The Sixth Elder Coughed Blood and Fainted, Fugaku's Private Probe!

"I'd really like to know what the Sixth Elder is plotting!

Does he truly want the Uchiha to follow the Senju clan's example, disband completely, change their names, and become commoners before he'll be satisfied?"

Hah!

Well, that was no small accusation. He was going straight for the Uchiha's roots!!!

Fugaku and the elders were all stunned. Before long, the way everyone looked at the Sixth Elder had changed.

Because Yan's words made sense.

The Uchiha were already part of Konoha, so what was this talk about integrating into the larger environment?

They spoke of equality, but how many clan shinobi truly placed themselves on the same level as commoners?

Even the Sarutobi clan couldn't do that. Why should the Uchiha?

To fully integrate into Konoha, the clan would have to disband and follow the Senju clan's example.

But—

If that wasn't digging up the Uchiha's roots, then what was?

"You... I..."

The Sixth Elder's face flushed red again. He was so startled that he became incoherent, stammering for a long while without managing to force out a complete sentence.

Yan was no longer merely opposing the Dove Faction. He was trying to beat the Dove Faction to death with one blow.

That accusation alone was enough to leave the Sixth Elder and the Dove Faction in deep trouble.

Most importantly, they couldn't shake off that accusation. Since that wasn't what they meant, why had they kept shouting about having the clan fully integrate into Konoha?

We were already part of Konoha!

Go on, explain why!

The scheme they had in mind was probably to make the clan follow the Senju clan's example.

"Pfft—"

Already advanced in years, the Sixth Elder had been pushed to his limit by the stimulation of Yan's genjutsu control and all the resentment he had been bottling up. His vision went black, and he spat out a mouthful of blood before collapsing limply to the floor.

The sudden accident left everyone dumbfounded.

Even Yan felt it was a little exaggerated.

Coughing up blood and fainting just like that? Wasn't that a bit much?

But with the Sixth Elder unconscious, the meeting couldn't continue.

Fortunately, the result was what Yan wanted. After today, the Dove Faction could no longer exist unless they were willing to keep operating under the accusation Yan had given them.

Even Shisui, the Dove Faction's most loyal supporter, would probably have to keep his tail tucked between his legs.

After a flurry of chaos, the guards sent the Sixth Elder to the hospital, and the matter of the Dove Faction was dropped.

What a headache.

Fugaku rubbed his throbbing temples, his gaze at Yan filled with helplessness.

The others also looked at Yan with complicated expressions. Only the First Elder's gaze remained fiery.

They couldn't discuss the Dove Faction anymore.

Time to change the subject.

After thinking for a moment, Fugaku said, "Yan has proposed removing Uchiha Shisui from his post in the Police Department. He believes Shisui would be better suited to the Personnel Department, handling complaints. What do the elders think?"

There was such a good thing?

Of course they supported it.

"This old man supports it."

"This old man agrees as well. Shisui is a good child, but the Police Department isn't suitable for him."

The Hardline Faction elders immediately voiced their support. The neutral elders could only look to Fugaku, the clan head. The meaning was obvious: You're the boss, so you decide. We won't offer any opinions, lest that little bastard Yan put us through another round.

With the Sixth Elder's example before them, these elders no longer dared to put on airs around Yan.

They feared that, in a fit of impulse, Yan might turn his blade on them.

Madmen weren't frightening. What was frightening was a madman with intelligence and enough strength. Once someone like that had his eye on you, you wouldn't even sleep peacefully.

"Since no one objects, Shisui will be removed from his Police Department post starting tomorrow and transferred to the Personnel Department for complaint handling."

Fugaku made the decision directly.

"Yan, stay behind."

Once everything was over, the Hardline Faction was delighted while the neutral faction was deeply worried.

They didn't know whether Yan would join the Hardline Faction or turn his blade on them.

It wasn't only the neutral elders who were worried. Fugaku, as clan head, was concerned about the same issue.

That was why he had Yan stay behind.

Hearing that, Yan, who had been about to leave, remained.

Under normal circumstances, Fugaku would have made tea and relaxed for a while. But now, he didn't dare entertain that thought. He even wanted to throw out his tea set.

The two entered the sitting room. Seeing Yan ignore the formal kneeling posture and sit cross-legged instead, Fugaku's eye twitched twice. He took a deep breath and asked coldly, "Yan, what exactly are you trying to do?"

"What do you mean by that, Clan Head?"

Yan looked utterly confused.

Fugaku said angrily, "In just a few days, you've stirred up no small amount of trouble. Today, you even overstepped your place and attacked an elder. What exactly is your purpose in doing all this?"

Knew you wouldn't be able to hold it in.

If this continued, the Uchiha would either grow stronger and stronger or gradually spiral out of control.

There was no way Fugaku wouldn't be anxious.

"So the Uchiha can become strong again, instead of bowing and scraping and living with our tails between our legs."

Meeting Fugaku's cold, imposing gaze head-on, Yan answered calmly.

I'd like to say it's for the sake of my own life, but I'm afraid you wouldn't believe me!

Unfortunately, you're such a cowardly clan head. I'm pretty desperate too, so I can only do this myself.

Yan raised the banner of acting for the Uchiha's sake, and Fugaku truly had no way to criticize him. After all, although Yan had been somewhat impulsive, nothing he had done had harmed the Uchiha's interests.

Fugaku fell silent for a long while.

Yan sat quietly as well, without the slightest discomfort.

"Great!!!"

A cheerful laugh came from outside. Yan knew that voice well—it belonged to the person he had designated as Copy Number One, Second Pillar Sasuke Uchiha.

With a delighted smile, Sasuke skipped into the sitting room.

The moment he saw the two people seated inside, he was startled. Noticing that his father's expression was less than pleasant, Sasuke quickly stood straight and bowed. "I'm back, Father. Greetings, Senior."

"Mm." Fugaku still wore a stern expression, arms folded, his attitude cold.

At only five years old, Sasuke couldn't hide the disappointment on his face.

"Father. Senior."

Itachi arrived a step later and greeted them in a rigidly proper manner. Then he took Sasuke upstairs on his own initiative.

With Sasuke and Itachi interrupting them, the tense atmosphere eased somewhat.

Fugaku's stiff expression also relaxed considerably.

"What do you think of the Hardline Faction?"

"Tell me your true thoughts. To be honest, you've been a little harsh on Shisui. He did this for the good of the clan as well."

"If he truly wanted what was best for the clan, he shouldn't have made the clansmen live with their tails between their legs."

Yan curled his lip, disagreeing with Fugaku. He knew Fugaku had supported and instructed Shisui in becoming a double agent.

Itachi would be the same in the future. Unfortunately, Fugaku had overestimated Shisui and Itachi's feelings for the Uchiha.

He sent over two spies, only for both of them to completely side with the village's higher-ups.

"If he truly wants to consider the clan's interests, then he should give up those unrealistic ideas."

"As for the Hardline Faction, I believe you already have your own thoughts as clan head. I have no intention of joining the Hardline Faction, none at all. Nor would I approve of anyone in the clan attempting a coup. I've said it before: we are already part of Konoha. Even if certain matters cause conflict, it would never warrant something as serious as a coup."

"Whether you believe me or not, these are my sincere words. I will also work toward my own goals."

This was Yan's stance.