"Actually, the other ninja clans aren't too difficult to handle," Homura Mitokado said first.
"Even the Hyūga Clan suffered heavy losses in this war. One of the Main House even lost a Byakugan. It's only appropriate for the village to provide them with some compensation."
"As for the smaller clans, it's even simpler. Just distribute compensation and pensions according to the village's usual regulations."
"The real problem is the Uchiha Clan."
Koharu Utatane continued,
"In this war, the Uchiha Clan deployed a total of three hundred and fifty shinobi."
"Among them were twenty-five jōnin with three-tomoe Sharingan, and one hundred elite chūnin or tokubetsu jōnin with two-tomoe Sharingan. The rest were chūnin and genin who either hadn't awakened the Sharingan or possessed only a one-tomoe Sharingan."
"However, after the war ended, according to incomplete statistics, the number of surviving three-tomoe Sharingan jōnin in the Uchiha Clan actually rose to thirty-six."
"The number of elite chūnin and tokubetsu jōnin with two-tomoe Sharingan increased to one hundred and fifty-three. Most of the remaining members have also awakened at least a one-tomoe Sharingan."
"Moreover, during this war the Uchiha Clan produced three outstanding shinobi:
'Fierce-Eyed Fugaku' Uchiha Fugaku,
'Shunshin Shisui' Uchiha Shisui,
and the 'Red Sun' Uchiha Ren, who is considered on par with the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze."
"In other words, while every other clan grew weaker through the war, the Uchiha Clan actually became stronger."
"Other clans lose strength the longer they fight—
only the Uchiha grow stronger with war."
As soon as she finished speaking, silence fell over the Hokage's Office.
At that moment, the Konoha High Command—Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane—suddenly realized how wise their teacher Tobirama Senju had been.
Back then, Tobirama had established the Konoha Military Police Force, effectively confining the Uchiha Clan within Konohagakure.
Now they finally understood just how farsighted that decision had been.
The Uchiha were simply too special.
A battlefield filled with life-and-death struggles was the perfect training ground for them.
More importantly, the Uchiha Clan was a breeding ground for geniuses. Most of its members already possessed considerable talent.
If the Uchiha had been treated like other clans—forming regular shinobi squads and leaving the village for missions—then the clan might have already grown into a terrifying behemoth.
After all, the squad system allowed Uchiha to quickly form bonds with their teammates.
Because of their natural strength, their survival rate during missions would far exceed that of ordinary shinobi.
And once they experienced the death of a comrade—
The emotional shock would often trigger the evolution of their Sharingan.
If things continued like that, within just a few decades the Uchiha Clan might produce hundreds of elite jōnin with three-tomoe Sharingan.
The mere thought of such a scene sent a chill through the four leaders in the room.
No.
That absolutely could not be allowed.
The development of the Uchiha Clan had to be restricted.
Without exchanging a single word, the four members of Konoha's leadership silently reached the same conclusion.
Koharu Utatane spoke first.
"This time, the Uchiha Clan led many of the village's clans and repelled Kirigakure's invasion. Their prestige is currently at its peak."
"If we don't find a proper excuse, it will be difficult to move against them and limit their growth."
Homura Mitokado frowned.
"And if we target a clan that just earned great merit immediately after the war, it may provoke public outrage. We must proceed carefully."
Although the Uchiha had never enjoyed good relations with other clans, they were still part of Konohagakure.
If the village targeted them too aggressively, it could not only provoke rebellion within the Uchiha Clan but also make other clans feel 'sympathy for a shared fate'—fearing they might be next.
That was the last thing they wanted.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a ring of smoke and spoke calmly.
"The village has endured years of bloody war. Many departments are already running at a deficit."
"Uchiha Fugaku is a man who understands the bigger picture. I'll speak with him personally and ask the Uchiha Clan to endure some hardship for the time being."
Hiruzen had already decided:
The Uchiha Clan's compensation and pensions would be temporarily withheld.
As for the military merits they had earned on the battlefield—
If there were no pensions, then rewards were naturally out of the question.
And the reason Hiruzen gave sounded perfectly "reasonable."
Years of war had already severely drained Konoha's resources.
The peace negotiations with Sunagakure had forced them to concede significant benefits.
Next, they still needed to negotiate with Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
If Minato Namikaze had not captured A, the future Fourth Raikage, and the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki alive on the battlefield, they might have been able to squeeze a large amount of resources from Kumogakure.
Otherwise, Konoha might not even be able to pay the pensions of other fallen shinobi.
Under such circumstances, as Konoha's largest clan, the Uchiha should naturally be "understanding" and consider the village's needs.
Conveniently, the current clan head Uchiha Fugaku was someone Hiruzen believed he could easily persuade.
He was confident he could convince Fugaku to make the Uchiha Clan swallow this bitter pill.
And once the Uchiha agreed to this matter, they could also make them a public example.
If even the Uchiha Clan willingly gave up compensation, how could other clans—like the Hyūga Clan—still shamelessly ask for rewards?
In that way, the Uchiha Clan might gain some empty praise and reputation…
But at the same time, they would unknowingly offend nearly every other clan in the village.
A perfect two-birds-with-one-stone strategy.
Everyone present was politically astute. Within moments, they grasped the deeper meaning behind Hiruzen's words.
Homura Mitokado nodded.
"The Uchiha Clan cares greatly about face. If we say a few flattering words and elevate them publicly, they won't be able to refuse."
"This plan will work."
Koharu Utatane added,
"After all, the Uchiha Clan did render great service in this war. When the time comes, we must not act too bluntly."
"It would be best if they themselves propose the idea first."
Hiruzen replied calmly,
"That will be easy enough. We'll simply play it by ear."
It wasn't arrogance on Hiruzen's part.
In his view, most members of the Uchiha Clan were political amateurs.
With just a little manipulation, it would be impossible for them not to take the bait.
Homura Mitokado then said,
"Besides the clan itself, we should also make preparations regarding those particularly outstanding individuals among the Uchiha."
After a brief pause, he turned to the one person who had remained silent the entire time—Shimura Danzō.
"Danzō, what do you think?"
When it came to dealing with the Uchiha, Danzō was usually the most enthusiastic among them.
Yet now he had said nothing.
That was unusual.
Danzō snorted coldly.
"…Does my opinion still matter?"
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789