"Then everyone, settle down. The meeting is about to begin!" Fugaku stood at the very center of the circle and called out loudly.
But his words were hardly necessary—everyone was already seated in silence, waiting for Fugaku and the others to speak.
Fugaku swept his gaze around the room, pausing briefly on Saitama and the nearby Uchiha Bulk, a faint amused smile forming on his face.
"Then we shall now officially begin this meeting!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Fugaku sat down and pointed at a middle-aged man sitting near him, nodding slightly.
What followed was the usual family report session. Many department heads gave updates on their operations. Although they had all presented these reports at the year-end summary meeting, new developments had emerged over the past month.
Saitama couldn't contribute anything during this part and had no opportunity to speak either. So along with Uchiha Bulk—who also seemed bored—they started whispering quietly to each other. Fortunately, Uchiha Bulk had spent years within the Uchiha Clan and could introduce many people to Saitama—figures he had never heard of before.
"This is Uchiha Shane. He's a business genius. He himself is also a Chunin. It's said that he felt he'd exhausted his talent as a ninja. Plus, he suffered a lingering injury to his arm during a mission once, which led him to switch careers and become the head of our clan's business operations."
Saitama watched the man who stood up to speak—it was indeed the same middle-aged man he had met earlier by the shrine entrance.
"No wonder Fugaku seems to hold him in high regard," Saitama thought to himself, memorizing this man's appearance. He needed to understand who the key figures in the Uchiha Clan were, and Uchiha Shane likely belonged among the top tier.
"Right!" Saitama nodded. "He does look pretty sharp indeed." He leaned closer to Uchiha Bulk, whispering into his lowered ear.
"Shane truly is a business prodigy. The clan holds him in high regard. Since he often travels managing the clan's business affairs, he's visited many places. Every time he returns, he brings local delicacies (specialties unique to the region) for certain members of the clan."
Uchiha Bulk smiled. Uchiha Shane had once brought his father some secret-recipe medicine for rheumatism from a small country. Regardless of how effective it was, Bulk personally liked Shane quite a lot.
"Right!" Saitama agreed, watching Uchiha Shane stand up enthusiastically and share his experiences with the surrounding clansmen.
"Oh, by the way, Saitama. When do you think we can have a match? I've been really looking forward to fighting against you!"
Uchiha Bulk nudged Saitama lightly with his elbow, interrupting Saitama's thoughts.
"Eh... Sure! Whenever you're free, just come find me at the Clan Guards' Training Ground. I'll be staying there recently anyway."
"The Clan Guards'? Oh, I know where that is. Isn't it near the Security Force's area?"
"Yeah, that's exactly the place."
"Oh right, if it weren't for my age exceeding the limit, I would've joined the Clan Guards myself," Uchiha Bulk suddenly said, sounding a bit stunned.
"Eh..." Saitama turned his head sideways, focusing instead on another person who had risen to speak, without responding to Uchiha Bulk.
Indeed, there was an age restriction for joining the Clan Guards—you couldn't be older than twenty-four.
Because once a ninja passes this age, their career is basically set, making further cultivation unnecessary. Though there are exceptions, usually that's how it goes.
"Tell me about the Four Elders!" Saitama glanced at the several elders who seemed to hold high status and couldn't hide his curiosity.
"Huh, you don't even know that?" Uchiha Bulk gave Saitama an exasperated look.
"Uh, was I supposed to know?" Saitama scratched his head. Even he felt a bit awkward being stared at like an idiot by someone as big as Uchiha Bulk.
"Well then, I'll tell you about them!" Without dwelling on it, Bulk pulled his cushion a bit closer to Saitama.
"Do you know our Clan Compound is divided into four districts?"
"Uh, yeah," Saitama nodded.
"So that's why we have the Four Elders!" Bulk stated matter-of-factly.
"... " Saitama was momentarily speechless after hearing Bulk's blunt explanation.
"That's it?" Saitama couldn't quite believe it.
"One elder for each district, though there's actually more to it," Bulk continued.
Saitama nodded attentively.
"A long time ago, the Uchiha Clan was originally divided into four branches—four houses—and the Four Elders serve as representatives for these respective houses." Bulk paused briefly, glancing at the four old men seated in the center.
"The division of the Clan Compound into four districts originated from that tradition too. But over recent decades, these divisions haven't been emphasized much within the Uchiha, so the Elders don't really hold much power anymore—more like community office directors for each district. Is 'community office director' the right term, Saitama?"
Bulk nudged Saitama and asked.
"Uh, yeah, that's the term," Saitama nodded.
"But many matters within the clan still involve the Four Elders—people still seek their advice or discuss strategies with them. Despite losing influence, the Elders aren't looked down upon by others in the clan."
"Ah, right." Saitama wore a contemplative expression, never expecting the Uchiha had such a history.
"Now that we've finished listening to monthly reports about various businesses, let's move on to discussing current issues our clan needs to face!" At this point, some people had finished speaking, and Fugaku stood up to prepare for the next agenda item.
"As everyone knows, the Shinobi World has become increasingly unstable in recent years, especially in Konoha, which has been especially embroiled in conflict. The Uchiha Clan must shoulder its responsibilities accordingly."
Murmurs rose around him; many were deeply aware of the current situation.
"Right now, Konoha High-level authorities are also pressuring us, so before long, many of us here will head to the battlefield." Fugaku's tone was completely neutral, like sending the Uchiha forces to the frontline was purely his call.
"Er, mind if I say something?" The eldest-looking elder stood up, leaning on his cane. Although appearing frail, the motion was surprisingly smooth—he had been a retired ninja after all, with underlying strength remaining.
Fugaku nodded, gestured for quiet by pressing his hands downward slightly around him, and then sat back down.
"I'm already sixty-six years old now, probably the eldest among the Uchiha clan. Back in my youth, I personally witnessed Lord Madara's might." The elder stood up and began with these words instead of getting straight to the point.
The surrounding crowd didn't seem bored at all; on the contrary, everyone showed expressions of curiosity—including Saitama—because this was about none other than Madara Uchiha from the elder's story!
"Konoha was co-founded by the First Hokage and Lord Madara," continued the elder. "So everything related to Konoha also belongs partly to us Uchiha. Although the current position of the Uchiha in Konoha is plain for all to see, I won't elaborate further. However, we shouldn't therefore harbor any ill feelings toward Konoha."
"Where there are leaves, there is also fire. In the fire, there are our clansmen!" The elder slowly turned around on the spot, scanning faces across the crowd. He noticed quite a few people seemed unconvinced but refrained from challenging him due to his status. So he continued.
"You've all definitely heard this saying before, right?" asked the elder.
"The leaves symbolize a generation, and the fire embodies the essence of our Uchiha Clan!" At this point, his voice rose sharply, and his hand gripping the cane trembled visibly.
"Even though we currently haven't obtained our rightful place within Konoha, it remains undeniably our home! Therefore, when our home comes under threat, shouldn't we step out to repel invaders?!" After shouting these words, he struck the cane forcefully against the floor and sat back down.
The entire courtyard fell silent. Many had never heard such an interpretation of those words before, and found themselves feeling differently about Konoha for the first time.
Fugaku bowed his head slightly, eyes looking deep and distant. He knew that in recent years, as the Uchiha's influence had been on the decline in Konoha, many members had become resentful toward the village's leadership. They always felt Konoha had no room left for the Uchiha, deliberately targeting them at every turn, thus responding secretly one way while publicly agreeing otherwise.
"Indeed, Elder Willow makes a certain point. The Uchiha's position isn't something given freely by others. To restore our former high standing like in Lord Madara's era requires joint effort from everyone. This war may very well be just such an opportunity!" Another elder shared his view.
"These old-timers still make sense—so how did everything go so wrong in the end?" Saitama stayed seated quietly, remaining silent outwardly. Yet after listening to both elders' speeches, questions swirled inside him. After all, the Uchiha afterwards were clearly preparing for rebellion, ultimately resulting in their extermination.
"My opinion aligns closely with the elder's. Indeed, going onto the battlefield would impose heavy losses upon our clan, yet simultaneously represents a rare opportunity for the Uchiha Clan. Exactly how things unfold depends upon the performance each of you displays during battle shortly," Fugaku added, his tone brimming with hope—an optimism directed toward an uncertain future. After all, the decision for the Uchiha to join the battle had already been made and the names selected. It certainly doesn't hurt to look on the bright side.
Many of the Jonin present weren't very old—most were in their thirties or represented a new generation in their twenties. They hadn't personally experienced the glorious era of the Uchiha clan, yet this didn't stop them from imagining themselves as the person who had led the entire clan toward prosperity.
Many people's breathing became heavy, including that of Uchiha Bulk sitting beside Saitama. Saitama was naturally inspired too. In his heart, the best possible future he envisioned for the Uchiha was peaceful coexistence with Konoha, even regaining a position within its leadership. As for whether it was feasible—well, isn't that exactly why we should try? Isn't taking action what everyone's supposed to do with an optimistic and positive mindset?
Though such a goal appeared full of risks and obstacles, it was still the best possible outcome. Was it really better for the entire clan to migrate out of Konoha or face annihilation?
"Everyone should have already received the list of personnel heading to the frontline. Most Jonin here are included. Next, I will assign specific squads. Once you're on the battlefield, do your best to stay in your squads—at least unless the general has other plans!" Fugaku Uchiha added with a small joke, prompting laughter from many in attendance.
As for the general refusing squad formations? That definitely wouldn't happen. Though the battlefield might seem like total chaos, battles were still subtly carried out primarily by squads.
"Uchiha Bulk! Do you have something to say?" Fugaku Uchiha noticed Bulk raising his hand like a grizzly bear seated there, signaling him to speak.
"Clan Head, I've applied to go to the southern battlefield!" Uchiha Bulk stood up, his thunderous voice reverberating over everyone's heads.
"Hmm, I rejected your request long ago. Didn't you see that?" Fugaku smiled and asked in return.
"Huh? When?" A bit confused, Uchiha Bulk scratched his head cluelessly.
"Sit down already, you're embarrassing us!" One elder spoke, the so-called "old man" in Bulk's words, who was actually the youngest among several elders judging by age.
"I knew it was you, old man! It must've been you, right!" Bulk immediately figured it out, yelling indignantly at the elder.
"Hmph!" Knowing where they were, Bulk expressed his dissatisfaction briefly before sulking back into his seat, glaring at his old man with eyes wide open.
Meanwhile, Bulk's father turned red-faced from the exposure, turning his head away to avoid making eye contact with Uchiha Bulk.
This was just a minor incident; the meeting continued as Fugaku brought up several pressing issues facing the Uchiha clan, opening the floor for suggestions and different viewpoints.
Once this meeting started rolling, it reminded Saitama of those mandatory morning meetings from his past life—but time dragged on much longer here. After all, these were ninjas, so greater endurance was expected.
"Alright, that's it for today! Everyone is dismissed!"
The moon already hung high in the sky, and the meeting ended just past eleven at night. Saitama sat there feeling sore and achy.
At Fugaku's words, everyone began rising slowly to leave, naturally prompting Saitama to stand up and stretch his body a few times.
"Saitama!" Fugaku Uchiha called him, signaling Saitama to come over.
"What's up, Captain?" Moving through the dispersing crowd, Saitama walked over.
"Hello, Elders!"
The Four Elders hadn't left yet, surrounding Fugaku. Saitama naturally greeted them respectfully.
"Hello!" The elders were also approachable, showing no hint of the arrogance you'd expect from a declining clan.
"So you're Saitama! I've heard Bulk mention you often, saying you accomplished what he himself couldn't achieve. Indeed, even a hero comes from the young generation!" Uchiha Bulk's father spoke first.
"Hehe!" Saitama let out a shy smile appropriate for his age.
"Good job!" Elder Willow patted Saitama on the shoulder. His face radiated a red glow, clearly not as frail as Saitama had speculated.
"Well then, we old men will be off first. You youngsters keep it up!" The elders smiled encouragingly at Saitama and departed together.
Hardly had they gone when Bulk blocked his father's path, beginning an argument with flushed cheeks. Standing nearby, both Saitama and Fugaku could sense Bulk's frustration.
"How did it feel? That's basically how our clan meetings are—still quite a pleasant atmosphere, right?" Fugaku put his arm around Saitama's shoulders, affectionately like a mentor embracing his disciple, bypassing the arguing Uchiha father and son, walking toward the shrine exit from another direction.
"Not bad," Saitama slightly nodded. Compared to the rival Haku family—their household was divided into two factions who constantly looked down upon each other, with obvious class distinctions—this clan's atmosphere was much better.
"This time when forming teams, I'll directly assign you as Jonin. Get ready to become a team captain!" Upon exiting the shrine, Fugaku patted Saitama's shoulder and then headed home. They each went their separate ways.
Saitama stood still, watching the clanspeople disperse into the darkness. His eyes held a calmness unusual for someone his age.
Once everyone disappeared from sight, Saitama turned back and went home.
"A thought drifted through Saitama's mind as he walked. 'So late now—I wonder if Grandma Ka Po-pu is already asleep.'"
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