Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!

Uchiha territory.

Fugaku left the war operations room and headed to the meeting hall. The Clan Head had already summoned the clan's elites, and Fugaku was well aware of the discussion: supporting the expedition.

This was the opportunity he had long awaited. He had volunteered in the past, but Hiruzen Sarutobi had consistently refused his requests. Fugaku's ambitions to elevate the Uchiha's reputation during the Shinobi World War II had been crushed by harsh reality.

Currently, the Uchiha medical staff working at Konoha Hospital No. 1 had cultivated a positive reputation with their excellent attitude towards patients. This had somewhat mitigated the negative perception surrounding the Konoha Military Police Force among the general public.

Fugaku believed that making a name for himself on the battlefield this time would greatly improve his standing. Once Tsunade succeeded to the Hokage seat, his chances of reaching Konoha's upper echelons would significantly increase.

However, as long as Hiruzen remained in power, Fugaku had abandoned any hopes of entering the village's core leadership. Even the prospect of engaging in war was dismissed under the current administration, let alone attaining influence. Such aspirations seemed like an impossible dream.

When Tsunade rose to power, Fugaku envisioned the Uchiha gaining a stronger voice in Konoha. The clan's current awkward position could finally improve. With a few more years of preparation, he hoped to groom successors who would secure the Uchiha's future for decades to come.

Fugaku was determined to seize victory in this battle. He planned not only to offer the Uchiha's support but also to send their most elite members to demonstrate the clan's sincerity. He wanted Tsunade—and especially Kawakaze Hatake—to recognize his resolve.

At least when it came to the hospital, the Uchiha and Tsunade had cooperated successfully. Tsunade had kept her word, training Uchiha members as medical personnel, and the results had been satisfying. With no other viable paths for the clan, Fugaku chose to trust the promises made by Tsunade and Kawakaze.

It was, undeniably, a gamble. He was wagering the future of the Uchiha on uncertain prospects.

When Fugaku entered the council hall, he needed no announcement. He gave a slight nod to his uncle before taking a seat in the first row. His youth was no obstacle—his strength and status more than justified his place among the elite.

"Everyone is here, so I will begin."

The Uchiha Clan Head had been waiting for Fugaku to return, a clear sign of preferential treatment for the heir.

"For this support mission, I have decided to personally lead the group," he announced. "If you have any grievances, just say so. I don't want any more unpleasantness once we get to the battlefield."

He had carefully considered his words, aware that not every clan member shared his long-term perspective. There were already many who harbored grievances, and the displeasure on several faces in the room was unmistakable.

"Clan Head, I refuse to accept this," a voice rang out.

"Why should we be the ones to go? Now that there aren't enough people, you want to send us for support? Am I, Uchiha, just cannon fodder in the eyes of the Third Hokage and the village's high-ups?"

The speaker, a scarred Uchiha with a fierce expression, stepped forward. The veins on his neck bulged as he spoke passionately, his anger palpable.

"Are you done? Next," the Clan Head replied, his expression unchanged. He had expected this reaction.

Since Kagami Uchiha's death, the clan no longer split into factions, a cohesion that Fugaku in the original story had been unable to achieve. Fugaku might have been a good father, but he lacked the qualities of a strong leader, possessing ambition without conviction.

The clansmen now followed whoever made the most logical argument, but this approach had ultimately cost them dearly. They had been outmaneuvered, and the result was the downfall of the Uchiha. Compared to his uncle, Fugaku was still far from capable.

"Clan Head, we can provide support. Why do you have to go into battle yourself? There's absolutely no need," another clan member spoke up, concern evident in his tone.

The Clan Head acknowledged the sentiment with a faint smile. "I have my own reasons."

The slight upward curl of his lips carried reassurance, a reflection of the trust and prestige he had earned over the years.

"Clan Head, can we really trust Tsunade and Kawakaze Hatake?" asked another member. "Their current strength is…"

He trailed off, but everyone understood his implication. If the strength of their allies was vastly inferior, they could not truly be considered partners—merely subordinates.

Fugaku's face reflected some uncertainty, though not out of lingering resentment toward Kawakaze. Under his uncle's guidance, he had moved past their earlier conflicts. However, the disparity in power between the Uchiha and their allies left him uneasy.

"You make a good point. Anything else?"

The Clan Head did not dismiss the concerns raised, continuing to listen to the voices within the room.

After an hour of speeches, the Uchiha clan members finally concluded their remarks.

"What you have said is all correct," the Clan Head began. "We are all doing this for the Uchiha Clan. I know you all have grievances, but this is our opportunity."

...

The Clan Head continued to speak for two whole hours, addressing each question raised by the clan members. Fugaku sat in the audience, listening intently. Only then did he begin to grasp the enormity of his uncle's vision and the boldness of his gambit. There was so much he still needed to learn, but his uncle's leadership gave him reassurance.

"Are there any more questions?" the Clan Head finally asked, his voice hoarse from speaking. He took a sip of tea, his throat parched.

"No more, Clan Head," someone answered.

The Uchiha clan members were convinced. They even bought into the future the Clan Head painted for them. If they managed to reach Konoha's upper echelons, their children would no longer face ostracism. The villagers would stop resenting them, and the Uchiha would finally be seen as heroes of Konoha.

The current humiliation of being confined to the Konoha Military Police Force—doing work that alienated them—would be a thing of the past. The Uchiha Clan would finally gain the respect and rights they deserved.

"Very well, for the Uchiha Clan!" the Clan Head declared, leading the chant.

The clan members responded in unison, their voices echoing far and wide. His leadership could almost rival that of a master orator.

Fugaku, standing amidst the crowd, cheered fervently for his uncle. He admired his ability to inspire and unite the clan.

Had Kawakaze witnessed this scene, he would undoubtedly have added, "I understand the applause."

That was what true leadership looked like—commanding loyalty and respect through words alone. If Fugaku possessed such skill, perhaps he could have handled Shisui and Itachi differently. Perhaps he wouldn't have been outmaneuvered by his own son.

Forget the Will of Fire or playing double agent—this was about clan unity. The Uchiha Clan was indivisible. Those who underestimated their unity or doubted their leader were fools.

The Clan Head wasn't merely a leader; he was the cornerstone of their future. His ability to inspire such confidence made betrayal seem impossible. If things continued this way, the dreaded Night of the Uchiha Massacre might never come to pass.

"Everyone, go and prepare," the Clan Head commanded. "I will stress this once again: on the battlefield, I do not want to see any conflict with the ninja from our village. Otherwise, don't blame me for being indiscriminate and showing no mercy."

His final words were sharp and resolute. He was fully committed to putting all his trust in Tsunade's leadership.