Uchiha Clan

After the Hawk Faction's members had filed inside, the three people at the entrance stared at one another in silence. None of them seemed interested in speaking.

They stayed there less to keep outsiders out than to keep an eye on their own people.

After the Uchiha's civil war—brought on by the reckless use of the forbidden technique Izanagi—left the clan severely weakened, trust between relatives had begun to erode.

At the height of the unrest, Uchiha from the different factions had even kept each other under constant surveillance within the clan grounds. The hatred between them was enough to leave outsiders dumbfounded.

If Uchiha Naori hadn't emerged at the last moment and ended the civil war with the forbidden technique Izanami, the Uchiha Clan might have vanished from the Shinobi World just like the Senju Clan.

After all, the Uchiha's greatest enemy was right there in the Hokage Building in Konohagakure.

As everyone entered the shrine's main hall, the calm atmosphere grew heavy.

The hall was dim, with only a shaft of cool daylight pouring through the lofty ceiling.

Dust danced in the beam, illuminating the clan crest stand bearing the Uchiha Gunbai with solemn grandeur.

The hall was spacious enough to seat nearly a hundred people on the floor, yet now it was so quiet that the faint rustle of clothing could be heard.

Under the watchful eyes of the Dove Faction and the clan head's faction, the Hawk Faction members took their seats on the empty left side. But what astonished both factions was this—

Uchiha Ren took his time sitting in the seat at the head of the Hawk Faction, the place that represented Uchiha Setsuna. Beside him sat Uchiha Fugaku, his brow furrowed and expression grave.

Behind them knelt Uchiha Shisui, the boy with the "dango nose" who had shown exceptional talent from a young age, and Uchiha Yakumi.

On the far right sat the Dove Faction members, led by Uchiha Koh.

Behind him was a young kunoichi with graceful features and a dignified air, yet also a fearless spirit—Uchiha Mikoto.

Beside her sat Uchiha Hazuki, a mature, curvaceous kunoichi who had married outside the clan, awakened her Sharingan, and been invited back to the family.

She was Uchiha Izumi's mother.

The Uchiha gathered in the hall numbered more than fifty—a staggering figure, equal to a quarter of Konohagakure's active Jonin!

That was the weight behind the clan that the Konoha High Command feared so deeply, the foremost noble clan in the Shinobi World.

The Hawk Faction members made up half the clan, after all. The militant faction held more sway among the Uchiha than the conservative and appeasement factions.

Unfortunately, the Uchiha were hopeless at both internal and external struggles, scattered like loose sand.

Uchiha Ren's gaze swept across the hall. Meeting everyone's puzzled looks, he spoke slowly. "Elder Setsuna is advanced in years and can no longer handle the clan's affairs. I'll act in his stead and take part in the clan meeting."

Silence fell over the hall.

Only the shaft of daylight shifted, dividing the Uchiha Clan Crest into two halves of light and shadow.

Many Uchiha looked surprised by Uchiha Setsuna's choice, then turned their eyes to the front.

If age was the issue, there were two other respected elders present.

And the Uchiha cared deeply about their pride.

Their struggle with the Senju over the position of Hokage had not been without its share of wounded pride.

The "Fire" in Hokage had originally represented the Uchiha's "fire," after all!

"Setsuna has already made his choice... Why should this old man cling to an empty title?"

Uchiha Koh lowered his eyes. The corner of his gaze flicked toward his successor beside him, and as a glimmer passed through his eyes, his thoughts settled.

Uchiha Mikoto might not be as powerful as the other two factions, but her natural advantages as a woman, together with Koh's years of guidance, were enough to let her navigate between the factions and serve as a mediator.

She could also assist the clan head's faction in keeping the increasingly powerful Hawk Faction in check. By any measure, she was up to the task.

"As for Mikoto's marriage... I'll let her decide for herself."

Uchiha Koh thought of Uchiha Setsuna's proposal, and then the clan head's soon after. Both their successors were outstanding members of the clan and wielded considerable influence.

No matter whom Uchiha Mikoto married, it would stir up trouble within the clan.

To preserve stability, Uchiha Koh had never given his approval. At the same time, he had been quietly observing Uchiha Ren and Uchiha Fugaku.

As time went on, the differences between the two became more apparent—not only in strength, but also in their temperament and ability to handle affairs. Uchiha Koh found himself leaning toward one of them.

Stability was the foundation of a clan's peaceful development. But when stability became lifeless, outside pressure could only drive it into the abyss.

A child's future could be seen at three; by ten, his character was set.

The Shinobi World had no saying quite like that, but it had similar proverbs.

Uchiha Fugaku was just like the Uchiha Clan Head. It was easy to see what the future held for him.

Uchiha Ren was different. He never rushed, always seemed confident, and had a clear purpose in everything he did.

The proposals he had made at several clan meetings had brought the entire Uchiha Clan tangible benefits and greatly eased tensions between the factions.

Uchiha Fugaku didn't have that kind of ability. Making him clan head would only bring the clan around for another turn.

"And Mikoto may already have someone in mind."

Having made up his mind, Uchiha Koh raised his head and spoke. "If Elder Setsuna can't even attend an important clan meeting, it seems he really is advanced in years."

As he rose, he looked toward the Uchiha Clan Head. "Clan Head, I'll visit Elder Setsuna on the clan's behalf. For this meeting, let Mikoto represent me and make the decisions."

The Uchiha in the hall looked up in astonishment. Uchiha Mikoto's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but then she met Uchiha Koh's gaze.

The old man smiled warmly. "Mikoto, I'll leave what comes next to you."

He paused, then added meaningfully, "Of course, you can also go and do what you want for yourself."

Finally, he bowed slightly. "Clan Head, I'll take my leave."

The Dove Faction members rose at once, bowed to see Uchiha Koh off, then turned in unison to bow to Uchiha Mikoto.

The transfer of power within the Dove Faction had gone just as smoothly as in the Hawk Faction.

Uchiha Mikoto took a deep breath and sat at the head of the Dove Faction, meeting Uchiha Ren's smiling eyes.

She blinked in reply.

Uchiha Fugaku, seated between them, remained perfectly composed.

The Uchiha Clan Head sat before the gathering, his eyes bright and his spirit vigorous. As he watched Uchiha Koh leave without hesitation, a shadow fell over his heart.

The leaders of the Hawk and Dove Factions had both relinquished their power at the same time. There was no doubt they had left him to face the heat.

"So be it."

"I never planned to remain clan head anyway. It's not a bad thing that they've left first."

"But Koh, who understood me, leaving is definitely no good."

Would the young Uchiha Mikoto, as the new Dove Faction leader, prioritize stability like Uchiha Koh and draw closer to the clan head's faction? That remained to be seen.