บท 38: Chapter 38
When Kaito walked into the room and observed the interior, his first instinct was to scrutinize everything within it.
What he didn't expect was that there were other people in this room besides Uchiha Sō.
Actually, this wasn't that surprising. Uchiha Sō was merely an elder from the spirit faction, and there were others within their faction.
This time they had gathered together, as everyone understood the purpose of Kaito's visit. It was time to lay their cards on the table.
As soon as Kaito walked in, he looked around, trying to see if Uchiha Sō had arranged any forces that could be signaled by the shattering of a cup should their negotiations fall through.
However, from what he could see at the moment, they didn't seem to have any such arrangements. In fact, even if they did, he wasn't worried, unless his opponent was Shisui, which might give him some trouble.
After all, Shisui also possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan, and if a real fight broke out, Kaito could only guarantee that he wouldn't lose; winning wasn't necessarily a given.
"Welcome, Kaito-san."
While Kaito was looking around, Uchiha Sō spoke up. This time, his face wore a gentle smile, a world apart from their last encounter.
"Hello, Elder Sō, and all the other elders."
Kaito withdrew his gaze, then greeted all the elders present with a nod and a faint smile. But soon after, he asked with a somewhat perplexed look on his face.
"I didn't expect Elder Naoki to be here, too. This is indeed a bit of a surprise."
Uchiha Naoki was an elderly man who looked to be in his fifties, although according to Kaito's concept, this should still fall within the realm of middle-aged.
However, all this was not important. What was significant was that, in Kaito's memory, Uchiha Naoki belonged to the blood faction!
His appearance here left Kaito somewhat baffled. Could it be that the bloods were trying to approach him?
Or could it be that the words he'd spoken with Uchiha Sō had been conveyed to them by this man?
Just as Kaito's heart was filled with doubts, Uchiha Sō timely spoke: "Kaito-san, there's no need to be surprised. To my embarrassment, although Naoki holds a different stance from us, he is my brother."
Wasn't your brother supposed to be named Uchiha Shou?
After hearing Uchiha Sō's words, a thought inadvertently passed through Kaito's mind, but he quickly shook his head inwardly and began to think about other things.
Honestly, he had not expected Uchiha Sō to have another brother, and that the brother had joined the neighboring blood faction.
However, considering the Uchiha clan, or more accurately, the descendants of the Six Paths, it seemed that differing opinions and subsequent disputes were commonplace, so he didn't find it particularly strange.
Now he seemed to understand a little better why, after Uchiha Shisui's death, and even with Uchiha Itachi still alive, the spirits had shifted their stance so swiftly.
Perhaps, besides the hatred and despair these moderates felt for Shisui's death, Uchiha Naoki, as Uchiha Sō's brother, might have also played a role.
Regardless, Uchiha Sō's decision to invite Uchiha Naoki over bore intriguing implications.
"So that's how it is, my apologies."
Kaito feigned a sudden realization, then found a place to sit down.
"I presume you all know why I'm here this time.
I have asked Shisui about who those guys probably are. Shisui's answer was that they were ninjas from the root division.
I already have a rough understanding of what kind of place the root division is, and what those people probably do.
So what's the impact of this attack on me? As the high-ranking members and key figures of our clan, I believe you are all more aware of this than I am, aren't you?"
Kaito's words made all the elders present nod involuntarily. They knew best how many times they had argued over this matter within the past month.
It was this continuous division that led them to make a decision.
That was to meet this young man, one of only two in the clan who possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan, and who didn't belong to any faction, possessing his own unique perspective and insights.
"We do understand your meaning, and indeed we agree with your thoughts after this incident," a moderate elder suddenly spoke up after Kaito finished.
"But we only agree with your thoughts, not with you becoming the clan leader.
Even though Shisui said you are the only choice for the clan, and his only choice, you're too young and simply lack the experience and ability to manage a clan.
Moreover, up to now, we only know your thoughts but not your specific methods. What makes you confident that we can trust you?"
These words from the elder made all the elders present nod in agreement, and Kaito couldn't help but glance at this individual.
To be honest, Kaito was not angry because the questions raised were rather sharp and extremely realistic.
If the shoe were on the other foot and Kaito were in such a situation, he would not easily submit either, even outright ignoring them was a possibility!
The fact that these old figures can sit down and talk with him is already a considerable compromise, though largely due to the deterrent force of the Mangekyou Sharingan.
"I know you all fancy yourselves as experienced and capable, but tell me, would you have thought of these points if I hadn't brought them up?"
Kaito revealed a hint of a smile, he had no qualms at all right now, because as he saw it, this was merely a job interview.
"Even if you could think of these things, would you dare to act? Clearly, as it stands, you wouldn't dare.
This is the difference in perspective, the vigour that belongs to the young, the vitality that you old folks who've crawled around for so long lack!"
Kaito's words were far from polite, one could even say they were extremely rude, but Kaito was too aware of his own strengths and weaknesses.
He lacked experience and a convincing track record, but what he did have was a pair of Mangekyou Sharingan, as well as the support of another pair of Mangekyou Sharingan belonging to Shisui!
Power is not absolute, but without power in the Uchiha clan, one is absolutely unfit. This is the reason Kaito dared to be assertive.
"As for my thoughts and my plan, I've spoken of them, perhaps too vaguely. Now I can be more explicit.
In my view, whether it's your spirit faction or the blood, both are too extreme.
The spirits are too compromising, a peace that is exchanged for compromise is doomed to perish eventually.
Because you lack necessary firmness, others will only think you're easy to bully, and they will take from you without restraint.
But the bloods are too inflexible, one might even say somewhat arrogant. I don't understand why they believe that with just us, we can shake up Konoha.
Although their target might only be Hiruzen Sarutobi, who knows about Konoha? Who can help us?
Excessive compromise leads to destruction, as does excessive hardlining. So, if I were clan leader, I would balance both factions' perspectives,
The major conflict between the moderates and the hardliners is how to deal with Konoha. Now, I can give my answer.
That is, in matters that do not involve the clan's interests, we can adopt a gentle approach to resolve issues.
But once it comes to matters concerning the clan's interests, we must respond in a hardline manner to everyone."
At this point, Kaito paused slightly, then continued in a meaningful tone.
"We're all family, and our goal is for the good of the clan.
In the past, Uchiha Madara wanted to lead us away, but we refused.
Now, if we wanted to leave, I'm afraid the clan members wouldn't want to either, and besides, the establishment of Konoha was the joint effort of Uchiha and Senju.
Now that we've lost so much, we must strive doubly hard to change ourselves and take back everything we've lost!"
//
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