"Fellow compatriots!"
"Ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi became the Third Hokage, he has suppressed every Ninja clan. As a result, countless clans that survived the Warring-States era have vanished without a trace in the age of the Hidden Villages."
"The most regrettable loss among them is Konoha's founding clan—the Senju!"
"On top of that, many mighty shinobi were feared by the higher-ups for their strength and were systematically executed under all sorts of pretexts."
"Senju Nawaki, Kato Dan, Sakumo Hatake..."
"Minato Namikaze is the greatest tragedy of all. He was chosen precisely because he had no background; Hiruzen wanted a civilian Hokage so they could keep pulling the strings from behind the curtain."
"Facts prove I'm not spouting nonsense!"
"Anyone who lived through the Fourth's reign knows: during Minato's term the Anbu, the Academy, and the Education Bureau were still in Hiruzen's grip; the Barrier Squad, Administration, and Interrogation units answered to Homura Mitokado; Medical Corps and Mission Office were monopolized by Utatane Koharu; and Danzo controlled the notorious Root."
"All Minato truly commanded was the largely ceremonial Jōnin Council and the Analysis Squad..."
"The elders of the Third's era never actually abdicated."
"When Minato tried to reclaim authority, he had barely enough time to place Kakashi in the Anbu and rebuild his own guard platoon..."
"But the moment he made a move, the Village suffered the Nine-Tails Attack—and they pinned the blame on us Uchiha."
"Just talking about it makes me laugh!"
"During the Nine-Tails chaos Root blocked the Uchiha, so what did Hiruzen and his cohorts do?"
"Apart from Hiruzen whacking the Nine-Tails back toward Konoha with a pole, they did nothing. Even more suspicious: Kushina's delivery date was top-secret—only the top brass knew, and the distrusted Uchiha had no way to learn it, yet afterward they still pointed fingers at us!"
"The Village leaders knew all this, yet in the end they still chose to suspect the Uchiha!"
"As they lay dying, Minato and Kushina sealed the Nine-Tails into their son Uzumaki Naruto, but sent the key to Mount Myōboku instead of entrusting it to Hiruzen..."
"What does that prove?"
"It proves that, in his final moments, Minato had probably figured out who the real culprit was!"
"Compatriots!"
"Because of the higher-ups' actions, we had no choice but to leave the Village, and starting today we re-establish our new Village."
"I can promise you: I will never target clans—our Uchiha name couldn't bear such shame!"
"The capable rise, the mediocre step aside!"
"As long as you can prove your strength and ability, you are qualified to vie for the seat of Hokage!"
"On the day I take office, I've prepared a gift for everyone."
"Tsunade, it's your turn."
Almost in an instant.
With Uchiha Jin's words—rumors many had heard before—now spoken by the man himself, every face in the crowd turned complex.
Anger, grievance, helplessness... a storm of emotions erupted into deafening cheers.
Yes!
They believed every promise the Uchiha made.
Everyone knew the Uchiha: call them radical or even evil, but once they give their word, it is ironclad.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Watching the cheering masses, Uchiha Jin stepped aside and let Tsunade take the stage.
Tsunade's eyes were conflicted; she gave Jin a long look, then solemnly addressed the crowd.
"Everyone..."
"During this period we have drafted two sets of rules."
"First: a Property-Disclosure System!"
"From now on, every coin spent by the new Village—where it goes, how much, what remains—will be made public. Every citizen may inspect the books and challenge any transaction."
"Second: the Ninja System!"
"Is saving a comrade more important, or completing the mission?"
"This dilemma that once left you lost will cease to exist as of today."
"From now on our shinobi are not tools but full-fledged human beings. Before any mission we will publish its details, the consequences of success or failure, and its difficulty rating."
"Accepting a mission is entirely voluntary!"
"Only in special circumstances such as war will orders be compulsory, and even then, should you renounce your Ninja status, you may refuse."
"We have also revised the Ninja-service regulations."
"Every Ninja will receive a fixed salary—paid unconditionally whether you undertake a mission that month or not."
"If you are disabled or retire with age, the Village will cover your retirement and medical costs, plus a monthly pension.
"Retired Ninja enjoy further perks: waived school fees for your children, discounted jutsu exchange with merit, and priority job placement for non-Ninja offspring..."
Gasp!
At Tsunade's words the crowd erupted.
Even though they came from Ninja Clan, a clan won't support you for life; unless you reach the top, life is only slightly better than a civilian's.
But now?
The new Village's two policies will raise their living standards by several levels.
"Long live the Hokage!"
"We pledge our loyalty to the Village!"
"..."
The people below descended into wild jubilation.
Before, they had joined the Uchiha mostly because Hiruzen had squeezed them dry; Jin's earlier speech only deepened their hatred of him.
Now, everything changed!
Tsunade's declaration made them truly embrace the new Village.
Twenty minutes later.
When the Hokage inauguration ended and Uchiha Jin's group departed, the simple platform was dismantled, yet every corner of the Uchiha Clan Compound remained an ocean of endless joy.