Clan Meeting (3)

After Itachi Uchiha left, the crowd's anger did not immediately subside. Many clan members were still cursing.

Some cursed Itachi Uchiha for being heartless and ungrateful, while others denounced the higher-ups for their despicable, shameless methods. There was no end to it.

Seeing that everyone was still furious and that Fugaku was still immersed in shock, Uchiha Yushu stepped forward to calm them down, though his position was somewhat unjustified.

He clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention, then spoke.

"All right, everyone, quiet down. Itachi Uchiha's betrayal will definitely be punished accordingly. As for Konoha's higher-ups, they have always targeted the Uchiha Clan. There's nothing to be angry about. It's only natural for enemies to target us however they can. There's no point in calling it despicable or not."

"Try looking at it from another angle. Among Konoha's major ninja clans—the Hyuga Clan, the Aburame Clan, Ino–Shika–Cho—which one does not have spies planted by Konoha's higher-ups? As for our clan, the one targeted most harshly, that only proves our strength. It forces Konoha's higher-ups to rack their brains trying to suppress us."

"Small clans like the Kazamatsuri Clan, the Kurama Clan, and the Gekkō Clan do not warrant suppression, nor is there any need to plant spies among them."

Knowing the Uchiha Clan's prideful nature well, Uchiha Yushu did not merely try to persuade them. Instead, he flattered them from another angle.

Sure enough, as his words fell, a trace of pride appeared on their previously furious faces. The anger born from being suppressed and targeted not only vanished, but was replaced by a hint of pleasure. I'm proud to be suppressed.

Looking at the clan members' suddenly prideful expressions, Yushu felt that, unlike Itachi Uchiha, the Uchiha Clan was truly an adorable clan.

The elders were not as easy to fool as the ordinary clan members. But whether it was Yushu exposing Itachi Uchiha's identity as a spy earlier or his ability to control the clan members' emotions with just a few words now, the insight and leadership he displayed earned him more recognition from several elders, including Uchiha Qing. Meanwhile, old men like Uchiha Yan beamed with smiles.

Taking in everyone's expressions, especially his old man's wrinkled face split in a grin, Yushu mentally added a caption to what his grandfather was thinking: My grandson Yushu has the makings of a clan head.

Seeing that everyone had mostly calmed down, Yushu spoke again. "Clan Head Fugaku, I sincerely apologize for interrupting you earlier. May I ask what you had intended to announce?"

All eyes turned toward Clan Head Fugaku Uchiha. Having recovered from his daze, Fugaku looked somewhat exhausted after the recent incident and the betrayal of his own son. His posture was no longer as upright as before.

Steadying himself, Fugaku said, "At this clan meeting, I wish to announce something. I want to relinquish the position of Uchiha Clan Head to Uchiha Yushu."

The moment those words fell, they stirred up a thousand waves!

Having just emerged from one shock, the Uchiha Clan members once again plunged into a sea of turmoil.

Not everyone had been unprepared. Most of the younger clan members actually knew that Uchiha Yushu intended to become clan head tonight, and they had actively contacted many other clan members.

They had been ready to push Yushu into the position of clan head, even if they had to fight the opposition for it. But Fugaku's sudden decision still caught them completely off guard.

Though they were delighted that their goal could be achieved, they could not shake the strange feeling. They had expected a fierce clash, or at least some twists and turns.

But this was it? I already took my pants off, and this is what you show me? It perfectly captured how they felt.

What kind of handover was this, without even a ripple?

As for the ninjas who had not known beforehand, after their initial shock, they began to think it over carefully.

Recalling Uchiha Yushu's usual conduct and his rumored strength, it seemed that aside from being too young, there was nothing unsuitable about him.

Some even compared Yushu to Fugaku in their hearts and found that Yushu becoming clan head was not entirely unacceptable.

The elders were also somewhat surprised, while Uchiha Yan glanced at his grandson with concern in his heart.

This isn't what you had in mind, Yushu. What will you do?

At that moment, Uchiha Yushu no longer sat cross-legged where he was. He rose directly to his feet. The training he had undergone since childhood had made him develop quickly; at only fifteen years old, he stood 177 centimeters tall. He was not particularly imposing, but neither was he short.

"Forgive me, Clan Head, but I cannot accept!"

His clear, ringing voice reached the ears of everyone present.

Overlapping murmurs and cries of surprise once again filled the entire space.

"What's going on?!"

"Why did Yushu refuse? This isn't what I heard!"

"What the hell is going on? Weren't we supposed to support Yushu?"

For clan members who had not known in advance, the situation left them utterly confused.

For Uchiha Yushu's supporters, however, one enormous what the fuck echoed through their hearts.

We ministers are ready to slay the traitors—why has Your Majesty surrendered first?!

It was as though countless mythical beasts had stampeded through the hearts of Yushu's supporters.

For a moment, people on both sides, including Fugaku's most loyal followers, looked at one another in bewilderment, unsure how to react.

"Yushu, do you know what you just said?"

With only a trace of sternness, Uchiha Fugaku looked utterly intimidating. He stared at the standing Uchiha Yushu as he asked.

"I know what I said. I refuse to accept the position of clan head that Clan Head Fugaku is giving me."

Yushu reaffirmed it once more.

Uchiha Fugaku frowned deeply. "Yushu, what exactly are you trying to—"

"The position of clan head is mine tonight, but I will not accept the position you are giving me!" Yushu cut off Fugaku before he could finish. He stood tall, meeting Uchiha Fugaku's gaze without fear, and continued, "Rather than accept something handed to me as charity, I would rather take it from your hands myself!"

After saying that, he no longer looked at Fugaku and instead turned to everyone present.

"As for who I am, there is no need for an introduction. I was the one who requested that the elders convene today's clan meeting." At the same time, he nodded toward the elders.

"The sole purpose of calling this clan meeting is to seize the position of clan head from Clan Head Fugaku. I believe Clan Head Fugaku lacks the ability and resolve to lead the clan, and he also lacks the necessary wisdom. If he continues leading everyone, he will bring enormous harm upon the Uchiha Clan."

"And I, Uchiha Yushu, may be young, but I believe myself superior to Clan Head Fugaku and everyone present in every respect. Today, I will claim the position of clan head no matter what!"

Yushu had not prepared any speech in advance. He merely voiced his thoughts according to the situation before him.

Knowing that he had not mastered the art of talking people into submission, he never expected a few words to win everyone's support. His speech was only meant to make his goal clear.

He knew that tonight's true test had only just begun.