Chapter 319: Persuasion

Dong Shilang, I still have something to discuss with you!

A family meeting ended unhappily, and before Uchiha Fugaku could even feel discouraged, he saw Dong Shilang striding away, preparing to leave, and quickly called out to stop him.

The Third Hokage summoned him to the office—not just to comfort himself, but also to ask him to act as a spokesperson regarding Shimura Danzo's matter.

How about coming to my house for a seat?

This isn't the place to talk!

Since the clan chief invited us, there's no harm in going to sit together.

In Uchiha Fugaku's home, he took a sip of the hot tea in his cup, felt the slight bitterness in his mouth, and listened to Fugaku's explanation across from him.

Dong Shilang never expected that the Third Hokage would actually have Uchiha Fugaku act as a spokesperson, putting an end to the matter of Shimura Danzo.

Fugaku-san, have you considered what would have happened to me now if I hadn't been prepared back then?

Seeing the somewhat excited expression of Uchiha Fugaku across from him, Dong Shilang pursed his lips; the Third Hokage merely threw out a bone, and you're this excited.

And where is the bearing of a Ninja World noble house, the demeanor of the current Uchiha clan head?

But this is also a great opportunity!

The village has rarely opened a door for the clan; if Dong Shilang can achieve something in the Black Ops, the clan would likewise share in the honor!

Seeing the other's excited expression and agitated demeanor, Dong Shilang also felt somewhat speechless.

The Third Hokage had quite the scheme: seeing his great strength, he set his sights on him, planning to try to use his power to get things done for himself!

It's sheer fantasy; if I were to become his subordinate, I wouldn't even know how many dangerous tasks await me in the future.

One day, if I were inexplicably ambushed by some enemy, who knows?

Moreover, Uchiha Fugaku, can't you see his obvious double‑gain scheme?

Just by taking one Black Ops slot, he siphoned off your clan's strong fighters and even got them to keep quiet about the Shimura Danzo matter.

No, it should be a three‑arrow, four‑eagle scheme, with the possible relocation of the Uchiha garrison and even future plans.

I will absolutely not take a position in the Black Ops; Leaf Village Prison Warden, this is a very good position.

Setting down his teacup, Dong Shilang outright rejected the proposal.

Moreover, if the Third Hokage cannot give me an explanation regarding the Shimura Danzo matter, I will seek one myself.

Please, Clan Chief Fugaku, convey my words exactly as they are to the Third Hokage.

To think I would simply let Shimura Danzo go—how could that be possible?

If it weren't for that bastard escaping quickly last time, I'd still have to worry about the Nine-Tails; there's no way I'd let him off so easily.

Dong Shilang! Don't act impulsively…

If you do something irrational, the clan will be in a tough spot!

Moreover, the Third Hokage has promised to abolish Shimura Danzo's position as head of the Root; I think this matter… is about settled!

If it were an ordinary Uchiha member, a single glance from him would likely overwhelm them with pressure, making them obediently comply; but facing this rare strongman of the clan, he also has no choice but to offer gentle persuasion.

Clan Chief Fugaku, have you ever considered…

Once the clan moves away from its current location, being further marginalized by the village will be unstoppable; how should we respond then?

Seeing this good clan chief of his own family still trying to persuade him further, Dong Shilang had no choice but to shift the topic.

Clan members have little interaction with ordinary villagers and ninja in the village, but there is still some.

Moving near the South Celebration River, as the distance grows, clan members wanting to further integrate into the village is nearly impossible to achieve.

In that case, Senior Jing, Chief Chongshan, and you—the efforts of three generations trying to further integrate into the village would all come to nothing.

Have you considered such an outcome, Clan Chief Fugaku?

As a member of Leaf Village, the inheritance of the Uchiha clan chief is still influenced by the village; each succeeding chief may lean somewhat toward family honor and increasing the clan's influence.

But in the grand scheme, aspects like the Will of Fire are still affected.

This is unavoidable; the higher-ups control the village's voice and simultaneously monitor all Uchiha members.

Selecting some Uchiha members I favor, giving them preferential treatment in missions, then promoting them—wouldn't that be a rising star of the Uchiha's tomorrow?

If any emergency arises then, the clan tucked away in a corner will truly find that heaven won't answer and earth won't help!

To say the Uchiha clan members are all simply seeking death— as clan chief, don't you see how obvious this is?

Our clan's relations in the village were already poor, and moving to such a remote place— isn't that just isolating ourselves outright?

An emergency? Dong Shilang… are you referring to the village experiencing another incident like the Nine-Tails?

What do you say?

Seeing Uchiha Fugaku's twitching eye corners and gloomy face, Dong Shilang knew he wasn't a true fool; he was just deceiving himself about some matters.

This time, the Third Hokage directly excluded our Uchiha from the team tasked with intercepting the Nine‑Tails… his distrust of us is so great that I hardly need to say more.

Although Dong Shilang's words were gentle, to Uchiha Fugaku's ears they were no less than a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

Impossible!

Because his emotions were too agitated, Uchiha Fugaku could barely hold his teacup, which slipped and fell onto the table with a crisp 'clang'.

No matter what, we Uchiha are also founders of Leaf Village; the Third Hokage could never do such a thing.

He still thought this was Dong Shilang's alarmist talk—how could the Third Hokage possibly do such a thing?

If the village did that, all the big and small families of Leaf Village would look upon the Hokage building in that way!

Once done, the Hokage building would instantly lose its prestige among the village's major families; they might even submit to the Hokage's authority and dare not show it openly.

But some inconspicuous places are beyond even the Third Hokage's control.

'So, the other side still needs a sharp blade!'

Seeing Uchiha Mikoto come over to check the commotion, with her small child trailing behind, Dong Shilang silently complained in his heart.