Chapter 69: I Have Three Strategies

The table was now scattered with leftovers, and the wine bottles were completely empty.

Yet neither Aozora nor Fugaku showed any sign of rising.

Aozora spoke while Fugaku listened.

"The Uchiha are different from other ninja clans—they have numerous jonin, and no shortage of elite ninja either."

"As long as the Uchiha remain restricted to the Police Force, other clans might not act aggressively against them."

"But once an Uchiha becomes Hokage, the ceiling for the clan's ninja will shatter. A flood of high-ranking positions will open up to the Uchiha."

"With the Hokage's support, those top positions would inevitably be monopolized by the Uchiha—it won't change based on anyone's personal wishes."

"Konoha will become the Uchiha's Konoha!"

"This is certainly something other ninja clans won't willingly accept!"

As he listened to Aozora's analysis, Fugaku's expression grew increasingly grim.

This perspective had never occurred to him before. He had always believed that only people like Danzo in the upper echelons opposed the Uchiha. Now it seemed the Uchiha had enemies everywhere.

Trying to comfort him, Aozora continued, "Of course, other clans turning against the Uchiha depends entirely on whether the Uchiha actually become Hokage."

Fugaku's face didn't brighten. He replied, "But if the Uchiha don't become Hokage or step beyond the Police Force, how can we satisfy our clansmen's growing aspirations?"

"Ambitions?" Aozora scoffed. "What do you mean by ambitions? Is wanting to be Hokage really ambitious?"

"How many children in Konoha used to shout they'd grow up to be Hokage? Is that ambition?"

Fugaku realized his slip of the tongue immediately and hurriedly said, "I chose the wrong word—I meant aspirations."

"Fine, whether you call it ambition or aspiration, ultimately, the problem is the Police Department has grown too small. It can no longer contain the Uchiha's aspirations."

Aozora countered, "How could such a tiny department possibly accommodate dozens of jonin and over a hundred chunin?"

Fugaku remained silent at Aozora's words.

He had once secretly resented his clansmen for pushing him to become the Fourth Hokage.

Now, though, he realized his mistake.

Putting highly experienced jonin in charge of patrols with just three or five chunin handling petty duties?

How could they feel satisfied? How could they possibly accept that?

The more he realized, the heavier his heart became, drowning in sorrow and despair.

He found himself without any solution.

If the Uchiha must grow, then they must break free from the cage of the Police Force.

Yet the other ninja clans wouldn't allow the Uchiha to take the Hokage seat unchallenged.

Just as he'd feared during that protest march, no matter which path they chose, the future would inevitably be soaked in blood.

It would be Uchiha blood, perhaps even Konoha's blood.

At this moment, Fugaku looked across the table at Aozora.

Though still young, the boy's eyes gleamed like stars, his piercing gaze seeming to see through hearts and glimpse the future itself.

Seeing Aozora so calm and confident, Fugaku couldn't help but ask, "Aozora, do you have a way to save our clan?"

Straightening his posture, Aozora smiled slightly and said, "I have three plans—best, moderate, and worst—that can resolve this crisis. Please, Clan Head, hear me out."

Although he had no feather fan in hand or formal robe upon his back, Aozora's calm demeanor radiated the grace of an ancient strategist.

Upon hearing this, hope suddenly sparked in Fugaku's eyes, and he motioned for Aozora to continue.

Without a single solution of his own, Aozora actually had three methods.

"Aozora, quickly tell me."

Aozora silently shook his head inwardly. You should've said "Please go on."

Slightly disappointed that his Three Kingdoms-style dramatic flair didn't land, Aozora still shared the carefully considered plan he had been mulling over.

"The lowest strategy is retreat — 'a step back reveals a vast horizon.' We will fully withdraw and return control of the Police Force to Konoha."

Fugaku stared in shock; he never expected Aozora to be so radical.

Aozora explained, "Retreating doesn't mean an end — it's like throwing a punch: you must first pull your fist back.

By stepping back voluntarily, and given the Uchiha's status as Konoha's founding clan, the village leadership would hesitate before provoking our clan further. Otherwise, other clans may experience sympathy through shared fate — just as foxes mourn when rabbits fall.

At that point, the Uchiha can proactively join other departments.

Initially, we might face sabotage from the village leadership, but over time, the Uchiha will rise through our own exceptional abilities, securing high positions within Konoha's six divisions.

In the end, the Uchiha will shine even more gloriously than before."

After hearing this, Fugaku thought deeply for a long while before saying, "Aozora, your thinking is incredibly imaginative. Your vision surpasses mine many times over."

But then he shook his head and added, "However, the clan members probably won't accept it. Relocating the clan compound has already stirred great anger; giving up the Police Force might provoke outright rebellion."

Eyes gleaming with anticipation, he turned to Aozora, "Tell me about the middle and top strategies!"

Even the lower strategy alone had broadened his perspective — how astonishing must the middle and top ones be?

Aozora wasn't surprised by this reaction; after all, implementing even the lower strategy would be difficult for the Uchiha clan.

He continued, "The middle strategy is seeking peace through war.

When faced with oppression from Konoha's leadership, we shouldn't keep compromising — we should retaliate and protest rationally and firmly. We should even prepare ourselves for mutual destruction.

We fear annihilation — but doesn't Konoha fear devastation?

Two dozen or so Jonin-level Uchiha warriors couldn't seize power in the village, but they could certainly bring it to mutual ruin.

Don't Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo know the Uchiha's true strength? They only dare act recklessly because they're certain of your loyalty to Konoha.

Once you show the resolve of 'better to die with honor than live in shame,' Konoha would absolutely hesitate to pressure the Uchiha again.

Fugaku's face flushed slightly red at this point.

After all, under his leadership these years, the Uchiha had kept retreating step by step.

Still, he voiced his concern, "Your plan's too risky. I believe as you described, this method could indeed scare the village leadership into temporary peace.

But without eliminating the deep-rooted suspicions between both sides, conflict would eventually erupt again.

Moreover, our hot-blooded clansmen may spiral out of control, leading to an unexpected disaster that threatens the entire clan."

After speaking, fearing he might discourage Aozora, he praised, "The middle strategy is good; although difficult to implement, it does remind me that I need to be more careful with my attitude when dealing with the Third and Danzo in the future."

"Now, I'm even more curious about your top strategy."

Rather than being deliberately mysterious, Aozora answered directly, "My top strategy is called 'Three Holes for a Cunning Rabbit.'

As the saying goes, a cunning rabbit has three burrows — if a single family needs such precautions, how much more preparation does an entire clan require?"

Konoha may be a good place, but the Uchiha cannot stake their entire fortune here."

Fugaku wasn't surprised by these words. Instead, he felt somewhat disappointed.

"Aozora, you're oversimplifying things. The Uchiha's Sharingan is not only feared by others, but also coveted by them.

This isn't the Warring States era anymore. Even mighty clans like the Uzumaki can be completely annihilated, their nations destroyed and villages burned to the ground.

If the Uchiha leave Konoha, we'll only be targeted and eradicated by other ninja villages that covet the Sharingan."

Aozora nodded. "I understand."

"Oh?" Fugaku frowned in confusion. "You're saying there's actually a place that could hide from the Five Great Ninja Villages?"

"Such a place does exist," Aozora smiled. "It's right in the Land of Fire, and not far from Konoha at all."

Fugaku furrowed his brow in thought for a long time before shaking his head. "Still, I don't understand. Aozora, just tell me plainly."

"[Kyoto]!"

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