"Let Uchiha suggest to the Daimyo that other Konoha clans join the port defense? That sounds... wildly optimistic."
That was the unspoken thought passing between Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura as they exchanged glances. Even if Uchiha were willing to tolerate Hyuga, they had no reason to show mercy to the clans affiliated with the Hokage faction—especially the Shimura clan, which had been on the verge of collapse from internal strife and lack of support.
They had joined in targeting Uchiha back then, after all. Danzo may have led the charge, but Koharu and Homura had certainly followed.
Still, Homura sighed. "Let's notify the clan leaders. Even if it's a long shot, we have to try."
The Third Hokage nodded with weariness and returned to his seat. He knew the odds were poor, but he had no better option.
With the clans loyal to the Hokage swelling in size—not from talent, but from opportunistic breeding—the village economy couldn't support them all. These clans had little in the way of industry or land. Their ninja didn't farm, didn't manufacture, didn't run businesses. Their only livelihood came from what the village handed out.
"The day the village's funding dries up is the day these 'big' families vanish overnight," Hiruzen muttered to himself.
The summoned clan leaders arrived quickly, filing into the meeting room. Fugaku, now a familiar presence among them, took his seat quietly.
In recent months, the attitude toward Uchiha had softened significantly. The tension of the past was easing—at least on the surface. Even Hyuga Hiashi, once hesitant, now greeted Fugaku with a respectful nod.
The cooperation between the Uchiha and Hyuga clans had deepened. The Hyuga patrolled Uchiha's perimeter; Uchiha returned the favor. Their combined dojutsu coverage turned Konoha's internal surveillance into a fortress.
The Third Hokage had once hoped to monitor them using Anbu, but that was laughable now.
"Your Anbu didn't even notice Cloud Shinobi sneaking into Hiashi's daughter's bedroom," Hiashi had once snapped. "Meanwhile, Uchiha detected and followed them across half the village. Don't ever talk to me about protection again."
After that, the Hyuga clan had distanced themselves from the Hokage's supervision. Not with open hostility, but with icy independence.
Now, as the meeting began, Third Hokage cleared his throat.
"Everyone, thank you for coming. I called this assembly because of a development that affects every clan in the village..."
With those words, he attempted to shift the port issue away from being a Uchiha-only benefit and reframe it as a village-wide concern.
And just like that, the feeding frenzy began.
The moment he mentioned the harbor stationing and Uchiha's official appointment by the Daimyo, all eyes turned toward Fugaku. Some were curious. Others? Hungry.
"So... you Uchiha really managed to cozy up to the Daimyo, huh?"
Fugaku, sitting with eyes closed as though he were meditating, didn't react. He might as well have been attending a meditation class.
Then one clan head broke the silence.
"Clan Leader Fugaku, the Daimyo specifically named Uchiha to guard the port. What's your position on this?"
Fugaku opened one eye, as if disturbed from a nap. He gazed at the speaker with visible annoyance.
"Oh? He did? Then I'll head back and begin selecting personnel. No need to bring this up in a meeting—just send me a memo next time."
The room stiffened.
"But Clan Leader Fugaku," another elder offered carefully, "most Uchiha specialize in Fire Style jutsu. The seaside isn't really your terrain. If Mist Shinobi were to attack, wouldn't it be difficult for you alone—?"
"Difficult?" Fugaku sneered. "We Uchiha are built for war. Don't forget who held back Mist Shinobi on the coast during the Third Great Ninja War. We didn't lose then, and we won't now."
It was clear what Andrew had told Fugaku beforehand: Konoha will try to take a piece of this pie. Uchiha's stance? Don't know, don't accept, don't refuse.
In detail:
"Did the Daimyo ask Uchiha to take this position? Oh, we had no idea."
"Does Konoha want Uchiha to share this opportunity? Sorry, we can't accept."
"Will Uchiha refuse the Daimyo's request to take charge? Absolutely not."
"Andrew worked himself to the bone to secure this. And now you want to swoop in and claim a share?" Fugaku thought. "No. We're not your charity."
The Mitokado clan leader visibly deflated, unable to argue. The Uchiha's history against Mist Shinobi stood for itself.
Meanwhile, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio quietly exchanged glances and chose to stay out of it. While nominally part of the Hokage faction, they knew better than to tangle in political traps like this. Their clans had property. Their income was stable. No need to fight Uchiha over scraps.
"Clan Leader Fugaku," one of the smaller clan heads said hesitantly, "you Uchiha are a powerful clan, but there are many ninja in Konoha. Our people need jobs. If they can't earn, our village's fighting strength will decline."
"Exactly," another chimed in. "You Uchiha have businesses, you're wealthy. Please, consider asking the Daimyo to allow other clans to participate too."
It was obvious. These were the ninjas who lived off village stipends, many barely scraping by.
"Training a ninja is expensive," the speaker added. "We're not asking for handouts—just a chance to work."
That was the tipping point.
Fugaku's face darkened. He rose to his feet slowly, Sharingan spinning into Three Tomoe.
"Wait a damn minute," he growled. "We didn't ask for this assignment. The Daimyo chose us based on our proven strength. Are you saying that was wrong?"
The room went silent.
"You want jobs? We gave the police department back to the village! Half your clans are now working there—replacing us! And now you want the port too?"
His voice rang out through the room.
"You act like Uchiha has it easy. Like we didn't suffer. Like we didn't earn this. Do you think we're just going to roll over and hand you the rewards of our sacrifice?"
Third Hokage froze. He hadn't wanted conflict—just negotiation—but Fugaku had gone full Andrew-mode.
Since when did Fugaku become so aggressive? So... explosive?
He used to be cautious, repressed. But now—he channeled Andrew's fiery presence almost perfectly.
"Fugaku, calm down," Hiruzen said hastily.
But it was too late.
Fugaku turned his glare on him.
"Calm down? Why? Because every time Uchiha gains even a single step forward, the entire village tries to claw us back down? We're always the target, always the scapegoat."
"Do you mean to say you agree with them, Third Hokage?"
He dropped the honorific. That alone sent ripples through the room.
Sarutobi twitched slightly but kept his face composed.
"No, of course not. I only worried you might misunderstand the intention behind this meeting."
He sighed heavily. "In the past, when working with the Daimyo's offices, we used to assign ninja from various clans to build unity. This time, only Uchiha was assigned. I feared you'd believe the village was... distancing itself from the decision."
Fugaku didn't reply.
He didn't need to.
He turned and walked toward the door.
"The Daimyo has asked us to serve, and we will. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. I have a family to lead."
With that, he swept out of the room.
Behind him, a room full of stunned ninja leaders sat in silence.
The Fugaku of old was cautious and hesitant. Oppressed by village elders, torn by inner-clan politics, and afraid to assert himself. But that Fugaku was gone.
Under Andrew's guidance, Uchiha had unified. Their position in Konoha had strengthened. And their leader had learned to fight not just with fire—but with dignity.
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