"Clan Leader Fugaku! The clan compound has been surrounded!!"
Someone rushed into Fugaku's home, only to discover that hundreds of Uchiha men had already gathered there.
The messenger froze briefly, then turned his gaze toward the imposing figure beneath the clan crest.
Uchiha Fugaku.
"Clan Leader?"
Fugaku stood beneath the clan crest, his eldest son Itachi standing quietly beside him. Their faces were so resolute that the messenger felt momentarily dazed.
The Clan Heir...
A long silence passed.
At last, Fugaku spoke in a low voice.
"I want to hear what our clansmen think."
Silence filled the room.
Fugaku suddenly drew the long blade at his waist. Its gleam flashed, dazzlingly white.
Only then did everyone realize that the weapon in Fugaku's hand was the Divine Blade enshrined in the Uchiha Shrine.
"Clan Leader Fugaku..."
The Uchiha clansmen all swallowed.
They had no idea what their clan leader intended to do.
Fugaku held the blade in both hands and faced the gathered Uchiha.
"The Uchiha have endured humiliation in this village for so many years because I have failed as your clan leader. Today's calamity arose because of me as well. I was the one who allied with the Hyuga, and I was the one who sought to resist the village. Everyone, you may take my head and present it to the village. I, Fugaku, will bear all the blame alone!"
Fugaku's words struck like thunder, leaving every Uchiha present wide-eyed and speechless.
Itachi stood quietly beside his father, his gaze unwavering.
Only after a long while,
did some of the clansmen recover and shout,
"Clan Leader!!"
"Clan Leader, what are you saying?!"
"You're the clan leader we Uchiha chose!! We've all seen how you've poured your heart and soul into the Uchiha over these years. At a time like