The Naka Shrine stood near the lower reaches of the Naka River, once the heartland of the Uchiha clan.
When Uchiha Yuan arrived, he immediately sensed several hidden gazes falling upon him.
A Police Force member appeared at the shrine gates.
"Lord Yuan, this way please."
Yuan nodded.
But just before entering, he paused.
He turned his head toward a distant position… then toward another.
A faint cold smile curved his lips.
ANBU… and Root.
Hidden nearby—
On one tree branch crouched three ANBU wearing beast masks.
On another side, masked Root operatives watched in silence.
Yuan had noticed both groups instantly.
He stepped into the shrine.
The Underground Hall
Inside, beneath the seventh tatami mat in the main hall, lay a hidden entrance.
Yuan descended into the underground assembly chamber.
Dozens of Uchiha elites had already gathered.
Clan pillars.
Influential members.
Voices buzzed with discussion.
He spotted familiar faces—
Uchiha Eiji, seated quietly behind his father.
Uchiha Shisui, speaking softly with Uchiha Fugaku.
Behind Fugaku sat Itachi Uchiha, calmly observing the room.
Their eyes met briefly.
"Squad Leader, sit here."
Uchiha Tōra gestured.
Yuan sat beside him.
Soon, Eiji moved over.
"Yuan, I didn't expect you to attend the clan assembly."
"With your reputation and strength, you certainly qualify."
Yuan smiled faintly.
"You've grown stronger too."
Eiji sighed.
"I wanted a rematch when you returned… then I heard you fought eight squad leaders alone."
"You're a monster."
Yuan laughed lightly.
"Thank you."
Then, after brief discussion of training—
The hall suddenly quieted.
Fugaku Speaks
Fugaku rose.
"You all know the village has begun discussing the selection of the Fifth Hokage."
"What are your thoughts?"
The reaction was explosive.
"This is our chance!"
"The Hokage seat belongs to the Uchiha!"
"Clan Head, we support you!"
Fugaku smiled.
"Yes. I intend to run."
"It has been decades. It is time the Hokage title returned to the Uchiha."
The room roared in approval.
But Shisui frowned.
As someone straddling both village and clan, he understood the political reality.
"Clan Head, I oppose this."
Silence fell instantly.
"Shisui! Are you saying the Clan Head lacks qualification?!"
Fugaku's expression cooled.
"Why do you oppose?"
Shisui answered calmly:
"It is not about qualification. It is about possibility."
"The village leadership will never willingly allow the Hokage position to fall into Uchiha hands."
"Especially Danzo Shimura. His opposition would be absolute."
Murmurs spread.
Tension thickened.
Fugaku narrowed his eyes.
"And what do you suggest?"
Shisui hesitated.
Before he could answer—
A calm voice rang out.
"I choose to support Orochimaru."
All heads turned.
It was Uchiha Yuan.
The hall fell into stunned silence.
Even Itachi's gaze sharpened.
Yuan rose slowly.
"The Fifth Hokage will not be an Uchiha."
"Not now."
Murmurs erupted.
"Then you want to give up?"
"Support an outsider?"
Yuan's voice remained steady.
"Supporting Clan Head Fugaku would only provoke the village."
"The result would not be victory."
"It would be escalation."
He let that sink in.
"Among the candidates, only Orochimaru has the strength, prestige, and independence to stand against the old guard."
"And unlike others—"
"He does not fear the Uchiha."
Fugaku's eyes flickered.
The elders exchanged looks.
Shisui stared at Yuan, surprised.
Yuan continued:
"If Orochimaru becomes Hokage, we gain breathing room."
"We gain time."
"We gain leverage."
"But if we push for the seat ourselves—"
"We risk accelerating conflict."
His gaze swept the hall.
"I will support Orochimaru."
"And I believe that is the wisest move for the clan."
Silence.
Heavy.
Thoughtful.
The first true strategic divergence within the Uchiha had just surfaced.
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