259-Well, I am glad I came today

Renjiro couldn't shake the feeling that attending the Uchiha clan meeting was a long-overdue duty. He hadn't been to one in a while—not since he left the police force.

But after his recent interactions with Obito and realizing just how distant he had become from the clan's internal matters, he thought it would be best to make an appearance at this one. Not just to save face, but to get a sense of the current state of things.

He cast a glance at Obito, who walked beside him, still chattering away about his training and future ambitions. The young Uchiha's enthusiasm was infectious, even if it bordered on the excessive.

Strangely enough, Renjiro found himself unfazed by it. It had only been a short while since they had begun speaking more frequently, but already, he was used to Obito's constant stream of words.

Obito's voice rang through the quiet street as they made their way toward the Uchiha Great Hall, the location where the meeting was set to take place.

"And then I tried to use the fireball jutsu again, but this time it was even bigger!" Obito exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement as he gestured animatedly.

Renjiro nodded absentmindedly, though his mind was elsewhere. He knew this meeting wouldn't be just another casual gathering—it never was when the Uchiha clan elders were involved. Still, he couldn't help but smirk at Obito's endless chatter. Despite the boy's loudness, there was something refreshing about his energy.

"You've definitely improved," Renjiro said with a small smile, though he was half-distracted. "But make sure you don't overdo it with the fire techniques. Control is just as important as power."

Obito grinned at the praise, though he continued talking, almost as if he hadn't heard Renjiro's last piece of advice. The streets gradually grew more crowded as they neared the Great Hall, a large, imposing structure that stood at the heart of the Uchiha district.

The hall itself was a testament to the Uchiha clan's rich history and status within Konoha, its high, stone walls adorned with the clan's crest, the fan symbol prominent above the large doors.

As Renjiro and Obito entered, the grandness of the hall greeted them with the cold, yet familiar, air of tradition. The hall was vast, with high ceilings supported by thick wooden beams, and large windows that let in the fading daylight, casting long rays of light across the stone floor.

The space was sparsely decorated, save for a few banners bearing the Uchiha crest and the occasional wall scroll depicting scenes of past Uchiha victories in battle.

To Renjiro's mild surprise, there were already several shinobi present, scattered throughout the hall, some seated, others standing in small groups, chatting in hushed tones.

'Huh? It looks like there are people who are actually punctual for these things,' Renjiro thought, his eyes scanning the room.

'Well, they're more patriotic to the clan than me, so it's understandable,' he mused silently.

He let his gaze drift over the faces of the gathered shinobi, trying to see if there was anyone he recognized among the early arrivals. His eyes eventually landed on a familiar face, and a small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Kagami," Renjiro said under his breath, a sense of nostalgia washing over him as he spotted his former squadmate from his days in the Uchiha Police Force.

Leading Obito through the small crowd, Renjiro made his way over to where Kagami was standing. The man looked a bit older, but still carried himself with the same calm confidence that Renjiro remembered from their days in Fujioka's squad.

Kagami had always been dependable, a steady presence even when things got chaotic making him one of the squad leaders on the rise in the force by the time Renjiro left the force some months ago.

"Renjiro," Kagami greeted with a smile as Renjiro approached. His tone was warm, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes. "It's been a while."

"Too long," Renjiro replied with a grin, clasping Kagami's hand. "You're still looking the same. Haven't aged a day, huh?"

Kagami chuckled. "Well, not everyone can stay as young as you," he teased. His gaze shifted to Obito, and he gave a respectful nod.

"Obito, it's good to see you too. How's your training coming along?"

Obito straightened up, trying to seem more composed in front of the older shinobi. "It's going well, Kagami-san," he said, bowing slightly. "I'm working hard to improve every day."

Kagami smiled at the boy's formality. He had known Obito since he was a child, back when Kagami was Fujioka's assistant, Fujioka being Renjiro's squad leader during his time with the Uchiha Police Force. It was understandable that Kagami would be familiar with Obito—Fujioka had always taken pride in his son.

Kagami turned back to Renjiro, his smile widening. "I heard about your promotion to jounin. Congratulations," he said, his tone laced with good-natured humour.

"You're way younger than me, and yet you've already surpassed me. Still a chunin over here."

Renjiro laughed, shaking his head. "Don't give me too much credit. We all know you've got your own strengths," he said, brushing off the compliment.

"Besides, you never wanted the promotion anyway, right?"

Kagami chuckled again, but there was a knowing look in his eyes. "Yeah, I suppose you're right," he admitted.

Renjiro understood the complexities behind Kagami's words. Becoming a jounin in Konoha wasn't just about skill—it involved a lot of politics. The recommendation system, while ostensibly merit-based, often favored those who lobbied for recommendations from higher-ranking jounin.

Even though the Hokage had the final say, it wasn't uncommon for clan members to be held back, as there was a limit to how many could be promoted at any given time. This was one of the ways the Hokage subtly managed the power dynamics within the shinobi clans, particularly powerful ones like the Uchiha.

'With his leadership skills and fuinjutsu expertise, Kagami could've been promoted if he really wanted it,' Renjiro thought to himself.

'But I understand why he stayed where he is.'

"So, is Hae going to join us?" Renjiro asked, curious about Kagami's wife, who had also been a part of their squad back in the day.

Kagami shook his head. "Nah, she's busy with the little one," he replied with a proud smile.

"Shisui's growing fast, and let me tell you, that kid's got talent."

Renjiro grinned at the mention of Shisui. "I'll have to visit sometime," he said. "Wouldn't want to miss the chance to see the next generation of Uchiha prodigies."

"Definitely," Kagami said, his chest puffing out slightly with fatherly pride. "Shisui's going to be something special, mark my words."

'He sure will be,' Renjiro thought with an inward chuckle. But then, his gaze darkened slightly as his thoughts took a different turn.

'Both Fujioka and Kagami laid down their ambitions for the sake of their families. I suppose if I ever decide to start a family, it'll be way off in the future. Ambition seems to fade when you have other responsibilities. But that's just me.'

As the hall gradually filled with more Uchiha clan shinobi, the atmosphere grew heavier. Renjiro could feel the tension rising as the time for the meeting drew nearer. Conversations quieted down, and soon enough, the gathering reached its full attendance. An hour later, the meeting officially began.

The proceedings were led by Daichi, Fugaku, and two other clan elders whom Renjiro couldn't be bothered to remember by name. The meeting started with some voting on matters affecting the clan, mostly procedural things that Renjiro found mundane.

But he knew that these decisions held significance for the clan's future. He participated in the voting out of obligation, his mind wandering as the minutes ticked by.

After the votes were cast and counted, the meeting moved on to the announcements. Renjiro leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as he waited for something more interesting to happen. Fugaku, who had been relatively silent up until this point, stepped forward to address the room.

"The Hokage's office has informed us of some changes regarding the mission quotas for the Uchiha clan," Fugaku began, his voice steady but laced with a hint of tension. "Effective immediately, our mission quota has been reduced."

Murmurs spread through the hall, quiet at first, but quickly growing louder as the gathered Uchiha shinobi expressed their discontent. Renjiro could hear snippets of conversations around him—frustration, anger, confusion. The reduction in mission quotas wasn't just about fewer missions. It was about the Uchiha's influence in Konoha. Fewer missions meant less visibility, less power, and less respect as well as money.

Renjiro narrowed his eyes slightly, listening to the murmurs with a critical ear. The clan members were clearly unhappy with the decision, and for good reason.

'Well, I am glad I came today.' He thought as a smirk tugged in the corners of his mouth.

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