What We've Lost, We'll Definitely Take Back

When Habara entered the room and looked over its interior, the first thing he did was observe everything inside.

What he had not expected was that, besides Uchiha Zong, there were actually other people in the room.

There was nothing particularly surprising about that. Uchiha Zong was merely one of the Moderates' elders; there were naturally others in their faction.

They had gathered together this time because everyone knew perfectly well why Habara had come. He was here to lay everything on the table.

The moment Habara entered, he looked around carefully, wanting to see whether Uchiha Zong had arranged any men in advance, ready to smash a cup as a signal if their talks broke down.

But from the looks of it, they had not stationed anyone here. Even if they had, he would not have been worried—unless the opponent was Shisui, in which case things would have been a little troublesome.

After all, Shisui also possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan. If they truly fought, Habara could guarantee that he would not lose, but whether he could win was another matter entirely.

"Welcome, Habara-kun."

As Habara surveyed the room, Uchiha Zong spoke as well. This time, he wore a gentle smile, utterly different from when they had last met.

"Hello, Elder Zong. And hello to all the elders."

Habara withdrew his gaze and smiled as he nodded to every elder present. But before long, he asked with a puzzled expression, "I just didn't expect even Elder Naoki to be here. I'm truly flattered."

Uchiha Naoki was an old man who looked to be in his fifties. By Habara's standards, that should still have counted as middle-aged.

But that was not important. What mattered was that, in Habara's memories, Uchiha Naoki was supposed to be one of the Hardliners!

Naoki's appearance here truly puzzled Habara. Could it be that the Hardliners intended to approach him?

Or had what he said to Uchiha Zong already been passed along to that side by this man?

Just as Habara's heart filled with questions, Uchiha Zong spoke at the right moment. "Habara-kun, there is no need to be surprised. It is rather embarrassing to say, but although Naoki's stance differs from ours, he is my younger brother."

Wasn't your younger brother supposed to be Uchiha Kai?

After hearing Uchiha Zong's words, the thought drifted through Habara's mind. But he quickly shook his head inwardly and began considering other matters.

Honestly, he had never expected Uchiha Zong to have another younger brother—and one who had gone over to the neighboring Hardliners.

But considering that the Uchiha Clan—no, more accurately, the Descendants of the Sage of Six Paths—often seemed to disagree and turn against one another, he no longer found it strange.

He now seemed to understand why, after Uchiha Shisui's death, the Moderates had changed so quickly despite still having Uchiha Itachi.

Perhaps aside from the Moderates' hatred and despair over Shisui's death, Uchiha Naoki, as Uchiha Zong's younger brother, had played a part as well.

No matter what, however, the implications of Uchiha Zong bringing Uchiha Naoki here were quite interesting.

"So that's how it is. Please forgive my rudeness."

Habara put on an enlightened expression, then found a seat and sat down.

"Then, everyone, I assume you all know why I came here this time.

"I asked Shisui roughly who those people were, and his answer was that they were shinobi from Root.

"I already know roughly what kind of place Root is, and what those people do.

"So, as for the impact caused by the attack on me this time—you are all the clan's senior figures and key members. I believe you understand all of this even better than I do, don't you?"

Habara's words made all the seated elders nod involuntarily. Over the past month, no one knew better than they did how many times they had argued over this matter.

It was precisely because of this continuing division that they had made their decision.

They would meet this youth—the only one in the clan, aside from Shisui, to possess the Mangekyō Sharingan; someone unaffiliated with either faction, with his own unique perspective and insight.

"We do understand what you mean. After this incident, we do acknowledge your ideas."

After Habara finished speaking, an elder from the Moderates suddenly spoke.

"But what we acknowledge is only your ideas. We do not acknowledge you becoming Clan Head.

"Although Shisui said you are the clan's only choice, and his only choice, you are far too young. You have neither the experience nor the ability to lead a clan.

"Furthermore, all we know so far are your ideas. We do not know what you specifically intend to do. What gives you the confidence to make us believe in you?"

The elder's words made every elder present nod in agreement, and Habara could not help glancing at him.

To be honest, Habara was not angry, because the questions he raised were sharp and grounded in reality.

Putting himself in their shoes, if Habara had encountered such a situation, he certainly would not have pledged allegiance so easily. He might even have ignored the matter altogether!

The fact that these old men were willing to sit down and talk with him was already a major compromise, though much of that was due to the deterrence of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"I know every one of you thinks you have experience and ability, but if I had not said these things, could you have thought of them yourselves?"

Habara smiled. He did not feel pressured in the slightest, because to him, this was nothing more than an interview.

"Even if you could have thought of them, would you have dared to do them? Clearly, from the way things stand now, you would not have dared.

"That is the difference in vision. That is the drive of young people—the vigor that old men like you, who have struggled and clawed your way through life for so long, no longer possess!"

Habara's words were anything but polite. They could even be called extremely disrespectful. But he knew all too well what his strengths and weaknesses were.

He had no experience and no record that could convince others, but he had the Mangekyō Sharingan—and the support of Shisui, another wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan!

Strength was not absolute, but within the Uchiha Clan, having no strength was absolutely unacceptable. That was why Habara dared to be so forceful.

"As for my ideas and plans, I have already spoken of them. Perhaps I was too vague before, so I can explain them more clearly now.

"In my view, both the Moderates and the Hardliners are too extreme.

"The Moderates compromise too much. Peace gained through compromise will sooner or later lead to destruction.

"Because without necessary firmness, others will only think you are easy to bully. They will take whatever they want from you without restraint.

"But the Hardliners are too forceful. You could even say they are somewhat arrogant. I do not know why they believe that people like us can shake Konoha.

"Although their target may only be Sarutobi Hiruzen, who knows what Konoha itself will do? And who would be able to help us?

"Too much compromise brings destruction, but excessive forcefulness also brings destruction. So, if I were Clan Head, I would coordinate and combine the ideas of both sides.

"The greatest conflict between the Moderates and the Hardliners lies in how to treat Konoha. Now, I can give you my answer.

"When clan interests are not involved, we can resolve problems with a moderate attitude.

"But once clan interests are involved, we must use the Hardliners' methods in response to everyone."

At that point, Habara paused slightly before speaking in a meaningful tone.

"We are all family. Our goal is to do what is best for the clan.

"Back then, Uchiha Madara wanted to take us away, but we refused.

"Now, I fear the clan members would not be willing to leave either. Besides, Konoha was built jointly by the Uchiha and the Senju.

"We have lost so much. We must work twice as hard to change ourselves, so that we can take back everything we have lost!"

Thanks to Heaven-Defying Peach-Luck Youth and Mo Zihua for the rewards. Thank you, thank you~

PS: I'm seriously crying my eyes out. I set up an automatic upload last night, but accidentally clicked the wrong thing. I'm completely numb.

So please bookmark it, and especially please keep reading. That really is important. I'm begging you all~!