At Shisui's words, Uchiha Fugaku fell into thoughtful silence.
Everyone present was more than familiar with Danzō. Every act of suppression the village had directed toward the Uchiha had been carried out under his hand.
The moment his name was mentioned, anger flared among the gathered clan members. Voices rose one after another in furious condemnation. Before long, the target of their rage shifted—from Danzō to the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
Uchiha Yuan sat quietly among them, his gaze fixed on Shisui. His expression was unreadable.
From Shisui's tone, it was clear where he stood.
Between his identity as a member of the Uchiha clan and his role within the Hokage's ANBU, Shisui leaned far more toward the latter.
Whenever conflict arose between clan and village, his first instinct was always compromise—retreating for the sake of Konoha.
In his heart, he trusted the Third Hokage and the upper echelons of the village without reservation. It was the mindset of a subordinate who obeyed completely.
Perhaps that was why, after Danzō stole one of his eyes, Shisui entrusted the other to Itachi… and chose death for himself.
Because he may never have been capable of turning his blade against the village leadership.
"Danzō that old thief inherited Tobirama's hostility toward our clan completely!" someone shouted. "Just because he hates us, we're supposed to give up the Hokage position?"
"Impossible! We won't be frightened by that old dog!"
"No one can stop the Uchiha from becoming Hokage!"
After venting their anger toward Danzō and the Second Hokage, several clan members spoke in succession, their voices filled with burning determination.
At this, Shisui's brows knitted slightly. A trace of worry flickered in his eyes.
Given Danzō's hardline stance against the Uchiha, Shisui feared that this time the clan might truly collide with the village head-on.
His gaze quietly met Itachi's, who stood behind Fugaku. The silent exchange carried a clear meaning:
They had to find a way to cool the clan's rising fervor.
Yuan lowered his eyes briefly.
The clan's anger was understandable.
But rage alone was useless.
Danzō would not be intimidated by noise. Nor would the village leadership suddenly change course because of shouting.
The path to Hokage was never won through passion.
It was won through power.
Through influence.
Through inevitability.
And if conflict truly erupted…
Yuan's eyes sharpened faintly.
Then so be it.
A murmur rippled through the hall as someone suddenly mentioned another name.
"Kakashi."
"Hatake Kakashi?"
"If we're talking about competition within the younger generation, he's not someone to ignore."
Several clan members nodded subtly.
Though Hatake Kakashi was not an Uchiha, no one denied his talent. A prodigy who graduated early, a jōnin at a young age, the disciple of the Fourth Hokage—
Even within the proud Uchiha clan, his name carried weight.
Yuan's lips curved faintly.
Kakashi, huh…
The silver-haired copy ninja.
A flicker of interest passed through his eyes.
He rose slowly to his feet.
The movement was subtle, yet it drew attention.
Fugaku's gaze shifted toward him. So did Shisui's. The surrounding murmurs quieted instinctively.
Yuan spoke calmly.
"If the clan wishes to prove its strength—words are meaningless."
His eyes swept across the gathered Uchiha.
"Strength is shown through battle."
A brief pause.
Then, with the faintest hint of a smile, he added—
"In that case… I'll go find Kakashi."
A ripple of surprise spread through the hall.
Shisui's expression changed slightly. "Yuan, you—"
Yuan met his gaze evenly.
"Since the village doubts us," he said softly, "let them witness the strength of the Uchiha firsthand."
His tone wasn't arrogant.
It was matter-of-fact.
As though the outcome were already decided.
A faint stir of excitement began spreading among the younger clan members.
Kakashi versus Yuan?
Even the elders' expressions shifted.
Fugaku studied Yuan for several long seconds before speaking.
"Do you understand what this represents?"
Yuan nodded lightly.
"I do."
This was not merely a spar.
It was a statement.
To the village.
To Danzō.
To everyone watching.
Yuan turned toward the exit.
"Leave it to me."
And with that, he walked out of the clan hall, his steps steady and unhurried.
Behind him, the hall fell into a tense silence.
Some people die…But they don't die completely.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito