After the hawkish faction filed into the hall, the three figures left at the entrance exchanged silent glances, none of them inclined to speak.
They stood there not so much to guard against outsiders… but to keep an eye on their own.
The Uchiha's trust in one another had long been shaken.
Back when the forbidden technique Izanagi had been abused, it triggered internal bloodshed that nearly tore the clan apart and severely weakened its strength. At the height of that chaos, different factions had stationed their own members to monitor each other day and night—even within the clan compound itself.
The hatred between them had once been enough to leave outsiders speechless.
If not for Uchiha Jiri's sudden rise—ending the conflict with the forbidden technique Izanami—the Uchiha might have vanished from the shinobi world just like the Senju.
After all, the Uchiha's greatest enemy… was sitting in the Hokage's office.
—
As the group entered the shrine's main hall, the atmosphere shifted immediately.
It grew heavy.
Dim light filled the vast space, with only a single beam of pale daylight pouring down from the high ceiling. Dust drifted within that column of light, illuminating the platform where the Uchiha fan crest was enshrined—solemn and imposing.
The hall was spacious enough to seat nearly a hundred people.
Yet at this moment, it was so quiet that even the faint rustle of clothing could be heard.
Under the watchful eyes of the dovish faction and the clan head's supporters, the hawks took their places on the left side.
And then—
Something unexpected happened.
Uchiha Ren calmly sat down at the foremost position of the hawkish faction—the seat that represented Uchiha Setsuna.
Beside him sat Uchiha Fugaku, his expression stern, brows tightly drawn.
Behind them knelt the younger generation—Uchiha Shisui, with his distinctive rounded nose and prodigious talent already showing, along with Uchiha Yakumi.
On the far right sat the dovish faction, led by Uchiha Hokaku.
Behind him stood a young kunoichi—Uchiha Mikoto.
Graceful and composed, yet carrying a quiet sharpness, she embodied both elegance and strength.
At her side was a mature, full-figured kunoichi—Uchiha Hazuki. Though married outside the clan, she had awakened the Sharingan and had been invited back.
She was the mother of Uchiha Izumi.
Counting everyone present, there were over fifty Uchiha in the hall—
A staggering number, nearly a quarter of Konoha's active jōnin.
This was the weight of the shinobi world's foremost clan.
The hawkish faction alone accounted for nearly half of them. In the end, the militant faction always held more appeal than the conservative and appeasement-minded sides.
And yet—
For all their strength, the Uchiha were ineffective both internally and externally.
A scattered force.
Ren's gaze swept across the hall.
Meeting the questioning looks of the others, he spoke slowly.
"Elder Setsuna is advanced in age and unable to handle clan affairs. I will attend this assembly as his representative."
The moment those words fell, the hall fell silent.
Only the shifting beam of light moved, splitting the Uchiha crest into interwoven halves of brightness and shadow.
Many were surprised by Setsuna's decision.
Their gazes shifted forward.
After all, if age were the reason, there were still two other highly respected elders present.
And the Uchiha—
Took pride very seriously.
Their struggle with the Senju for the Hokage seat wasn't entirely unrelated to that pride.
After all… the "fire" of the Hokage originally symbolized the Uchiha's fire.
'Since Setsuna has already made his choice… why should I cling to an empty position?'
Uchiha Hokaku lowered his gaze slightly. The corner of his eye drifted toward the successor beside him, thoughts gradually settling.
Uchiha Mikoto.
Though her strength was not on par with the other two factions, her natural advantages as a woman—combined with Hokaku's years of guidance—made her well-suited to navigate between factions.
She could act as a mediator.
Or assist the clan head's faction in balancing the increasingly dominant hawks.
No matter how one looked at it, she was capable of shouldering the responsibility.
'As for her marriage… I'll let her decide for herself.'
Hokaku recalled how both Setsuna and the clan head had proposed matches. Their successors were among the finest in the clan, each carrying considerable influence.
Whichever side Mikoto chose would inevitably stir waves within the Uchiha.
For the sake of stability, Hokaku had delayed any decision—while quietly observing both Ren and Fugaku.
Over time, the differences between the two had become increasingly clear.
Not just in strength.
But in temperament and capability.
Stability was essential for a clan's prosperity.
But stagnant stability, under external pressure, only led to ruin.
Some things revealed themselves early.
Even in the shinobi world, there were sayings to that effect.
Fugaku was much like the current clan head.
His future was easy to foresee.
But Ren was different.
Calm. Measured. Purposeful.
Every proposal he had made in previous clan meetings had brought tangible benefits, easing tensions between factions.
Fugaku lacked that ability.
If he became clan head… it would simply be history repeating itself.
'And Mikoto… that child likely already has someone in her heart.'
Having reached his conclusion, Hokaku raised his head and spoke directly.
"If Elder Setsuna cannot even attend an important clan assembly, it seems his age has truly caught up to him."
As he spoke, he stood.
Turning to the clan head, he continued,
"Clan Head, I will first go pay a visit to Elder Setsuna on behalf of the clan. For this assembly, Mikoto will represent me and make decisions in my stead."
The moment those words landed, the hall stirred.
Uchiha turned their heads in surprise.
Mikoto's lips parted slightly, about to speak—but she met Hokaku's gaze.
The old man smiled gently.
"Mikoto, I leave the rest to you."
He paused, then added with subtle meaning,
"And of course… you may also do what you truly wish to do."
Finally, he gave a slight bow.
"Clan Head, I will take my leave."
The members of the dovish faction rose at once, bowing as Hokaku departed.
Then, in unison, they turned and bowed toward Mikoto.
Just like that, the transfer of authority within the dovish faction was completed—smooth and unquestioned, just like among the hawks.
Taking a slow breath, Mikoto stepped forward and took the lead seat.
At that moment, her eyes met Ren's—carrying a faint smile.
She blinked lightly in response.
Between them, Uchiha Fugaku remained composed, unmoved.
At the front of the hall, the clan head sat upright, his gaze sharp and full of vigor.
Watching Hokaku leave without hesitation, a shadow crept into his heart.
Both the hawks and the doves had relinquished authority at the same time—
Leaving him alone under the spotlight.
'So be it.'
'I had no intention of continuing as clan head anyway. Their departure isn't necessarily a bad thing.'
'But Hokaku leaving… that's another matter entirely.'
With the young Mikoto now leading the dovish faction—
Would she, like Hokaku, prioritize stability and align with the clan head?
Or would things change?
That… remained to be seen.
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