Morning light had just begun to spread across the sky. A new day had arrived.
A group of young Uchiha children, each bearing the same clan crest on their backs, walked neatly toward the Ninja Academy under the escort of three elite Uchiha ninja.
Shaping a sense of collective identity was a long and demanding task.
For now, simple collective activities like this were meant to subtly cultivate within the clan's children a vague understanding of belonging to a "big family."
Going to school together required no extra financial investment and took up no additional time.
Naturally, Uchiha Anlan had incorporated it into his plan for integrating the clan.
At the very least, it allowed the Uchiha children to become familiar with each other's faces.
"Anlan."
In the second-floor tea room, Uchiha Setsuna slowly withdrew his gaze from the street below. His thumb gently rubbed the warm ceramic teacup in his hand.
In the courtyard downstairs, the bamboo deer-scarer struck the stone basin with a crisp knock, sending ripples across the surface of the pond.
The old man's voice was calm and heavy with the weight of years.
"These childish games should stop at the right time."
"The children of the Uchiha are wasting their precious time in the Ninja Academy."
Tea smoke drifted slowly between grandfather and grandson.
Setsuna studied the young man seated across from him.
Anlan's eyelids hung slightly lowered, the morning light casting faint shadows across his face.
The exhaustion from staying awake all night was impossible to hide in the dawn light, yet it did nothing to diminish the sharpness that had settled between his brows.
Although Setsuna was curious about what the boy had been doing all night, he had no intention of asking.
The way of education lies in early teaching.
If the years of nurturing bamboo shoots have already passed, there is little point lecturing when the tree has grown tall.
That would no longer be guidance born of duty.
It would simply be irritating.
Anlan lifted his teacup and took a sip.
The hot, strong tea slid down his throat, bitterness blooming across his tongue and clearing his mind instantly.
Last night in the clan archives, he had indeed found several ancient texts related to Onmyōji techniques.
However, the Uchiha clan excelled more at using the Sharingan to read enemy formations and burning opponents to ashes with Fire Release, rather than studying such mysterious metaphysical arts.
Therefore, very little material remained.
Without realizing it, the moon had set and dawn had arrived before Anlan finished reading everything.
He had even written summary notes for the important sections.
After leaving the archives, he had intended to go home and sleep for a while.
But halfway down the street, his grandfather had called him upstairs.
Now, hearing Setsuna's question, Anlan relaxed his expression and replied calmly.
"The Ninja Academy was established by Senju Tobirama. The knowledge it teaches is nothing remarkable."
"But the influence the academy holds within Konoha cannot be ignored."
The teachers at the academy were mostly chūnin-level ninja, and the techniques they taught might be considered precious treasures for civilian children.
For children from ninja clans, however, it was merely basic education.
Chakra extraction, the Three Basic Techniques, and ninja tool throwing—
For a normal Uchiha child, these were things they could master effortlessly.
As for the Will of Fire, aside from those who were particularly naïve, few people continued to believe in it once they grew older and encountered the darkness of the ninja world.
It was like elementary school children dreaming of becoming astronauts.
By the time they reached middle school, how many still remembered that dream?
Yet there was no denying that the Will of Fire exerted tremendous influence over the students.
That influence shaped children during their most important years—from age six to twelve—gradually molding them into proper Konoha ninja.
If not for the Uchiha clan's tendency toward emotional extremes and its deeply rooted clan identity—
Combined with the long-standing exclusion imposed by Konoha's leadership—
The hawkish faction within the clan might never have risen.
But even among the hawks, most still acknowledged in their hearts that they were Konoha ninja.
This deeply ingrained education naturally earned the Hokage the loyalty of civilian ninja.
Those who planted the tree allowed later generations to enjoy the shade.
It enabled Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was not from the Senju clan, to truly wield the authority of the Hokage.
At the same time, most ninja clans who simply wanted to live stable lives tended to support the Hokage—so long as he did not lose his moral standing.
The reason the Uchiha were willing to send their children to the academy was precisely because they hoped to integrate into Konoha.
Originally, Setsuna had not objected to this either.
But ever since hearing his grandson speak about destroying Konoha, his attitude toward the village had undergone a complete reversal.
Knowing that Anlan never spoke without reason, the old man asked with curiosity,
"What exactly are you planning now?"
"It's only a preliminary idea."
Anlan's tone remained calm.
"Since the Ninja Academy possesses such influence, we might as well borrow the hen to hatch our own eggs."
"We can use it to engrave into Konoha's new generation the impression that the Uchiha are the strongest."
"For example, every Uchiha student in each class should become the undisputed number one."
"Or monopolize the top ten rankings."
Even in modern societies where people were encouraged to "open their eyes to the world," there were still countless irrational fans.
In the ninja world—where strength was worshipped from birth—
If children could accept the indoctrination of the Will of Fire,
They could just as easily accept the belief that the Uchiha are invincible.
And the strong—
Naturally possess the right to speak.
Even to enjoy privileges.
Instead of humbling oneself to gain recognition,
It was far better to demonstrate overwhelming strength,
So that others would look up in awe and never dare resist.
As Setsuna fell into thought, Anlan continued without pause, his words sharp as blades.
"Influence is only the surface result. The true core is forging the backbone of our clan."
"We must make the belief of fighting for the clan the foundation in every child's heart."
"When the new generation grows up sharing the same glory—"
"When they struggle and feel pride for the name 'Uchiha' together—"
"A powerful centripetal force will naturally form within them."
"The divisions between factions that once seemed so stubborn will melt like ice meeting fire."
Setsuna's thoughts stirred as he listened.
A faint ripple flashed across his eyes before settling again.
He recalled the rising prodigy who had recently become famous throughout Konoha—
The son of the legendary White Fang of Konoha, Hatake Kakashi.
"The strength of the Uchiha is unquestionable," the old man said slowly, tapping the table with his fingertip.
"But Konoha has indeed produced many talents in recent years."
"First Namikaze Minato appeared out of nowhere."
"And now there is a genius like Hatake Kakashi."
"For our clan's children to consistently suppress such individuals may not be easy."
"They could easily become stepping stones for others."
The best way to become famous was often by stepping on the bones of those who came before.
And Uchiha was already a golden signboard.
Anlan nodded slightly.
"Precisely because of that, the next step is to establish clan education classes to strengthen the new generation."
If students failed to learn well at school—
Then they simply attended extra tutoring classes.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Anlan's lips.
It was calm.
But filled with absolute confidence.
"Whether ninja clans or civilians—"
"In the entire ninja world, only the Uchiha can casually mobilize more than ten elite jōnin to personally educate the next generation."
"Ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu…"
"What do civilian students—or even other clan children in the Ninja Academy—have to compete with us?"
"Even if their talent surpasses our children, they still require resources to realize that talent."
In the end, Anlan simply shrugged.
"And if they still can't beat our children…"
"Then we'll just recruit them instead."
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