"But that is not a reason for you to make trouble at the clan meeting!!"
"An'ichi, take men and escort the First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, and Sixth Elder back to their residences. Without the Clan Head's permission, they are forbidden from contacting the outside world!"
"Yes! Elder Kosuke!"
"Kosuke!! How dare you!" Jihuo trembled with rage. "Remember this: you only got to sit in the ANBU position because we nodded in approval back then!!"
Noisy rebukes rose one after another.
Only Fourth Elder Senmei, who sat steadily in his seat, was breaking out in cold sweat.
Beneath the table, he gripped his cane tightly with both hands, his knuckles turning white as a tidal wave of shock surged through his heart.
"What a sin... I struggled for the clan my entire life, only to lose my reputation in my old age. Why did it have to come to this? Why indeed..."
The commotion did not last long before a measure of silence returned to the meeting room.
"Clan Head, do you see any problem with my decision just now?"
A problem?
Madara found it both irritating and amusing. Keeping his expression unchanged, he looked at Kosuke. "The decision made independently by the ANBU Elder was very good. But next time..." He drew out the last words, a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes. "You might as well inform me first, so that I, the Clan Head, can 'cooperate' with your little performance."
Kosuke shrugged innocently, a rare look of ease appearing on his face. "All right. Next time, I'll definitely tell the Clan Head in advance that I'm cutting staff."
Watching the two converse as though they were merely chatting, Senmei felt a wave of helplessness rise within him.
"The clan ultimately belongs to the young..."
"Clan