The torn page was spread out on the table used to record the clan meeting.
It was so small.
Its edges were blackened by fire, and less than half remained.
Yet its contents were more chilling than an entire list of names.
Because it contained no names.
It contained categories.
Powerful members of the Moderate Faction.
Gifted youths.
Radical young men.
The clan's core leadership.
Each category was followed by a brief method for handling it.
Powerful members of the Moderate Faction: induce them to shoulder mediation responsibilities alone.
Gifted youths: cultivate a village-centered perspective that transcends clan loyalties.
Radical young men: supply targets for a reckoning and prompt them to strike first.
The clan's core leadership: apply sustained pressure until they lose authority while wavering between concessions and confrontation.
After reading it, Fugaku said nothing for a long time.
Shisui pressed his finger against the line marked "Powerful members of the Moderate Faction."
Itachi stared at the words "Gifted youths," his gaze darkening little by little.
Uchiha Jun fixed a fierce stare on "Radical young men."
They all saw themselves on that page.
That was the most terrifying part.
Root did not need to know everyone's entire fate from the outset.
It only needed to sort the Uchiha into categories.
Whose goodwill could be exploited.
Whose talent could be exploited.
Whose anger could be exploited.
Whose sense of responsibility could be exploited.
Then handle them according to the prescribed methods.
"This page is more dangerous than a list of names," Uchiha Gen said.
Fugaku looked up.
Gen continued, "A list targets certain people. A contingency plan targets the entire Uchiha clan."
No one in the room objected.
The facts were right before their eyes.
Shisui was not the only target.
Itachi was not the only target.
Uchiha Jun was