The night was as dark as ink, and the streets of Konoha Village were shrouded in a thin mist.
The light of the streetlights diffused in the mist, appearing exceptionally hazy.
Uchiha Akira and Tsunade walked side by side on the quiet street, their footsteps echoing in the empty alley.
Tsunade stood with her arms crossed, her gaze fixed straight ahead, her golden hair gently swaying in the night wind.
"Thank you for what happened just now."
Tsunade suddenly spoke, her voice softer than it had been during the meeting.
Akira glanced at her from the side.
"I merely spoke the truth; the importance of Medical Ninja is beyond doubt."
Tsunade stopped, turned to face Akira, her bright brown eyes sparkling with a complex light in the night.
"But to be honest, I didn't expect someone from the Uchiha Clan to stand up and support me."
Akira shrugged, his tone indifferent.
"Uchiha are also members of Konoha, aren't they?
Besides, I only did what I believed was right."
Tsunade stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly chuckled softly.
"You're quite different from other Uchiha."
"Perhaps."
Akira looked up at the night sky, his voice low.
"Those who have experienced loss will always appreciate things more."
Tsunade paused slightly, the emotions in her eyes fluctuating.
"You... also have someone you've lost?"
Akira was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I went on a mission to Hidden Rain Village a few days ago.
His name was on the casualty list this time..."
Tsunade's expression gradually softened, and she sighed softly.
"War... it's truly a hateful thing."
Akira looked at Tsunade.
"So, I can fully understand your feelings."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade's fists instinctively clenched, but then quickly relaxed.
She tried to keep her voice steady.
"He was so young, he clearly could have lived..."
Akira knew Tsunade was referring to her younger brother, Nawaki, and did not respond.
He stood quietly by her side, letting the night wind brush against the hems of their clothes.
Sometimes, silent companionship is more powerful than any words.
A moment later, Tsunade seemed to have composed herself.
She turned her head to look at Akira, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"However, meeting you today has put my mind at ease a little."
Akira smiled back.
"It's my honor to put your mind at ease."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"You smooth-talking kid, you should call me Lady Tsunade!"
"Kid? I'm not small anymore."
Akira said with a smile.
"Besides, in terms of age, you're not much older than me, are you?"
Tsunade snorted softly but did not retort.
The two continued walking forward, the atmosphere much more relaxed than before.
"It's late, I'll walk you home!"
"Huh? Can you?"
Tsunade was stunned for a moment, thinking about the locations of the Senju Clan Grounds and the Uchiha Clan Grounds...
It didn't seem to be on the way.
"Never mind, it's so late, I don't want you to go out of your way..."
"It's fine, I wanted to take a walk anyway!"
The two strolled along, the night wind blowing with a hint of coolness.
Akira took off his jacket and gently draped it over Tsunade's shoulders.
Tsunade was surprised for a moment but did not refuse.
"Thank you."
She said in a low voice.
Throughout the walk, neither of them spoke again, but the atmosphere was not awkward.
It wasn't until they arrived in front of the Senju Clan's residence that Tsunade stopped.
"We're here."
She turned around.
"Thank you for walking me home."
Tsunade hesitated, then suddenly said,
"If you're free tomorrow at noon, I'll wait for you at the barbecue restaurant."
Akira was startled for a moment, this was...
Tsunade noticed Akira staring directly at her, and her gaze became a little evasive.
"It's just a simple meal to thank you."
Akira nodded.
"Alright, it's a deal."
Tsunade waved her hand and turned to walk into the residence.
Akira watched her disappearing back until she was gone, then turned to leave.
However, as soon as he had walked a few steps, several dark figures in the shadows instantly vanished.
Uchiha Akira naturally sensed them.
But he didn't care, walking briskly towards the Clan Grounds.
Just as he arrived at the Clan Grounds.
"Uchiha Akira."
A low voice came from the shadows.
Akira stopped, slowly turned around, and saw Uchiha Yashiro standing not far away, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
"Senior Yashiro, have you been waiting long?"
Akira's tone was calm.
Uchiha Yashiro looked at him coldly.
"The clan has something for you, come with me."
Akira narrowed his eyes, silent for a moment.
"Please lead the way, Senior!"
He did not refuse.
Following Uchiha Yashiro through the deep corridors, the surrounding lanterns swayed in the night wind, casting mottled light and shadows.
Deep within the mansion, a spacious Japanese-style room came into view.
Pushing the door open, a chilling aura immediately enveloped him.
Inside the Japanese-style room, the lights were bright.
Over a dozen sharp gazes simultaneously shot towards Akira, as if to pierce him through.
The various elders of the clan, seated on both sides, all had expressions of displeasure on their faces.
"Uchiha Akira, do you know your crime?"
An elder with white hair and beard was the first to speak, his voice as cold as a knife.
Akira's expression remained unchanged; he bowed slightly.
"I do not know how Akira has offended the elders."
"Presumptuous!"
Another elder slammed the table and rose, glaring at Uchiha Akira.
"You openly supported the Senju Clan's proposal in the meeting today, where does that leave the Uchiha Clan's stance?
Have you forgotten our grievances with the Senju Clan?"
Akira raised his head, his gaze calmly sweeping over everyone.
"Grievances? May I ask, Elder, what is the greatest threat Konoha faces now?"
"Naturally, external enemies!"
Someone snorted coldly.
"Indeed."
"Now that the Second Ninja World War has erupted, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Amegakure are all eyeing us covetously. If Konoha were to have problems, it would be attacked from all sides.
If we continue to dwell on past grievances, wouldn't that be digging our own graves?"
"Absurd!"
An elder sternly interrupted.
"The Senju Clan has always ostracized us Uchiha. Your actions today will only make our clansmen feel disheartened!"
Akira remained neither humble nor arrogant.
"Disheartened? Then may I ask, Elder, what is the Uchiha Clan's status in Konoha?
Have we truly integrated into the core of the Village? Are we not always regarded with suspicion as outsiders?"
At these words, everyone was momentarily speechless.
Akira seized the opportunity to continue speaking.
"When the First Hokage established Konoha, he once said, 'The Village is our common home.'
But now, our Uchiha Clan is gradually being marginalized.
Why? I believe it is precisely because of our stubbornness and closed-mindedness!"
"Are you blaming the clansmen?"
Uchiha Fugaku, who was standing nearby, questioned.
Akira looked at him, spreading his hands.
"Cousin Fugaku, I am not blaming, but rather hoping the family can see reality.
With war at hand, Konoha needs unity. Take the First Ninja World War, for instance, how did our old rivals, the Senju Clan, face the war?
Their clansmen bravely went to the front lines, and countless of them died.
As for us Uchiha, we became the Police Force protecting the Village, avoiding the ravages of war. Now, our family's population is several, even more than ten times that of the Senju Clan.
Now, Tsunade's Medical Ninja proposal is even more crucial to Konoha's victory. If it succeeds,
it will not only save countless Ninja lives but also enhance Konoha's overall strength and prestige in the Ninja World.
Have we Uchiha had any achievements to show for ourselves in recent years?
If we can seize this opportunity to contribute to Konoha,
and use this to ease relations with the Senju,
or even establish cooperation, perhaps our future status in the Village will be different!"
"Cooperation? With the Senju?"
An elder sneered.
"You are too naive!"
Akira shook his head.
"It is those who cling to old prejudices who are naive.
Have any of you considered that if the Uchiha Clan were to lead the establishment of the medical system, and even, like the Senju Clan, achieve great merits in war,
could we Uchiha not also contend for the position of Hokage?"
The four words "Hokage position" struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.
The room instantly fell silent.
Akira pressed on while the iron was hot.
"The current Konoha high command, the Third Hokage is cautious and steady, his partner Danzo is ambitious, and then there are those Fire Shadow Consultants...
All of them are true inheritors of the Second Hokage's teachings, and they are very wary of us Uchiha.
This is why we Uchiha have always been excluded from the center of power.
If we Uchiha continue to act arrogantly, only guarding our family, with no regard for the Village,
in the long run, the Uchiha and Konoha will eventually become adversaries.
The future of the family will ultimately lead to a dead end!
Instead of passively waiting, it is better to take the initiative!
My support for Tsunade today is precisely to demonstrate the Uchiha's broad-mindedness and foresight to the Village!"
His voice grew more and more impassioned.
"Elders, times have changed!
Past grievances should not become shackles binding us.
The glory of the Uchiha Clan should not only rest on the renown of the Sharingan, but also be reflected in our contributions to the Village!
Elders, you always talk about the Senju, the Senju, why don't you compete with the Senju on this issue?
Could it be that we Uchiha cannot even surpass the Senju Clan in contributions to the Village?!"
As his voice fell, the Japanese-style room was silent.
Shock flashed in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes; he had never imagined that his cousin possessed such profound insights.
The elders looked at each other, unable to refute for a moment.
Uchiha Fugaku looked at Akira with complex emotions.
"Your words... are not without reason. But this matter is of great importance and requires careful consideration."
Akira smiled slightly and bowed.
"Everything Akira does is for the future of the family."
An elder snorted, but his tone was no longer as unyielding as before.
"Hmph, I hope you are not simply making excuses for your own selfish gain."
Akira responded frankly.
"If you don't believe me, you can wait and see. Time will prove everything."
The meeting finally ended in silence.
As Akira left, he could feel the complex gazes of the clansmen behind him.
He knew that today's debate was just the beginning; the real challenges lay ahead.
Stepping out of the mansion, the night wind brushed against his face.
Akira let out a long breath.
He looked up at the starry sky, a confident curve on his lips.
Having lived in the Uchiha Clan for so many years, how could he not know the thoughts of most of the clansmen?
The current Uchiha were not the Uchiha suspected after Konoha experienced the Nine-Tailed incident.
Everything could be changed!
"The future of the Uchiha... once I have the strength, I will rewrite it myself!"