"The reform of the Police Squad will definitely benefit the development of the Uchiha Clan," Shisui continued.
"When the Police Squad, a department controlling important rights in Konoha, is monopolized solely by the Uchiha, other clans and ordinary ninjas are bound to be suspicious and distrustful of the monopolized Police Squad."
The more Shisui studied the Uchiha's issues, the more he could feel the terror of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
This man truly understood the Uchiha, and his strategies were unfathomable.
Shisui could never have thought about establishing a Police Squad to deal with a particular clan.
It seemed like the Uchiha received special treatment for their contributions in founding the village, allowing them to independently own a department.
In reality, Senju Tobirama used the Police Squad to isolate the Uchiha from other clans and ordinary ninjas.
The special status of the Police Squad required the Uchiha to enlist many elites from their clan, or else risk not doing the job well, giving the Hokage the rightful chance to publicly penalize the Uchiha.
With more Uchiha ninjas joining the Police Squad, their contact with other ninjas decreased, and combined with the suspicion from monopolizing the Police Squad, the Uchiha became more and more insular.
Moreover, the ingenious aspect is that while the Police Squad seems to have extensive and important authority, it can arrest ninjas and make Konoha regulations.
In reality, much of the Police Squad's authority is overlapped by the Anbu; Police Squad can't interfere with Anbu's affairs, but Anbu can manage those of the Police Squad, and the Police Squad has to cooperate with Anbu when needed.
As for regulation making, there's nothing more to say: if the Hokage doesn't agree to a regulation, do you still want it passed? Planning rebellion, are you?
In Shisui's view, the Police Squad has become a cage for the Uchiha Clan, and today he wants to help the Uchiha break that cage.
"What Shisui said makes some sense," Uchiha Katsu thought after some contemplation.
As long as it doesn't affect the Uchiha's power in the Police Squad, allowing some outsiders in is actually harmless, even beneficial.
However, Uchiha Katsu still did not publicly support Shisui.
Because when thinking deeply, one realizes that what Shisui said is too idealistic.
Once the door is opened for non-Uchiha ninjas to enter the Police Squad, will the Hokage still allow the major power in the Police Squad to remain in the Uchiha's hands?
"Since it won't affect everyone's positions and can expand the Police Squad, isn't that great?" Uchiha Inabi showed his support for Shisui.
Uchiha Inabi is not particularly close friends with Shisui, but he self-consciously feels he understands Shisui somewhat; he doesn't believe Shisui would ignore clan interests.
"It does sound good indeed. The Hokage also needs supporters, right? If Shisui's proposal can improve other clans' perception of us, it's worth considering."
Most Uchiha ninjas don't care about the views of outsiders, but even they know that without support, it's hard to become Hokage.
"I think what Shisui said makes sense." Called back to reality, Obito, having been quietly poked by Shisui, quickly commented.
Entering Nankai Shrine together doesn't mean much; when Obito clearly supports Shisui's proposal, outsiders will only then perceive them as a unified group.
"What should I eat for breakfast tomorrow? How do I greet Rin?" After speaking, Obito continued daydreaming.
No matter Obito's subsequent performance, the Uchiha at the clan meeting learned one thing: the current strongest two geniuses of the Uchiha have united.
Obito's statement further shifted the meeting's atmosphere.
The clan is not very familiar with Obito, as he not only lacks Uchiha friends but has attended the clan meeting only once, and criticized many attending Uchiha ninjas because of Shisui's expulsion.
But lack of familiarity doesn't matter; they know Obito is strong enough being the second-ranked genius at the Martial Arts Tournament.
Among the Uchiha, strength is respected.
Many young Uchiha ninjas spoke up, discussing Shisui's remarks and expressing agreement.
"He really achieves things," Uchiha Fugaku thought, somewhat surprised.
Shisui's supporters are more than he expected.
"I reiterate, the Police Squad being managed by Uchiha is the decision of the Second Hokage. If someone doubts because of this, it's only because they are jealous incompetents of the Uchiha."
Why is the Police Squad under Uchiha's management? Is it not because we Uchiha have the ability and strength?" Seeing the shift, Uchiha Seisei immediately spoke up.
He absolutely disagrees with the reform of the Police Squad, equating it to handing control back to the Hokage.
If the Third Hokage wanted to change the Police Squad, they could protest using the Second Hokage's arrangements.
But if truly reforming as Shisui suggested, the Police Squad will never return to being fully monopolized by the Uchiha.
Listening to Uchiha Seisei's impassioned words, many Uchiha ninjas puffed out their chests.
Clearly, they believe Uchiha Seisei speaks the truth.
Besides Uchiha, Konoha's strongest clan, no other clan qualifies to monopolize such a major department.
"It might start as a mere ordinary position, but who can guarantee the Third Hokage won't seize our Uchiha's privilege, even potentially letting outsiders occupy captain positions?" Uchiha Seisei stared at Shisui.
The meeting's atmosphere quickly shifted again.
Many adult Uchiha ninjas in their twenties and thirties expressed support for Uchiha Seisei's stance.
Shisui's expression remained unchanged as he rapidly thought.
In Shisui's view, the captain's position having issues is meaningless, as the Police Squad is the Uchiha's cage.
But he now needs to find a reason to persuade the Uchiha members so they don't feel their interests are being harmed and understand that the reform of the Police Department is not a bad thing for the Uchiha.
"Elder Seisei, as you said, it's because of our Uchiha's ability that we secured the Police Squad. Do you think our many talented Uchiha Ninjas would lose to a few outsiders?" Shisui thought and said.
Uchiha Ninjas are proud, and they have immense confidence in their abilities.
As Shisui expected, many Uchiha Ninjas instantly became silent; to continue refuting Shisui would imply they are afraid to compete with outsider Ninjas.
"If it were a fair comparison, our Uchiha Ninjas would naturally be more qualified to hold key positions, but the Hokage may not treat the Uchiha fairly." Uchiha Seisei retorted.
Though such sentiments might seem rebellious to other Konoha Ninjas, it's a recognized truth within the Uchiha Clan that they are targeted by the Hokage and Konoha.
Shisui had to admit that he was not as adept at manipulating emotions as Uchiha Seisei.
After Uchiha Seisei spoke, many Uchiha Ninjas quickly voiced their condemnation of Konoha and the Hokage.
But Shisui did not give up; he continued to carefully analyze flaws in Uchiha Seisei's words to counter them.
Shisui was not alone; many young Ninjas continued to support him and debate with the Uchiha Ninjas supporting Uchiha Seisei.
"Phew." Shisui exhaled a long breath, thinking that things can't continue like this.
If this goes on, the discussion might have to be paused and taken up again at the next clan meeting.
Shisui activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan, focusing his breathing as powerful Chakra burst forth from him.
"Elder Seisei, since neither of us can persuade the other, let's keep it simple and let our strengths speak for us." Shisui said, gazing at Uchiha Seisei with his blood-red eyes.
Uchiha Seisei was the most influential elder of the Uchiha, and given that Shisui's proposal indeed touched upon some of the Uchiha's interests, merely relying on words was insufficient to convince everyone.
Shisui didn't want to resort to force, but under the current circumstances, it was unavoidable.
Nankai Shrine plunged back into silence, and the Uchiha Ninjas close to Shisui showed surprise as they felt the powerful aura emanating from him.
Hearing of a genius's renown and experiencing their strength firsthand are two different matters.
"He's grown much stronger again!" Uchiha Inabi exclaimed.
"Your ninja talents are indeed exceptional; I am not your match, but ninja talents don't represent..." Uchiha Seisei candidly admitted his strength was inferior to Shisui, then seized the opportunity to dismiss Shisui's other abilities.
Before Uchiha Seisei could finish speaking again, Shisui continued.
"All the Ninjas who support Elder Seisei can join the battle. If you can beat me and Obito, then the reform of the Police Squad will be abandoned; otherwise, the reform proposal will pass."
"What do you say? Do you dare accept this proposal?"
To compel Uchiha Seisei's acceptance, Shisui did not maintain his usual gentleness.
Uchiha Seisei narrowed his eyes, glancing at Shisui and then at Obito, weighing the pros and cons in his heart.
Though it might sound somewhat reckless for a clan meeting to break out in combat all of a sudden, the Uchiha are a family brimming with martial virtue and are Konoha's only clan with a record of rebellion. Shisui's actions aren't considered rebellious but rather demonstrate a genius's confidence in their strength.
The most important point is that Shisui is not without support; many in the younger generation stand behind Shisui, fighting because the discussion reached no conclusion, and not because Shisui failed and wants to force his ideas through combat.
"Shisui, it seems I, as a senior, must teach you humility. Though you're a genius, there's no strength in numbers." Uchiha Seisei agreed.
His strength is already close to Shisui's, plus the seven Uchiha Jonin supporting him, along with several capable Chunin.
Even if Obito and Shisui teamed up, they couldn't beat them.
Uchiha Seisei had not been considering whether they could win, but the impact of the outcome.
"Shisui, indeed we should be fighting alongside you." Uchiha Inabi said earnestly.
The other young Uchiha members also expressed their willingness to fight alongside Shisui.
Shisui politely declined.
One reason is Uchiha Seisei has already agreed, the other is Shisui is confident he can handle all opposing Uchiha members; he has prepared thoroughly.
He and Obito, along with their Summoning Beasts, make a total of four Elite Jonin.
Four Elite Jonin may not be enough to take on the entire Uchiha, but are certainly sufficient against the group supporting Uchiha Seisei.
The battle couldn't commence at Nankai Shrine; Shisui and the others quickly found an open space nearby to start the fight.
The Uchiha not participating in the battle didn't stay at Nankai Shrine, led by Clan Leader Uchiha Fugaku to spectate.
"Perhaps this is the best outcome." Uchiha Fugaku thought.
The Uchiha swayed by Shisui may not always support him, but if Shisui convinces them with his strength, there will be no opposition for a long time.
PS: There will be another chapter later, but the timing is uncertain, so it's suggested to wait until tomorrow to read it.