I Will Win

Unlike the three elders waiting for the "signal arrow to sharpen their blades against the sheep," and the tense atmosphere within the Konoha Military Police Force building, the three youths holding the present and future of the Uchiha in their hands had their own matters to attend to in the department head's office on the top floor.

As the setting sun slanted in, Uchiha Fugaku stood silently before the massive floor-to-ceiling window with his arms crossed, gazing at the Hokage Building, its silhouette blurred in the twilight.

The man's brows were tightly furrowed, his expression heavy.

The restlessness and unease grew with the passage of time, increasing the pressure on him and causing his heart to waver with anxiety.

If I hadn't been so impulsive, if I had chosen a more prudent path...

Could the clan and the Konohagakure higher-ups have avoided the worst possible outcome?

Countless "ifs" surfaced in his mind, and Fugaku felt as if his head were about to explode.

However, as a proud Uchiha and the other banner of the clan, what he displayed to the outside world would always be composure.

It's come to this, so stop overthinking!

Look at Uchiha Ren and Uchiha Mikoto. Fugaku, pull yourself together, don't lose face!

The Uchiha are not cowards!

Fugaku stared at his own hesitant reflection in the glass and gritted his teeth. Deep within his stirred heart, he asked himself—if he were to become the clan head, did he truly have the ability to lead the clan well?

Uchiha Mikoto sat upright in her office chair, one hand tucking a strand of black hair that had fallen across her forehead behind her ear, while the other flipped through the intelligence files spread out on the desk.

The slanting sun cast a soft halo over the girl's delicate and focused face, and the "rustling" sound of turning pages made one feel inexplicably calm.

The intelligence of the Konoha Military Police Force naturally fell under Mikoto's purview; regardless of whether a great war broke out, the work still had to be done.

Because the more she came into contact with the clan and the more she understood Konohagakure, the more she firmly believed in Uchiha Ren.

Between people and between factions, struggle is the eternal melody.

She had watched her beloved summon clansmen, strengthen the clan, cultivate himself, manage his family, and steadily grow his capabilities while developing his own power base.

Then, the Hawk Faction and the Dove Faction merged, sweeping up the fence-sitting clan head faction to force the clan to unite and resist the Konohagakure higher-ups together.

Now, with Konohagakure facing strong enemies abroad and internal emptiness, the Uchiha possessed the right time, the right place, and the right people. Under Uchiha Ren's leadership, they would surely win!

Mikoto's eyelashes lifted slightly, her gaze passing over the edge of the file to land on the figure bathed in light on the sofa.

However, has this stinky younger brother been plotting against me for a long time?

Mikoto, who had "shot the arrow first and drawn the target later," suddenly discovered a blind spot. The corners of her mouth curled up, and her gaze returned to the file.

Uchiha Ren did not notice his fiancée's gaze. He was leaning comfortably against the wide leather sofa, looking leisurely at the magnificent clouds outside the window, ignited by the sunset like raging flames.

Discussing in the morning, making arrests in the afternoon.

Such swift and decisive action, while sounding somewhat ridiculous, was actually the first joint decision made by the Uchiha clan since Uchiha Madara left!

The operation was filled with recklessness, just like a brainless brute; there was no need to consider the consequences, no need to ponder the future. They just made a decision on a whim and charged ahead!

Whether the final result would be good or not, no one knew, but it certainly felt satisfying!

It was no longer like the past, where when the Hokage slapped them in the face, the clan could only let the clan head issue a few pale, ineffective protests.

That stifling, cowardly frustration had finally been thoroughly vented today.

And since everyone was satisfied, Uchiha Ren was satisfied too.

Next, I need to consider a smooth landing. Time is on my side.

After the first time comes the second, testing the Hokage's bottom line step by step, thereby reversing the roles of attacker and defender to seize the initiative.

As Uchiha Ren pondered, he glanced at Uchiha Fugaku, who was standing by the window not knowing what he was thinking.

Fortunately, this guy wasn't a pitfall like Uchiha Itachi; he wouldn't stab him in the back before the battle.

Right now, the Konoha Military Police Force has two Kage-level figures, myself and Uchiha Fugaku, and no fewer than twenty clansmen at the Three Tomoe and Jonin levels.

The clan compound has three elders and a fully organized Uchiha ninja army.

In the worst-case scenario, no matter which side Sarutobi Hiruzen attacks, there is enough strength to hold out until the other side provides support.

Moreover, given Sarutobi Hiruzen's nature of becoming more cautious as he ages, he doesn't have the confidence to completely tear his face off with the clan without the consent of the other ninja clans.

Uchiha Ren reviewed the various possibilities in his mind, and when he opened his eyes again, his gaze was calm.

When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, cover it with earth.

There was nothing to fear.

As the last rays of the sunset were about to be swallowed by the horizon and the light in the office grew dimmer, the lights in the room flickered on, and clear, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The knocking echoed, followed by the voice of Uchiha Yashiro, steady yet carrying a hint of tension, coming through the door panel.

"Lord Ren, Lord Fugaku, Lady Mikoto. The Hokage... the Third Hokage has arrived at the main entrance of the Konoha Military Police Force building, accompanied by the heads of the Hyuga, Nara, and other clans!"

The news arrived like a stone thrown into a still lake, shattering the silence of the room.

By the window, Uchiha Fugaku, who had seen the Hokage's party, dropped his crossed arms. In the shadows, his expression seemed even more solemn.

But in those black eyes, there was no longer the previous hesitation—it was nothing more than a bloody battle!

Behind the desk, Uchiha Mikoto closed the file in her hands with an elegant and swift motion.

She raised her eyes, looking toward Ren once more; in the meeting of their gazes lay trust and support that required no words.

Ren, sitting on the sofa, merely raised an eyebrow at these words, the leisurely expression on his face receding like a tide, replaced by a profound sense of calm.

He slowly stood up, adjusted the collar of his dark, high-collared clan uniform, and spoke unhurriedly.

"Let's go."

"Since the guests are already at the door, as the hosts, how could we not go out to welcome them?"

Ren took a step forward, heading toward the entrance.

Fugaku and Mikoto followed closely behind.

Fugaku's footsteps carried a heaviness like that of a man burning his bridges, while Mikoto walked with composure.

The three of them exited the department head's office, and outside the door, more than twenty Uchiha, led by Uchiha Yashiro, Hazuki, and Yakumi, were already standing at attention, waiting.

Without any unnecessary words, Uchiha Ren walked at the very front, and the group silently traversed the corridor and descended the stairs.

The sound of their footsteps echoed through the empty Konoha Military Police Force building, responding to the faint commotion drifting in from outside.

By the time Ren reached the first-floor lobby, twilight had already gathered, and the plaza in front of the Konoha Military Police Force building was brightly lit.

The Konohagakure leadership, led by the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, along with representatives from various major clans, were in a silent standoff with the Uchiha police officers blocking the entrance, the atmosphere tense and ready to snap.

Ren's gaze passed over Shisui in the front and landed on the old man wearing the Hokage robe and conical hat.

"Lord Ren!"

He did not stop his pace, walking straight through his clansmen as they parted automatically and offered low greetings, arriving at the very front of the line; he gave a slight nod, his tone calm and ripple-free, carrying clearly across the entire scene.

"Lord Hokage, your presence is an honor, and I apologize for failing to welcome you sooner. I wonder what business has moved you and the various clan heads to personally visit my humble Konoha Military Police Force?"