Uchiha Ascendant: Rewriting the Ninja World

Naka Shrine.

In the dim stone chamber, the Uchiha clan leader and Elder Setsuna sat side by side.

"Yo, the sacrifices you've made for the clan will not be forgotten!"

After receiving a hearty dose of praise, Uchiha Yo feigned an expression of excitement. He nodded firmly and declared loudly:

"For Uchiha!"

If they're serving chicken soup, I'll drink it with gusto.

As the saying goes: When you lack the strength to change the world, you must first learn to blend in.

"Yo, you're heading to the front lines this time, and rest assured, the clan will not treat you poorly."

Elder Setsuna wore an appreciative smile, his expression clearly conveying: Don't worry, you're one of our top priorities now. See? Even this 'gilding' mission includes you. Do your best!

While reassuring Yo, their words hinted at unspoken encouragement to make further requests.

However, Yo appeared hesitant under their expectant gazes. Finally, he took a deep breath and spoke solemnly:

"Clan Leader, Elder, this mission is of utmost importance!"

Seeing his serious expression, the two elders frowned slightly. The clan leader spoke:

"Don't worry. This room is protected by barriers."

Taking another deep breath, Yo steeled himself for what he was about to say.

While Senju was leveraging his ties with Uchiha to pursue their own goals, Yo understood he was merely a pawn in the larger game.

The only reliable force he could genuinely rely on now was the Uchiha clan itself.

If he could make the clan understand his indispensability, they would be compelled to protect him at all costs.

After all, he thought, if someone like Katō Dan could die without much reason, how much safer am I? My Uchiha surname might carry more weight, but it's not invincible.

Additionally, the so-called gilding mission, which appeared to be a relatively safe battlefield assignment, clearly had hidden dangers.

This was Konoha, where even the direct bloodline of the First Hokage could meet inexplicable ends. How could he expect to fare better?

"Clan Leader, Elder, based on the intelligence I've received from Lady Tsunade, the investigation into the death of the First Hokage's descendant, Nawaki, has yielded no results. This alone has made the Senju clan highly suspicious.

"Moreover, during last night's jōnin meeting, Katō Dan's actions were highly suspect and seemed premeditated."

Yo's analysis caused the two elders to frown deeply as his words sank in.

"Are you saying someone in the village is targeting the Senju clan from the shadows?"

Elder Setsuna's mind immediately raced, his experience as a former rebel leader sharpening his instincts.

The clan leader's face also darkened, visibly shaken by the implications.

Yo lowered his head slightly and added with a somber tone:

"Based on the intelligence I've obtained from Lady Tsunade, it seems someone deliberately leaked information to the Senju clan, which sowed seeds of doubt."

Boom!

The revelation hit the two elders like a thunderclap, leaving them wide-eyed in shock.

Yo glanced briefly at Elder Setsuna before lowering his gaze again, his thoughts calm. No offense, Elder, but you don't have long to live anyway. When you're gone, debts die with you.

And besides, Yo reasoned, I'm doing this for the clan's sake.

"I knew it!"

After his initial shock, Elder Setsuna suddenly burst into laughter. He slapped his knee and sneered:

"I knew it! Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, and their ilk are all scoundrels! They claim everything they do is for the village, but what about their families?

"Look at the Sarutobi clan under Hiruzen's leadership—how many new shinobi have they produced in the last two decades?"

Setsuna ranted, his indignation echoing through the chamber.

"This group of rats has spent years isolating and marginalizing Uchiha, constantly using the actions of Madara-sama and me as excuses.

"But what justification do they have for targeting the Senju clan?"

The clan leader awkwardly avoided eye contact, but he couldn't deny the truth in Setsuna's words.

After a moment of silence, both elders turned to Yo. Their aged, cloudy eyes were filled with a mix of approval and pity.

"Yo, the sacrifices you've made for the clan are beyond commendable!"

Previously, the elders had assumed Senju was merely using Uchiha as a pawn, with Uchiha willingly playing along to regain favor in the village.

But now, the situation was different. Yo had paid an unimaginable price to gather such intelligence.

They knew there was no way Yo could have obtained this information on his own.

He must have gained Tsunade's trust through immense personal sacrifice, possibly earning her favor in ways they dared not imagine.

This realization made their expressions even more solemn.

"It seems the Senju clan is truly dissatisfied with the current Hokage administration," Setsuna mused with a cold laugh.

"This is Uchiha's chance," he continued. "Through Hatake Sakumo, we can mend relations with the other clans and position ourselves closer to Konoha's center of power."

The elder's eyes gleamed with determination as he added:

"It's laughable. Uchiha occupies the most prestigious territory in the village, yet we remain outsiders to its leadership.

"Sarutobi and Danzo would rather allow a clan like the Inuzuka, known for their dogs, to influence the administration, but not us!"

Both elders' faces reflected years of pent-up frustration, their resentment palpable.

"Yo, the clan has decided to allocate resources meant for three-tomoe elites for your development."

After exchanging a glance, the elders spoke in unison, their tone resolute.

Yo's status had now risen significantly within the clan. He was no longer just a promising youth but a crucial bridge between Uchiha and Senju—and, by extension, the village.

Yo's heart raced at the announcement, though he maintained an expression of deep gratitude.

"For Uchiha's glory!" he declared with fervor, his voice filled with passion.

The Uchiha clan thrived on strength. As long as one demonstrated their value, they could ascend to a prominent position, a stark contrast to the rigid hierarchy of the Hyūga.

The resources allocated to three-tomoe elites represented access to nearly all clan-exclusive jutsu and training materials, as well as top-tier equipment.

This is exactly what I needed.

As Yo respectfully departed the chamber, the two elders exchanged another glance.

"If someone dares target the First Hokage's bloodline, then Uchiha Yo is surely in danger too."

Their mutual concern was evident.

Setsuna nodded grimly. "I'll instruct Fugaku to prioritize Yo's safety above all else during this mission."

"Agreed," the clan leader replied.

Setsuna's face softened with a faint smile. He knew his days were numbered, but if he could witness Uchiha's rise to prominence before passing, he would consider it a life well-lived.

"This is a rare opportunity. If Hatake Sak

umo rises to power, Konoha's political landscape will be reshuffled.

"If we miss this chance, who knows how long we'll have to wait?"