Morning light crept over the horizon, marking the start of a new day.
A group of young Uchiha children, all bearing the same clan crest on their backs, walked in neat formation toward the Ninja Academy under the guidance of three elite Uchiha.
The task of shaping collective identity was a long one.
For now, simple, subtle methods would suffice—activities like this, gradually instilling in the children a vague sense of belonging to something greater.
A shared "family."
Walking to school together required no extra cost, no additional time.
Naturally, Uchiha Ren had incorporated it into the clan's integration plan.
At the very least, it allowed the children to recognize one another's faces.
"Ren."
On the second floor, in the tea room, Uchiha Setsuna slowly withdrew his gaze from the street below, his fingers brushing against the warm ceramic teacup.
In the courtyard, the bamboo fountain struck stone with a hollow knock, ripples spreading across the pond.
The old man's voice was low, weathered by time.
"These childish games… should come to an end."
"For Uchiha children, the Ninja Academy is nothing but a waste of precious time."
Tea smoke curled between grandfather and grandson.
Setsuna studied the young man before him—eyes slightly lowered, the pale morning light casting faint shadows across his face.
The exhaustion of a sleepless night was visible, yet it did nothing to dull the sharpness in his bearing.
He was curious about what Ren had been doing all night.
But he didn't ask.
Education mattered most in youth. Once that window had passed, excessive correction only bred annoyance.
Ren lifted his teacup and took a sip. The bitterness spread across his tongue, clearing his mind.
Last night, in the archives, he had indeed found records related to Yin-Yang techniques.
But the Uchiha had always favored using the Sharingan to read the battlefield and Fire Release to reduce enemies to ash.
Mystical theories were not their focus.
The records were scarce.
He had read through everything by dawn, extracting key notes before leaving.
Originally, he had planned to return home and rest.
Instead, his grandfather had called him up.
Now, hearing the question, Ren relaxed slightly and answered calmly.
"The Ninja Academy was founded by Tobirama Senju. Its curriculum isn't particularly impressive—but its influence within Konoha is undeniable."
The instructors were mostly chūnin.
For civilian children, what they taught was invaluable.
For clan children—
It was basic education.
Chakra control. The Three Basic Techniques. Shurikenjutsu.
For a typical Uchiha child, these were almost instinctive.
As for the Will of Fire—
Aside from the truly naive, few would still believe in it after encountering the darker side of the shinobi world.
Like a child dreaming of becoming an astronaut—how many still held onto that dream years later?
Yet its influence was real.
It shaped children during their most formative years—from six to twelve.
Gradually molding them into loyal Konoha shinobi.
If not for the Uchiha's emotional extremes, their deep-rooted clan identity, and long-standing suppression—
The hawkish faction would never have risen.
Even so—
Deep down, most Uchiha still acknowledged themselves as Konoha shinobi.
That was the power of education.
It gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a foundation to truly exercise authority as Hokage.
It also meant that most clans—seeking stability—would lean toward the Hokage's side as long as he did not fail them.
Even the Uchiha sending their children to the Academy was, at its core, an attempt to integrate.
Setsuna had once agreed with this.
But after hearing Ren speak of destroying Konoha—
His perspective had changed completely.
Knowing his grandson never spoke without purpose, the old man asked,
"What are you planning this time?"
"Just an initial idea."
Ren's tone remained calm.
"Since the Academy holds influence, we'll use it—to plant the idea in the next generation that the Uchiha are the strongest."
"For example—ensuring that every Uchiha student stands at the very top of their class."
"Or dominates the top rankings entirely."
In a modern world, even with access to information, people still idolized strength blindly.
In the shinobi world—where strength was everything—
If children could be shaped by the Will of Fire—
They could just as easily be shaped to believe in Uchiha supremacy.
And the strong—
Naturally held authority.
Rather than begging for recognition—
It was better to display overwhelming strength.
To make others look up… and never dare resist.
Setsuna's gaze shifted slightly, thoughtful.
Ren continued, his voice like a blade.
"Influence is only the surface. The real goal is forging the backbone of the clan."
"We must make 'fighting for the clan' the foundation of every child's belief."
"When the next generation grows up sharing the same pride—fighting for the name 'Uchiha'—"
"The divisions between factions will melt away."
Setsuna fell silent, his thoughts stirred.
Then he spoke again, more cautiously.
"The Uchiha's strength is unquestionable."
"But Konoha has produced many talents in recent years."
"First Minato Namikaze… and now that prodigy, Kakashi Hatake."
"For our children to surpass them… won't be easy."
"They may end up becoming stepping stones instead."
After all—
The fastest way to rise… was to surpass someone famous.
And the Uchiha—
Were the perfect target.
Ren nodded slightly.
"Exactly why we need to establish clan-run education."
"If the Academy isn't enough—then we provide extra training."
A faint, confident smile appeared on his lips.
"Across the entire shinobi world—who else can casually mobilize more than ten elite jōnin solely to train the next generation?"
"Ninjutsu. Taijutsu. Genjutsu."
"How can civilian shinobi—or even other clans—compete with that?"
"Even if they have talent… without resources, it means nothing."
He shrugged lightly.
"And if they still can't beat us…"
"We'll just recruit them."
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