The Clan Meeting

At an open training ground, Amada rapidly formed Hand Seals and called out in a low voice:

"Lightning Release: Lightning Wave!"

In an instant, a streak of blue lightning burst from his palm,

like a nimble Lightning Snake, shooting straight toward a small tree ahead.

The moment the lightning struck the trunk, wood chips flew everywhere, leaving a charred mark on the tree.

Amada lowered his hands and carefully assessed the effects of Lightning Release:

"It's not particularly powerful, but it's quick to use and versatile. Speed and flexibility are often more important than sheer destructive force."

He had learned this "Lightning Wave" ninjutsu in Root Division.

Now that he was part of Danzo's organization, he might as well take advantage of the benefits.

Amada wasn't about to pass up any chance to improve himself.

He hadn't chosen the Lightning Release Ninjutsu with tremendous power but excessive chakra costs. Instead, he had picked a simple, practical technique.

"Lightning Wave" might have limited power,

but it had one very useful feature—it could infuse weapons with Lightning Release, giving them its properties.

For Amada, who specialized in close combat, this was undoubtedly a tremendous advantage.

Whether it was a sword or a Shuriken, infusing it with Lightning Release greatly increased its offensive power and could even paralyze an enemy.

Amada remembered that Kakashi had used this technique before.

He formed Hand Seals again, sending a Lightning Wave into the sword on the ground.

Blue lightning immediately coiled around the blade, crackling.

Amada swung the sword, easily cutting through the tree trunk. The cut surface was still charred.

"Just as I thought. Infusing a weapon with Lightning Release makes it a lot more powerful."

Amada nodded in satisfaction.

A ninjutsu's strength didn't depend entirely on its power, but on how well it fit into one's fighting style.

"Next, I just need to keep practicing and work 'Lightning Wave' into my fighting style."

Amada murmured to himself, confidence shining in his eyes.

At the training ground, Amada practiced "Lightning Wave" again and again, stopping to rest only when his chakra was nearly depleted.

His body was somewhat tired, but he felt deeply satisfied.

A few days later, the Uchiha Clan held a meeting.

According to clan rules, every Uchiha ninja had to attend, regardless of age.

By the time Amada arrived at the Uchiha estate, the courtyard was already packed,

with clansmen gathered in small groups, talking in low voices.

Obito spotted him and nodded in greeting.

Amada looked around, then his gaze suddenly settled on a small figure.

The child looked only a few years old and seemed out of place among the crowd.

Amada was surprised. He walked over and greeted him with a smile:

"Hello, I'm Uchiha Amada. Are you here for the clan meeting too?"

The child looked up, a hint of nervousness on his face, but his eyes were clear.

He nodded, his voice young but earnest:

"Yes. This is my first clan meeting, so I'm a little nervous. My name is Uchiha Shisui, and I'm five years old. Hello, senior."

At the sound of that name, Amada understood.

So this is him.

I heard the Uchiha Clan had a genius named Uchiha Shisui, no less talented than Kakashi. I finally get to meet him today.

"You became a ninja at five? Shisui, you really are a genius."

Amada praised him sincerely.

Shisui looked a little embarrassed by the compliment, his cheeks turning faintly red:

"You're too kind, senior. I still have a long way to go."

Amada smiled and crouched to meet Shisui's eyes:

"Don't be so modest. Your talent is obvious. The clan meeting might be a little dull, though. If you get bored, you can come talk to me."

Shisui nodded, gratitude flickering in his eyes:

"Thank you, senior."

Once the clan meeting officially began, the old clan leader slowly stepped onto the platform and surveyed the assembled clansmen before announcing:

"Clansmen, today I have something important to announce. I am getting on in years, and I have decided to step down and hand the position of clan leader to a promising young ninja."

As soon as he finished speaking, the clansmen below began murmuring among themselves.

The old clan leader waved for them to quiet down, then continued:

"Uchiha Fugaku will take over as clan leader. I believe that under his leadership, the Uchiha Clan will usher in a new era of glory."

After the old clan leader introduced him, a young ninja stepped onto the platform.

His every movement carried an air of authority.

Looking at Uchiha Fugaku on the platform, Amada thought to himself:

This must be Sasuke Uchiha's father.

Standing before the crowd, Uchiha Fugaku swept his gaze over every clansman present, then spoke in a steady, powerful voice:

"Clansmen, the Uchiha Clan was once the pride of Konoha. Our ancestor, Uchiha Madara, made tremendous contributions to the founding of the village. But as time passed, the Uchiha's glory gradually faded. Today, I stand before you not only to inherit the responsibilities of clan leader, but also to lead the Uchiha Clan back to its former glory!"

His words rang out with conviction, instantly igniting the clansmen's enthusiasm.

The Uchiha below the platform began shouting:

"Restore our glory! Restore our glory!"

Fugaku raised a hand, signaling for quiet, then continued:

"To achieve this, we must secure more power and influence. I have decided to put everything I have into competing for the position of Fourth Hokage! Only by becoming Hokage can I truly lead the Uchiha Clan to glory!"

The moment he finished speaking, the clansmen below erupted once more.

A fervent mood swept through the crowd. People waved their arms and shouted:

"Clan Leader Fugaku! Clan Leader Fugaku!"

Standing among the crowd, Amada watched the clansmen's fervor, but couldn't help feeling uneasy.

He knew that tensions between the Uchiha Clan and the Konoha High Command had been growing for a long time.

Fugaku's speech would undoubtedly put someone on their guard.

But he also knew that he couldn't show anything amiss in a setting like this.

So as not to stand out,

Amada raised his hand too, putting on an enthusiastic front as he shouted along with the clansmen:

"Clan Leader Fugaku!"

Then clan leader Uchiha Fugaku began speaking solemnly about the clan's affairs and plans for the future.

Amada listened, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Shisui.

He saw Shisui standing in a corner. Though young, he was paying close attention, clearly very interested in the clan meeting.

What an extraordinary child.

Amada marveled inwardly.

After the clan meeting ended, Amada hadn't even made it home when a Root Division ninja blocked his way.

The other man's expression was cold, his words brief and direct:

"Lord Danzo wants to see you."

Inside Root Division's secret base, Danzo watched Amada enter with a grim expression.

"How did the clan meeting go?"

Amada didn't hesitate. He reported everything that had happened at the meeting to Danzo.

In truth, even if he hadn't reported it, there would have been no secrets to keep, given the Uchiha Clan's fanatical behavior.

"Uchiha Fugaku wants to become the Fourth Hokage?"

After hearing the report, Danzo sneered, his tone full of scorn.

"Hmph! The Uchiha Clan is evil by nature. As long as I, Danzo, am around, their becoming Hokage is nothing but a pipe dream!"