If there was one thing she had wanted to talk about, it was clan dynamics.
Yeah, big words, scary, but it's all rather simple.
Clan dynamics was how the members of the clan function, and the influence they had within the clan. The Hyuga were an extreme example with their main family and branch family. In fact, they normally took the spotlight away from other clans with their controversial practice of the cage bird seal.
But clan dynamics existed in every clan, all following a basic structure that varied greatly.
The Clan elders-hold a lot of power when it comes to passing rules within the clan. Maintain a tax on earnings used to pay for expenses pertaining to the clan. Mostly ninja stuff.
The Clan Head-is the official leader of the clan and directly controls all other members. Needs authorization to do certain things.
Everyone else-Everyone else basically, either ninjas or civilians.
This was the clan power structure in it's loosest form and again, varied from clan to clan. But for obvious reason, she was focusing on the Uchiha.
These clan elders had loosened considerably over the past few years. Their hunger for power and desire to be recognized as the most powerful clan had been satiated. Their influence spanned the entire village now, and the past few years had only consolidated their power. But in the case that this wasn't enough, Miko purposefully started incorporating Konoha citizens into the force and into the Institute so some of their legacy would survive. (While some say Miko didn't even make the Institutes keep in mind this current level of progress would have been impossible without her, so credits must go to her.)
Her father was clan head, and as the clan head's daughter, she had a rather cushy place in the clan. She wasn't fool enough to believe that if she had been born in any other position in the clan-say Sasuke's cousin instead of twin-all of this would have still been possible. Itachi took the spotlight off of her, and she had her fathers ear. She was basically royalty within Konoha, a real life princess.
And everybody else.
That's actually what she wants to talk about the most.
While the elders and her father had changed, everybody else in the clan was being transformed. People who were purposeless and just apart of the clan suddenly found themselves in positions they had never been in before. Positions where they could make a difference-matter! Either at the Art Institute, working for her Aunt and Uncle, or just all around suddenly a valued member of the clan where they had once been disposable.
This was especially true for the Uchiha civilians and less than average nin. As the most powerful clan in the world, being a part of it and being a civilian left them with no real identity-in the middle grounds so to speak. They weren't mighty ninja like her parents, or important clan elders. But yet they were apart of the clan. It left them not being accepted by the village, but not really being apart of the Uchiha either.
And then everything changed.
Suddenly they were valued. Someone needed to run the fairs, be the bridge at the Force, keep up the Institute gift shop, take care of the cat clinics. Someone had to do it and they were there and ready. The Uchiha would simply not be the most powerful ninja clan in the world if not for their civilians.
They where transforming because they were gaining a sense of self-an identity. Making a niche.
The importance of this could not be understated. When the rest of Konoha interacted with the clan, they saw the civilians. The stereotype of a stoic dark haired nin was flushed down the toilet. They were becoming the face of the clan and recognizing their worth.
And their rights.
The problem with the basic clan dynamic was if you weren't an elder or a part of the head's immediate family you practically had no voice in the direction of your clan. These enlightened members realized this.
Miko could see all this heading south really fast if it wasn't resolved. No need for a coup if the clan was to split in two. Wouldn't this be something if the clan finished itself off? Akira had just gotten done with his honeymoon and was back in the nick of time to prevent a clan wide shut down. Meanwhile this drama was playing out across the village. People realized something was up.
Her Kibbles owning Aunt was angry she had to pay to be a part of this clan, yet had no say in it. A lot of people shared her feelings.
And then something glorious happened at the meeting Akira and her father arranged. The clan elders had shown up, ready to shut shit down, but instead got shut down. The Uchiha wanted to hold a vote, and elect people in a new council. Time and time again, the elders had shown themselves to be inept, flubbing a couple deals Fugaku then had to save.
Her father stood up. A hush fell over the room.
"I recommend a council. Not to replace the elders, but to monitor trade deals and relations with Konoha, to deal with civilian matters. A meeting would be held between them and the elders one a month or whenever needed to report to and advise the elders."
Murmurs swept the crowd.
"Akira. Are you willing to head this council?"
Cheers rose up at this idea. People in the back stood up and clapped.
Akira gasped, before collecting himself and grinning charmingly.
"I will."
Akira got together Her Aunt and Uncle who ran the restaurant, her summon master uncle who ran the cat clinics, her cousin who ran the gift shop, a a few other important civilians, like the ones who monitored the charities. Starting, for the first time in any ninja clans history, a body that represented civilians. They would report directly to the elders with the decisions that was best for the clan, and have some control over fiances. Her father retained all power and influence, being the one to officially allow transactions.
It was a completely boss move on her dads part. He stayed on top and officially weakened his opponents. The best part was that he was well within his right as clan head to authorize this group as it wasn't an outside transaction. He didn't need their approval.
The clan was changing.
And for the better.