Half an hour later.
At the Clan Head's residence, in the reception hall.
All the Uchiha who had not yet joined the Radical Faction were seated in the hall. Everyone was whispering among themselves, and their expressions were clearly grim.
Fugaku was no exception.
Though there seemed to be quite a few people in the reception hall, these were all the people on his side. Most of them belonged to the Moderate Faction, and he could count on one hand the number of people he could truly command.
Sigh!
He let out a sigh.
A month ago, he had still been full of confidence and ambition. How had things ended up like this?
"Alright, Fugaku."
"Everyone's here. Just tell us what this is about."
The one who spoke was Uchiha Yashiro, one of the Moderate Faction's Elders, who favored yielding to the village and integrating into it.
To be honest, he had been in a terrible mood ever since the Uchiha's internal situation had deteriorated to this point. The clansmen who had once trusted him had dwindled to just a pitiful handful.
If Fugaku had not claimed there was something important, he truly would not have felt like coming!
The others remained silent.
By now, everyone had basically lost all respect for Fugaku. He was merely a commander without troops. Though he still bore the title of Clan Head, no one truly took him seriously.
Fugaku: "..."
His expression was so dark it seemed ready to drip water, and he clenched his fists in fury.
He hated this!
If he had known Uchiha Jin would become this troublesome, he should have killed him at all costs the moment he began to rise.
Now, it was too late.
Taking a deep breath, he forcibly suppressed those thoughts and spoke in an exceptionally grave tone. "That bastard Uchiha Jin has gotten our Uchiha Compound back!"
Hiss!
Everyone sucked in a sharp breath upon hearing Fugaku's words.
But before they could recover from their shock, Fugaku, as Clan Head, spoke again. "But this is absolutely not a good thing. Everyone knows the relationship between the Uchiha and the village. Forcibly demanding that land back from the village will only make the situation between the Uchiha and the village even more tense."
"So, Uchiha!"
"We cannot let Uchiha Jin continue acting so recklessly. We must find a way to stop that fool's actions."
"We finally managed to ease our relationship with the village. We absolutely cannot let Uchiha Jin destroy all of that!"
Unfortunately.
Though Fugaku shouted passionately, the atmosphere in the room was deathly still.
Everyone remained silent. Not a single person spoke.
Fugaku was completely bewildered.
He could not understand why no one reacted.
After a long while.
As Fugaku's expression grew increasingly ugly, Uchiha Siming, an Elder of the Middle Faction, finally sighed and spoke helplessly. "I admit that you're right, Fugaku, but the problem is that we can't stop him."
"Yeah, there's no one left!" Uchiha Yashiro slowly nodded as well. "Fugaku, accept your fate."
"Other than the people in this room, everyone else has joined the Radical Faction."
"Even if we wanted to resist, we don't have the strength to do so!"
As everyone spoke, Fugaku's heart sank lower and lower.
Uchiha Sifang, who had remained silent until now, could not help muttering, "I told you before, Fugaku. We should have established defensive measures like the Radical Faction's, but you kept hesitating and refused."
"You only thought about the bigger picture, but the people beneath you don't understand that."
"They only know that if they don't join the Radical Faction, death is the only thing waiting for them."
Everyone present began to speak.
They all had complaints about Fugaku. If their Clan Head had shown even a little responsibility, they would not have ended up abandoned by everyone.
Finally, Uchiha Tenno spoke as well. He was the Uchiha's Grand Elder. A man from Uchiha Madara's era, he had long since retired at home to live out his old age and now existed little more than as a figurehead.
But this time, he spoke. "I don't hate those clansmen who joined the Radical Faction, because they simply wanted to live. Since you, Fugaku, as Clan Head, could not protect their safety, don't blame them for choosing to join the Radical Faction."
"And don't talk about doing it for the Uchiha's greater good. If you were truly so selfless, would you be willing to hand your wife and children directly over to Danzo in exchange for those ordinary clansmen?"
"Why haven't the people here joined the Radical Faction?"
"It isn't because of some devotion to the Uchiha. It's merely because everyone here has the strength and isn't afraid of Root coming to assassinate them."
"I am tired!"
"Since Uchiha Jin now represents the prevailing trend, I, too, will join the Radical Faction."
"As for you, Fugaku, I have one final piece of advice!"
"You hesitate no matter what you do. The Uchiha fell into this predicament because of your hesitation. Back then, the Uchiha had clearly chosen to fully support the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato..."
"But when Namikaze Minato truly fell into trouble, you missed the chance to rescue him because Danzo blocked you. That was what led the clan into this predicament."
"You truly aren't suited to be Clan Head. I advise you to step down voluntarily."
"That is all. Farewell!"
After saying that.
Uchiha Tenno shakily rose to his feet, took several people with him, and left directly to join the Radical Faction.
The reception hall fell into deathly silence.
Everyone sank into silence. No one spoke again.
Fugaku's expression was ugly!
Uchiha Tenno had torn open the truth he least wanted to face. The Uchiha had indeed fallen into their current situation because of his past hesitation.
But at the same time.
He absolutely could not accept Uchiha Jin's ideas either. In his eyes, Uchiha Jin was simply far too radical.
If the Uchiha were led by him, the clan would definitely be wiped out!
Just then, Uchiha Yashiro also stood up. "Everyone, I shall take my leave as well!"
"Though I don't entirely approve of Uchiha Jin, I have thought carefully during this time. Whether it was Root and the Anbu choosing to retreat or his proactive defenses during this period, he really did ensure the clansmen's safety."
"And now he has even recovered the Uchiha Compound!"
"I think I should try trusting Uchiha Jin!"
"Though his actions are indeed somewhat radical, he has truly changed the Uchiha's situation of passively taking beatings."
"Perhaps following Uchiha Jin will lead to the clan's destruction, but that would still be better than living in such humiliation. I, Uchiha Yashiro, have blood and spirit in me too."
"I would rather die standing than live kneeling!"
After saying that.
Uchiha Yashiro left directly, and those who followed him departed as well.
With the departure of the two Elders, many more people stood up one after another and ultimately chose to join the Radical Faction.
In the end.
Only Fugaku, the Clan Head, remained, along with the two Elders Uchiha Sifang and Uchiha Siming, and three subordinates—a total of thirteen Uchiha Jonin.
Fugaku's expression grew increasingly grim, while the Killing Intent in his eyes became ever more intense.
Uchiha Jin!
Because of that bastard, he had truly become a commander without troops.
Suddenly.
Just then, Shisui, who had just gotten off duty, entered.
Looking at the empty room, Shisui could not help speaking.
"Clan Head, where are the others?"
"Weren't we supposed to hold a meeting to decide how to stop Uchiha Jin and the Radical Faction?"
"Where are the other Elders?"
Before you continue