Hesitation Leads to Defeat

"So, Father, is that a yes or a no?" Uchiha Izuna asked, watching Uchiha Fugaku with a beaming smile. Uchiha Fugaku looked hesitant. "Let me think about it for a few more days."

The moment those words fell, the smile vanished from Uchiha Izuna's face, replaced instantly by flashes of disappointment, complexity, coldness, and mockery in his eyes.

"Father, I asked you for a yes or a no, and you reply that you need to think for a few more days?" Uchiha Izuna's chakra erupted!

The sudden surge startled the entire Uchiha Clan, including Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui. They watched as Uchiha Izuna stood in the courtyard, his hair whipping about as his chakra radiated outward in waves.

"Zhan, what is the meaning of this? Do I not even have the right to deliberate as your father?" Uchiha Fugaku barked.

"Deliberate? What time do you think it is? The major ninja clans are already drawing close to the Uchiha, and you're still wondering whether to launch a Coup d'état?"

"Does this even require thought?"

"If we launch the Coup d'état, we remain a family. If not, then fine—those willing to act, follow me! We shall establish our own faction!" Uchiha Izuna sneered.

Instantly, every Uchiha ninja present dropped to their knees. "We obey the orders of Lord Zhan!"

This scene left Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Fugaku in shock; even Uchiha Shisui had joined the ranks of the kneeling ninjas.

Uchiha Fugaku stumbled back. He realized in that moment that he was no longer the leader of the Uchiha Clan—or rather, he was a leader in name only, a figurehead sidelined by his own son.

He looked at Uchiha Izuna, and Uchiha Izuna looked back. The difference was that Uchiha Izuna had once believed Fugaku was as committed to the Coup d'état as he was.

Today's display of indecision had caused his heart to sink to the bottom. As the leader of the Uchiha Clan, one either acts or one does not; what was the point of "considering"?

Uchiha Fugaku sighed. "Very well. From today on, the Uchiha is yours. Perhaps I was never truly suited to be the clan head."

A fiery light flashed in the eyes of the others. They had long been dissatisfied with Fugaku, who had played the neutral party, offending no one, and now, with the Coup d'état at hand, he was still wavering.

Uchiha Izuna turned and left without a word, the crowd of Uchiha following in his wake, leaving only Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi standing there.

Uchiha Itachi watched Uchiha Izuna with envy. Was this what it felt like to be acknowledged by everyone?

"Itachi, you should go too. Perhaps only your younger brother can save the Uchiha, and save Konoha." After saying this, Uchiha Fugaku walked toward the house.

Uchiha Itachi felt a complex mix of emotions as he watched his father's retreating back. In just this short moment, the leadership had undergone a decisive change.

He shook his head and walked in the direction of Uchiha Izuna.

Uchiha Izuna arrived at the meeting hall. It was already the middle of the night, yet every ninja in the clan, save for Uchiha Fugaku, was present.

Uchiha Izuna walked straight toward the clan head's throne. Uchiha Zongyi started to speak, but was silenced by the collective glare of the Uchiha activating their Sharingan.

The crushing pressure forced him to shut his mouth, lower his head, and stand aside.

Uchiha Izuna looked at the throne, his heart heavy with complex emotions. He had thought it would take a long time to reach this seat; he hadn't expected it to happen today.

He turned to face the crowd, then sat down generously on the seat reserved for the clan head.

"Everyone, the old clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, is feeling unwell. For the time being, I shall act as the clan head and exercise the authority of the position."

"By the old rules, raise your hands to vote. Let us pool our wisdom," Uchiha Izuna said calmly, then propped his legs up on the table, looking down at the ninjas below.

Within ten seconds, everyone raised their hands, including Uchiha Zongyi. He understood that Uchiha Izuna's rise to power was unstoppable; since that was the case, it was better to submit.

Uchiha Izuna stood up. "Since that is the case, I ask for your cooperation with my decisions moving forward."

"Yes!" the crowd knelt on one knee.

"Tomorrow, the newspapers will be sold in twenty zones by twenty teams."

"I will need your hard work. Also, we need a few plants—after buying a paper, read it out loud."

"At the same time, the Uchiha Police Force will patrol those twenty zones tomorrow. If anyone causes trouble, even if they are from the Anbu or the Root, take them down!"

"The promotion of this newspaper is imperative! No one shall stand in our way!"

"If there is anything you cannot resolve, come directly to me. I will handle it." Uchiha Izuna began issuing orders, his goal singular: to distribute the newspapers.

Controlling public opinion in Konoha—in this era, an era lacking entertainment, public opinion meant the hearts of the people.

Moreover, while the events of today were known to the ninja clans, many civilian ninjas and villagers remained unaware. In their eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen was still the benevolent, kind Third Hokage.

Uchiha Izuna's goal was to destroy the reputation Sarutobi Hiruzen had built over the years. Once that was done, his once-lofty standing would plummet.

Besides, the news he was publishing was true and could withstand scrutiny; what was there to fear?

There might be some trouble tomorrow if the Anbu discovered them, but compared to the gains, that minor trouble was not worth fearing.

And so, under Uchiha Izuna's arrangements, the Uchiha Clan went about their duties, eager and ready for action.

Uchiha Izuna returned to his room, preparing to sleep, only to find Mikoto Uchiha waiting for him.

"You're back, Zhan." Mikoto Uchiha's tone carried a hint of hesitation.

Uchiha Izuna paused, then bowed. "Mother."

Mikoto Uchiha smiled. "Sit." She gestured for Uchiha Izuna to sit opposite her.

Uchiha Izuna knelt opposite Mikoto Uchiha, sitting tall and looking at her.

"Did you argue with your father? I saw him return and say nothing, then walk to the bedroom to sleep."

"No matter how I asked, he wouldn't speak, so I wanted to know what happened," Mikoto Uchiha asked, looking into Uchiha Izuna's eyes.

Uchiha Izuna pursed his lips. He could be cold and dismissive toward his father, Uchiha Fugaku, but he dared not defy his mother.

Because in his memories, from childhood to the present, it had always been Mikoto Uchiha who protected him.

In his memory, Mikoto Uchiha was always gentle; he could not bring himself to defy his mother.

Thus, Uchiha Izuna took out the small note from Minato Namikaze and began to explain his father's recent hesitation, as well as the critical nature of their current situation.

The Uchiha clan had reached a life-or-death juncture where they could only advance, never retreat; every clansman had their head on the chopping block.

Even if he, Uchiha Izuna, were to say that things were not right at this moment, the brothers behind him would hack him into mincemeat.

Uchiha Fugaku's hesitation was even more egregious; everyone had agreed upon the Coup d'état, yet he was still weighing his options? To let such a golden opportunity slip by—was he insane? Hesitation is defeat!