"Everyone should already know that our clansmen who went out recently to do missions have all been killed, right?"
Everyone nodded sorrowfully. Four squads had recently left Konoha.
Except for Rengoku, the other 11 were all dead, most of their bodies weren't even recovered.
Rengoku's teammates were also blown to pieces by explosive tag traps, their corpses couldn't even be pieced together. In the end, they were just barely buried in the Land of Grass.
"Konoha has clearly started targeting our Uchiha clan. Not only have they encroached on the territory of our Police Force, but they've also been assigning particularly difficult missions to us."
"The mission system has always been controlled by Konoha's higher-ups. They suffered a major loss this time, but there's no way they'll repent."
"They're very likely to set traps for us in the future."
"For now, we should stop accepting any missions from the village."
No one objected to this; everyone nodded in agreement.
"Clan head, if no combat personnel go out on missions at all, how long can the clan support everyone?"
Fugaku thought for a moment before replying, "Our Uchiha clan's industries have indeed shrunk quite a bit compared to the Warring States period."
"But with our accumulated wealth, supporting everyone for a few years is not a problem."
'After all, we're a thousand-year-old noble clan. It's impossible that we have no money at all.'
Rengoku smiled and said, "It won't even take that long, just a short transition."
The Great Elder suddenly spoke up, "All those clansmen at home can't sit still. If you ask them to rest for a couple of days, that's fine. But if it lasts long, I fear trouble will start."
Rengoku remained calm, "That's simple. They're all doing missions anyway, so what does it matter where they do them."
"There are tons of missions in the black market. Our Uchiha were mercenaries to begin with. Now we're just returning to our roots."
"Not too many people from the clan can be sent out, so these slots will have to be fought for in the ring."
"Those who lose will be given time off at home. Only the winners get to go out on missions."
The Great Elder laughed loudly, "That's a good idea of yours."
The Uchiha can't afford to be scattered right now, so only elites can be sent out.
This strength-based method of competing for slots is very fitting for the Uchiha temperament.
"For the Police Force work, we'll just guard our own little patch. It'll be no different from before."
"Konoha people will definitely try to test us. Our Uchiha now already has three Mangekyo Sharingan. We can be a bit more aggressive."
"If you spot any Root members, kill them on the spot!"
"If any Konoha people try to shield them, just fire a signal flare. I'll be roaming Konoha tomorrow and can come to support you anytime."
"Non-combat personnel don't need to make any changes, just live normally."
What Rengoku meant by non-combat personnel were those surnamed Uchiha but born as civilians without ninja talent.
These civilians usually ran small businesses to support their families.
Like Uchiha Shisho and Uchiha Gen, a couple who sold sesame cakes.
The largest portion of those with the Uchiha surname were these civilians.
If the clan wanted to produce talented offspring, they'd prioritize choosing partners from among these civilians.
Generally, no one would mess with these civilians, unless your family didn't have a single one.
Fugaku nodded slightly, this could be seen as him acknowledging Rengoku's words.
After all, from his perspective, just having the Uchiha surname didn't make you a clansman, you had to have ninja talent too.
"Except for the Great Elder, the clan head, and Itachi, everyone else is dismissed."
The Second and Third Elders exchanged glances and looked at Fugaku, meaning, 'Aren't we elders too? Why can't we listen in?'
The Great Elder Kairen slapped the back of the Second Elder's head, "What are you looking at? Just go settle the clansmen."
The Second Elder, Taiko, had once served under the Great Elder Kairen. Even after being slapped, he didn't dare talk back, "Yes, Great Elder."
The Third Elder, Taiju, also quieted down instantly and left with the somewhat aggrieved Second Elder.
Itachi said something quietly to Yusuke. Yusuke gave him a strange look, then nodded in agreement.
———
After everyone had left, Rengoku cleared his throat and began, "Itachi, your wish for peace isn't wrong. I don't want a large-scale war either."
"But you need to consider, what kind of person is the Third Hokage of Konoha?"
"Why don't you think about how the Senju clan got wiped out?"
Hearing Rengoku's suggestive words, everyone present shivered in shock.
Itachi was stunned, "Didn't the Senju clan change names and integrate into Konoha?"
Rengoku patted Itachi's shoulder, "You're too naive."
"Our Uchiha clan is still around, why would they need to integrate?"
"Sarutobi Hiruzen recreated Wood Release. How many Senju clansmen became test subjects? How many survived?"
"Did he not know how dangerous such experiments were? After the first man died, why didn't he stop?"
"What do you think happened to the Senju clan when all the young and able men were dead?"
"The only surviving Senju, Nawaki, was sent to the battlefield at age 12. Why wasn't Asuma sent?"
"The rumor that forced White Fang to commit suicide spread throughout Konoha via the Anbu. How did that happen?"
"Why did the Third Hokage nominate Minato as the Fourth Hokage, and not Orochimaru or Tsunade?"
"Why did everyone in Konoha know Naruto was the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, yet no one told him he was the hero's son?"
"Let's not even talk about Kushina's property, but Minato's inheritance couldn't even guarantee Naruto three meals a day?"
"Naruto ran around causing mischief but was never seriously punished, why do you think that is?"
Rengoku's string of questions made Itachi's gaze grow deeper and more serious.
"We Uchiha are geniuses. Just a bit of praise and we think we're invincible."
"There's so much going on right under your nose, and you still don't see it clearly."
When Rengoku said this, he was speaking as if detached from the Uchiha clan, his stance was somewhat odd.
But no one noticed that detail.
"Too many of our clansmen are arrogant and blindly believe in what they think is right."
"No matter how many flaws, they won't question it. The stronger their power, the more stubborn and self-willed they are."
"Clan head, I want to ask you a question."
After what happened tonight and hearing Rengoku's insights, Fugaku didn't dare underestimate him anymore and spoke solemnly, "Go ahead, Rengoku."
Rengoku curled his lips into an ambiguous smile, "The method to save the Uchiha clan recorded on the Stone Tablet, could it be fake?"
Fugaku answered without thinking, "Absolutely impossible!"
Rengoku spread his hands, making a helpless gesture, "Before, you also believed Itachi was definitely on the clan's side."
Fugaku was speechless and suddenly didn't know what to say.
The Great Elder spoke up from the side, "Rengoku, are you saying we should learn to question ourselves?"
Rengoku waved his finger, "No. I mean, I want our clansmen to just be more pragmatic."
"Instead of believing in all this vague nonsense, why not start thinking about how to deal with Konoha?"
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