Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Tide Has Turned

"Hm?" Uchiha Li heard the challenge, narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked at Uchiha Ryo.

The clansmen on the floor all turned their attention back and forth between the two men, their expressions varied.

Seeing the gazes around him, and then Uchiha Li's eyes, Uchiha Ryo felt a jolt in his heart.

During this time in the hospital, he and Uchiha Hideo had not been kept in the dark about anything.

Everything Uchiha Li had done while leading the clan, they knew with perfect clarity.

Originally, after being discharged, they had already decided that, if it was not necessary, they would not rashly make an enemy of Uchiha Li.

They had even set aside the thought of deliberately making things difficult for him in the Security Division.

From now on, each would walk his own road, and the two sides would keep to their separate bridges.

But Uchiha Li was pressing his advantage step by step, and the matter he had just raised clearly aimed at the most fundamental interests of the clan elders.

Burning Text

If the Security Division were reformed in this way, these clan elders would likely be brought to a complete end.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Ryo forced himself to remain calm and said in a deep voice, "Uchiha Li, you're only a squad leader, and you haven't even taken office yet. What right do you have to say the Security Division is no longer fit for the village and must be reformed?"

"That's right. The Security Division has always belonged to us Uchiha. Have you considered how the clansmen will feel if you take it away?" Uchiha Hideo said after a slight hesitation.

He did not want conflict with the increasingly mature Uchiha Li either, but this time he truly could not tolerate it.

If they lost their authority in the Security Division, these clan elders would probably become nothing more than decorative figures.

Seeing the two of them object, along with several other clan elders serving in the Security Division who also seemed unwilling, Uchiha Li was not surprised.

Retracting his gaze, Uchiha Li said calmly, "The clansmen's feelings? I can tell you very clearly that everything I have done is for the clansmen's feelings."

"Nonsense!" Uchiha Ryo immediately challenged him.

Uchiha Hideo followed up, "You've sold out the interests of the clan, and you still dare say it's for the clansmen's feelings?"

Uchiha Li's expression remained unchanged. He still said evenly, "Whether I'm talking nonsense or betraying the clan's interests is not for the two of you to decide."

With that, Uchiha Li completely ignored the two of them and addressed the crowd. "Let me give everyone a simple analysis, and you'll understand."

At this, the crowd listened intently.

Even Uchiha Ryo and Uchiha Hideo did not refute him at once; they needed to respond according to what Uchiha Li said.

Uchiha Li spoke slowly. "I know everyone is hesitant. After all, the Security Division is almost the only place within the clan where we can hold posts. But why is that?"

The people looked at one another. Then one clansman stood up and said bitterly, "Naturally, because the village doesn't trust us!"

This instantly drew sympathy from the clansmen. Some had long since grown used to it, while others turned ashamed and uneasy.

Uchiha Li simply raised a hand to signal for silence, then continued.

"That's right. In the past, the village did indeed not trust us Uchiha."

"But now that the Fourth Hokage, Lord Minato, has taken office, things are completely different. He truly is willing to trust us Uchiha."

"You should all be able to see that from the fact that he was willing to stand up for us Uchiha."

The clan members present all nodded slightly at Uchiha Li's explanation and did not refute it.

After all, the matter of the Fourth Hokage speaking up for the Uchiha had only happened a few days ago, and far too many people had seen it.

"But so what? What does that have to do with the Security Division?" another clansman asked, his confusion reflecting the doubt of most everyone present.

Uchiha Li smiled faintly and said slowly, "Of course it has something to do with it. Since the Fourth Hokage is willing to trust our clan, can it really be that the only place Uchiha can work in the future is the Security Division?"

Hearing this, everyone was slightly stunned before all of them came to the realization.

They all understood Uchiha Li's meaning.

Uchiha Fugaku, seated at the head, also nodded involuntarily, a hint of a smile on his face.

Thinking back on everything that had happened during this period, he felt that the most worthwhile thing he had done was to listen to Uchiha Li during the Nine-Tails attack and save Minato.

Seeing the clansmen growing excited, Uchiha Li spoke again.

"However, don't be too happy too soon. There is one issue I don't know whether everyone has considered."

"What issue?" many people asked impatiently, anxiety showing on their faces.

After all, those attending the clan meeting were members of the Uchiha with decent strength, and not all of them were from the Security Division.

The Security Division could not possibly let the entire clan join it. Not only would the finances collapse, but the village would never permit it.

So most of these people were not Security Division members. On ordinary days, they were just regular shinobi, able only to supplement the household through mission rewards.

Now that they had an opportunity to hold office in the village, they naturally would not let it pass.

"The issue is: why would the village give our Uchiha positions in all those departments?" Uchiha Li said. "You should know that all the departments in the village are held by the various clans together, with only the Security Division being exclusively ours, the Uchiha."

Pausing briefly, before anyone could react, Uchiha Li continued.

"In that case, do you think it is appropriate for the village to hand over positions in the other departments to us as well?"

"We have always wanted fairness, but if we ourselves cannot share, on what grounds can the other clans grant us fairness?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the indignant expressions on many clansmen's faces vanished.

Though they usually showed a more extreme temperament, they still understood such a simple principle.

There was no reason to demand that the Security Division remain the exclusive domain of the Uchiha while the rest of the village's departments were also opened to the clan.

Unless...

Realizing something, all the clansmen fixed their gaze on Uchiha Li.

This time, when they looked at him, it was no longer with awe, but with gratitude.

They understood what Uchiha Li meant now.

To take, one must first give.

If the Security Division were the same as the other departments, then the village would naturally have no reason to deny them posts elsewhere!

Seeing the clansmen's reaction, Uchiha Li felt reassured. He knew they were now only one final step away.

He nodded toward Shisui beside him, then said again, "Everyone should already understand what I mean. So let me ask once more: who is in favor, and who opposes?"

At this, Uchiha Ryo, Uchiha Hideo, and several of the clan elders beside them all changed color.

They had never expected Uchiha Li to produce such a reason.

If they stood up and opposed it now, then they would be opposing the majority of the clan members who did not serve in the Security Division.

If they truly did that, how could they still be clan elders? They would likely be condemned behind their backs until they could not show their faces!

But if they chose to remain silent, the first people to be eliminated would be themselves.

No, absolutely not. This could not continue. They had to think of a way.

Uchiha Ryo and Uchiha Hideo exchanged a glance, immediately preparing to delay the motion for the moment.

But before either of them could stand, Shisui had already risen.

Several people beside him also stood up together with him.

Seeing this scene, Uchiha Ryo, Uchiha Hideo, and the others sank inwardly.

They knew clearly that this time, the tide had already turned against them.