Another Clan Meeting, Uchiha Jin Tears Off the Mask!

A clan meeting, another clan meeting!

The corner of Uchiha Jin's mouth twitched. He could not help patting his forehead; he was utterly speechless over Fugaku as Clan Head.

Any ordinary person knew that minor matters called for large meetings, while major matters called for small meetings—or no meetings at all!

Ordinary people lacked the ability to solve problems. On the contrary, they were more easily swayed by others and led around by the nose, while the risk of spies learning of the matter also became greater.

Thus, ordinary clansmen only needed to be good at carrying out orders. When truly discussing strategies, the fewer people involved, the better. It was enough to ensure that those attending had prestige, could command the lower and middle ranks, and were capable of resolving the matter.

But what about now?

Fugaku held meetings over every little thing, yet could not solve a single problem. He had none of the decisiveness a Clan Head should possess; he did not even know how to handle affairs.

For a clan, that could only leave them stuck in a bind!

"This Fugaku really is useless!"

"It must be about the missing clansmen and the rumors in the village."

"He cannot even handle something this minor. Can't he use his brain?"

"Calling meetings at the drop of a hat—he's seriously got something wrong with his head!"

Uchiha Setsuna furrowed his brows and could not help cursing loudly.

Previously, he had not thought there was anything wrong with constantly holding Clan Meetings. But after spending more time with Uchiha Jin, he increasingly felt that Clan Meetings were terribly inefficient and completely useless aside from wasting time.

Looking back at the several operations since Uchiha Jin had joined the Radical Faction, they had basically never gone through any meetings or discussions. He simply found a few people, gave them instructions, and they got to work.

Secretive, efficient, and without flaws!

More importantly, the results had been remarkably impressive.

Looking back at all the Clan Meetings he had attended throughout his life, they had never accomplished a single thing.

"Enough complaining!"

"We have nothing better to do anyway. Fugaku is Clan Head, after all. As long as it does not involve matters of principle, giving him some face will not hurt anything."

"Tekka, go find five Elite Jonin from the Radical Faction to bolster our presence. Everyone else is to strictly carry out patrol duties during this time. Keep a close watch over the compound, both overtly and covertly. Do not give Root any opportunity to take advantage."

"Elder Setsuna, let's go."

Uchiha Jin stood and walked straight outside.

Setsuna naturally followed close behind, setting an example and making Jin's position as Leader of the Radical Faction clear.

Ten minutes later.

Uchiha Jin and Setsuna led the way, followed by Tekka and five unnamed Elite Jonin, as they made their way to Naka Shrine.

Everyone present frowned at their arrival.

However, unlike last time, many of the lower-ranking Uchiha clansmen looked at the Radical Faction with complicated, thoughtful expressions.

Clearly.

Many things that had recently happened within the clan seemed to be proving Uchiha Jin right.

The Uchiha were stubborn and single-minded, but they were not truly fools. With something to compare against, they could naturally notice certain things. It was only because they had long trusted the Elders of the various factions that they had not yet chosen to join the Radical Faction.

"Elder Jin, Elder Setsuna!"

"Why did your Radical Faction bring so few people? Why are the other Uchiha members not attending the Clan Meeting?"

"Isn't this somewhat against the rules?"

Fugaku sat high in the seat of honor, his face full of authority.

If one did not understand his personality, one might truly be intimidated upon meeting him for the first time.

At the very least.

He certainly looked somewhat like a Clan Head.

But unfortunately, he was all show and no substance. Fugaku was the very definition of looking good but being useless.

After the group took their seats, Uchiha Jin adjusted his robes before speaking with an unhurried smile. "The others need to prevent the compound from being invaded, so naturally they cannot attend the Clan Meeting."

Fugaku's face darkened at once.

Was that not an obvious jab at him?

But before he could speak, Shisui spoke first. "Jin-kun, you should trust the Clan Head and Hokage-sama. The actions of your Radical Faction have gone too far. You are clearly showing that you do not trust the Clan Head and Hokage-sama."

"This behavior is wrong. I hope the Radical Faction will remove its defenses!"

And yet.

Uchiha Jin did not even raise his eyelids as he directly rebuffed him. "I do not trust the Clan Head or Sarutobi Hiruzen!"

"You..." Shisui was dumbfounded.

Fugaku was the Clan Head, and Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Hokage. Was he not giving them far too little face?

Such bluntness left his mind blank.

No matter what one thought in private, should one not at least show respect on the surface?

Unfortunately.

Uchiha Jin could not be bothered to pay him any attention. He spoke indifferently again, "Quite a few people have died in the clan recently, and they were all Three Tomoe Uchiha, weren't they?"

"I remember warning all of you at the last Clan Meeting. I never expected you idiots to actually gamble with your subordinates' lives on Fugaku and Sarutobi Hiruzen's character."

"You are impressive. I admire you!"

"Fugaku's indecisiveness did not start yesterday. During the war, the Uchiha earned military merit, yet when they died, they could not even enter the village's Memorial Stone. Do the villagers not know that the Uchiha fought desperately for the village?"

"Nine-Tails Night, the loss of our ancestral grounds, Anbu surveillance..."

"One thing after another—do you really have no brains?"

"But forget it!"

"Good advice cannot save those determined to die. If you want to court death yourselves, then I cannot be bothered to care about you."

"But likewise."

"The Radical Faction does not acknowledge Fugaku as Clan Head. I, Uchiha Jin, am laying my cards on the table. I must take responsibility for the lives of the Radical Faction's clansmen."

"So stop with the nonsense!"

"Let's get to the point. I still have things to do when I return."

Uchiha Jin was extremely direct.

At the previous Clan Meeting, he had still been willing to address Fugaku as Clan Head because he had just Ascended to the position and his foundation was unstable. But as Uchiha clansmen had disappeared one after another during this period while the Radical Faction had suffered no losses whatsoever, that had already proven his capabilities.

He had established his authority, so there was naturally no need to fear Fugaku!

And indeed, that was the case.

Although Uchiha Jin was being extremely rude, Naka Shrine remained completely silent. Not a single Uchiha clansman spoke to stop him. Even the Elders of the Moderate Faction and Middle Faction remained silent.

The reason was simple!

One matter after another over this period had already shown Fugaku's incompetence as Clan Head. Though they likewise could not accept Uchiha Jin's radical approach, that did not mean they had to give Fugaku face!

They had long since had enough of this incompetent Clan Head.

Fugaku: "..."

Looking at the silent Naka Shrine, his expression immediately shifted between dark and uncertain.

A vicious glint flickered in his eyes. Especially when he looked at Uchiha Jin, a trace of Killing Intent appeared in his gaze.

He was on the verge of going mad!

He believed that, for the Uchiha's stability, he had humbled himself outside and endured every grievance. Within the clan, he had done everything possible to soothe everyone's misunderstandings.

What had all that been for?

Was it not to balance the village and the clan as much as possible? Was it not to let the Uchiha survive as best they could?

His goal had always been clear: to integrate into Konoha!

But damn it.

Why could these bastards in front of him not understand?