After Uchiha Yuan finished speaking, everyone in the room had different expressions. Some looked indignant—clearly unwilling to see the Sharingan used as a bargaining chip. Others seemed indifferent—after all, it wasn't their Sharingan, and they didn't even know who Uchiha Obito was.
Uchiha Mei, captain of the Third Division of the Konoha Military Police and the person in charge of the Uchiha camp in the Land of Bears, looked conflicted.
Just as Yuan had said, Mei believed that the key to the ownership of Obito's Sharingan depended on how Kakashi obtained it.
"Senior Mei, if you don't know what to do, how about letting Yuan handle it?" said Uchiha Cai.
Mei was stunned and turned to look at her.
Honestly, he had been planning to "offload" the problem—but he had been thinking of passing it to Cai.
"Cai, you…"
"Senior Mei, the strongest member of the Uchiha camp in the Land of Bears right now is Yuan," said Cai.
"But he's only 13! Even if he's strong—"
"Why not? I already said I'm not interested in power. I don't like it. If I became the Third Division captain, it wouldn't help the clan at all.
But Yuan is different. I can tell—he wants the Uchiha clan to grow stronger. Shouldn't someone with that goal take over the Third Division?
Besides, he's already stronger than I am. In the Uchiha clan, strength is everything—only the strong have the right to lead."
With that, Cai turned and left.
"Thank you, Cai-senpai," Yuan whispered as he watched her walk away.
Mei looked at Yuan again.
He had watched Yuan grow up—from a chunin when he first arrived on the battlefield, to someone whose strength now ranked just below Kage-level.
But because of Yuan's age, Mei had never considered letting him become captain of the Third Division.
Now, after Cai's suggestion, Mei realized Yuan really might be a better fit.
At this point, Yuan was even stronger than Mei himself, who had once used Izanagi. His mentality had also matured greatly. The only issue was his age—or more specifically, his lack of seniority.
Though the division only had 30 people stationed here and back in the village, the power of the Third Division captain was significant.
Becoming the Third Division captain would mean stepping into the Uchiha clan's core leadership.
But was it really appropriate for a 13-year-old to join the clan's senior leadership?
"Senior Mei, if you're unsure, treat this as a test," Cai continued. "Let Yuan return to the village and handle this matter on your behalf.
If he does well, you can gradually transfer authority to him. If not, then I'll take over. What do you think?"
After thinking for a long while, Mei nodded.
Then he turned to the group.
"You all heard what Cai and I discussed. If anyone disagrees with my decision, speak up."
Everyone looked at each other but stayed silent. They all knew how strong Yuan was, and over the past two years, they'd grown to understand him.
Aside from age and seniority, Yuan was more qualified than any of them to lead the Third Division.
"Since no one has objections, then this is deci—"
"Wait, Senior Mei, I have a question!" Yuan interrupted.
"Go ahead."
"If I return to the village, I can fully represent you, correct?"
"Of course. Whatever decision you make will be seen as mine, and I'll take full responsibility."
Yuan nodded. With that assurance, he was relieved.
After the meeting, the group left Mei's tent. Yuan ran out and caught up to Uchiha Cai.
"Cai-senpai, why did you recommend me just now?" he asked.
"Didn't I already say? I'm not interested in power. I don't like it. Giving me the Third Division wouldn't be a good thing.
If I became the captain, I wouldn't be able to help change the clan.
But you're different, Yuan. I can tell—you want to make the Uchiha clan better. That's exactly the kind of person who should lead the division.
And besides, you're already stronger than I am. In our clan, strength is everything. Only the strong have the power to change things."
Yuan watched her back fade into the distance.
"Thank you, Cai-senpai," he murmured.
Cai's support meant everything to him.
With the Third Great Ninja War nearing its end, the Kannabi Bridge battle marked the collapse of Iwa's offensive. They could no longer threaten Konoha, and Kumogakure wouldn't dare attack now either.
Konoha could just sit back, watch Iwa and Kumo fight it out, and clean up at the end. The three-way war would be finished.
As for the Land of Bears, the Mist ninja had started to consider retreat after learning about the bridge battle's result. They had pulled back and only fortified key areas.
Barring surprises, the Land of Bears wouldn't see large-scale fighting again.
That left only one major battle in the war: the Battle of Kikyo Mountain.
With the war wrapping up, Yuan's next goal was to fully step into the Uchiha clan's leadership core and quickly take the position of clan head.
He had originally planned to use the moderate faction behind Uchiha Shisui as a stepping stone.
But now, Cai's unexpected support gave him a perfect opportunity.
If he could successfully resolve the Sharingan dispute, Yuan could take over the Third Division.
The Uchiha Police had four divisions. Each division captain's status was equivalent to one of the three elders of the Uchiha.
In other words, the Uchiha clan's upper leadership consisted of one clan head, three elders, and four police division captains.
These eight people made most of the clan's decisions.
If Yuan could step into that circle, it would be much easier to eventually become clan leader.
The thought excited him. He turned and went back to Mei's tent to talk more.
To be honest, Mei had never considered letting Yuan take over the division—until today.
But with Cai voluntarily stepping down, he now had no better option.
(To Be Continued...)