Uchiha's Collective Outrage

Meanwhile, in the Uchiha compound.

As usual, the Uchiha compound carried an atmosphere of subtle distance and pride.

But today, this atmosphere was mixed with suppressed anger and murmuring discussions.

Inside the clan meeting room, the atmosphere was heavy.

Seated at the head was a stern-faced, sharp-eyed middle-aged man, around forty years old, dressed in traditional Uchiha high-collared clan attire.

His features bore some resemblance to the future Uchiha Fugaku, but his demeanor was more outward and forceful.

He was the current clan head of the Uchiha clan—Uchiha Chishin, Uchiha Fugaku's father.

Below him sat several core elders and Jonin of the clan, including elders from Uchiha Ling's branch, and key figures responsible for the clan's police force.

"Is the news confirmed?" Uchiha Chishin's voice was deep, carrying an unquestionable authority.

"Confirmed, Clan Head," an elder in charge of intelligence stated gravely. "Ling was indeed ambushed at the hospital. All three attackers were killed, and their bodies were taken by the Anbu. According to our informants at the hospital, the tactics and equipment used by the attackers strongly suggest they came from 'Root'."

"'Root'... Shimura Danzō!" another hot-tempered elder slammed the table, roaring.

"How dare he! To openly assassinate a member of our Uchiha clan! And one who just performed a great service! Is he declaring war on our Uchiha clan?!"

"Calm down, Elder Setsuna."

Uchiha Chishin glanced at the elder, though a cold glint flickered in his own eyes. "It's not quite war, but this is a blatant provocation and a test!"

"How is that child Ling?" asked Uchiha Nobuhiro, an elder who appeared somewhat gentler, with concern.

"He sustained some new injuries, but he's out of danger. He's already under strict protection by the Anbu," the intelligence elder replied.

"According to witnesses, he was very emotional at the time, questioning why the village would treat him this way."

Hearing this, many Uchiha present showed complex expressions.

There was anger, heartache, and a... hard-to-describe sense of resonance.

How many great contributions had their Uchiha clan made to Konoha in the past?

Uchiha Madara and the First Hokage built Konoha together, and Uchiha Kagami was a trusted bodyguard to the Second Hokage.

Yet, as time passed, what the Uchiha received was suspicion, ostracism, and marginalization, being relegated to the seemingly powerful but actually isolated position of the Police Force.

This feeling of being rejected by the village and targeted by the higher-ups was almost etched into the very bones of every Uchiha.

Now, a talented young genius of the clan, who had just performed a great service for the village with an incredibly positive image, reversing some villagers' prejudice against the Uchiha, was subjected to such dark treatment!

How could this not make the entire Uchiha clan feel like a rabbit mourning its fallen companion, a creature saddened by the plight of another?

"That child Ling, I remember him..." Uchiha Nobuhiro spoke slowly. "His grades were excellent at the academy, and his essay on the Will of Fire even received praise from the Third Hokage.

I thought he could become a bridge to change the relationship between the Uchiha and the village, but I didn't expect..."

"A bridge? Hmph!" Uchiha Setsuna snorted. "See? This is the true face of the village's higher-ups! They will never truly trust us Uchiha!

As long as we possess these eyes, they will always fear and ostracize us! Offering goodwill and compromise will only lead to more oppressive bullying!

If you ask me, we absolutely cannot let this slide! We must make Danzō and those higher-ups pay!"

The hawkish voice immediately received much support.

"That's right! We must respond forcefully!"

"Deploy the Police Force and investigate Root!"

"Let them know the Uchiha are not to be trifled with!"

The Uchiha clan was in an uproar during the meeting.

"Quiet, everyone!" Uchiha Chishin commanded in a low voice, suppressing the murmurs.

His gaze swept across the room, and he slowly said, "Retaliation? How do we retaliate? Go to war directly with the Hokage faction?

That would play right into the hands of certain individuals, giving them an excuse to completely purge the Uchiha!"

The clan head's words brought a slight calm to the agitated crowd.

"However, Clan Head, we absolutely cannot swallow this insult!"

Uchiha Nobuhiro stated, "This concerns not only Ling's personal safety but also the dignity and future of our Uchiha clan.

If we back down this time, then next time, they can use even more despicable means against any one of us!"

Uchiha Chishin nodded, a glint of shrewdness and calculation in his eyes. "Of course, we cannot back down. This is not just a crisis, but also an... opportunity."

Uchiha Chishin leaned forward slightly, his voice lower but more powerful. "That child Ling did very well. He not only survived and killed his attackers, but more importantly, he blew this matter wide open and secured the moral high ground!

He is now the victim, the hero, unjustly persecuted! This will win him a lot of sympathy, even from those neutral ninja clans."

"Lord Mito Uzumaki has personally inquired about this matter and is pressuring the Third Hokage.

What we need to do is not blindly shout for war, but skillfully use this incident to gain the greatest benefit for the Uchiha, while further promoting Ling.

Let him become the new window for Uchiha-village dialogue, a perfect example of someone who suffered injustice yet still 'holds loyalty to the village'!"

The elders' eyes lit up. The clan head saw deeper and further.

"First, on behalf of the clan, we will lodge the most solemn protest and negotiation with the Hokage! The wording must be strong, but within the framework of the rules, emphasizing the Uchiha's contributions and loyalty to the village."

"Emphasize our shock and outrage at this vicious incident, demand the severe punishment of the perpetrators and their masterminds, and insist on absolute guarantees of safety!"

"Secondly, send a delegation with the highest honors to offer condolences to Ling, expressing the clan's care and support."

"Let him know that the clan is his most solid backing. At the same time... you may also guide him appropriately, making him understand that only when the clan is strong can his personal safety and dignity be guaranteed." This sentence was pregnant with meaning.

"Third, utilize the authority of the Military Police Force to conduct 'legal' inspections and exert pressure on some of Root's peripheral activities and strongholds, under the pretext of 'investigating the attack and maintaining order in Konoha'."

"There is no need to actually catch anything, but we must strike a pose, disgust them, and let Danzo know that the wrath of the Uchiha is not so easily endured."

"Finally, quietly spread the word about this incident among the villagers. Let the people know what kind of treatment a hero of the Uchiha has received!"

"Win over public sympathy and reverse the image we have been stigmatized with for so long!"

The Uchiha high-ranking officials present nodded one after another, their eyes gleaming with admiration and approval. The clan head was truly worthy of his position.

"Very well, go and handle it immediately." Uchiha Chishin waved his hand.

The group acknowledged the order and departed swiftly.

In the empty conference room, only Uchiha Chishin remained. He walked to the window, watching the young clansmen training diligently in the compound's training grounds, his gaze eventually settling on the direction of the Hokage Rock.

"Uchiha Ling..." He murmured the name, a subtle, imperceptible curve tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Perhaps... you really can bring about some unexpected changes. Whether for the Uchiha, or for this village..."

"And these eyes..." His pupils quietly turned scarlet; one tomoe, two tomoe, then three tomoe began to spin, eventually merging into a single field, "will eventually make the world see its true face."

The Uchiha machine began to operate efficiently according to the clan head's will.

Soon, the Konoha high command received a formal letter of protest from the Uchiha clan, written in stern language.

Members of the Uchiha Military Police Force began to appear frequently near certain Root strongholds, conducting "routine patrols" with an attitude that was "polite" yet firm.

News regarding the "assassination attempt on a young hero" began to circulate quietly in taverns, mission halls, and other places through various "it is said" and "I heard" channels, sparking widespread discussion and sympathy among civilians and ordinary ninja.

Meanwhile, inside the hospital, Uchiha Ling welcomed the delegation sent by the clan, led personally by Elder Uchiha Nobuhiro.

They brought precious medicinal herbs and the "care" of the clan, their words both soothing and implicitly emphasizing the importance of the clan's power and support.

Uchiha Ling "moved," accepted the condolences, and performed the role of a youth who had found the warmth of his organization and felt deeply encouraged.

[Satisfaction from Uchiha Nobuhiro +20]

[Gratification from Uchiha Chishin +30]

[Anger and support from numerous Uchiha clansmen +1200]

Looking at the massive influx of emotional points refreshing on the system interface, especially the sum from the clan head, Uchiha Ling knew that the Uchiha tide had been successfully stirred.