Madara Uchiha watched Guangtai make a fool of himself and felt a flicker of contempt.
Fugaku Uchiha probably had no idea that an Uchiha he valued could be so pathetic. Madara could not help feeling a touch of satisfaction.
They had both been Uchiha Clan Leaders, and there was indeed a difference in their ability to lead. But as a Ninja, Madara considered himself superior to Fugaku.
Guangtai looked at Madara. "What are you getting at, senior? Earlier, you said you were an Uchiha Wraith waiting to die.
"Are you asking me to join this organization of yours that supposedly maintains peace in the Shinobi World?"
Guangtai studied Madara Uchiha's face, but there was nothing to read in his weathered features. His calm was almost frightening.
"It seems you're a clever man."
Only then did Madara finally show his hand. All their conversations over the past several days had been tests.
"Have you ever been to the Underground Chamber beneath Naka Shrine? It used to be where the Uchiha held their secret gatherings," Madara said.
Guangtai shook his head.
"I know Naka Shrine. The clan often goes there to worship. But Fugaku had already risen to prominence by the time I graduated.
"Clan Head Fugaku prefers to act openly. He's never held a secret clan meeting. He didn't even sound out the clan's Senior Officials before proposing, right at the Jonin Meeting, that the Advisory Council be abolished.
"That way of doing things has won him the support of many clans and Ninja in Konoha, even though the Advisory Council serves as the Hokage's right hand.
"I'm hardly the only one. Most young Uchiha today probably don't even know there's an Underground Chamber beneath Naka Shrine."
Madara's expression remained calm, but a faint anger had stirred inside him. Guangtai kept