"So you recognize the society's ideals and chose to join because of that, correct?" Fugaku asked.
"Yes, Clan Head." Shisui nodded.
Fugaku said nothing more and merely nodded slightly.
In truth, based on his understanding of his clansmen, there were definitely quite a few Uchiha who agreed with the ideals of the Shinichi Society and wanted to join.
It was simply that the Uchiha Clan was born with a certain pride.
Those who already had connections with Shinichi Higashino naturally joined without difficulty.
As for those without such connections, no matter how much they agreed with the ideals or wished to get closer, they could not bring themselves to submit an application on their own.
Each of them maintained their pride, yet this Shisui Uchiha before him, the talented young prodigy who had become increasingly famous within the clan over the past two years, happened to possess a personality completely different from that of most Uchiha.
At this thought, Fugaku suddenly remembered something.
Right, where was Obito? Hadn't he also been notified to come today?
He swept his eyes over the young clan members before him and noticed that one figure was missing.
Another party whose personality was completely unlike that of a typical Uchiha, the same Obito Uchiha who went around the clan enthusiastically promoting the Shinichi Society and practically wanted to write "I want to join" and "I am one of the first members of the Shinichi Society" on his forehead, had still not appeared.
Just as Fugaku was about to ask, a series of hurried footsteps exploded from the far end of the corridor and rapidly approached.
The next moment, under the displeased gazes of several elders, a sweat-soaked figure burst through the door; it was Obito Uchiha.
"Sorry! Sorry! Clan Head! Elders! I'm late! Because on my way here…"
"That's enough, Obito."
Fugaku sighed inwardly and waved his hand before the other elders could begin scolding him, signaling him to hurry back into formation.
"Oh... Okay!"
Obito immediately shrank his neck and hurried to the end of the line, taking his place beside Shisui.
Meanwhile, within the Hyuga Clan compound.
"Hizashi, I heard that your relationship with Shinichi-kun is fairly good?"
Hiashi Hyuga sat in the seat of honor and looked at his younger brother before calmly asking, "What do you think of the society Shinichi-kun intends to establish?"
"Back on the southwestern battlefield, we had some interaction. As for our relationship, I wouldn't dare say we're close. After all, Shinichi-kun has always treated every Konoha comrade kindly and amicably. As for society..."
Hizashi Hyuga pondered for a moment before answering seriously, "Clan Head, I think the ideals of that society are very good. Returning to the essence of ninja, exploring applications of chakra beyond combat, these are all directions worthy of affirmation. Shinichi-kun's past actions have also proven that he is not merely someone who shouts slogans."
"I see."
Hiashi nodded slightly and fell silent for a moment before asking a question that greatly surprised Hizashi.
"Hizashi, would you like to join this society?"
Hizashi was stunned, and before he could answer, Hiashi continued: "The village is very supportive of this society, and the higher-ups think highly of it as well. I heard Hokage-sama approved it long ago. I see that many young people within the clan are quite curious about it."
"How about this, Hizashi, over the next few days, select a group of suitable candidates from the branch house. Then you'll lead them into the Shinichi Society. It will serve as a way for our Hyuga Clan to build stronger relations with the village and also establish a good connection with Shinichi-kun."
Hizashi remained silent for a moment before lowering his head respectfully.
"As you command, Clan Head."
Watching his younger brother's customary display of perfect respectfulness, Hiashi sighed quietly in his heart, yet he revealed nothing and merely said, "Then go and make the preparations."
"Yes!"
Similar scenes quietly unfolded among Konoha's major clans.
The Aburame Clan, the Inuzuka Clan, the Kurama Clan...
Needless to say, the ninja clans whose members had worked alongside Shinichi before were interested.
Even some clans that previously had little contact with him had begun privately discussing the advantages and disadvantages of joining the society.
And not only within Konoha.
Beyond the village's borders, more and more eyes were turning toward it.
News spread rapidly through newspapers and traveling merchants, carrying word from the heart of the Land of Fire to neighboring nations.
It could not be helped.
After all, the person leading it was Shinichi Higashino.
The weight carried by that name within the Shinobi World was already no less than that of the Kage of the major villages.
In some aspects, it even surpassed them.
...
Land of Fire, at the capital, in the Daimyo's palace.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire sat in the seat of honor.
After listening as his chief butler, Sosho, explained the entire matter from beginning to end, he clapped his hands and burst into laughter.
"Ninja Way Origins Research Society? Returning to the original sacred mission bestowed upon ninjas by the Sage of Six Paths? Hahahahahaha... This Shinichi Higashino, every time I think he'll settle down for a while, he always comes up with something new."
After laughing several times, he looked at Sosho.
"Sosho, what do you think?"
After a brief moment of consideration, Sosho answered honestly.
"Your highness, it is somewhat too idealistic."
"Yes, it is rather idealistic indeed. Returning to the intentions of the ancestor, tracing the original aspirations of the ninja clan, those are the sort of things one can listen to without taking them too seriously."
The Daimyo nodded and took a sip of tea.
"But young people having a few unrealistic ideals isn't necessarily a bad thing. Besides, that statement of his, exploring the meaning of a ninja's existence beyond battle and slaughter, using chakra to improve people's livelihoods, and ultimately achieving peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit among nations and ninja villages, in my view, that's a good thing."
"Peace is wonderful. It saves everyone from constantly fighting wars and burning through money, making life miserable for all. If he really can lead that group of society members to accomplish something meaningful, I'll be the first to applaud him."
At this point, the Daimyo pondered for a moment, put away his joking expression, and said seriously, "How about this, Sosho. On the day the society is established, make a personal trip to Konoha as my representative and deliver a letter of congratulations. Since this society was personally founded by our young hero and carries the banner of returning to the intentions of the ninja ancestor, we cannot remain completely silent. Konoha is probably hoping for us to express a position as well."
"Yes, your highness."
Sosho bowed and accepted the order before slowly withdrawing.
After Sosho left, the Daimyo slowly walked to the window and gazed at the clear autumn sky above the courtyard.
The truth was that he had no interest whatsoever in Shinichi Higashino's talk of "Returning to the essence" or "Connecting people's hearts."
But the portion of the society's ideals concerning ninjas exploring new paths beyond slaughter and ultimately achieving peaceful coexistence… that part had caught his attention.
No, rather, it had struck precisely where he wanted it to.