A clan meeting, another clan meeting!
The corner of Uchiha Jin's mouth twitched. He could not help smacking his forehead. He was utterly speechless over Fugaku as Clan Head.
Any normal person knew that minor matters called for big meetings, while major matters called for small meetings—or no meetings at all!
Because ordinary people had no ability to solve problems. On the contrary, they were more likely to follow the crowd and be led around by the nose, while the risk of spies learning about it would also be much greater.
Therefore, ordinary clan members only needed to carry out orders. When it came to discussing strategies, the fewer people involved, the better. As long as the attendees had prestige, could command the middle and lower ranks, and possessed the ability to resolve issues, that was enough.
But what about now?
Fugaku called meetings over every little thing, yet he 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 matters.
For a clan, that could only leave them stuck in a bind!
"This Fugaku really is useless!"
"It must be about the missing clan members and the village rumors."
"He cannot even handle something this small. Can't he use his brain?"
"Calling meetings at the drop of a hat—there's seriously something wrong with his head!"
Uchiha Setsuna furrowed his brows and could not help cursing aloud.
Previously, he had not thought there was anything wrong with constantly holding Clan Meetings. But after interacting with Uchiha Jin, he increasingly felt that Clan Meetings were terribly inefficient and utterly useless beyond wasting time.
Looking back at the several operations carried out since Uchiha Jin joined the Radical Faction, practically none of them had involved any meeting or discussion. They simply found a few people, gave the orders, and got to work.
Secretive, efficient, flawless!
More importantly, the results had been outstanding.
Yet after attending Clan Meetings his entire life, he had never accomplished a single thing through one.
"Enough complaining!"
"Anyway, we have nothing better to do. Fugaku is still the Clan Head. As long as it does not involve matters of principle, giving him a little face will not hurt anything."
"Tekka, go find five Elite Jonin from the Radical Faction to keep up appearances. Everyone else must strictly carry out patrol duties during this time. Open and hidden sentries must keep a close watch on the compound. We cannot give Root any opportunity to exploit."
"Elder Setsuna, let's go."
Uchiha Jin rose and headed straight outside.
Setsuna naturally followed close behind, leading by example and making Jin's position as Leader of the Radical Faction clear.
Ten minutes later.
Uchiha Jin and Setsuna took the lead, followed by Tekka and several unnamed Elite Jonin, as they made their way to Naka Shrine.
At the arrival of their group, everyone present frowned.
However, unlike last time, many lower-ranking Uchiha clan members looked at the Radical Faction with complicated, thoughtful expressions.
Clearly.
Many things that had happened within the clan recently seemed to be proving Uchiha Jin right.
The Uchiha were stubborn and single-minded, but they were not truly fools. With a comparison before them, they could naturally notice something. It was simply that, due to their past trust in the elders of each faction, they could not yet bring themselves 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 that 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 classic case of looking impressive but being useless.
After the group took their seats, Uchiha Jin adjusted his robes before slowly smiling and speaking. "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 Radical Faction's actions are going too far. You are clearly showing that you do not trust the Clan Head and Hokage-sama."
"That kind of behavior is wrong. I hope the Radical Faction will withdraw its defenses!"
And yet.
Uchiha Jin did not even raise his eyelids before firing back with a single sentence. "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 being far too disrespectful?
Such blunt honesty left his mind blank.
After all, no matter what one thought in private, basic respect had to be maintained in public, right?
Unfortunately.
Uchiha Jin could not be bothered to pay him any attention. He spoke coldly again. "Quite a few people have died in the Clan Compound lately, and they were all Three Tomoe Uchiha, weren't they?"
"I remember warning everyone at the last Clan Meeting. I never expected you idiots to truly dare gamble with your subordinates' lives on Fugaku and Sarutobi Hiruzen's character."
"You're amazing. I admire you!"
"Fugaku's indecisiveness is nothing new. During the war, the Uchiha rendered great military service, yet even when they died, they could not enter the village's Memorial Stone. Did the villagers even know that the Uchiha had risked their lives for the village?"
"Nine-Tails Night, the loss of the Uchiha Compound, Anbu surveillance..."
"One thing after another—do you really not have brains?"
"But forget it!"
"Good advice cannot save a man determined to die. If you insist on seeking death yourselves, then I cannot be bothered to care."
"But likewise."
"The Radical Faction does not recognize Fugaku as Clan Head. I, Uchiha Jin, am laying my cards on the table. I have to take responsibility for the lives of the Radical Faction's clan members."
"So stop wasting time!"
"Get to the point. I have things to do when I get back."
Uchiha Jin was exceptionally direct.
At the previous Clan Meeting, he had still been willing to call Fugaku Clan Head because he had just risen to power and his foundation was unstable. But as Uchiha members had gone missing one after another during this period while the Radical Faction suffered no losses whatsoever, he had already proven his ability.
His prestige had been established, so there was naturally no need for him to fear Fugaku!
And that was indeed the case.
Although Uchiha Jin was being exceedingly rude, Naka Shrine remained utterly silent. Not a single Uchiha clan member spoke up to stop him. Even the elders of the Moderate Faction and the Middle Faction maintained silence.
The reason was simple!
One matter after another during this time had already shown Fugaku's incompetence as Clan Head. Though they also could not accept Uchiha Jin's radicalism, that did not mean they had to give Fugaku face!
They had long since had enough of this incapable Clan Head.
Fugaku: "..."
Looking at the silent Naka Shrine, his expression shifted unpredictably.
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. Especially when he looked at Uchiha Jin, a trace of Killing Intent surfaced in them.
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 also done everything possible to soothe everyone's misunderstandings.
What was all of that for?
Was it not to balance the village and the clan as much as possible? Was it not to keep the Uchiha alive as much as possible?
His goal had always been clear: to integrate into Konoha!
But damn it.
Why could these bastards in front of him just not understand?
Before you continue