He's Radical Faction—And He Got Elected?

He's Radical Faction—And He Got Elected?

"Fugaku, so you're no longer the clan head?"

After returning home, Uchiha Fugaku told Uchiha Mikoto about what had happened.

At the clan meeting just now, he had been removed from his position as head of the Uchiha clan, with Bai Ye taking his place.

At first, Uchiha Mikoto found it hard to believe. In her view, even if Fugaku stepped down, Bai Ye should not have been the one to take over.

After all, Bai Ye was about the same age as Itachi.

"But Father didn't do anything wrong. Why did they make Father step down?!"

Uchiha Sasuke angrily spoke up for Fugaku.

In his eyes, his father had done nothing bad during his time in office. Why should he be forced to step down?

"I'm sorry, Father. Was it because of me?"

Itachi's gaze flickered before he lowered his head, deep in thought.

The family dinner, which they had not had together in a long time, suddenly became somewhat oppressive.

He was also shocked by the news. He had never expected the Elder Council to join forces and force his father from office.

At least within the clan, he believed his father had always been working to mediate the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha clan. With the clan's three factions keeping one another in check, this should not have happened.

If his father had stepped down, did that mean Bai Ye, the one taking office this time, was from the Radical Faction?

Otherwise, there would have been no need to drive out someone from the Dove Faction or Moderate Faction.

"Itachi, it doesn't have much to do with you, so don't overthink it. It's just that some of the things Bai Ye said before won the support of most of the Uchiha. That's why everyone chose him."

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head. In truth, he understood the matter well enough himself.

He simply had not found a solution, and the clansmen could no longer see any hope in him. Naturally, they would not choose him.

"I see."

Itachi lowered his head and said nothing more.

However, he began pondering what Bai Ye could possibly have said to gain the support of so many people.

Could they really be going to war?

The thought made his heart tighten. After hurriedly finishing his meal, Itachi stood up and prepared to leave under the excuse of having a mission.

"Didn't you say you'd practice with me tonight, Oniisan?"

Sasuke puffed up his cheeks and glared at Itachi indignantly, thinking that Itachi had gone back on his word.

He had clearly promised to practice with him, yet now he was turning around and going on a mission.

"I just remembered that I seem to have a mission to complete." As he spoke, Itachi seemed to recall something. He crouched down and looked at Sasuke gently. "Sorry, Sasuke. This is the last time. Forgive me. When I get back, I'll train with you."

With that, Itachi raised a hand and flicked Sasuke on the forehead.

Sasuke clutched his head in pain and puffed out his cheeks. "That hurt!"

But after saying that, he watched Itachi and saw no reaction. Sasuke felt a little disappointed, while Itachi gave Fugaku and the others an apologetic look before turning and leaving.

Watching Itachi's retreating figure, Mikoto grew worried. "That child, Itachi..."

"Trust Itachi. He'll handle it."

Uchiha Fugaku wrapped an arm around Mikoto's shoulders to comfort her.

Itachi had always been so clever. He would definitely be able to solve this problem.

"Mm. Let's stop talking about this and eat."

Sasuke was still there, and Uchiha Mikoto did not want to discuss this topic. She could only quietly worry about Itachi in her heart.

After leaving home, Itachi immediately sought out Shisui and told him what had happened within the Uchiha.

By now, the two of them had been struck from the Uchiha clan records. They were no longer informed about clan meetings or other news.

If Fugaku had not told them everything just now, the two of them would probably still have been in the dark.

"Itachi, you mean Bai Ye might be from the Radical Faction?"

After hearing this, Shisui rubbed his forehead in distress.

At first, he had felt that Fugaku's inaction as clan head had led to this situation.

But now, why did it feel as though having Fugaku remain in office would have been better?

Although he had been inactive, he would not have directly confronted Konoha head-on.

"It's only a possibility. My father himself lies somewhere between the Moderate Faction and the Dove Faction. Though he can be aggressive at times, he doesn't lean too heavily toward the Radical Faction. So if they were to choose a new clan head, it could only be someone from the Radical Faction. What I don't understand is why the Dove Faction and the Moderate Faction would agree."

Clearly, Bai Ye could only have taken office with the approval of the Moderate Faction and the Dove Faction.

Otherwise, how could someone Bai Ye's age possibly take office?

That was what Itachi found strangest.

"Then, if what you're saying is true, Itachi, should I use that to change his mind?"

Going to war with Konoha was no different from seeking death.

Shisui had once considered changing Fugaku's mind to achieve peace.

But later, seeing that Fugaku's thinking was not overly radical, he had given up on the idea.

"Let's report this information to Lord Hokage first."

Itachi pondered for a moment, then sighed and spoke slowly.

After speaking, he looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with sorrow. Why could the Uchiha clan never integrate into Konoha?

And now, it seemed they had given up on integrating altogether and chosen someone from the Radical Faction to take office.

"What are we supposed to tell Lord Hokage?"

Shisui was baffled.

They had not even figured out whether Bai Ye truly belonged to the Radical Faction or some other faction.

Going to report it just like this did not seem right. What they had discussed was merely speculation.

"Let's tell Lord Hokage about it first. Then we can test Bai Ye's stance. I hope he isn't from the Radical Faction."

"True. If he's from the Radical Faction, the clan can only end up being exterminated. Let's go speak with Lord Hokage first."

Shisui firmly believed this as well.

Danzo had already said that if the Uchiha clan rebelled, Konoha would strike without hesitation.

Though the Uchiha clan was very powerful in combat, it was obviously impossible for them to rival all of Konoha.

That was why they had always tried to prevent the Radical Faction from gaining influence. They knew the Radical Faction could never succeed.

And Hiruzen Sarutobi had given them time to resolve this issue.

So they had always believed they were mediating the relationship between the village and the Uchiha.

Even if the Uchiha clan misunderstood them at this time, it did not matter.

Surely, once they resolved this problem, everyone would understand them?

The two exchanged a glance, then put on their Anbu masks and left the Uchiha clan compound for the Hokage's Office.

"Shisui, Itachi, did something urgent happen for you to come see me this late?"