Chapter 22: The Olive Branch from the Hawks
Uchiha Akira's stunning performance in the Guard's Elite Assessment made the entire Uchiha Clan take notice. Independently developed an A-rank Ninjutsu! His strength completely overwhelmed the combined efforts of three veteran Chūnin! This record was enough to silence most of the arrogant Uchiha. Even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally summoned Uchiha Akira, praising and encouraging him. He also extensively preached his Will of Fire, attempting to brainwash Uchiha Akira. In response, Akira felt nothing; he was not Shisui or Itachi.
After ending his conversation with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Uchiha Akira received an invitation from Tekka.
Guard Department, Deputy Captain's Office. "Akira, your performance in this Elite Assessment truly brought great honor to our Uchiha Clan!" Uchiha Tekka looked at Akira with full appreciation.
Uchiha Akira bowed slightly. "Deputy Captain Tekka, you flatter me. I merely did what I should have done."
"No, what you did far exceeded all of our expectations." Uchiha Tekka restrained his smile. "Akira, you should be aware that our Uchiha Clan's situation in the Village is not good."
"Here it comes," Akira understood in his heart, knowing the main topic was beginning.
Tekka continued, "After the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Incident, the Village's higher-ups' suspicion and vigilance towards us have increased daily. The Guard's authority has been repeatedly weakened, and our clan compound has been relocated to the Village's outskirts—this is nothing short of a disguised imprisonment!"
Uchiha Tekka's tone was filled with strong dissatisfaction and anger. "And Fugaku... Alas, he always worries too much, looking before and behind, constantly retreating and compromising, hoping to gain the Village's trust. But what was the result? All he got was intensified suppression! We Uchiha are one of Konoha's founding families! We possess the ninja world's strongest Bloodline Limit! Why should we suffer such unfair treatment?!"
The more Tekka spoke, the more agitated he became, veins bulging on the back of his hands. Uchiha Akira remained silent throughout. He knew this was the Hawk Faction testing his stance. At this moment, it was best to maintain a neutral attitude. Leaning too early towards one faction was not conducive to Akira's development. For Akira, both the Hawk Faction and the Dove Faction were essentially Uchiha; it was just that their respective ideologies differed. Akira's subsequent goal was to unify the two factions, integrating the entire Uchiha's strength, rather than allowing the two factions to consume each other, as Uchiha Fugaku did. A Uchiha Clan united as one rope was the strongest Uchiha.
After a long while, Tekka's emotions finally calmed down a bit. "Akira, you are still young, but your strength and talent have already proven your extraordinary nature. I want to hear your thoughts on the future of the family."
Uchiha Akira pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke. "Deputy Captain Tekka, I believe the family's honor and interests are above all else. Whether it's the Hawk Faction or the Dove Faction, their ultimate goal should be the prosperity and strength of the Uchiha Clan. As for how to achieve this goal… I believe history has proven countless times that dignity and status are never gained through compromise and retreat, but through iron and blood, through absolute strength, to fight for and to defend!"
"I will only make the most beneficial choices for the family. Any force that obstructs the rise of the Uchiha Clan, whether from within or outside the Village, will be my, Uchiha Akira's, enemy!"
Akira's words expressed a firm stance without explicitly taking sides, leaving himself enough room to maneuver. Uchiha Tekka was first stunned upon hearing this, then his eyes erupted with a light of pleasant surprise.
"The family's honor and interests are above all else…" Tekka murmured this phrase. Unlike Fugaku's indecisive and peace-seeking "Dove Faction," Uchiha Akira's ideology was exactly what the Hawk Faction needed.
"Akira, with your words, I am relieved!" Tekka sat down again, his tone becoming more intimate. "From now on, in the Guard, if there's anything you need my help with, just ask! I, Uchiha Tekka, will definitely support you with all my might!"
Uchiha Akira smiled slightly. "Thank you, Deputy Captain Tekka." He knew that his words had successfully gained Uchiha Tekka's trust.
[Ding! Detected an increase in Uchiha Tekka's loyalty to the host!]
[Uchiha Tekka: Loyalty 70% → 80% (Trust and Expectation)]
The system's notification confirmed Akira's judgment. "Very good, the Hawk Faction line is established," Akira thought to himself. To control the Uchiha Clan in a short period, his own strength alone was far from enough. He needed allies, he needed supporters. And Uchiha Tekka and the Hawk Faction behind him were undoubtedly the best targets to win over at this stage.
"Clan Head Fugaku's side cannot be completely abandoned either," Akira mused, "but his conservative thinking is deeply ingrained, and changing him is too difficult. It's better to accumulate strength first, gradually dismantle his influence within the clan, and eventually replace him!"
Within the Uchiha, while the Hawk Faction acted aggressively, they lacked a leader who could truly command respect and possess sufficient wisdom and cunning. Uchiha Tekka had courage but lacked strategy. As for the few Hawk Faction Elders, they were remnants of the old era; they were fine for rallying cries, but they lacked the necessary courage to lead the Hawk Faction.
And he, Uchiha Akira, with his understanding far exceeding this era and the "Family Growth System" as his heaven-defying golden finger, had absolute confidence in becoming the one to lead the Hawk Faction, and even the entire Uchiha Clan, towards a more glorious future.
Just as Uchiha Akira was gradually accumulating prestige within the clan and establishing initial contact with the Hawk Faction, an urgent mission from Konoha's Intelligence Department was sent to the Guard. The mission specifically requested that the newly promoted Elite Chūnin, Uchiha Akira, lead his team to execute it.
"An A-rank mission from the Intelligence Department? Specifically for Akira?"
"Are you kidding? Akira just got promoted to Elite Chūnin, didn't he? Although he's very strong, an A-rank mission is no joke!"
"And it's an Intelligence Department mission, which usually involves classified information and special methods, making it more difficult than a typical A-rank mission."
In the Guard's office, many old members discussed animatedly, their words carrying a hint of doubt and confusion. Uchiha Akira took the mission scroll and read it carefully.
[Mission Level: A-rank]
[Mission Objective: Pursue and capture the rogue medical ninja—Noha Saburo, and retrieve the Konoha S-rank medical Kinjutsu data he is carrying.]
[Mission Description: Noha Saburo, secret identity as a high-level spy from the 'Root' organization, possesses a large amount of Konoha's core medical techniques and 'Root' intelligence. He defected three days ago, and his whereabouts are unknown. This person has extremely strong anti-reconnaissance abilities and may possess special combat methods. He must be captured alive; if he offers strong resistance, killing is permitted, but it must be ensured that the Kinjutsu data is not leaked or destroyed.]
[Assigned Team: Uchiha Akira's Team]
[Mission Initiator: Konoha Intelligence Department (Hiruzen Sarutobi's special approval)]
"Noha Saburo…" Akira's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Hiruzen Sarutobi's special approval…" "It seems Hokage-sama can't hold back anymore!" A blatant test, a test of Uchiha Akira's strength and his attitude.