It was late into the night before the young men and women finally dispersed. The higher-ups of Konoha didn't pursue the matter — they were far too busy scouring the world in search of the tailed beasts.
Shimura Danzō had dispatched more than half of Root's operatives. Aside from a few clerks and key security personnel, everyone else had been sent out to hunt for the beasts. Any foreign ninja encountered during the search was to be eliminated on sight.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had also sent out a large number of ANBU, tracing every faint clue across the lands in hopes of locating the tailed beasts before anyone else. Every hidden village was scrambling to find them — meanwhile, the Seven-Tails, Chōmei, was lazily napping on the ground with its small friends...
By noon, Uchiha Kairen finally arrived at the Police Force Headquarters. He'd come to ask his uncle when that so-called "Project Sunflower" would begin. He could hardly wait — after all, pulling off such a grand public display right under the Hokage faction's nose would feel immensely satisfying.
"Uncle, when are we launching the plan? Right now's the perfect time to give the Hokage faction a little eye medicine!" Uchiha Kairen said impatiently.
"Ah, Kairen," replied Uchiha Nobunaga, his tone calm but approving. "Everything's almost ready. The funding from the Land of Fire has arrived, so we can begin anytime. Since you're this eager, I'll leave it to you."
"Got it — I'll gather our people and get things started!" Kairen replied enthusiastically.
The Project Sunflower was a derivative initiative born after the Uchiha clan broke through their political isolation. At its core, it was a charitable assistance program.
It consisted of several phases —
Phase 1: The Orphanage Program
"Better Education, Changed Destiny" — Provide academic support, tutoring, and enrichment for orphaned children. Those with potential to become shinobi would receive financial aid to attend the Ninja Academy.
"Cultivate Interests, Nurture Talent" — Establish extracurricular classes such as music, painting, cooking, and carpentry. Children would receive training in their areas of interest and travel to the Land of Fire for internships at the end of each term.
Outstanding performers would be retained for further training.
Those with poor results would return to orphanages in Konoha or the Land of Fire to work as social assistants.
The goal was to raise children who would grow up admiring and supporting the Uchiha — and at the same time, to show the world what kind of clan the Uchiha truly were: a noble house that acted, not just spoke.
Phase 2: "I Love My Home" Initiative
"Cherish the Environment, Start Young" — Lead children in cleaning up Konoha's streets to build environmental awareness and civic spirit. Uchiha youths would serve as role models, dividing into small teams responsible for specific areas.
Every Monday, the best-performing team would receive a small stipend and a red flag of honor.
"Plant a Tree, Embrace the Spring" — Encourage children to love nature by organizing tree-planting events throughout the beautiful Konoha village, practicing the "Will of Fire" through real action to build a better home together.
"Golden Sunset: Respect the Elderly" — Uchiha volunteers would visit and assist disabled veterans who once fought for Konoha.
The elders would share their stories with the children, who would help with household chores in return.
Two such visits would be organized each week to remind these veterans that while Konoha may have forgotten them, the Uchiha never would. The clan would never allow its heroes to bleed and weep in silence.
Phase 3: Establishing the Veterans' Guild
Funded by the Uchiha clan, a new trade guild would be formed, with 30% of its profits directed into a Veterans' Assistance Fund.
The guild would prioritize hiring disabled veterans and graduates from the orphanage apprenticeship program.
The Veterans' Fund would provide subsidies for injured veterans and their families, covering daily needs and their children's education expenses.
All these programs were directed exclusively toward civilians and families on good terms with the Uchiha.
Those aligned with the Hokage faction were not included.
The intention was simple: to show everyone that those who stood with the Uchiha enjoyed meat, drink, and wealth.
"You side with the Hokage? Then go ask him for help," the message implied.
"It's his duty to provide for you — if all you get is a beggar's allowance, that's not our fault."
When people start comparing… words lose to actions.
Let's see how long the Hokage faction can keep their lofty airs when all they do is talk.
With ANBU and Root stretched thin chasing after tailed beasts, this was the perfect time to strike — to win hearts and seize influence while others chased illusions.
After all, the tailed beast was already within their grasp.
Let them run in circles; Kairen's people would make sure their efforts came to nothing but an empty basket.
---
Uchiha Kairen soon gathered his team and assigned roles, dividing everyone into three main groups:
Group 1: The Planning Committee
Handle registration of participating children and assist other groups.
Collect and organize feedback, suggestions, and evaluations for awards and commendations.
This team was led by Uchiha Honō and Uchiha Danten —
Honō for his meticulous nature, ideal for managing data and logistics.
Danten for his strong interpersonal ties within the clan, making him perfect for coordination work.
Group 2: The Publicity Committee
Promote scheduled events according to the Planning Committee's plans.
Handle marketing and publicity for major events.
Design and display posters, boards, and bulletins.
Manage the service team's public image and produce promotional materials.
In short — they'd make sure everyone in Konoha knew what the Uchiha were doing,
while certain others only talked and never acted.
This group was led by Uchiha Gorou, whose shameless energy made him perfect for public relations.
Kairen himself would occasionally step in to supervise and fill gaps.
Group 3: The Operations Team
Manage the storage, rental, and purchase of supplies.
Maintain communication and team cohesion.
Oversee personnel arrangements during activities.
This group was headed by Uchiha Retsu and Uchiha Hankan, both energetic and excellent organizers — perfect executors for hands-on fieldwork.
Additionally, Uchiha Kairen proposed that every participant of the Project Sunflower wear a team insignia —
a sunflower facing the sun, symbolizing vitality, growth, and a hopeful future.
Each member would wear it proudly over their left chest.
The emblem embodied the spirit of the Sunflower Project — gentle care, warm love — and reflected its dedication to children, elders, and wounded veterans alike.
It stood for a promise: to bring them warmth, dignity, and compassion.
Homes of orphans, the elderly, and disabled veterans under this initiative would display the sunflower mark at their doors —
a sign for volunteers and visitors to extend help and kindness.
Meanwhile, the Uchiha Police Force would fully cooperate.
Each civilian patrol officer was tasked with reporting neighborhood conditions to the Planning Committee, and 2–3 auxiliary officers would be assigned to assist in carrying out the activities.