Outside Naka Shrine
Today's clan meeting wasn't being held in the small room inside Naka Shrine. There simply wasn't enough space for all the clan members attending this time.
Usually, only clan members who had awakened the Sharingan attended clan meetings. This time was different: every Uchiha ninja had to be there, even the rookie Genin still doing D-rank missions.
The last time such a large gathering had taken place was when Madara Uchiha had decided to reconcile with the Senju Clan and join them in founding Konoha.
The sudden announcement left every Uchiha present with mixed feelings. Today's clan meeting might decide the Uchiha's fate for decades to come.
"He's here! Uchiha Nan is here!"
A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd. The noisy gathering fell silent as one, and everyone turned to look toward Uchiha Nan. The crowd parted on its own, making way for him to walk to the front.
Uchiha Nan felt everyone's eyes on him, but didn't seem uncomfortable in the slightest. He strode forward, wearing his trademark smile.
Uchiha Tomita stood at the highest point with his hands clasped behind his back, watching Uchiha Nan climb the platform one step at a time.
"Clan Head, I assume you already know why I called this meeting."
"You and Tobirama Senju are relics of the old era. There's no place for you on the ship of the new age. The new era needs a young man like me to lead the Uchiha!"
"Step down!"
Uchiha Nan got straight to the point, stating his purpose simply and directly. He didn't waste a single word—not even on the most basic pleasantries.
Confident, arrogant, domineering!
Every Uchiha present could sense the change in Uchiha Nan. He was like a different person from the one they'd known, and his behavior left them stunned.
"What spirit!"
"The Uchiha are lucky to have a young man like you."
Uchiha Tomita praised him, but then his tone shifted, turning icy.
"But don't you think you're getting a little too arrogant?"
"Do you really think that just because Tobirama Senju is dead, you can throw your weight around among the Uchiha—or even in Konoha?"
Uchiha Tomita spoke with imposing force. His three-tomoe Sharingan appeared as he fixed his eyes on Uchiha Nan and unleashed his Chakra. The wooden boards beneath his feet cracked, as if they might burst apart at any moment.
Uchiha Nan's expression didn't change. That little display wasn't enough to make him back down.
"Today, you want to become the Uchiha Clan Head. Do you really think you're worthy?"
Uchiha Tomita gestured toward the Uchiha gathered below. His supporters immediately understood what he meant.
"Only Clan Head Tomita can lead the Uchiha!"
"You're still wet behind the ears! What arrogance!"
"You're not worthy!"
"..."
Jeers erupted at once, drawing the rest of the Uchiha into the chorus. The voices of Inabi Uchiha, Uchiha Tekka, and Nan's other supporters were drowned out by the opposition.
The deafening wave of dissent echoed throughout Naka Shrine.
Uchiha Tomita wore a smug expression. After more than a decade of cultivating his standing among the Uchiha, he'd secured overwhelming support.
He wasn't some useless Clan Head. He had risen to the top after Madara Uchiha left, and had led the Uchiha to ever greater prosperity. Uchiha Nan couldn't simply shake his position.
Uchiha Nan turned toward the source of the first voices. More than a dozen Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan glared at him, like wolves eyeing their prey.
Hmph!
So you're all against me? Fine. Then nobody gets to play!
Time to flip the table!
"Lava Release Rasengan Shuriken!"
Uchiha Nan snorted and instantly formed a Lava Release Rasengan Shuriken with one hand. He controlled its power just right: enough to teach those dozen or so Uchiha a lesson, and make everyone else shut up.
They were all shouting so loudly. They needed a little lesson!
Uchiha Nan looked at the Uchiha before him and threw it without hesitation.
"Fuck, he's crazy!"
"Run?"
"We can't move aside! Our clan members are still here!"
"Barrier ninja, get in here!"
The dozen Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan braced themselves. They felt a deadly threat from the Shuriken, but they had to withstand it. If it exploded, the younger Uchiha present would suffer heavy casualties!
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
"..."
"Ninja Art: Four Directions Barrier!"
All kinds of defensive Ninjutsu sprang into action. Among them was a barrier specialist, who barely managed to intercept the Lava Release Rasengan Shuriken.
A thunderous boom rang out, and the blast of heat washed over every Uchiha present. The weaker ones were knocked to the ground. Fortunately, there were no fatalities—just a few minor injuries.
Every Uchiha was covered in dust, their faces full of terror. How could a clan meeting turn into a matter of life and death?
"Bastard, you're insane!"
Uchiha Tomita's eyes nearly bulged out. The three Tomoe in his Sharingan spun furiously. How had Uchiha Nan dared to use such a dangerous Ninjutsu in a place like this?
He couldn't let him live!
Uchiha Tomita was just about to attack when Uchiha Nan formed another Lava Release Rasengan Shuriken in his hand.
Uchiha Tomita immediately stopped moving, glaring at Uchiha Nan with murderous intent.
"Calmed down now? Are you going to keep shouting?"
With a weapon of mass destruction in his hand, Uchiha Nan wore an utterly unrestrained expression as he looked down at the crowd. One by one, the Uchiha lowered their heads, furious but afraid to speak.
Especially the dozen Uchiha from before. Their clothes were in tatters, their hair singed, and they were all injured. They glared at Uchiha Nan with murderous intent, but none dared move.
They were afraid he'd launch another one. They couldn't dodge; they had to take the hit head-on, or the clan members around them would suffer. They weren't as crazy as Uchiha Nan.
Uchiha Nan was more Uchiha than the Uchiha themselves!
"Lava Release? How can you use that?"
Uchiha Tomita's expression turned grave. Only now did he realize that the Ninjutsu Uchiha Nan had used was Lava Release. How could an Uchiha possess such a kekkei genkai?
Of course, Uchiha Nan had drawn it from the roulette wheel—the only time he'd ever gotten a lucky orange reward.
He'd kept it hidden until today, when he finally used it in front of the public. Everyone else who'd seen the technique was already dead.
In response to Uchiha Tomita's question, Uchiha Nan simply gave him a withering look. Did he think Nan would reveal his most closely guarded secret?
"Hmph, so that's your trump card?"
"Let me tell you: your actions have seriously violated clan rules. Killing you would be perfectly justified!"
"Turn back while you still can. I can spare your life. Surrender now. Do you really want to cut yourself off from the Uchiha Clan?"
Uchiha Tomita spoke gravely, careful not to push too hard. He was afraid Uchiha Nan might lose his temper and casually throw out another one of those Ninjutsu.
Uchiha Nan really was evil by nature.
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