Hokage and Clan Leader

After stamping the document with the Hokage's exclusive seal, Sarutobi Hiruzen handed the file to Yan with a dark expression.

"Are you satisfied now?"

Yan accepted the file and glanced through it, a genuine smile appearing on his face. He rose to his feet and said, "Then, happy cooperation, Lord Hokage. I hope our Uchiha Autonomous Region and Konoha can coexist amicably and create new glories together."

But Sarutobi Hiruzen merely urged, "Release them immediately. I don't want anything like this to happen again."

"Of course. The Uchiha Clan will absolutely remain Lord Hokage's most loyal supporters."

With that, Yan opened the office door and left the Hokage Building along the corridor.

"Lord Yan, you're out?"

"How did the negotiations go?"

"Is that old dog Sarutobi still refusing to give in?"

"..."

The surrounding clansmen hurried over to question Yan as soon as they saw him emerge.

Yan smiled faintly and raised the file in his hand.

Then he pointed in the direction of the Uchiha Clan's territory, drew a circle in the air, and said, "That area will belong to the Uchiha Clan from now on."

Upon hearing Yan's answer, Yashiro, Tekka, and the others broke into wild grins.

Shisui, meanwhile, felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted, and the weight in his heart finally eased. "Yan, you actually did it."

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Yes! I knew you could do it, Lord Yan!"

"Lord Yan is so cool!"

"Clan Head! Clan Head!"

"..."

The clansmen's cheers were deafening, shooting into the sky and shaking even the falling raindrops off their paths, as if the entire world were boiling over for this moment.

Yet to the heads of the Ninja Clans still watching from the sidelines, this impassioned scene was exceptionally grating.

One after another, they stared wide-eyed at the celebrating Uchiha Clan, their faces filled with shock and jealousy, their hearts a tangled mess of emotions.

"They actually succeeded? That was possible?" Hyuga Hiashi asked in confusion, his Byakugan fixed on the scene.

The chubby Akimichi Choza said, "Inoichi, what should we do? Shikaku didn't have time to tell us anything. And the area Yan marked is pretty close to us!"

Yamanaka Inoichi scratched the back of his neck. "I don't know either. Let's ask Shikaku when he gets back."

Aburame Shibi said, "Such an overwhelming presence... Maybe... we should just forget it. We're not meant for this."

"..."

But at that moment, they could only watch helplessly as the Uchiha Clan immersed themselves in joy, while the frustration and disappointment in their own hearts refused to fade.

The feeling left the clan heads furious and resentful, yet utterly powerless.

At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen also emerged from the Hokage Building. Looking at the villagers who were still being held down by Uchiha ninja, he frowned in displeasure.

"Uchiha Yan, haven't you released them yet?"

Yan waved his hand.

The surrounding clansmen immediately let go.

The freed villagers hurriedly scrambled behind Sarutobi Hiruzen, looking at the Uchiha clansmen with lingering fear.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face darkened. He glared fiercely at Yan and said, "Uchiha Yan, I hope this is the last time."

The corner of Yan's mouth curled upward slightly as he snapped his fingers at Yashiro.

Yashiro immediately took out a document from his robes and flung it to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Lord Hokage!" Yan continued. "I wasn't lying when I said we caught spies. That list contains the spies' names—they're among that crowd."

"Make sure to screen them properly. Don't falsely accuse anyone, but don't miss any either!"

"Ha ha ha!"

With that, Yan threw back his head in laughter as he led the surrounding clansmen away.

Sarutobi Hiruzen remained where he was, looking at the document in his hand. His gaze swept over the villagers behind him, and his expression shifted endlessly.

By then, it was already deep into the night.

A group of figures stood at the entrance to the Uchiha Clan's territory.

They were Uchiha Fugaku and the others, who had remained there all along, waiting for bad news.

Besides the ninja from the clan head's faction, several elderly elders and his eldest son, Uchiha Itachi, were also there.

All of them had deeply furrowed brows and haggard expressions, letting out long sighs from time to time.

Uchiha Itachi's little face was twisted into a knot as he tried to think of a foolproof solution.

But with his current way of thinking, no matter how hard he tried, he could not come up with a solution.

"Look... look! I never agreed to let Uchiha Yan form his own faction!" The Second Elder repeatedly struck his cane against the ground, filled with regret.

"It has only been a few months, and he has already caused such a huge mess."

"Our Uchiha Clan is going to be destroyed by his hands."

"Enough!" The First Elder barely managed to remain calm. He waved a hand to stop him. "Things have already come to this. What use is there in saying all that?"

"If the Hokage's faction comes to hold us accountable, do we fight or make peace?"

"Fight? How do we fight?" The Third Elder frowned and retorted, "Uchiha Yan took away most of the clan's ninja and ordinary clansmen."

"With just the hundred or so ninja behind us, how are we supposed to fight the thousands of ninja in the Hokage's faction?"

"Then we make peace!"

"That will not work either. The Hokage's faction will not let us off!" The Second Elder shook his head.

"Tch!" The First Elder frowned and shot the two elders an annoyed glance.

So you two have said everything there is to say, yet neither of you can come up with a solution?

After sighing, he turned to Uchiha Fugaku, who had remained silent the entire time.

"Clan Head, say something. We cannot just sit here and wait for death."

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head. "What else can I say?"

"So many clansmen would rather follow Uchiha Yan to their deaths than listen to me. Some of them even looked at me with hatred in their eyes."

"And Shisui actually joined him in this foolishness."

"What else can I say?"

"When did our Uchiha Clan... become like this?"

"..."

Just as Uchiha Fugaku and the others were at their wits' end, a sudden commotion arose from the distant street.

It sounded as though countless people were shouting and arguing, mixed with the clatter of objects colliding, cheers, and chaotic footsteps.

It seemed ready to pierce the clouds and shatter this oppressive silence.

Uchiha Fugaku and the others all looked up, unease rising in their hearts as their nerves tightened once more.

So they finally came?

Our Uchiha Clan still could not escape this calamity!

Uchiha Yan, you deserve to die!

...

The commotion drew closer and clearer.

Uchiha Fugaku and the others unconsciously tightened their grips on their weapons, fine beads of sweat appearing on their foreheads.

Their hearts pounded fiercely, as if they were about to leap out of their throats.

Amid the atmosphere of extreme tension, a group of figures suddenly appeared around the street corner.

Cheers, excited cries, and shouts gradually reached their ears, leaving them somewhat bewildered.

As those figures came into clearer view, Uchiha Fugaku and the others involuntarily widened their eyes, their faces full of disbelief.

If he was not mistaken, the person walking at the very front seemed to be Uchiha Yan, the one who had led the clansmen in causing the riot.

And Shisui, Tekka, Yashiro, and numerous other clansmen followed right behind him, not a single one missing.

They had actually returned safely.