Konoha’s Five-Element Ninja

Chapter 52: The Comprehensive Plan

Night had fallen, and the Uchiha Fugaku residence was brightly lit. Servants bustled around the courtyard, busily preparing dishes.

In the reception hall, Hayama knelt in a formal seiza position below Uchiha Fugaku, while a stern-faced middle-aged man sat at the head of the table. He was none other than Uchiha Shinichi, the current patriarch of the Uchiha clan and Fugaku's father.

After sipping a few cups of fragrant tea, Hayama respectfully bowed toward Uchiha Shinichi and spoke.

"Greetings, Clan Head. I am Shirakumo Hayama."

Uchiha Shinichi, of course, had heard of Hayama, a name frequently mentioned within the clan lately. He responded with a curt nod, his tone indifferent.

"Fugaku, why did you call me back? What's the matter?"

Uchiha Fugaku smiled mysteriously and lowered his voice.

"Father, Hayama has proposed a few intriguing suggestions that I find quite feasible, which is why I urgently sought your advice."

"Oh? What suggestions? Let's hear them."

Uchiha Shinichi's interest was piqued. To his knowledge, Hayama was a civilian-born ninja of mediocre talent. If not for his son's insistence, the Uchiha clan wouldn't have extended an olive branch to him.

"Hayama, explain your ideas. I'll enjoy my tea."

Fugaku deliberately created an opportunity for Hayama to prove himself before his father.

"Yes!"

Hayama responded crisply and then elaborated on his previously discussed plan in even greater detail.

Uchiha Shinichi's cold and stern expression gave way to one of shock. He had never expected a mere civilian-born ninja to possess such a grand strategic vision. His opinion of Hayama shifted, and his attitude softened slightly.

"But Hayama," he asked pointedly, "how do we turn Uchiha's reputation as benevolent and beloved into political leverage?"

As the head of the Uchiha clan, Shinichi's question was direct, striking at the core flaw in Hayama's proposal. After all, commoners remained commoners. In Konoha, they did not hold the power to overturn political structures.

Hayama, confident in his answer, did not respond directly. Instead, he posed a question of his own.

"Clan Head, how do you perceive the position of Hokage?"

"The Hokage is the supreme ruler of the village, wielding absolute authority."

Shinichi's answer was official and textbook-worthy—something that could be printed in the academy curriculum.

Hayama narrowed his eyes, watching the tea leaves swirl in his cup, then calmly uttered a statement that left Uchiha Shinichi stunned.

"In my view, the Hokage is nothing more than a tool for signing and stamping documents."

A heavy silence filled the reception hall.

Hayama sipped his tea unhurriedly, savoring the slight bitterness that cleared his mind before continuing.

"The Uchiha clan's goal has never been to become Hokage. What we seek is something different. The Hokage doesn't need to bear the Uchiha name—but Konoha must."

"The Hokage doesn't need to bear the Uchiha name—but Konoha must."

Uchiha Shinichi pondered Hayama's words carefully, his eyes flashing with a sharp gleam. He straightened his posture and, with a newfound respect, said,

"I'm listening."

"The plan I mentioned earlier is just the first step. Winning over the people's favor is merely the beginning."

"The village's power structure is divided into four major factions: the Hokage, Root and Anbu, the civilian ninja faction, and the noble clan ninja faction. As of now, the only group we can realistically win over is the civilian ninja faction. Once we recognize this, everything else becomes clear."

"First, we gather public support, ensuring that the majority of the village—the commoners—genuinely admire and love the Uchiha clan. Next, we have Uchiha jōnin act as squad leaders for genin teams, forging bonds with the younger generation. With these relationships established, we carefully select talented civilian ninjas, train them in advanced techniques, and cultivate a sense of patronage. Over time, we implement this strategy systematically until we fully secure the allegiance of the next generation of civilian shinobi."

Uchiha Shinichi frowned deeply. It wasn't that he looked down on civilian ninjas, but their natural talents were generally inferior. Those with true potential, like Namikaze Minato, would naturally gravitate toward the Hokage's faction rather than the Uchiha.

Hayama had anticipated this concern.

"That's why I propose the formation of the Ninjutsu Development and Reform Committee, with Uchiha Fugaku as its first chairman. The goal is to facilitate ninjutsu exchange and education."

"The Uchiha do not need to openly seize power. We don't need civilian ninjas to stand with us explicitly—we only need their silence at the crucial moments. That alone is enough."

Uchiha Shinichi absentmindedly tapped his fingers against the table, silently acknowledging the logic in Hayama's words. He understood that the Uchiha clan could not hold sway in the village by itself. Without external allies, their power would always be limited. However, aligning with the civilian ninja faction would be a long and arduous process, requiring significant investment. This hesitation kept him from immediately committing.

"Alright, let's start with the first phase of Hayama's plan. We will begin tomorrow."

Uchiha Shinichi stood up and addressed Uchiha Fugaku.

"As for the rest, we will decide after further discussion within the clan."

With that, Uchiha Shinichi left for the elder's residence to deliberate further. Meanwhile, Hayama and Uchiha Fugaku remained in the reception hall to rest.

Watching his father's departing figure, Uchiha Fugaku murmured,

"Your plan is bound to be rejected by the clan."

Hayama nodded silently, sipping his tea without comment.

It didn't matter if the plan was rejected—what mattered was that he had already proven his worth. In any organization, only those with value are respected and granted resources.

"Fugaku, I'll leave my mother's situation in your hands."

"It's nothing. A minor issue."

Uchiha Fugaku hesitated for a moment before bringing up another matter.

"By the way, that girl Chika, who was staying at your house, disappeared from the village half a year ago. Do you want me to investigate?"

Hayama shook his head.

"We were merely acquaintances. Let her be."

His relationship with Chika had always been one of mutual utility. Whether she lived or died, he couldn't care less.

"What are your plans moving forward? Join the Konoha Police Force as my deputy."

Uchiha Fugaku extended a sincere invitation.

Hayama, having already expected this, politely declined. As an outsider, joining the Uchiha-controlled Police Force would be unwise. Besides, he wanted to spend more time with his mother while figuring out ways to improve his strength.

Seeing Hayama's firm refusal, Uchiha Fugaku didn't press further. The surprises Hayama had already delivered were more than enough.

The two then discussed the first steps in implementing the plan, continuing their conversation late into the night.

By the time Hayama finally stepped out of the Uchiha compound, the March night was chilly.

The moon hung alone in the sky.

As he walked home, accompanied by the sounds of stray cats yowling in the alleys, Hayama realized something.

Eighteen years after his transmigration, the butterfly effect had finally begun to take shape in Konoha.

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