The Uchiha's Brewing Concern
A surprise chapter for all of you.
Hope you enjoy :)
[2607 words]
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Chapter 6
The Uchiha's Brewing Concern
{2 weeks later}
[3rd POV]
There are four people currently sitting in the clan head's office, each wearing a similar stoic expression. Despite the wrinkled faces each person had, their body's still displayed their years of experience on the battlefield. They were currently each holding a piece of paper outlining the capabilities of a certain individual.
''Masahiro's grandson huh'' One person uttered.
''He certainly seems to be talented enough to lead the clan'' another one continued.
''That certainly does seem to be true, from what we can see his talent seems to be equal to Madara during his early years'' another recounted.
''Tch, don't mention that traitor, he couldn't even leave quietly, he just had to challenge Hashirama to add to our already bad stigma'' the first irritatedly said.
''Tanaka, get over it already, he's long gone, we can't do anything about it'' the second said, sighing.
'' Elders let's go back to our main topic, do you accept my proposal of Arata Uchiha becoming my successor'' Ryuuji asked
''He long past any requirements he needs to pass, even if Masahiro acts like a dolt, his training and techniques are the most grueling out of the Uchihas'' Tanaka responded.
''But this isn't a matter of capabilities Ryuuji-sama, he'll need to prove himself to both us and to the other potential successors.'' The second elder named Sojiro mentioned.
''Just like Sojiro said, this isn't a matter of capabilities anymore, most of us have lost our children in the recent war, meaning we will have to raise new successors for our positions. But most child geniuses in our clan misinterpret our prideful nature for arrogance, they'll most likely feel they would be a better candidate which would bring rebellious elements into the clan'' The third elder named Musashi stated.
''Then what do you suggest we do to gain the clans approval'' Ryuuji asked
''I suggest we test his aptitude to manage the clan privately, while we test his combat capabilities in a public training ground. The public ground would help us passively spread his capabilities through rumours, a much more reliable method than just us telling the clan who is the successor'' Sojiro suggested.
''I agree with Sojiro's proposition, it seems to be the most efficient, though I would like the candidate to fight the boy to be my son, he's grown far too arrogant for my liking'' Takaki requested
''Hmm, although your son is two years older than him, Arata shouldnt have any problems'' Sojiro informed.
'' It's decided tomorrow Arata and Tanka's child will have a public spar to decide the position of successor'' Ryuuji announced.
''I'll tell Masahiro after he arrives from his mission'' Musashi informed
''Now let's move onto the next matter of concern'' Ryuuji said
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{Arata's POV}
For the past two weeks, my training has been going productively with me having the most progress with my nature transformation. I could successfully perform my attribute transformation on multiple leaves without difficulty. Seeing as I reached a standstill with increasing my chakra control, I've begun training tree-walking, a rather frustrating endeavor.
As for my iaijutsu, it's been going decently although my speed of progression has slowed down quite a lot as the requirements to perform the katas are no longer mainly based on skill.
I can perform body flicker decently,however, my problem came when I executed it with my iaijutsu. I was unable to continuously execute the katas, mainly due to the fact that the momentum I build up is too much for my body to adjust itself to and I eventually find myself breaking a bone or two.
Training isn't all I've been doing, I've made sure that I spend a minimum of 3 hours a day lazing around or drawing random things. It helped me destress my body as the training I was performing was a large burden on a 4 year old body.
The other thing I've been doing is this.
''Sakaki, can I ask a question?''
''Yes, Arata-sama'' He replied courteously
''What did you do before you were a butler?'' I asked, my usual smile rising a bit in anticipation to see if my efforts were working.
''Arata-sama, with all due respect, this is the tenth time you have asked me this question in the past week, and like I have said I worked as a tokubetsu Jonin for the village'' He responded with patience.
''Is that so, but you seem to carry yourself with the same air as my grandfather though'' I asked doubtfully.
''I am undeserving of your praise, however, my skills are nowhere near Masahiro-sama. If you would like, you may check my records'' He responded politely
''Don't misunderstand Sakaki, Masa-jii's is all the evidence required to stay in our household. I don't doubt your allegiance, It just seemed like you had an interesting past so I wanted to stave off my boredom by listening to yours. However, everyone has their secrets I won't pry''
''Arata-sama you gave the same response last time, yet, you are here asking once again''
''Oya oya, is the patient Sakaki losing his patience'' I teased.
''Arata, stop teasing Sasaki and follow me'' My grandfather told me
''Tch, dont ruin my fun'' I annoyedly said
''What fun is there to have when you're teasing someone who can't defend themselves without disrespecting you''
''That's point, I want him to loosen up, he's too uptight'' I said as I followed him out of our house.
''So where are we going?'' I asked
''The elders this time want to test you''
''What's wrong with the Uchihas and their tests? I swear you've tested me ten times now. Why couldn't you have tested me all together'' I responded irritably.
''Where's the fun in that''
''It's only fun for the tester, not for the one who's being tested'' I grumbled as we finally reached the clan head's office.
''Wait here, I need to check some stuff with them before we begin''
''Again, at this point it's a routine'' I sarcastically responded as he entered the house.
Once again, I find myself going to the garden trying to see if I could find a good napping spot. Upon entering, I was greeted by the sight of a grinning Mikoto.
''Arata!'' She jumped at me excitedly.
''Hai,hai Mikoto-sama I remember the promise'' I said as I caught her, sighing internally at my fate. And so, the same events repeated with me being completely sucked dry of any energy I had. But, something odd happened midway through our play session.
''Arata, I'm not inconveniencing you right?'' She suddenly said gloomily, as she dropped the ball we were just playing with.
''What brought this up, Mikoto-sama?'' I questioned.
'' Otou-san said I should stop inconveniencing the adults and I should go play with other children but whenever I play with other children they're always scared of hurting me so they always leave me alone'' Her words were laced with a sad tone.
''Mikoto-sama, If I didn't want to play with you, I wouldn't be here would I?'' I said as I smiled warmly at her consideration.
''And do I look like an adult to you?'' I questioned
''But you always act like one'' she responded
''How about this, I'll come here every weekend and we can play as much as you want'' I suggested as I patted her head.
''Really!, you'll really play with me!'' she perked up in happiness. I could see stars shining in her eyes as she looked at me in anticipation.
''Of course, like you said somebody who breaks their promise deserves a thousand deaths, now I don't have much time left with you, let's make the most of it''
''Hai, Arata'' she said as she dragged me away to her next game.
We ended up playing for another thirty minutes until my grandfather asked me to enter.
''Is there anything I need to know before I enter'' I asked in front of the clan heads office
''Just keep your head and don't panic, I won't be with you as I don't want to favour you unconsciously'' he advised.
Seeing that he had nothing to say, I entered the room with all the confidence my four year old body could muster. In the room sat four people, each wearing the same apathetic expression. The elder named Musashi was a lean old man with a beard that would make Gandalf worship him. He sat with his back exactly at a ninety degree angle, one look was all it took to determine that he was a man that lived by the rule book. The next elder was called Sojiro, he was a thin old man with an intelligent look to his eyes, his movements were filled with much more elgenance than the normal uchiha, displaying his obvious nature of being sophisticated. The last elder was named Tanaka, he was an extremely buff man that had arched eyebrows that gave him a fierce image to his rather impassive face, it was obvious he was a man that thought with his body first and his mind later.
''Good afternoon, Ryuuji-sama, Musashi-sama, Sojiro-sama, Tanaka-sama'' I greeted to which they replied with a nod.
''Arata, I gather Masahiro has informed you of the details of this meeting'' Ryuuji asked.
''Yes, I was told I was going to be tested by the elders'' I responded with a serene smile.
''In specific, the elders here will test how you will be able to help our clan while they will test your combat ability publicly against another potential successor, I hope that you are ready for the elders test'' He asked.
''Yes sir, I'm ready''
''Well then, Sojiro, you may ask your question'' Ryuuji said as he gave the floor to Sojiro.
''Our question to you is how do you suggest we improve our standing within the village, I do not expect you to suggest something that will have a large nor immediate effect, all we ask is something plausible and helpful'' He said.
''Like Sojiro said, we do not expect you to find a solution to something we struggle with as well, it is just that you are going to face this problem on a much larger scale further on in the future so it will be better if we prepare you for it'' Musashi added on
''Can I have some time to think?'' I asked
''Yes, you may ten minutes to think of a solution'' responded Tanaka
Using my time wisely, I immediately start going through a list of actions that the Uchihas have done to push away the villagers. It was clear that the elders here were much more level headed than what the anime showed. They were probably shown to be arrogant idiots for the sake of the plot, meaning that other Uchiha most likely aren't as arrogant as how the anime conveyed, meaning our prideful behaviour isn't the main problem this time. Which brings me to the Uchiha's main job, the police force. Something the Uchiha pride themselves on, however, it was most likely what gave Danzo the opportunity to bring out so much doubt from the villagers. It doesn't help that the old geezer Hiruzen became a lazy and whiny bitch after all the events he went through after the third shinobi world war. Of course he was pitiful, however, his kind grandpa facade killed thousands for no reason other than to satisfy his damaged ego that stemmed from all his losses, something that he seems to forget.
Digressing from that point, the second hokage drove a wedge between the Uchihas and the rest of the village, whether it be an unintended effect or not, it still drove a large wedge. This point may be countered by saying that Hyugas had the same attitude if not many times worse. However, the position of the police force is something that deals with the villagers on a daily basis and can be a sign of fear or protection from how it can be viewed. Unfortunately, the Uchihas becoming the police force brought the negative effect. Our cold attitudes caused the villagers to fear us, added with the fact of our rumoured curse and Madara's untimely betrayal, It was a wonder why no one exploited the villagers sooner. Finally determining my answer, I begin to talk to the elders.
''My answer would be that the problem is our position, or more specifically our position as the police force'' I responded, gaining a few raised eyebrows.
''Why would you say that?'' Sojiro questioned.
''The police force is a force that directly deals with the villagers, they detain law breaking villagers in front of the other villagers. This may bring gratitude out of the villagers with the right attitude, however, with the wrong attitude from the police force the opposite effect will occur meaning that they will start to fear us, this doesn't add on the fact that we have rumours of us having a curse and Madara's betrayal. Whether it be intentional or not the second hokage's proposal of creating the police force had brought down our reputation'' I informed.
''Your conclusion is certainly accurate and it is similar to what we have identified, but, now do you have a solution to the problem that has been plaguing us, we can't give up the police force, that would be extremely disrespectful towards the second hokage and would just further plummet our reputation'' Musashi responded.
''I agree, this problem has put the Uchiha in a hard bind, the only suggestion I can come up with would be for us to slowly open the police force to other ninjas to mitigate the damage and to curb our attitudes towards the villagers'' I respond.
''Your suggestion does mitigate some of the damage to our reputation, although opening up the police force would bring a large amount of protests from the majority of our clan'' Ryuuji responds.
''Why don't we send some of the ninja in our police force to assist with other shinobi responsibilities like the anbu, this certainly will prove our loyalty to the village for the shinobis in the village and the hokage'' I suggest.
''Yes, your two suggestions do seem very plausible, we will need to asses the disadvantages to them first before we reach a consensus, however, from the looks of the other elders they are as impressed as I am with your suggestions, although, they may come in conflict with our other plans they are good suggestions that add to the variety we can choose from'' Sojiro praised, gaining nods of approval from Musashi and Tanaka.
''It seems you passed their private test, you have certainly proved your worth especially, a child as young as you'' Ryuuji says
''You overpraise me, Ryuuji-sama'' my words gaining a surprised look
''It still surprises me that Ryuuji managed to raise a polite child'' his words eliciting chuckles from the elders.
''I never thought I would see the day that a child of Masahiro would be bowing to us'' Tanaka adds on
''I remember the day that Masahiro refused to bow Madara, I thought our heads would be flying that day'' Musashi said in reminiscence.
''If it wasn't for Ryuuji's intervention, our heads would certainly be long gone'' Sojiro said
''Hahaha, I certainly remember the looks of horror on your faces on that day,'' Ryuuji recounted.
A round chuckles continued before Ryuuji took the reins of the conversation once again.
''That's enough reminiscing for now, let's go to the public training ground for your spar with Fugaku'' Ryuuji ordered.
Wait who!