Fugaku's face turned livid, though his back was drenched in cold sweat.
He understood perfectly well that if today's matter was not handled properly, his prestige would suffer a devastating blow!
But the problem was!
He could not answer a single one of the questions Uchiha Jin had raised. After a long while, he finally gritted his teeth and said, "The clan's current concessions are meant to help the Uchiha integrate into Konoha!"
"And the results?" Uchiha Jin shot back. "Have we integrated into Konoha?"
Fugaku was instantly rendered speechless.
He truly had not achieved anything worthwhile. Though he had worked hard and endured for his entire life, all he had received in return was the village escalating its suppression.
But...
He wanted to explain his difficulties, but unfortunately, his skin was not thick enough.
So after taking a deep breath, he still spoke coldly.
"Uchiha Jin, you are too young."
"You simply do not understand the complexity of the situation. But considering your age, I do not wish to argue with you too much."
"Now, let's discuss serious matters!"
Though Fugaku was gritting his teeth, he still chose to back down.
He knew he could not outtalk Uchiha Jin, so he wisely changed the subject. He laid out the clan's current troubles, hoping everyone could work together to overcome this crisis.
As for that...
Uchiha Jin's expression remained unchanged.
Seeing Fugaku back down, he naturally called off the attack.
Uchiha Jin understood the principle of not pursuing a cornered enemy. He directly fell silent, too lazy to participate in the Clan Meeting's discussion.
The Radical Faction was the same!
Perhaps they had once been interested in arguing during Clan Meetings, but ever since Uchiha Jin rose to power, the Radical Faction's way of doing things had completely changed.
They had no interest in meetings now. Once Uchiha Jin made the arrangements, they would simply act!
They disdained this kind of pointless back-and-forth.
If Uchiha Jin had not come to participate this time, the members of the Radical Faction probably would not even have bothered showing up.
Meanwhile.
As Fugaku began presiding over the Clan Meeting, the people present began voicing their opinions.
"I think we should discuss this with Hokage-sama."
"Right, we cannot act rashly!"
"The Uchiha's situation is already very delicate. We must be even more cautious in what we do next."
"I agree as well. Let's discuss it first."
"..."
The Middle Faction and the Moderate Faction each offered their suggestions.
The atmosphere at the Clan Meeting was harmonious.
Without the Radical Faction speaking up, there was naturally no arguing at the Clan Meeting. Everything appeared so harmonious.
Everyone within Naka Shrine felt that something was strange.
After all, a Clan Meeting without arguments was unprecedented. For a moment, they truly found it difficult to get used to.
Fugaku, seated at the head, was also quite uncomfortable.
After coughing lightly, he said, "Elder Jin, what is your Radical Faction's opinion?"
"No objections." Uchiha Jin spoke calmly. "We agree."
Everyone's mouths twitched.
They could not understand it. They had agreed just like that?
Was this really the Radical Faction?
Shisui furrowed his brow. Being straightforward by nature, he directly asked, "What conspiracy are you plotting?"
"A conspiracy? Heh heh!" Uchiha Jin's face was full of disdain. "You think too little of me!"
"I, Uchiha Jin, have never plotted any conspiracies, and I disdain doing such underhanded things."
"But if you want to know, there is no harm in telling you!"
"The reason I do not object is because the Radical Faction's territory is impregnable. No matter how chaotic things become outside, it will not affect us. Since that is the case, why should I interfere in your rotten affairs?"
"I would be delighted if you continued being foolish, letting more Three Tomoe Uchiha elites die. Once all your corpses are sent to the dissection tables of the Root Laboratory, and all your Three Tomoe Sharingan are implanted into Danzo's arm..."
"The more elites your factions lose, the more frightened the clan members supporting you will become. When that time comes, they will naturally join the Radical Faction."
"This is a good thing. Why would I oppose it?"
Uchiha Jin's expression remained unchanged, and his tone was as calm as ever.
Yes, it was an Open Conspiracy!
He simply disdained playing any conspiracy games. Having come from the Zhonghua Family, he understood that conspiracies could not take one far. Thus, he only ever employed upright Open Conspiracies.
Just like now, he chose to tell the truth.
But what could they do even if they knew his plans? Given the stupidity of the Moderate Faction and the Middle Faction, they would still act according to his scheme.
Trust the village, refuse to defend themselves, and let more people die!
He only needed to wait for their factions to collapse on their own. The other Uchiha clan members would naturally choose to join him.
And indeed, that was exactly what happened.
The moment Uchiha Jin spoke those words, the faces of everyone from the Moderate Faction and Middle Faction became incomparably ugly.
Shisui slammed his hand on the table in fury. "Uchiha Jin, you..."
"Was I wrong?" Uchiha Jin's face was indifferent. "Are you planning to resist?"
"It is not that I look down on you, but you fools do not have the guts. Even if you truly resisted, you yourselves would become the Radical Faction."
"And if you choose to trust Sarutobi Hiruzen, then you will fall right into my scheme. I only need to quietly watch the elites of your factions go off to die."
"No matter what you choose, I will not lose out!"
As Uchiha Jin spoke, the entire Naka Shrine fell deathly silent.
Everyone had to admit how terrifying Uchiha Jin's methods were. Even knowing his scheme, they had no way to resolve it.
Silence!
After a long while.
Shisui finally gritted his teeth and said, "I believe in the Hokage! Your scheme will never succeed!"
"Whatever makes you happy." Uchiha Jin shrugged.
Meanwhile.
Fugaku also sank into prolonged silence, his mind instantly racing at full speed.
Unfortunately.
It was useless!
Could he learn from the Radical Faction and take the initiative to defend themselves?
He could not do it!
But if they maintained the status quo, elite clan members would continue dying, which would fulfill Uchiha Jin's scheme.
Unlike the naïve Shisui, he knew Root's ruthlessness and understood Danzo's viciousness even better.
Thus, the secret hunting of Uchiha elites would absolutely not stop. If Uchiha Jin had not lied, then the Three Tomoe Sharingan were a necessity for Danzo.
Even if he went to speak with Sarutobi Hiruzen, he held little hope.
If it truly worked, the situation would not have deteriorated into this miserable state!
What made him even more helpless was that this matter could not affect the Radical Faction. They had long since enclosed their territory, and it would not be so easy for Root to strike at them.
What should he do?
Fugaku realized he could no longer muddle through this.
If it had been according to his usual thinking, he would most likely have muddled through it again this time. This Clan Meeting would surely have ended without resolution.
But this time, he could not!
Because of Uchiha Jin's words, if he continued to muddle through, then as time passed, more and more people would join the Radical Faction. He would most likely be unable to keep his position as Clan Head.
No, absolutely not!
Uchiha Jin was too radical. He absolutely could not be allowed to become Clan Head, or the Uchiha would truly be finished.
He could not panic.
There had to be a way!
Fugaku kept trying to convince himself. His face grew increasingly grim as he desperately tried to think of a solution.
Before you continue