Chapter 36: Elders' Meeting, Ruthlessly Torturing Many Elders!
Uchiha Clan Territory, Elders' Meeting Hall.
Today was Uchiha Akira's first time stepping into this place to attend a meeting as a Hawk Faction Elder. Uchiha Fugaku sat in the main seat, subtly observing this youngest Elder. Almost all the other Elders were also secretly observing this young Uchiha Elder.
Uchiha Akira ignored everyone's gazes and walked directly to his assigned seat and sat down.
"Cough." A senior Hawk Faction Elder, Uchiha Honoka, cleared his throat. "Akira, today is your first time attending an Elders' meeting. According to custom, newly appointed Elders need to first discuss their views on the future development of the clan."
Uchiha Akira slowly scanned every Elder present.
"Views? My view is simple: the current Uchiha, whether Hawk Faction or Dove Faction, have too many problems! If this continues, the Uchiha Clan's final outcome can only be destruction!"
A single stone stirred up a thousand waves! Uchiha Akira's words were beyond everyone's expectations! The atmosphere in the entire meeting hall became somewhat solidified.
"Presumptuous!" A hot-tempered Hawk Faction Elder slammed his hand on the table, glaring at Uchiha Akira, veins bulging on his forehead. "Uchiha Akira! What do you mean?! Do you mean that we old fellows, who have toiled for the clan for half our lives, don't see things as clearly as a greenhorn like you?! What gives you the right to say such things?"
Several other Hawk Faction Elders also showed displeasure, chiming in with words full of reprimand for Akira's "arrogant" attitude. They had expected Uchiha Akira to go along with their words, say some pleasantries, and at least first consolidate the unity within the Hawk Faction, giving them, the seniors, enough face. However, they didn't expect that as soon as Uchiha Akira opened his mouth, he would target the entire Uchiha decision-making layer, including those Hawk Faction Elders who supported his ascension!
Uchiha Akira ignored this and continued:
"Firstly, the Hawk Faction is blindly aggressive and lacks long-term strategy. They only know how to clamor for confrontation, but have no plan for how to gradually erode the Konoha high-level's power, how to unite all forces that can be united, and how to deal with a possible full-scale backlash! Your aggression is more like an impotent rage."
"Secondly, the Dove Faction is weak and gives in, deceiving themselves. They always think that compromise can bring peace and make the Konoha high-level drop their guard, but they fail to see that the Konoha high-level's apprehension and killing intent towards us have never diminished! Constant concession will only make the Uchiha's situation more difficult, eventually leading to a slow, frog-boiled demise!"
"Thirdly, the entire clan's intelligence is isolated, like frogs in a well. They are content with the Guard Team's pathetic intelligence network, knowing very little about the Konoha high-level's true trump cards and the dynamics of the various families in the Village!"
"Fourthly, the training system is outdated, and resource allocation is uneven, which is simply a waste of clan members' talents. They are still using methods from decades ago to train clan members, which is shockingly inefficient. Truly talented clan members are not given priority training, while some mediocre individuals occupy a large amount of resources instead!"
The Hawk Faction Elders' faces were ashen, as if they had swallowed flies. The Dove Faction Elders also looked embarrassed. For a moment, in the vast meeting hall, many Elders, and even the Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku, could not find a reason to refute. Because everything Uchiha Akira said was true!
"Hmph! Easier said than done!" Uchiha Honoka suppressed his anger, snorted coldly, trying to save some face. "Do you think we don't know about these problems? But the clan's long-standing problems are deeply entrenched. How can they be changed just because you say so? Furthermore, you are so young, with no management experience, and no experience in handling complex matters. What makes us believe you can do better?"
Another Dove Faction Elder also cautiously spoke: "Elder Akira, your ideas certainly have their merits, but they are too radical. I fear they might accelerate the conflict between the Uchiha and the Village, placing the clan in an irreversible dangerous situation. If not handled properly, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Uchiha Akira stood up and looked directly at Uchiha Honoka. "Just because problems have been deeply entrenched for a long time, does that mean we can complacently do nothing? Can we just watch the clan slide into the abyss? As for a dangerous situation? When are we Uchiha not in a dangerous situation! From the policies of the Second Hokage to the current Third Hokage's suspicion and suppression, which day have we not been walking on thin ice! Is this current situation of slow death, being at the mercy of others, and clan members seeing no hope, not a dangerous situation? As for offending the Konoha high-level? They have already pointed their butcher's knife at our necks! Our retreat will only make them more aggressive! It will only make them think we are weak and easily bullied! The current Uchiha must undergo reform! A thorough and complete reform!"
Just as the atmosphere in the meeting hall reached its peak tension, and a few Elders were already restless, ready to launch another attack, an old but powerful voice suddenly rang out.
Uchiha Yashiro suddenly spoke at this moment. "I… support Elder Uchiha Akira!" It was Uchiha Yashiro! The most powerful Grand Elder of the Hawk Faction!
Uchiha Yashiro took a deep breath. "A few days ago, Elder Akira privately sought me out and showed me a detailed plan for the Uchiha's development over the next few years, as well as… a deduction of the clan's fate under different strategies. Whether it's the Hawk Faction's aggression or the Dove Faction's concessions, the ultimate outcome will be… a tragic end."
That fate deduction and development plan were naturally precise analyses and simulations performed by the Family Growth System, combined with various variables input by Uchiha Akira. Uchiha Yashiro's prestige within the clan was extraordinary. His stance instantly changed the atmosphere in the meeting hall.
Those Hawk Faction Elders who were originally dissatisfied with Uchiha Akira's radical remarks now had to re-examine this young man and ponder the deeper meaning in Elder Yatsushiro's words. The Elders from the Dove Faction simply stopped speaking and chose to remain silent.
Uchiha Fugaku remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Since Elder Akira's reform plan has received Elder Yatsushiro's approval and concerns the future fate of our clan… then, a preliminary attempt can be made. However, Akira, you must understand that this power also means great responsibility. If your reforms fail, or lead the clan into a more dangerous situation, you will bear all the consequences."
Uchiha Akira met Fugaku's scrutinizing gaze: "I understand."
Ultimately, Uchiha Akira's reform plan was preliminarily approved by the Elders' meeting! Next, this youngest Uchiha Elder will carry out the initial reforms for the clan.