An eight-year-old clan head stunned the crowd

"A private meeting?"

The Uchiha captain snatched the note, scanned it, and crushed it into a ball on the spot. "He still has the nerve to ask for a private meeting? I'll take some men and hack him to pieces!"

Sasuke held out his hand. "Give it to me."

The captain was reluctant, but handed the note back.

There were only a few lines on the paper.

At the village entrance. One last conversation. If you still consider me your older brother, come.

After reading it, Sasuke casually handed the note to Fugaku. "What do you think, Father?"

Fugaku tore it up before he even finished reading. "He no longer deserves to call himself your brother."

Sasuke nodded. "Then this isn't a family matter. It's a rogue ninja requesting a meeting with Konoha's newly appointed clan head."

The Third Hokage immediately seized on his words. "Since you call yourself the new clan head, you have all the more reason not to act rashly. Itachi possesses the Mangekyo. Meeting him would be far too dangerous."

Sasuke looked at the Third Hokage. "Are you concerned about me, Lord Hokage?"

The Third Hokage frowned. "This concerns the village's safety."

"The village's safety?" Sasuke lifted his injured hand. "When Root tried to kill me, you were standing upstairs. When Itachi slaughtered our clansmen, the ANBU arrived after he did. Now you're talking about safety. That's a new one."

Someone among the civilians couldn't help laughing, then immediately shut their mouth.

Mitokado Homura's face darkened. "Sasuke Uchiha, don't think holding that token means you can represent the Uchiha."

Before his words had even faded, Fugaku turned and fixed him with a stare.

"If he can't, can you?"

Under Fugaku's stare, Mitokado Homura retreated half a step. "I'm only talking about procedure."

Fugaku dropped the torn paper on the ground. "A change of Uchiha Clan Head requires only the clan's recognition. Since Konoha's founding, there has never been a rule allowing the Hokage to appoint our clan head."

Sasuke picked up where he left off. "Of course, if you wish to add a new rule, esteemed adviser, I can post the announcement right now."

"It'll say that Konoha High Command can not only wipe out the Uchiha, but also choose their clan head for them."

The crowd grew restless again.

"That's going too far."

"They won't even let them choose their own clan head?"

"They were just talking about an investigation. Now they want to meddle in family affairs."

The Third Hokage raised a hand to stop Mitokado Homura from speaking further. "Fugaku, are you certain you want to hand the position of clan head to Sasuke?"

Fugaku didn't hesitate. "I am."

The Third Hokage turned to the other Uchiha. "Do you accept him as well?"

A white-haired Uchiha elder stepped out of the crowd, leaning on a cane. Blood still stained the front of his clothes, and mud clung to his soles.

"I do."

He raised his head, his eyes filled with hatred. "My son died by Itachi's blade, and Root nearly took my grandson away. If not for Young Master Sasuke tonight, my family line would already be gone."

Another woman stepped forward with a child in her arms. "I accept him too. Whoever saved my child is my clan head."

The captain of the Konoha Military Police Force dropped to one knee, holding his sheathed sword across his body. "The Konoha Military Police Force awaits your orders."

Dozens of Uchiha behind him knelt as well.

"We pay our respects to the clan head!"

Their voices rang out, stunning the civilians in front of the Hokage Building.

An eight-year-old clan head.

Yet no one thought it absurd.

Because tonight, this eight-year-old child had exposed Danzo, forced the Third Hokage to back down, and dragged the Uchiha out from under the butcher's blade.

Sasuke hung the clan head's token at his waist and turned to face the Third Hokage.

"Lord Hokage, now that the clan has recognized me, does Konoha intend to deny it?"

The Third Hokage didn't answer immediately.

Denying it would mean admitting that Konoha intended to interfere in the Uchiha's internal affairs.

Accepting it would mean formally giving this eight-year-old child a seat at Konoha's political table.

Either choice cut like a blade.

Shikaku Nara spoke up then. "Lord Hokage, since the Uchiha unanimously elected their clan head, there's no need for the village to create further controversy at a time like this."

The Third Hokage glanced at him.

Shikaku lowered his head and said no more.

Inoichi Yamanaka added, "Our immediate priority is investigating Danzo and Itachi."

Akimichi Choza rubbed his belly. "The villagers are all watching."

That remark carried more weight than any persuasion.

At last, the Third Hokage spoke. "Konoha recognizes Sasuke Uchiha as the new head of the Uchiha Clan."

Mitokado Homura nearly shouted, but Utatane Koharu grabbed him and held him back.

Sasuke took half a step forward. "Verbal recognition isn't enough."

The Third Hokage pressed his fingers against his pipe. "What else do you want?"

"A provisional registration issued by the Hokage."

Mitokado Homura snapped, "Don't push your luck!"

Sasuke looked at him. "Esteemed adviser, I've only just taken office, and someone is already questioning my legitimacy. Wouldn't you say I should complete all the paperwork?"

Fugaku said gravely, "Do it."

The Uchiha echoed in unison, "Do it!"

Some civilians joined in. "Get all the paperwork done so there won't be any arguments later!"

Watching Sasuke, the Third Hokage grew even more wary.

This child didn't charge ahead on hot-blooded impulse.

He wanted every step backed by documents, seals, and witnesses.

The Third Hokage held out his hand. "Bring me paper."

An ANBU handed him a blank document.

The Third Hokage wrote out the registration and stamped it with the Hokage's seal.

After receiving it, Sasuke didn't put it away. Instead, he handed it to Kakashi. "Sir ANBU, sorry for the trouble, but please read it aloud for everyone."

Kakashi looked at him through his mask, then took the document.

"Konoha recognizes Sasuke Uchiha as the new head of the Uchiha Clan. All associated powers and responsibilities take effect immediately."

As his words fell, the Uchiha shouted again.

"We pay our respects to the clan head!"

Sasuke raised his hand.

The voices stopped.

That sudden silence was more startling than their shouts.

The Third Hokage watched it happen, his pipe remaining unlit.

Sasuke turned to Fugaku. "Father, from this moment on, take the first squad to guard the clan grounds, tally the casualties, protect the bodies, and seal off the scene."

Fugaku nodded. "Understood."

"Police captain."

"Here!"

"Take the second squad and escort the captured Root members to the joint review team. If a single prisoner goes missing on the way, I'll hold you accountable."

The captain bowed his head. "Yes!"

"Third squad."

Several Uchiha ninja stepped forward.

"Escort the elderly and children back to the compound and register everyone. No ninja from outside the clan may enter without permission."

"Yes!"

At this, the Third Hokage spoke. "Konoha's ANBU will also assist with protection."

Sasuke responded immediately. "The ANBU may remain on the perimeter. Entering the Uchiha compound requires my approval."

The Third Hokage's expression darkened. "Sasuke, are you guarding against the village?"

Sasuke countered, "After tonight, shouldn't I?"

Once again, the Third Hokage had no answer.

As Fugaku watched Sasuke assign his people, the last trace of unease in his heart faded.

He had worried that Sasuke was too young to keep the situation under control.

But now, every sentence Sasuke spoke gave people something to do. The enraged clansmen had direction, the frightened civilians had answers, and even the Third Hokage was forced to follow his lead.

Watching from a distance, Shikaku whispered to Inoichi, "Konoha's balance of power has changed."

Inoichi looked at Sasuke. "He's only eight."

Shikaku brushed some dust off his cuff. "That's exactly what makes him troublesome. Anyone who moves against him loses public support before they even start."

Akimichi Choza sighed. "Danzo really picked the wrong opponent this time."

Shikaku shook his head. "An ordinary tough opponent can still be hurt. This boy is harder to deal with."

Elsewhere, one of Danzo's informants hid at the back of the crowd. Seeing Sasuke officially registered, his face turned an ugly shade of purple. He turned to leave.

Sasuke suddenly spoke. "You in the gray hat. Stop."

The gray-hatted ninja halted, then quickened his pace.

Kakashi's blade reached him first, barring his path at his neck.

Sasuke looked toward the police. "Search him."

The gray-hatted ninja snapped, "What right do you have to search me?"

Sasuke picked up his registration document and waved it before the man's eyes. "Because you're sneaking away during the Uchiha Clan Head's inauguration. Because you have black mud from Root's underground passages on your soles. And because you're hiding a message in your right sleeve."

The gray-hatted ninja's expression changed drastically.

The police rushed forward and, sure enough, found a message in his sleeve.

The captain unfolded it and read, "Sasuke Uchiha has become clan head. Fugaku has stepped back into a protective role. Itachi has left the scene. Recommend activating our inside agents."

The square fell silent once more.

Sasuke walked over, took the message, and waved it at the Third Hokage.

"Lord Hokage, Danzo's men are still here."

A vein throbbed at the Third Hokage's temple. "Take him away."

But Sasuke raised a hand to stop them. "Wait."

He stared at the gray-hatted ninja. "Go back and tell Danzo there's no need for recommendations."

The gray-hatted ninja gritted his teeth. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Sasuke stuffed the message back into his clothes.

"Tell him Sasuke Uchiha took over as clan head tonight."

"Those moles he planted had better keep their heads down."

The look in the gray-hatted ninja's eyes changed.

Sasuke stepped closer, his voice audible only to the few people nearby. "Otherwise, I'll pull them out one by one for the entire village to see."

At last, the gray-hatted ninja was afraid. His legs buckled, and the police dragged him away.

Sasuke looked toward the village entrance.

Itachi was still waiting.

The Third Hokage noticed his gaze as well. "Are you really going?"

Sasuke straightened his cuffs without touching his collar.

"I'm not going to see my brother."

He raised his eyes, looking past the crowd.

"I'm going to deliver one final notice to a traitor."

Fugaku gripped his sword hilt. "I'll go with you."

Sasuke shook his head. "Stay here and keep the clan grounds under control. I'm the one Itachi wants to see most right now."

"That makes it even more dangerous."

Sasuke looked at Kakashi. "Sir ANBU, take some men and follow at a distance. Don't get too close, or he might run."

Kakashi asked, "Are you sure?"

Sasuke smiled faintly. "If he dares to kill me, he'll confirm his status as a rogue ninja. If he doesn't, tonight will be worse than death for him."

Kakashi didn't try to dissuade him again.

But just as Sasuke stepped down the stairs, the gray-hatted ninja who had been dragged away suddenly broke partly free of his restraints and spat a tiny black pellet from his mouth.

Kakashi kicked it away.

The pellet hit the ground, and a small slip of paper rolled out.

There were only six characters on it.

Someone inside the clan awaits orders.