Clan Assembly Confrontation

Lin Feng slowly pushed open the heavy doors of Naka Shrine.

Candlelight flickered within the council hall, casting mottled shadows.

Dozens of Uchiha clansmen had already taken their seats.

The air was thick with suppressed tension.

Lin Feng softened his footsteps and swiftly swept his gaze across the room.

Everyone's eyes fell on him—he was the last to arrive.

Fugaku sat in the seat of honor, his expression calm and unreadable.

Several elders sat along either side, some resting with their eyes closed, others speaking in low voices.

The radical faction's representatives sat in the row on the right, each wearing a grim expression.

Lin Feng gave a slight nod and walked over to an empty seat in the corner.

"Everyone is here."

Fugaku spoke. His voice was not loud, yet it silenced the entire council hall.

"I called everyone here today because the Hokage has sent a letter—the Konoha leadership has proposed a new organizational plan, demanding that the Security Force's patrol jurisdiction and arrest authority be reduced, with the Anbu taking over unified coordination."

He paused and took out a scroll from his sleeve.

"The details are here. Pass it around."

The document passed from hand to hand among the elders.

The atmosphere grew increasingly heavy.

After reading it, several elders' faces turned livid.

Before the document even reached him, a radical representative slammed his hand onto the table and rose.

"They're clearly trying to put us on a leash like dogs!"

His voice echoed through the hall.

"Without patrol authority and independent arrest powers, what deterrence does the Security Force have left?"

He turned toward Fugaku, his tone aggressive.

"Clan Head Fugaku, we cannot give ground. The moment we do, Konoha will push even further!"

"I demand that we immediately gather our clansmen and show them our stance with force!"

Several conservative elders shook their heads.

"Do not act rashly."

"It has not come to that yet."

"Armed resistance will only give the village more reason to target us."

The radical representative sneered.

"What are we afraid of? When have the Uchiha ever feared anyone?"

"When the village was founded, who shed the most blood?"

The tension in the room was razor-sharp.

Lin Feng sat in the corner, listening quietly.

He knew this clan assembly was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Fugaku did not state his position immediately.

He merely watched everyone argue, his gaze profound.

The radical representative grew more and more impassioned.

"Who doesn't know what the Konoha higher-ups are planning?"

"First they'll lock us in a cage, then slowly deal with us!"

"Rather than wait to be slaughtered, we should strike first!"

Several radical faction members immediately chimed in.

"That's right! Not going to war is the same as waiting to die!"

"We Uchiha are not soft persimmons for others to squeeze!"

The conservative elders looked grim.

Yet some of them began to waver, exchanging quiet words.

The arguments in the council hall grew louder and louder.

Lin Feng took a deep breath.

He slowly rose to his feet.

"Uncles, I have an idea."

His voice was not loud, but it was enough for everyone to hear.

The arguments came to an abrupt stop.

Everyone turned to look at him.

The radical representative frowned at him, his gaze scrutinizing.

The elders wore varying expressions—surprise, suspicion, curiosity.

Fugaku's gaze settled on Lin Feng, but he did not stop him.

Lin Feng walked to the center of the hall and faced the crowd.

"Instead of resisting head-on, we should retreat in order to advance."

"We should voluntarily accept these reductions, but demand that the Hokage make a written commitment: the Security Force retains priority investigative authority over major cases within its jurisdiction, and the organizational structure will be reassessed in three years."

"During that time, we should focus on strengthening ourselves internally. That would be more worthwhile than openly turning against them."

The moment he finished speaking, several elders' eyes lit up.

They whispered among themselves.

"This plan... may be worth considering."

"Retaining priority investigative authority means we haven't truly been crippled."

"Three years is enough time to accomplish many things."

But the radical representative let out a cold laugh.

"Lin Feng, what does a brat barely in his teens understand?"

"Why does this plan sound so much like something Konoha's lobbyists would say?"

He stood and stared straight at Lin Feng.

"I heard that you had contact with the Hokage's people not long ago."

"Now you're stepping out as a mediator. Don't tell me Konoha has already bought you off?"

The entire hall erupted.

Several gazes stabbed toward Lin Feng.

Doubt, suspicion, scrutiny.

The radical representative's accusation was like a knife thrust into the most sensitive place.

Lin Feng remained unruffled.

He looked directly at the man, his tone calm.

"Uncle, you worry too much."

"I was raised by the Lineage from childhood. My roots are here."

"I did not make up that proposal on the spot—three years ago, Konoha used similar methods to gradually weaken the Hyuga. The Hyuga resisted stubbornly at the time, and as a result lost two important positions."

"I am merely speaking from the lessons of history."

His voice gradually rose.

"Besides, this accusation of being 'bought off' has no evidence."

"I suggest Uncle focus his energy on how to win the elders' support instead of throwing labels around."

Some among the conservative elders nodded.

"Lin Feng has a point."

"The Hyuga suffered precisely because they confronted them head-on last time."

"Several positions held by the Hyuga's branch families have yet to be recovered."

The radical representative's face turned livid.

He opened his mouth, but could find no words to refute him.

Lin Feng continued.

"I am not advocating total compromise."

"Retaining priority investigative authority is our bottom line against Konoha."

"As for what happens in three years, we can discuss that in three years."

"If Konoha still does not trust us by then, it will not be too late to consider other methods."

Several elders exchanged glances.

One of them spoke. "This proposal can indeed be discussed."

"At the very least, it will not immediately tear things apart."

"Three years is enough time to cultivate the next generation of clansmen."

The radical representative cast Lin Feng a cold glance.

But he did not continue arguing.

Because the conservatives had already begun to lean toward Lin Feng's side.

Within the council hall, the positions had split in a subtle way.

Fugaku finally rose to his feet.

His voice was deep, carrying unquestionable authority.

"Enough."

"We'll end here for today."

"Take the proposal home and consider it carefully."

"The Elder Council will discuss it again in three days."

"Meeting adjourned."

The elders rose one after another.

Someone walked over to Lin Feng and patted him on the shoulder.

"Kid, you've got guts."

"I'll consider your proposal."

Lin Feng nodded in thanks.

As the radical representative passed by him, he shot Lin Feng a cold glare.

"Lin Feng, don't get too pleased with yourself."

"This path won't work."

He snorted coldly and strode away.

Lin Feng did not retort.

He knew this was only the beginning.

The people in the council hall gradually dispersed.

Only Fugaku and he remained.

"Lin Feng, stay behind."

Fugaku looked at him, his gaze profound.

"Come to my residence tonight."

"I have something to ask you."

Lin Feng nodded in agreement.

He walked out of Naka Shrine, the night wind brushing against his face.

Behind him, candlelight flickered inside the hall.

He knew this night was destined to be anything but peaceful.