Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

Therefore, even if it meant personally killing the most stubborn members of the clan, Tsukasa would most likely choose to do so, provided that he could ensure the Uchiha clan could overcome this predicament after killing these people. After all, compared to the thousands of clan members, including ordinary people who are not ninjas, a few dozen or even a hundred stubborn individuals are not a very large proportion.

Therefore, when necessary.

Shoji was truly willing to become the Third Hokage's 'Uchiha Kagami', serving as a sharp, bloody blade for Konoha!

Slay all dangerous elements who threaten the interests and cause harm to the ninja village.

As long as he can ensure the continuation and peace of his family, including his younger brother and sister, Si will do anything!

To achieve this, the first prerequisite is that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, must truly be a kind and compassionate person, a trustworthy leader. Otherwise, this step will lead to an endless abyss and a path of self-destruction!

Just as the Third Hokage had to further test and probe Shoji.

During this phase, Shoji was also testing and probing the Third Hokage in reverse. It is undeniable that such an approach carries corresponding risks, but in this world, what choice does one make without taking risks?

This is the route that the Uchiha clan must take, and it is the route that Uchiha Shoji must take.

"I hope you're the former, Third Hokage. If you're a treacherous politician disguised as a philanthropist, then don't blame me for resorting to any means necessary!"

They were watching the clan's settlement getting closer and closer.

The kaleidoscope-like imprint deep within Jiang Si's pupils appeared and disappeared, and almost at the same time, a wisp of lightning-like color also bloomed.

In early December of Konoha Year 49, Uchiha Shoji, only 15 years old, officially joined the Hokage's direct assassination tactical special forces of Konoha Village!

At this time, Jiang Si was unaware of this.

Danger had already crept in silently!

Still immersed in the exhilarating feeling of his first plan going so smoothly.

Since the Uchiha clan moved their residence more than half a year ago, it is much more remote than before. However, precisely because it is far from the center of the ninja village, there is much more open space available, which has made the Uchiha clan's residence much larger than before.

Almost immediately upon returning to the clan's residence, Shoji encountered Uchiha Hachimoku, a senior figure in the clan whose status was second only to the clan head and elders, and who held a powerful position in the clan's security department.

"Eighth generation senior?"

"The clan chief wishes to see you, General Sijun."

When Uchiha Yatsuho saw Shoji, he walked up to him and said in a stern voice with a serious expression.

"Yes, I understand!"

This was something that Jiang Si could have foreseen. He didn't say much at the moment, just nodded slightly, and followed behind Uchiha Yatsuho towards the residential area on the left side of the clan's residence.

Then they arrived at the house where the clan leader lived.

Fugaku was already waiting for Shoji's arrival in his study.

"Chieftain!"

The moment I saw Fugaku.

Shoji also took three steps in two to walk up to Fugaku, bowed slightly and called out.

Yashiro stood silently to the left and behind Fugaku, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Yes, General, please have a seat."

Even though Fugaku Uchiha always maintained a serious demeanor, he showed a rare smile when he saw Shoji, and nodded slightly, gesturing for Shoji to sit down.

"Thank you, Clan Chief!"

Shoji bowed slightly, then knelt in front of Fugaku in a formal sitting position, separated from the clan head by only a table. Shoji knew very well why Fugaku had called him over at this time.

However, Jiang Si did not intend to speak first. He wanted to see how the clan leader would raise this topic, so that he could discern some of the magnanimity and personality of the person in charge of the Uchiha clan.

Therefore, Jiang Si straightened his body as much as possible, looked straight ahead, and a resolute look appeared deep in his pupils.

A wisp of energy was slightly stirred.

There was a distinct and different aura about it.

The atmosphere seemed to become somewhat tense.

But Fugaku remained calm and composed.

"Jiang Sijun, I have already learned from Guyuan about your achievements on the front lines. You truly deserve to be called a genius of our clan and live up to the clan's honor. Now that you have returned, I intend to submit an application to the village to appoint you as a squad leader in the garrison. What do you think, Jiang Sijun?"

55. The candor that shocked Fugaku

Is he the captain of the clan's security detail?

Shoji raised his head, looking at Uchiha Fugaku in front of him with a hint of surprise.

It must be said that Fugaku's opening was quite unexpected for Shoji. While it's true that the security department under the Uchiha clan is prone to offending people, under normal circumstances, the area covered by the security department is still quite large. The squad leader is already considered a high-ranking position with real power in the security department, with six squads under his command. There are a total of 12 squad leaders in the entire security department, and generally speaking, only Jonin with both seniority and strength from the Uchiha clan can hold this position.

Even someone as powerful as Uchiha Shisui did not hold a position in the Security Department.

Of course, his situation was rather special, and he himself had no such intention. If we don't consider the general situation and only look at the regular setup, the squad leaders are almost always clan members who are close to 30 years old, such as Uchiha Yatsuho, Uchiha Tetsuka, and Uchiha Kogahara.

If Shoji remembers correctly, the squad leaders in the current security department under the clan's control are all on the job. If Fugaku were to appoint himself as a squad leader, he would need to remove one person from the position beforehand. Although in the regular operation of the security department, changes in positions, with people joining and leaving, are indeed common occurrences, the current situation seems a bit special.

Is this a test? Or simply an attempt to win me over? Or perhaps a warning shot?

In an instant, many thoughts flashed through Jiang Si's mind. Finally, he slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, and said with a calm expression, "You flatter me, Chief Clan Leader, and thank you for your high regard. However, I am afraid I am unable to shoulder the heavy responsibility entrusted to me by the clan."

If you can't figure it out immediately, don't try to guess. Just follow your own pace. The best strategy is always to pull the other side into a rhythm you are familiar with.

This is the timeless and unchanging winning formula.

Clearly, Fugaku was taken aback when he heard Shoji's reply. He had considered many possible responses, including a refusal, but such a direct rejection was still somewhat unexpected.

This caught Fugaku off guard and prevented him from reacting immediately.

After glancing at Shoji a couple more times, as if to make sure he wasn't joking, Fugaku slowly said, "Why? You don't have any reason to refuse, do you?"

Those eyes seemed to have become sharp and piercing.

This made the air in the room feel even heavier.

"There is definitely a reason, and it is related to the Hokage's summons just now. However, I can only tell you, Clan Chief, about this matter. Please dismiss the others."

Shoji raised his eyebrows, looked directly at Uchiha Fugaku in front of him, and once again said something that surprised Fugaku in an extremely solemn tone. The furrowed eyebrows that followed proved that Fugaku was also unsure of what his genius boy was up to.

The most important point is...

The conversation was clearly being dominated by Shoji, which made Fugaku feel somewhat uncomfortable.

However, Fugaku was, after all, the supreme ruler of the Uchiha clan, and he quickly adjusted his mindset, giving Shoji a deep look and saying, "You really do exceed my expectations time and time again, Shoji-kun."

After saying that sentence.

Fugaku glanced at Yatsushiro on his left.

Yatsushiro immediately understood and strode away from the room. As he passed by Shoji, this most trusted subordinate of the Fugaku clan chief gave Shoji a meaningful look.

The general, however, kept his eyes straight ahead, his expression calm and composed.

Until the eighth generation completely disappeared from sight.

Within Yu Jiangsi's own perception range, there was indeed no third person nearby. Before Uchiha Fugaku in front of him could even ask, Yu Jiangsi...

"The Third Master summoned me today to invite me to join the Direct Anbu!"

The officer then spoke up.

However, the words he spoke were like a thunderbolt from the blue. Fugaku's right hand, which he was about to raise, froze instantly. His previously calm expression froze completely at this moment, and he looked as if he could not believe his ears.

"What did you say? The Third Hokage wants you to join the Anbu? Shoji-kun, this is not something you can joke about!"

So shocked was Fugaku that he didn't even bother to compose himself. His eyes were wide open, and his body leaned forward involuntarily. He stared straight at Shoji and said in a tone that was both shocked and questioning.

Anbu!

This is the most important, most terrifying, and most mysterious department in the entire village.

As the head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku understood the nature of the Anbu better than many others. Even long before he took charge of the Uchiha clan, he clearly realized that the Anbu was the greatest taboo for their clan!

No Uchiha clan member is allowed to join the Anbu.

This is the greatest suppression and suspicion the Konoha leadership has shown towards the Uchiha clan. Fugaku once hoped that after the Third Hokage and the Fourth Hokage truly took control of Konoha, the Uchiha clan might have a chance to join the Anbu. But now, upon hearing from Shoji that the Third Hokage, who had suppressed the Uchiha clan for over thirty years, had actually invited Shoji to join the Anbu.

Even with Fugaku's composure, he could hardly contain the intense turmoil deep within his heart at this moment.

His sudden change in expression, and the way he subconsciously raised his voice only to immediately suppress it again, all revealed the turbulent emotions churning within Uchiha Fugaku.

"Yes, clan leader. Just now, and it was the third generation elder who personally invited me. I should be taking up a post in the Dark Division in a few days."

Jiang Si maintained a calm demeanor and spoke slowly.

Looking at the still so calm General.

Fugaku's previously turbulent emotions seemed to gradually calm down at this moment. With a slight frown, Fugaku felt as if he needed to get to know Shoji again. After a short while, he finally spoke: "Shoji-kun, do you know what it means for you to be invited by the Third Hokage to join the Anbu?"

"And you actually told me this so openly? Don't you know that the Anbu has a confidentiality agreement? The most crucial information about Anbu members' identities is something only the Hokage is qualified to know!"

As Fugaku spoke, he kept his eyes fixed on Shoji, as if trying to see through Shoji's heart from his next words and actions.

56. The groundwork laid next

"Because I don't want to keep it from the clan chief, and this is also something the third generation wanted to reveal to some people in the clan, including you, the clan chief, especially to that one person, to see if our clan and that guy would make any other moves, in case there really are some problems in our clan."

Without dodging or yielding, he met Uchiha Fugaku's gaze head-on.

A peculiar light shone in Jiang Si's eyes as he spoke loudly.

Almost simultaneously, Fugaku's expression suddenly changed. A chilling glint appeared deep within his clear black and white eyes as he stared intently at Shoji, a dark look creeping across his face. He said, "Shoji, do you know what you're saying? A problem within the clan? What kind of problem do you think there will be?"

"The clan leader should know better than I do that, even though a year has passed, has the clan leader really not investigated the problems within the clan at all? Isn't this the reason why our Uchiha clan has fallen to this state? Or does the clan leader still think this matter is unimportant?"

The general smiled.

"Hmph! You've become a bit more direct than before, Shoji. And is this the Third Hokage's wish? Are you planning to completely side with the village?"

"Standing on the side of the village? So the clan head's magnanimity and vision are so shallow? I've said it before: individuals, clans, and villages are all inextricably linked. Konoha was indeed founded by the Uchiha clan, but we Uchiha are also Konoha's Uchiha. Surely the clan head can't refute that? I won't allow the clan to be used by certain people and fall into an irreparable situation, but I also don't want to see the clan and the village deteriorate into a completely irreconcilable situation!"

"If you, Chieftain, truly wish to resolve the clan's current predicament, then I think we should be more open and honest with each other, shouldn't we, Chieftain!"

Jiang Si straightened his body and spoke with an extremely solemn expression.

Fugaku and Shoji stared directly at each other, their reflections clearly visible in each other's eyes. Fugaku was clearly moved by Shoji's words, remaining silent for a long time before taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling: "Shoji, I don't want to see our clan and the village completely turn against each other, but the current situation is truly beyond our clan's control. The change of our base, the exclusion by other ninja clans, and those subtle forms of suppression—since you can say these words, you should be very clear about how difficult our clan's situation is right now."

"The reason why the elders and I agreed to your proposal before was to gain some control in this way. But as you have seen, nothing has changed. On the contrary, as news of clansmen dying in battle spread, which is a normal thing, it further fueled the resentment of some clansmen. You didn't know this because you were in the village, but at the last clan meeting, some clansmen were almost at their breaking point."

As if deflated in an instant, Fugaku leaned back slowly, a wry smile on his face as he spoke.

This was not originally part of Fugaku's plan.