Uchiha Clan Gathering

After returning to the clan, Shin let Chiyo Hotaru return to her room first, while he headed to the meeting hall.

The roof of the meeting hall had been smashed to pieces by Shin and the others two months ago, but it had long since been repaired. Shin glanced at it and stepped straight inside.

The people in the main hall had already gathered. Aside from his uncle Uchiha Tajima, there were about fifty others present, the weakest of whom were jonin. Besides himself, Uchiha Madara was also among them. Shin nodded slightly to Madara and walked up to his uncle.

"Clan Head, I have arrived!" In a formal meeting setting like this, even Madara had to address him as Clan Head rather than by any familial title.

"Mm, find a seat," Uchiha Tajima nodded casually.

Shin scanned the room and decisively sat cross-legged next to Madara. He truly wasn't accustomed to their kneeling style, and he figured he would find it hard to get used to it in the future as well.

Uchiha Tajima spoke coldly from the front: "When I was on the battlefield previously, I suddenly heard that the clan had been attacked. I was terrified and could not even care about the battlefield, leading all the clan's ninja to rush back day and night. Even so, we lost a full forty of our elite children of the next generation. It is simply a supreme humiliation for our Uchiha Clan!"

Bang!

Uchiha Tajima slammed his fist heavily onto the table, causing it to shake. He glared around the room, and seeing everyone bowing their heads, not daring to meet his gaze, he nodded in satisfaction, feeling that his authority remained as it had always been.

He coughed lightly and continued: "Now, someone must ultimately take responsibility for this matter. Third Elder Uchiha Yutaka was played for a fool by the enemy and abandoned his post, which was incredibly foolish. Although he has been stripped of his position as Elder, it is still not enough to serve as a deterrent. Everyone, discuss how Uchiha Yutaka should be dealt with."

Uchiha Yutaka, who was kneeling in the front, stood up. His face was deathly pale and cold sweat had broken out on his forehead. He didn't dare say a word. When he had first received word that the clan grounds were being raided, his mind had gone blank. Since returning, he had been walking on eggshells, voluntarily relinquishing his position as Third Elder. He had thought the matter was behind him after two months of uneventful clan meetings, but he hadn't expected to be unable to escape it after all.

"What is going on?"

Shin whispered to Madara beside him. He had heard that there had been several clan meetings over the past two months; had they not yet passed judgment on the Third Elder?

Madara shook his head slightly: "I don't know. It seems they really haven't passed judgment. They have been busy discussing the contraction of our territory and the deployment of border defenses against the Senju Clan. After all, our retreat from the battlefield was hurried, leaving behind many hidden dangers."

Shin nodded in understanding. Compared to punishing their own clansmen, ensuring the safety of the clan was more important.

A group of Uchiha jonin whispered among themselves, discussing the punishment for Uchiha Yutaka. Opinions varied, ranging from light to heavy.

After a while, Uchiha Tajima waved his hand to quiet them and said: "Does anyone have any suggestions?"

In the front row, a ninja sitting just behind Uchiha Yutaka spoke up. He was about forty years old—a "ripe old age" in the high-mortality era of the Warring States—and was one of the strongest peak jonin in the clan. His name was Uchiha Zhan.

"The Third Elder's negligence this time caused our next generation to face an unprecedented crisis. If not for the emergence of two geniuses like Madara and Shin, the consequences would have been unthinkable. Merely stripping him of his Elder position is too light a punishment. I suggest sending Uchiha Yutaka to the Fujiwara Mine to oversee operations and protect the mine's safety. I hear that several groups of bandits have appeared there today, posing quite a threat to the mine."

"What are you laughing at?"

Madara looked at the mocking smile on the corner of Shin's mouth and asked in a low voice. He truly couldn't see what was funny about what had just been said.

Shin looked at Madara with disdain, his eyes filled with superiority. He didn't bother to answer him. Hmph, no matter how heaven-defying your cultivation talent is, you are ultimately an eight-year-old child. How could you possibly understand the hidden meaning behind Uchiha Zhan's words?

The so-called Fujiwara Mine was one of the three major mines controlled by the Uchiha Clan. The iron ore produced there was not only the primary material for the Uchiha Clan's weapons but was also exported to various daimyo and generals, making it an extremely important source of revenue.

Ninja were actually a profession that consumed vast resources, which was why they constantly took on high-paying missions. The Uchiha Clan was better off; their territory was large enough, their food supply was sufficient, and they had plenty of various resources. Even if they lacked something, they could purchase it from other ninja clans or daimyo.

Normally, the punishment for the Third Elder, Uchiha Yutaka, would be to give him some extremely difficult missions to allow him to redeem himself, or to send him to the battlefield to fight alongside other clansmen.

However, if that happened, and Uchiha Yutaka performed a meritorious deed, he might have a chance to make a comeback. After all, having been an Elder for so many years, he still possessed some connections.

But sending him to the Fujiwara Mine was different. On the surface, the punishment didn't seem severe, but in reality, it was equivalent to exile. In a place like that, guarding it well was expected, and failing to guard it was a dereliction of duty. Being so far from the center of the clan, he would basically have no chance to return, effectively being cast aside.

Uchiha Zhan's motive for making this proposal was simple: he had his eyes on the position of Third Elder. Since ancient times, the Uchiha Clan had three Elders under the Clan Head. Two years ago, two Elders were killed in a sneak attack by the Hyuga and Senju, which was the reason for the two-year-long war between the three clans. Because of the war, those two Elder positions had never been filled.

Now that the war had paused, they were discussing the Third Elder's fate. This meant all three Elder positions were vacant. As for Uchiha Zhan, in terms of strength and age, he was a prime candidate. However, there were several other peak jonin in the clan who were also eyeing the Elder positions. To take advantage of the current situation, he naturally had to get Uchiha Yutaka as far away as possible.

Shin shook his head slightly. It was true that no matter where one went, this kind of underhanded power struggle never ceased. This was still considered mild; since the threat of external enemies was great, some minor struggles wouldn't go too far—at most, they would leave the other party sidelined without threatening their lives. After all, the combat power of a jonin was important; one never knew when they might be needed.

However, Uchiha Zhan's plan would likely fall through. The Uchiha Clan had just lost a battle and was in dire need of manpower. A peak jonin like Uchiha Yutaka would never be sent to guard a mine. The Uchiha Clan wasn't so extravagant—no, it should be said that in the entire ninja world, no clan could afford to be that extravagant.

Following Uchiha Zhan's proposal, the entire hall became noisy. Several jonin who had previously benefited from Uchiha Yutaka's favor jumped up, speaking of his past achievements and arguing with Uchiha Zhan.

Uchiha Tajima frowned and let out a cold snort. The arguing parties glanced at him and gradually quieted down, waiting for his decision.

"Forget about the Fujiwara Mine. Recently, several rogue ninja have appeared in the Land of Yuze to the west. They are quite strong, including two elite jonin. We have received a request for aid from the daimyo of the Tianmingliu Clan, with a commission of one million. Let's send Uchiha Yutaka there. Mm, the clan needs manpower everywhere, so you will go alone. Leave now!"

Uchiha Yutaka looked at him, sighed, and turned to leave.