to the Hokage's faction.
"Lord Orochimaru's intel says the Third did not actually authorize this proposal," Shisui added seriously. "It's just Danzo using the Third's name to act on his own authority."
"I knew it! That old dog Danzo is always looking for trouble!" One Uchiha breathed a sigh of relief, though his anger remained. The clan's hatred for Danzo was a powder keg, and many secretly wished he would simply die on the battlefield.
"Our clan provided the funds and the resources. These results belong to the Uchiha by right," Akishiro said firmly to Fugaku. "Clan Leader, at the next Jonin meeting, you must raise a formal objection to the Fourth Hokage."
"I will," Fugaku nodded solemnly. "I will speak with Orochimaru and Hiruko first, then coordinate with Minato."
His gaze drifted across the room, landing on his voluptuous wife, Mikoto, who was cradling baby Sasuke in her arms. A flicker of comfort crossed his eyes. Mikoto was an essential piece in his chess game... and if things truly went south...
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: [email protected]/c/wildsparkstudios
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.