Chapter 29: Meeting with the Hawk Elder, Uchiha Yashiro
Uchiha Akira was promoted to Jōnin. The Hawk Faction of the Uchiha Clan was unprecedentedly invigorated! This was yet another genius from the Uchiha.
Unlike Uchiha Shisui, who, as a descendant of Uchiha Kagami and with thoughts leaning towards the Konoha higher-ups, was a born Dove Faction member. Another genius, Itachi, as the son of the Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku, was also influenced to lean towards the Konoha higher-ups, even joining the Anbu to serve.
Uchiha Akira, however, was different. He did not belong to any faction and was a genius who could be won over. If Uchiha Akira joined the Hawk Faction, he might truly be able to raise the Hawk Faction's banner and help them achieve their long-held aspirations.
The day after his promotion, Uchiha Akira received a private meeting invitation from Elder Uchiha Yashiro. Uchiha Yashiro was one of the oldest and most influential representatives of the Hawk Faction within the Uchiha Clan. He had a strong personality and sharp methods, consistently advocating that the Uchiha should adopt a tougher stance to gain greater power and status in Konoha.
The meeting took place in Elder Uchiha Yashiro's private residence, in a quaint and elegant tea room.
"Akira, sit." Elder Uchiha Yashiro, dressed in a traditional Uchiha dark kimono, sat cross-legged, his eyes still as sharp as an eagle's despite his old age. He personally poured a cup of fragrant tea for Uchiha Akira.
"Thank you, Elder Uchiha Yashiro," Uchiha Akira nodded slightly, speaking politely.
"Haha, no need to be so polite." Elder Uchiha Yashiro put down the teapot and looked at Akira with burning eyes, full of undisguised admiration. "I've heard about your performance in becoming a Jōnin. Well done! Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and that incredibly powerful S-rank composite Ninjutsu… Tsk tsk, truly astonishing talent! Our Uchiha Clan hasn't seen such a brilliant junior like you in a long time! Akira, you are the hope for the revival of our Uchiha!" Elder Uchiha Yashiro said excitedly.
Uchiha Akira picked up the teacup, took a gentle sip, and listened quietly. He knew that Elder Uchiha Yashiro's reason for seeking him out today was not merely to offer a few compliments.
"Akira, at such a young age, you possess such strength and insight; I presume you also have your own views on the current situation of our Uchiha Clan in the Village, don't you?" Uchiha Yashiro paused, a flicker of dissatisfaction and helplessness in his eyes.
"That Fugaku… Sigh, he's too soft! Since the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Incident, the Village's higher-ups' suspicion and suppression of our Uchiha have intensified! The Guard Team's authority has been repeatedly weakened, our clan's territory moved to the Village's outskirts, and clan members' movements are even monitored by the Anbu! You've seen all this, haven't you? Fugaku, however, only knows how to constantly retreat and compromise! He thinks this will bring peaceful coexistence? It's simply a pipe dream! Constant compromise will only make those people think our Uchiha are weak and easily bullied, and it will only marginalize our status further!" Elder Uchiha Yashiro grew more agitated as he spoke.
"We, the Uchiha, are one of the founding elders of Konoha! We possess the powerful Bloodline Limit of the Sharingan! How much blood have we shed for the Village, how many clan members have we sacrificed?! Why should we suffer such unfair treatment?! The Uchiha Clan needs a stronger, more decisive leader! A leader who can guide us out of this predicament and win true dignity and power in Konoha!"
Uchiha Yashiro's meaning was already crystal clear. If Uchiha Akira joined the Hawk Faction, the Hawk Faction would fully support him, even pushing him onto the Clan Head's throne.
The atmosphere in the tea room became somewhat subtle for a moment. Uchiha Akira remained silent throughout, his face calm and unreadable, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts. Only after Elder Uchiha Yashiro finished speaking did Uchiha Akira slowly put down his teacup.
"Elder Uchiha Yashiro, I understand everything you've said. In my view, whether it's the Hawk Faction or the Dove Faction, their ultimate goal is the continuation and development of the Uchiha Clan. The glory and interests of the family are above all else. Currently, I do not wish to take sides too early, but I do agree with the Hawk Faction's philosophy: the weak can only hope for the strong's pity. The Uchiha should not compromise as they are now! Compromise is either once or countless times, and the current predicament of the Uchiha Clan is a result of Clan Head Fugaku's repeated compromises."
Uchiha Yashiro stared intently at Uchiha Akira, as if trying to see through the young man completely. After a long while, he burst into hearty laughter!
"Good! Well said! Too well said!" Elder Uchiha Yashiro was exceptionally pleased with Uchiha Akira's answer! This young man was even more intelligent, ambitious, and decisive than he had imagined! He wasn't some hothead who could be easily incited, but a true pragmatist with his own independent thoughts and the courage to act upon them! Only such a person could potentially become the true leader of the Hawk Faction in the future! And even… become the future leader of the entire Uchiha Clan!
[Ding! System prompt: Uchiha Yashiro's 'attention' to the host has significantly increased!]
[Ding! System prompt: Uchiha Yashiro's 'loyalty' to the host has shown a slight increase (30%)!]
The system's prompt sounded in Uchiha Akira's mind. After this conversation, Uchiha Akira decided to consciously display his vigilance and dissatisfaction towards the Konoha higher-ups, especially towards Danzō and the 'Root' division. This was to cater to the Hawk Faction's sentiments and deepen his connection with them.
Of course, he, Uchiha Akira, would never become anyone's pawn. Uchiha Akira was confident that with his strength far exceeding ordinary people and the 'Clan Growth System' as his heaven-defying golden finger, he would ultimately make all Hawk Faction members willingly submit to him! And use this as a stepping stone to eventually control the entire Uchiha Clan!
"Akira, you are a smart child." Elder Uchiha Yashiro's smile did not fade. "This old man believes that the future of the Uchiha, in your hands, will surely regain its glory!"
"Elder, you flatter me." Uchiha Akira replied modestly.
The two conversed for an entire morning before Uchiha Akira took his leave from Uchiha Yashiro's residence. In this meeting, both parties achieved their respective goals. Uchiha Akira would now receive the Hawk Faction's support, and the Hawk Faction had ascertained Uchiha Akira's attitude, knowing that his stance leaned towards them.
No sooner had this meeting concluded than Uchiha Akira received another invitation, this time from the representative of the Dove Faction, Uchiha Shisui. This was the change brought about by increased strength and status; the current Uchiha Akira had become the object of contention and recruitment for both the Uchiha Hawk Faction and Dove Faction.