The champion of Konoha's First Shinobi Sword Tournament — Uchiha Kairen.
The Uchiha clan was exhilarated. This victory had ignited pride and confidence in every clansman. Uchiha Kairen himself was overjoyed — as the champion, he was granted the right to choose his next instructor, who would personally train him for an entire month. The thought alone made him giddy with excitement.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stepped forward and delivered an important speech — praising the younger generation, commending the judges for their hard work, and offering high recognition to the chief referee. He expressed great satisfaction with the organizers and announced that the tournament would henceforth be held once every four years.
The heads of the various sword clans all expressed their full agreement. Responding to the Hokage's call, they pledged to make the event even grander in the future. The Uchiha clan, too, made an announcement: from the next tournament onward, only three members of the clan would be allowed to participate — to give more opportunities to civilian ninja and encourage wider interest in swordsmanship.
This gesture earned universal praise. Many in the audience began to see the Uchiha clan in a new light. Most civilians had never witnessed the Uchihas fight seriously before — but this youth tournament had showcased their elegance and overwhelming skill. And now, with such magnanimous post-tournament gestures, they proved the grandeur befitting an old and powerful lineage.
Still, among the Uchiha, there was quiet amusement.
If we only send three next time, maybe the rest of you will have a shot at the top ten. Let's be honest — the current participants can come again next time, and you still won't keep up. Ten three-tomoe Sharingan users in the top ten — the whole thing would practically become an Uchiha festival.
At the ceremony, Uchiha Nobunaga gave his nephew a meaningful look. Kairen understood immediately. He walked up to Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang, bowed deeply, and presented him with the champion's learning scroll — symbolizing that he would study under White Fang for the next month.
Deep down, Kairen would have preferred to train under Kosuke again — he had a feeling that another month with him would guarantee mastery of the Konoha-Style Willow.
But he also knew that mastering one jutsu or one sword style — even obtaining another Mangekyō Sharingan — could never save the Uchiha clan. Only by expanding the clan's influence and weakening the Hokage's faction could they seize the initiative in Konoha.
Becoming White Fang's disciple — that was the key to the next phase of their plan.
After the tournament, under Uchiha Nobunaga's guidance, Kairen sought out Hatake Sakumo once again. Nobunaga lowered his posture considerably — so much so that Sakumo was visibly taken aback. After entrusting his nephew to Sakumo's care and leaving a few brief words, Nobunaga turned and departed.
Kairen's month of training under White Fang passed in a flash. Every day he trained as if possessed — eating, sleeping, and resting became afterthoughts. His dedication even moved White Fang himself. Were it not for the sensitive political tension between their clans, he would have taken the boy as a formal disciple on the spot.
By the end of that month, under Sakumo's guidance, Uchiha Kairen's kenjutsu had improved by leaps and bounds — a transformation so great that even his former rivals barely recognized him. With time, he was certain to reach the level of the finest swordsmen in the entire shinobi world.
Before leaving, Kairen called over young Kakashi. He patted the boy's head and handed him a scroll — the Lightning Release technique, Chidori.
Kairen told him, "If you make chūnin, I'll give you the advanced version — Lightning Cutter."
Kakashi's face lit up. He truly liked this Uchiha senpai — not only was Kairen a genius, he was also the hardest-working genius Kakashi had ever seen.
He had observed Kairen's training with his father these past weeks — that obsessive drive, that tireless will. For the first time, Kakashi felt ashamed of his own arrogance. Before such a universally acknowledged prodigy who still worked harder than anyone else, there was nothing to be proud of — only admiration.
After saying his farewells to the Hatake family, Uchiha Kairen returned home. He rested for a day, then went straight to his uncle.
"Uncle," he said upon entering, "we can begin the next phase."
Uchiha Nobunaga smiled. "It already started," he said, amused. "You were training so hard that we didn't want to distract you. Two weeks ago, I contacted the heads of all the sword clans, proposing the establishment of an Advanced Training Program — a special course dedicated to training the heirs of each family."
He continued:
"The class is divided into three tiers, with each clan allowed to send five students per tier. Teachers from different families rotate to instruct them. This not only strengthens the younger generation's skills but also fosters unity among the clans — so we can stand together and grow together."
"This school has already begun lessons. Hatake Sakumo serves as its honorary principal, and the Hatake family oversees its administration and operation. Every clan supports the initiative."
"After all," Nobunaga chuckled, "no one's stupid. White Fang is a strong contender for the Hokage's seat. Even if he doesn't become Hokage, he'll at least serve as an adviser. He's at his peak — already the commander of the ANBU. The only promotions left above him are Hokage or advisor. Who wouldn't want to hitch their wagon to that star?"
Kairen grinned. "You really are incredible, Uncle — not only did you pull this off, you did it fast. Now all we have to do is ride the current. Some of the elders won't be able to sit still after this."
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office—
"Hiruzen!" growled Danzō, his face dark with frustration. "The Hatake clan is gathering the sword families to form their own private training school! Sakumo Hatake is rallying them under his banner — he's building his own faction! He wants the Hokage's seat for himself!"
"Danzō," Hiruzen replied calmly, smiling, "tell me — what ninja in Konoha doesn't wish to become Hokage? Don't be so suspicious. That training school is simply meant to strengthen the next generation — it benefits the entire village. As long as it's for Konoha's good, I'll support it. Please, drop the matter. I trust Sakumo."
In the following months, the ties among the sword clans grew increasingly close. Members of the Hatake family naturally began to act as the group's de facto leaders. Even within the ANBU, many operatives started aligning more with the ANBU Commander — Sakumo — rather than with Danzō's Root. Conflicts between the two factions became increasingly frequent.
White Fang and his men had successfully diverted part of Danzō's scrutiny — giving the Uchiha clan the breathing room they needed to proceed with their own operations.
Within the Uchiha, subtle internal reforms began. They established a clan kindergarten, transitioning from the old model — where one stay-at-home mother would watch over one or two clan infants — to a structured format: one teacher and one assistant managing small classes of ten children.
The curriculum focused on literacy, history, and arithmetic, continuing until the children were old enough to enter the Konoha Academy. This freed most Uchiha women from full-time childcare, allowing skilled kunoichi to rejoin the workforce — boosting both income and clan strength.
They also launched two new merchant caravans, trading primarily within the Land of Fire, subtly expanding their economic and social influence while building ties with Land of Fire nobility — all in preparation for future plans.
Meanwhile, through their network of trading companies, the Uchiha secretly began rescuing and sheltering orphaned members of the Uzumaki clan, gathering them in villages near the Land of Fire borders.
The Uzumaki father and daughter, Chuta and Hanaka, had already been safely escorted there.
Everything the Uchiha did was kept in deep secrecy. With noble patrons in the Land of Fire providing cover, and with ANBU and Root now fixated on each other's movements, no one noticed the Uchiha's quiet maneuvers in the shadows.