"Mr. Fugaku, that's the situation. While Chunin Sakuma made mistakes too, I still hope everyone in the village can treat each other as family. If something like this happens, you can always come to me, and I'll make sure to support Mr. Yoichi."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said kindly to Uchiha Fugaku, who nodded with a slightly serious expression upon hearing this.
"Lord Hokage, Yoichi was reckless this time. I'll punish him when we return, and the Uchiha Race will cover the medical expenses for that Mr. Sakuma as well."
"Fugaku, I appreciate your intention, but Sakuma also made a mistake. He shouldn't have spoken ill of Uchiha Yoichi in public."
The Third Generation Hokage said in a slightly solemn tone, "I've emphasized several times that everyone in Konoha is a family, so I won't overlook Sakuma's mistake just because he's injured this time."
"Third Generation Lord, your generosity is truly admirable!"
Uchiha Fugaku felt somewhat moved. He realized his thoughts were not wrong; the Third Generation Hokage is someone who can eliminate the gap between the Uchiha and Konoha.
'If I have children in the future, I'll name them after the Third Generation Hokage's father.'
After the conversation ended, Uchiha Fugaku returned to the Security Team, yet sent someone to Konoha Hospital with Sakuma's medical expenses.
Later, Uchiha Fugaku summoned Uchiha Mabayashi, who was the Squad Leader of the Security Team and a supporter with considerable influence within the clan leader's faction.
"Clan Leader, is there something you need from me?"
"Senior Mabayashi, have you seen Uchiha Yoichi?"
Uchiha Mabayashi nodded and said, "Of course, although he was delayed for some time while out, it's understandable. Clan Leader, you may not know, but he found a piece of Chakra Metal half the size of a fist during his travels, and he just came to me to forge a Ninja Blade."
"Half the size of a fist? That's indeed rare. However, Senior Mabayashi, when Yoichi returned, he attacked a ninja from the mission team at the Hokage Building and sent them to the hospital."
Uchiha Fugaku's tone shifted as he continued, "Because of this incident, Lord Hokage summoned me. Although Lord Hokage didn't blame Yoichi and let us resolve it ourselves, Yoichi was too impulsive this time, attacking a comrade at the Hokage Building..."
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Mabayashi was somewhat incredulous and asked, "Clan Leader, Yoichi is not an impulsive person. Why would he attack the mission team's ninja? Did they assign him the wrong task again?"
"No, the Third Generation Lord told me it was because a ninja from the mission team spoke ill of Yoichi, and Yoichi attacked him upon hearing it, sending him to the hospital."
Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's explanation, Uchiha Mabayashi somewhat understood, but he still asked, "Clan Leader, what do you plan to do about this?"
"Call Yoichi over and give him the appropriate punishment. If we don't address this at all, it won't sit well with the Third Generation Lord either..."
"Didn't Lord Hokage ask you to handle it yourself, Clan Leader? Maybe a verbal reprimand would suffice."
Seeing that Fugaku didn't quite agree with his opinion, Uchiha Mabayashi continued, "Clan Leader, that previous incident greatly wronged Yoichi, and he hasn't received any compensation from the clan since. If we punish Yoichi for this incident, it might really cause him resentment and dissatisfaction..."
Uchiha Yoichi was a well-known genius of the Uchiha Race, where Chunin were already rare in Konoha. Moreover, in his several life-and-death missions, he either escaped from a Jonin team or killed a Jonin.
With such strength, Uchiha Mabayashi fully believed Yoichi had reached the level of a Jonin, even though he hadn't undergone the assessment yet.
In a few years, Uchiha Yoichi might very well become a representative powerhouse of the Uchiha Race. Punishing him over a small matter seems excessive to Uchiha Mabayashi.
"Senior Mabayashi, you have a point, but while we of the Uchiha are strong, Konoha's Ninja Race has many strong individuals too, not to mention we already control the Security Team. If we try to seize more power, other ninja races will surely be unhappy."
Uchiha Fugaku said solemnly, "Many in the village are watching the Uchiha, so it's best not to let them catch us at this moment. Although Yoichi had valid reasons this time, attacking a fellow ninja under Lord Hokage's watch isn't quite justifiable...
Have him apologize to that Chunin Sakuma to show a repentant attitude. It's enough for the Third Generation Lord to see it."
"If it's just an apology... it's not really a severe punishment. I'll try to persuade Mr. Yoichi."
Uchiha Mabayashi sighed in relief internally when he heard this, but he and Uchiha Fugaku overlooked one thing. It might be easy for a Dove Faction member of the Uchiha Race to admit fault.
But getting someone from the Hawk Faction of the Uchiha to admit fault is as good as stabbing them and using the Sharingan to control them.
While Uchiha Yoichi wasn't part of the Hawk Faction, he also wouldn't demean himself to benefit others.
Training hard was a means to live with dignity. Otherwise, with Uchiha Yoichi's looks, he could easily be a daimyo's son-in-law—no need for exhausting daily training.
Uchiha Fugaku spoke, "Coincidentally, there's a meeting tomorrow, Senior Mabayashi. Have Yoichi join the meeting and discuss it there."
Last time when they spoke privately, Fugaku noticed that Uchiha Yoichi had strong principles and even refused any compensation from the clan.
Fugaku worried Uchiha Yoichi might behave the same as last time, but during the clan meeting with his supporters persuading him one after another, Uchiha Yoichi should agree to apologize.
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"Ninja Master, the custom weights you're ordering are quite complicated, totaling 150,000 ryo... The materials aren't expensive, but perfectly fitted weights require a ninja tool forging craftsman to make."
"No problem, notify me when they're ready. Here's the money."
Uchiha Yoichi took out a storage scroll, unsealing it to retrieve 150,000 ryo, which he handed over to the Ninja Tools Shop Owner before leaving his address.
Weight training had long been part of his plan, as Taijutsu training was basically inseparable from weights, especially for conditioning the body for the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
However, the weights Uchiha Yoichi wanted to forge had multiple functions, which increased the cost, unlike the simple metal blocks used by Rock Lee.
Including wrist guards, leg wraps, and a ninja suit, all needing protective capabilities and easy removal, hence the high cost.
It was almost Konoha Year 43, and Uchiha Yoichi had just returned not long ago when he heard that Konoha's top prodigy, Hatake Kakashi, was planning to participate in the Chunin Exam solo.
"Next, I'll need to train for a while. Combining the Lightning Release Chakra Mode with swordsmanship... If only my Sharingan could improve a bit. One-Tomoe is becoming inadequate..."
Uchiha Yoichi clearly understood that the Sharingan needed stimulation to evolve, but it seemed nothing could stimulate him at the moment.