NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: Main Challenges
[bonus]
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Upon hearing Kitaro's explanation, the elites of the Uchiha clan were deeply shaken. The realization of how powerful the forces in this world were — especially the World Government, the Four Emperors, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea — forced them to reevaluate their priorities and ambitions.
The mood in the room shifted from excitement to somber reflection. The sheer scale of the challenges ahead was clear, but Kitaro wasn't done.
"Don't be discouraged. Yes, the other forces in this world are powerful, but the Uchiha clan is no weakling either. We have something unique: the Sharingan, and we have potential. We can rival the Seven Warlords of the Sea, but our goal is to surpass them."
The elites of the clan nodded, their spirits rekindled by his confidence.
Uchiha Fugaku, the clan leader, stepped forward and asked, "How do we strengthen the clan?"
Kitaro's expression grew serious. "Our main challenges are clear: funds, individual strength, and population."
He continued, "I will handle the funds and for individual strength, I've acquired a power that will elevate the clan. It's called the 'breathing technique'."
There was a murmur of confusion. "Breathing technique?" several Uchiha members echoed in unison.
Kitaro nodded and explained, "Yes, it's a technique I learned from the world I previously visited. It was created by a brilliant individual. By controlling and enhancing your breathing, you can strengthen your body, enhance your internal organs, and increase your physical capabilities to an extraordinary level."
"Ordinary people who practice this technique can reach the power of ninjas. And when paired with specific sword styles, the strength they can unleash rivals that of a Chūnin."
Fugaku's eyes widened as a realization dawned on him. "Could it be that your swordsmanship—?"
Kitaro smiled. "Yes, my swordsmanship originates from that world. Though their power system is weaker than ours, their sword skills are peerless. These techniques have been refined over thousands of years by countless geniuses. Paired with chakra, and especially with our Sharingan, they can unleash devastating power."
The room fell silent as the implications of this dawned on the clan. If every member of their family mastered these breathing techniques and sword styles, they would grow exponentially stronger. The very thought of the entire Uchiha clan becoming Elite Chūnin-level warriors at least sent a surge of excitement through the group.
Kitaro felt the intensity in the room and smiled inwardly as a notification popped up in his mind.
[Ding! Trigger a new mission: Soaring Strength]
[Mission: Teach the breathing technique to the family and raise their strength. Current progress: (3/100).]
[Reward: Three Tomoe Sharingan.]
The notification piqued his interest. If the mission rewarded a Three Tomoe Sharingan, could the next stage involve unlocking the 'Mangekyō Sharingan'? The possibilities were endless.
Clearing his throat, Kitaro's tone became more serious. "The third problem is population. This is where we're most vulnerable."
He glanced around the room. "Right now, our family has about 300 members. That may sound impressive, but compared to other clans, it's not nearly enough."
"Think about it. What if our Uchiha clan had 3,000 or even 10,000 members? Who would dare challenge us then?"
The room was filled with gasps of shock.
"Ten thousand members?! That's impossible!" someone exclaimed.
Kitaro waved a hand dismissively. "It sounds like a lot, but once you exclude the old, the weak, the women, and children, only a third would be fighters. Do you know how many people are in the Sarutobi clan under the Third Hokage?"
There was silence for a moment before someone asked, "How many?"
"Over 20,000."
The response was met with stunned disbelief.
"Twenty thousand?! How could they support so many people?" one of the elites asked incredulously.
"That's the hidden power of Konoha's high command," Kitaro replied calmly. "While we, the Uchiha, have fought and sacrificed during the wars, the Sarutobi clan has steadily expanded. The Third Hokage has used his position to grow his family. They train more ninjas, and those ninjas generate wealth for their clan. The Uchiha and Senju clans, who founded Konoha, have been in decline, while those who align with the Sarutobi have prospered."
A cold sweat ran down the backs of the Uchiha elites. The realization of their vulnerable position hit them hard. They had been fighting on the frontlines, but their enemies were consolidating power in the shadows.
"Do you really think you can overthrow Konoha's leadership when the Sarutobi clan can mobilize thousands of ninjas? Against them, we're not facing one-on-one or even one-on-two odds. It would be one against thirty."
The room fell into a grim silence as the elites absorbed the harsh reality. They had long harbored dreams of staging a coup against Konoha's corrupt leadership, but hearing Kitaro's words made them realize how futile their ambitions had been.
Kitaro continued, "Don't underestimate the Third Hokage. He's been in power for decades for a reason. He's not just a political figurehead — he's a master strategist, using population growth to strengthen his clan while others decline."
There was an air of frustration and anger in the room, but Kitaro wasn't finished. He leaned forward, his voice lowering. "You think you've been trying hard? You haven't tried nearly enough."
He smiled grimly. "In this world, there is a woman who built her empire through sheer numbers. She has 39 daughters and 46 sons, maybe even more. And she's now one of the Four Emperors of the New World—BIG MOM."
The room exploded in whispers. The revelation was shocking. The idea that one woman could build an empire purely by producing an army of children left the Uchiha elites speechless.
"She didn't stop at one or two children. She knew that power comes from numbers. If we want to ensure the Uchiha clan survives, we must follow a similar path. It's time to grow the family."
The Uchiha elites were now hanging on Kitaro's every word. His vision for the clan was bold and audacious, but it was also practical. The time for dreaming of revenge had passed. Now was the time for action, and Kitaro was leading the way.
"We will build our strength, not just by training the current generation but by ensuring that the next generation is even stronger. Our clan will grow, and soon, no one will be able to stand against us — not Konoha, not the Sarutobi, not anyone."
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