Chapter 38: Annual Gathering Dispute [Vote for Me]

It seemed to confirm Sima Yi's conjecture; at dusk, just as Shisui had just returned, Jin Huo came again to report.

"Lord Shisui, Clan Head Fugaku has sent someone, saying there is an important matter to discuss, and they are waiting outside the courtyard."

Jin Huo's expression was a bit awkward when reporting; despite trying hard to conceal it, Sima Yi saw through it.

"Clan Head Fugaku?"

Shisui, puzzled, instinctively glanced at Sima Yi, saw him nod calmly, and then replied, "Please have him come in."

"Yes!"

The two Snowflakes, hearing this, also stood up and fetched a round mat to prepare tea.

In no time, Jin Huo led the two into the main hall.

The two were Uchiha Tie Huo, whose face was ashen, and Uchiha Hui, who stood with chest out, head held high, and a solemn expression.

After ushering them in, Jin Huo tilted his head and slipped away quietly.

Tie Huo let out a cold snort, and at Shisui's invitation, sat on the round mat.

"My nephew entrusts Lord Shisui with his care."

Tie Huo lowered his head; although Jin Huo's covert arrival at Shisui's estate to serve as a guard surprised him, the person in question is Uchiha Shisui, the clan's current foremost, so it wasn't shameful.

"Jin Huo will be a qualified ninja."

Shisui smiled, praising him without reservation, which lifted Tie Huo's spirits considerably.

"I heard from Jin Huo that Clan Head Fugaku sent you both to see me; I wonder what the matter is?"

Shisui offered no small talk, and asked directly.

Sima Yi pretended to nap, but secretly observed Shisui's every move, and upon seeing this, couldn't help but shake his head slowly.

Hui sat upright, as if the matter didn't concern him, remaining silent.

"It's about this year's annual gathering," Tie Huo began, slowly explaining the background.

The Uchiha clan, as a millennial lineage, has its own traditions; every New Year they hold a grand ceremony on the Nanhe River, where clan members line up at the shrine to pray, and various activities take place.

Of course, the recent custom of berating the Konoha leadership at family meetings also remains.

However, due to last year's Nine-Tails Incident, they were forced to relocate to the outskirts of the Village, and with the ongoing war sending many clan members to the front lines, last year's ceremonies were simplified.

Now that the war has ended, the Uchiha clan made great contributions during the conflict, and some within the clan proposed reviving the annual gathering.

"The Grand Elder means that the annual gathering represents our clan's thousand-year tradition; last year was an exception, and this year it must not be handled hastily again, otherwise other clans will despise us."

"But the Second Elders think the war has just ceased, the Village hasn't recovered, a large event would have too much impact, and the clan's situation is also not great."

"Both sides send people to the clan head's house almost daily to persuade him; the clan head is somewhat troubled, so he asked me to ask for your opinion."

It's more than just unfavorable; they can't even distribute relief funds, let alone hold an annual gathering. Shisui sighed inwardly, leaning more toward the Second Elders' view.

But just as he was about to speak, he saw Sima Yi, who had been motionless, suddenly lift his teacup.

Shisui's expression shifted; he sighed and replied, "I hadn't considered this problem; could we have Clan Head Fugaku convene a clan council to discuss it?"

"Clan council?"

Tie Huo's mouth twitched at the words; once such a matter summons a clan council, the outcome is inevitable.

"The clan council may take some time; the Jonin meeting is to be held in a few days, and the clan head lacks the energy to convene a council at this time to discuss the matter."

"I see, I'm sorry, I can't give an answer right now; please tell the clan head I need to think it over." "Yes, sorry for taking your time; I will convey your message to Clan Head Fugaku, farewell."

Tie Huo didn't linger; after receiving the reply, he rose and left, with Hui following closely, remaining silent the whole time.

After the two departed, Sima Yi and Shisui, having finished dinner, went to the study.

"Grandfather, just now..."

Upon entering the study, Shisui impatiently began to ask, but Sima Yi raised his hand to interrupt.

He took a letter from the desk and said, "This is a letter the Grand Elder sent during the day; you open it first and take a look."

Shisui took it, and seeing it still sealed, was a bit puzzled, "I wasn't here during the day; you, Grandfather, can open it, no need to wait for me."

Saying that, he opened it in front of Sima Yi and read it.

If Sima Yi were alone, he could of course open it, but since Jin Huo was nearby, he couldn't touch the letter.

However, seeing Shisui reading attentively, Sima Yi said nothing; he would teach him these details later.

"How is it? Regarding the annual gathering?"

Shisui set the letter down, handing it to Sima Yi, his expression puzzled: "I don't seem very close to the Grand Elder; why does he directly ask me to help him in the letter?"

Even Fugaku only sent someone to ask his opinion, while the Grand Elder merely outlined the benefits of the gathering in the letter and then asked him to support a grand event.

Sima Yi took the letter, gave it a quick glance, and smiled, "Back in the day, Ban Shi helped you once; now he wants you to return the favor."

Shisui, hearing this, finally realized and frowned, "But the clan's situation is indeed poor; holding the gathering at its former scale would consume a lot, and that money would be better used to fully fund the relief!"

Shisui continued, growing more angry, his resistance to the gathering deepening.

Sima Yi didn't directly oppose, but asked, "If you speak out to block it, could the gathering be canceled?"

Even if I speak up, given the Grand Elder's nature, he'll certainly find a way to convene a clan council, and given the clan members' nature—

Shisui covered his forehead, looking helpless, "Even if the clan head and I oppose, the clan members will probably still agree to hold the gathering."

That's the most troublesome part of the clan council: anyone in the clan who has awakened the three‑fold jewel can attend and speak.

And each clan member who has awakened the three‑fold jewel possesses formidable strength; their opinions are crucial, yet they seldom understand the lower-level situation.

Thus, many times, if the clan head lacks overwhelming power and prestige, the council's decision won't change according to the head or elders' will.

Speaking of the clan council, even Sima Yi, after all these years, finds it absurd: so many people discussing one matter, power can't concentrate, it's a miracle if anything gets done!

"Since you can't block it, why bother doing such annoying things?"

"But..."

"Moreover, holding the gathering has both pros and cons; your view is too one‑sided."

"Such extravagance—what benefit does it bring?"

Sima Yi shook the envelope in his hand and said, "The benefits mentioned by the Grand Elder in his letter actually make some sense. The Uchiha clan has suffered repeated blows and endured long years of war; hostility has long been brewing within the clan, and there is considerable discontent.

This year's annual gathering could indeed let them relax a little. Not only that, but this kind of large-scale event also helps unite the clansmen."

"But hosting it so grandly — won't it provoke dissatisfaction from the villagers?" Shisui asked with some concern.

"Hahaha, naturally they'll be dissatisfied — not just the villagers, but Konoha's higher-ups will be dissatisfied too!"

(End of this chapter)