Hiruzen looked at the pile of documents in front of him, which were all trivial matters, and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
In the Hokage Building, there were over thirty Ninja responsible for administrative duties, including strategists like Shikato Nara who had repeatedly proven their capabilities.
Yet, why did it always feel like, despite these dozens of people working tirelessly for years, the changes brought to the village were not as significant as the results Tatsuma managed to achieve during his recent short vacation?
The points Tatsuma had just raised had made Hiruzen break out in a cold sweat.
Kushina had been kidnapped just over half a year ago, and the lingering fear had not yet dissipated. Suddenly, it was reported that the Hidden Cloud Village was still targeting the main family of the Hyuga Clan, and this information was actually uncovered by the Uchiha.
In response to the Hidden Cloud Village's abduction of Kushina, the village had taken considerable measures, significantly damaging the reputation of the Cloud Jonin Leader who orchestrated the plot.
It was initially thought that this would make the Hidden Cloud Village more restrained, but now it was discovered that the Hidden Cloud Village had Tsuyui lurking in the background. With the Cloud Jonin Leader's setback, Tsuyui, as a potential successor, now had an excuse to take action.
If there were changes among the Elders in the Hidden Cloud Village in the future, and Tsuyui were to take the position of Jonin leader, the next surprise attack on Konoha might target the main family of the Hyuga Clan.
With such hawkish elements around, all of Konoha's Kekkei Genkai and Secret Jutsu clans would be in constant unrest. The Hidden Cloud Village's history of abducting ninjas from other villages was not an isolated incident, and if Konoha's Kekkei Genkai and Secret Jutsu were to leak out, Hiruzen knew the critical importance of this issue.
And this was just one of the important matters mentioned by Tatsuma.
Another crucial issue was the Uchiha's desire to reconcile with the village, or more specifically, to improve relations with the Hokage's faction.
Addressing extreme hawks like Tsuyui from other villages was considered an external threat, while the Uchiha's willingness to align with the Hokage faction was an internal matter.
The friction between the Uchiha and the Hokage's faction had a long history. It started from the time Madara missed the position of the First Hokage when the village was founded, to Madara's departure and the subsequent internal strife within the Uchiha clan, which led to the village's severe exclusion of them.
During the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama's administration, Uchiha Setsuna's rebellion, though suppressed by Senju Tobirama without causing a major upheaval, had ignited considerable discontent among the Uchiha.
The radical faction within the Uchiha began from this period, and the current Uchiha Clan Head was also a member of this radical faction. Over the years, Hiruzen had attempted to win them over through appeasement, but all efforts had ended in failure.
However, now that he had given up and planned to wait for the next Uchiha Clan Head to take office before trying to build relations again, Tatsuma had brought him good news.
As for Uchiha Tenko awakening his Sharingan and Hyuga Sento and Nawaki wanting to learn the forbidden technique Eight Inner Gates, these issues seemed minor compared to the first two matters.
Regarding the internal strife in the Land of Water, Yamanaka Okane had already briefed him. The delay in decision-making was because the analysis team was still evaluating the pros and cons of different plans.
Tatsuma raised these issues not because he believed Hiruzen was unaware but because the more distractions there were, the easier it was for the other party to overlook the hidden agendas or the true focus.
Hiruzen pondered for a while and then waved toward the darkness. A lazy, disinterested young man emerged from the shadows and, with a barely respectful tone, asked, "Hokage-sama, what is your command?"
"Be a listener."
After the succinct instruction, Hiruzen turned his attention back to Tatsuma. He had nothing against Nara Shikaku but found Shikaku's personality difficult to engage with. While Shikaku was indeed competent, he was better suited as a source of answers rather than as a conversational partner.
Tatsuma, on the other hand, was different. He was intelligent, articulate, and sometimes managed to provide answers to Hiruzen without directly revealing the solution, making Hiruzen seem wise.
"How do you view the Uchiha situation?"
Hearing this, Tatsuma did not shy away from the topic since it was something he had brought up. Avoiding it now would seem overly affected, so he shared his thoughts based on his reflections from last night:
"I suspect that the Uchiha clan will complete their transfer of power sooner rather than later. I haven't interacted with Uchiha Taku, so I'm unsure of his attitude and methods. However, I have had some interaction with Uchiha Fugaku. Although it was brief, it was enough to notice some of his traits. Compared to the stereotypical image of Uchiha, he lacks a certain demeanor or quality."
"What quality?"
Hiruzen asked with curiosity. He was familiar with Uchiha Taku but not with Uchiha Fugaku, making this a good opportunity for mutual insight. Tatsuma did not keep him guessing and continued:
"Uchiha Fugaku has a fierce appearance, especially with his harsh eyes that can easily intimidate others. Yet, his eyes lack sharpness, missing the predatory intensity. I once heard a story about an excellent painter who, when painting a dragon, always left the final touches until the end. Without that final touch, the dragon had form but no spirit."
"Uchiha Fugaku is like a dragon in a painting without its final touch, possessing a fierce appearance but lacking the true spirit of ferocity. Once you get to know him, it's easy to see his mediocrity."
Upon hearing Tatsuma's assessment, Hiruzen reflected for a moment. Tatsuma had already delivered the answer, so he naturally spoke it out:
"His father, in contrast, was without a fierce appearance but possessed a true aura of ferocity. When he initially secured the position of Clan Head, it seemed like a difficult and risky venture, but in reality, he managed a storm of blood and chaos. He solidified his position as Uchiha Clan Head with an iron fist, earning a lot of resentment from Uchiha clan members. However, under his iron fist, there was little turmoil.
If what you say is true, Uchiha Fugaku might find it difficult to hold onto the Clan Head position. No wonder you concluded that the Uchiha are on the verge of a power transition. Uchiha Taku is, in fact, using the village to support his son's position as Clan Head. But then again, what father would willingly send their child into a real wolf pack?"
Shikaku, who was listening to their conversation, displayed a look of confusion. He had heard from his father that his father had secured the Clan Head position with just one sentence:
"For matters related to the village, I will handle them."
Then other candidates happily went off to tend to their own affairs, unwilling to stay in the village for fear of being pulled into the advisory council. Clan Head was a position with many responsibilities and often ended up being a thankless job, so why would it be worth competing for? Shikaku didn't understand. He was even scouting for peers to see if he could shift the responsibility onto them later.
Hiruzen glanced at the distracted Shikaku and, seeing no point in having him share his thoughts, continued to ask: "Tatsuma, do you think the village will benefit from this situation?"
"Stabilizing the Uchiha is actually the greatest benefit for the village."
Tatsuma looked at Hiruzen and said, "The Uchiha are indeed the most rebellious among the village's clans, but it cannot be denied that they are extremely important to the village. During the Second Shinobi World War, with the village engaged on multiple fronts, if the Uchiha hadn't withstood the pressure from the north, our western and northwestern fronts would have been in chaos."
Even in peacetime, the Uchiha play an irreplaceable role in maintaining village security. After all, apart from the Uchiha, no other clan has the strength and determination to fully take on the security responsibilities.
If the Uchiha clan becomes internally unstable, it sends a signal of diminishing military strength to external parties and causes internal unrest, halting or even reversing the progress of order and legal systems within the village. If a radical faction hostile to the village rises to power within the Uchiha, the village would have to invest even more effort, manpower, and time to address the situation, potentially causing negative effects on other ninja clans as well.
Tatsuma's analysis made Hiruzen nod continuously, but he did not verbally agree or offer any opinion on how to handle the matter.
After a pause, Tatsuma realized that he had not yet persuaded Hiruzen, so he thought for a moment and said, "Of course, the village cannot intervene in the internal affairs of other clans without reason."
With this topic introduced, Hiruzen's eyes brightened slightly. Tatsuma was quite insightful; if Hiruzen had brought up this topic, it would have seemed excessive.
But having a young man who cares deeply about the village and has no direct ties to village administration bring it up is more fitting.
Noting Hiruzen's reaction, Tatsuma knew that Hiruzen was setting a trap for him, but he was willing to fall into it and continued:
"Although the village and the Uchiha currently maintain a lukewarm relationship, ultimately, the Uchiha are still part of Konoha. Over the years, the village has overly indulged the internal self-differentiation within the Uchiha. As a result, there have even been voices within the Uchiha opposing the village.
The village can naturally help the Uchiha with a peaceful transfer of power without charge, but I personally believe that the development of ninja clans should be orderly and steady. Freedom of expression should also be constrained by principles. The village's assistance in elevating the new Uchiha Clan Head should be reciprocated by the new Clan Head, improving the compatibility between the Uchiha and the village.
Any statements detrimental to the village's unity and friendliness should be rectified, and at the same time, the Uchiha and the village should establish a deeper cooperative relationship. The village can also appropriately allow some sensitive positions to be approached by the Uchiha, such as ANBU, so that the Uchiha can further understand the village's inclusive spirit. What do you think, Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen nodded but his brow remained furrowed. He pressed down the nearly extinguished tobacco in his pipe, took a couple more puffs, and then said:
"Direct intervention by the village in ninja clan affairs is, in principle, not allowed."
His speech was slow, and after each statement, he paused to smoke. Tatsuma was not at all anxious because principles that are stated as not allowed can sometimes be overridden, and what is theoretically feasible can sometimes be practically implemented.
Tatsuma waited patiently, and Hiruzen eventually continued:
"However, there are always exceptions to every rule. While the village does not intervene in ninja clan affairs, it cannot simply ignore internal strife within a clan.
Every ninja clan, every ninja, is a crucial part of the village. Disturbances within a clan can affect the village and even beyond. Moreover, when a clan itself requests assistance, it is the village's responsibility and obligation to help, ensuring that the clan develops in a better and more orderly manner.
But this matter involves many aspects, and I cannot make a decision on my own. It requires further internal discussions. Of course, we should also avoid causing unnecessary concern among the village members."
"Here's the plan, Tatsuma. Since you are familiar with Uchiha Fugaku, go and investigate whether there are indeed any difficulties within the Uchiha clan to avoid excessive worry from the village. Once you have assessed the situation, finalize the stance accordingly.
As for your suggestion about letting Uchiha join the ANBU, I understand your idea. After it's implemented, just have Sakumo handle the recommendation and approval process."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Tatsuma took the order but then showed a troubled expression and said, "Hokage-sama."
"Do you have any concerns?"
Hiruzen asked kindly. Tatsuma nodded and frankly said, "I'm short on funds."
"Then the village will reimburse you for the related expenses."
"It's hard to work without resources."
Hiruzen gave Tatsuma a strange look. After a moment, he took out his wallet, pulled out a large stack of cash, and said, "Spend wisely and don't forget the Ninja's three rules."
He paused and then added, "Also, don't let the bond between master and disciple be tainted by money."
"Thank you for the advice."
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