Chapter 39: Be a Bit Bolder (Please Vote)

"No, I must stop them; we cannot let the Third find a reason to keep suppressing the Uchiha, or the Senior Elders will inevitably stir up the clan members."

Shisui's complexion changed; he hadn't expected a clan annual meeting to involve so much.

However, it's not over yet.

Sima Yi continued, "Earlier you were curious why I wanted to block your statement, weren't you?"

Shisui nodded; he had grasped Sima Yi's subtle hint of sending tea and seeing him off, which is why he was vague.

"The Clan Head sending someone isn't just soliciting your opinion; he probably wants to know how you relate to the Senior Elder."

"The Senior Elder is more radical, the Second Elder leans conservative, and Clan Head Fugaku has always remained neutral at clan meetings."

"But he was the clan head the Senior Elder originally endorsed and supported, rarely quarrels with the Senior Elders, so there's no reason to test my relationship with the Senior Elder, right?"

"Neutral?"

Sima Yi chuckled lightly, then said, "He probably isn't neutral. Since he refused to help you last time, I've been watching the clan closely; your clan head also seems to be a conservative."

"Or rather, he leans more toward the Second Elder's view."

"Of course, it's possible his cautious nature keeps him constantly wary of Konoha's higher‑ups, thus acting this way."

"Conservative?"

"How could Clan Head Fugaku be a conservative? He's the Uchiha Fugaku, known as 'Fierce Eye', the head of the Uchiha Clan!"

Shisui's expression flickered as he instantly recalled Fugaku's actions at several clan meetings.

Before the Nine‑Tails incident, he overruled dissent and chose to support Minato Namikaze, persuading several elders to give him substantial backing.

After the Nine‑Tails incident, he forced the clan and elders' discontent to acquiesce to Konoha's decision to relocate the clan.

Later he even complied with Konoha's orders, dispatching many clan members to the front lines.

The only slight difference was that arranging his entry into the ANBU to spy on Konoha's leadership was unanimously approved by the clan elders, with Fugaku's tacit consent.

Shisui thought for a moment and realized Fugaku must be a very opinionated person.

But upon further reflection, he sensed something off: after the Nine‑Tails incident, every decision Fugaku made ignored the clan's views, opting to compromise with Konoha.

Yet because Fugaku had previously correctly backed Minato, the clan, despite their discontent, still chose to trust him.

But that trust is ultimately limited.

If Fugaku continues to fail to repay that trust, he will eventually be struck back by the clan.

And now, signs of division have already appeared.

"He constantly compromises with Konoha's leadership; all his actions actually align with the conservative faction represented by the Second Elder. However, the clan's dissatisfaction with Konoha has grown, so he cannot voice his stance personally; otherwise it would backfire."

"So he wants to know my thoughts, or perhaps have me block the clan members?"

"Exactly, but you cannot block the clan members, nor can you agree to the Senior Elder's request!"

"Huh?"

Shisui was stunned, unable to react for a moment, then asked, "Neither side says anything? Does Grandfather mean I should stay neutral?"

Sima Yi shook his head and explained, "You can't stop the annual meeting, but you also can't directly support the Senior Elder."

"Are you worried about Clan Head Fugaku?"

"No, it's the Third!"

Shisui frowned, deep in thought, "Supporting the Senior Elder would make the Third suspect me?" "Exactly," Sima Yi replied, "You know the Senior Elder has always been hardline toward Konoha. If you get too close to him, the Third will inevitably doubt you, which is detrimental. If the ANBU catches you with evidence, they might act covertly."

"I see, then I'll burn the letter right now."

As he said so, Shisui moved to act, but Sima Yi stopped him outright.

"No need to do that; set the letter aside for now. If you don't want to deal with it, just pretend you don't know, but the letter might have another use."

Shisui's action was somewhat foolish, yet Sima Yi didn't get angry; instead he patiently instructed him.

"Grandfather said, given this, why not I hand the letter directly to the Clan Head? When he sees it, he'll know my ties to the Senior Elder aren't close and understand my dilemma; then perhaps he won't trouble me."

Shisui thought briefly, then a light sparked in his eyes as he conceived a good idea.

However Sima Yi, upon hearing that, let out a big laugh, "You have an idea, but it's not far enough; why not be bolder?"

"Bolder?"

"Think about your position."

"My position? Shisui Uchiha? No, it's ANBU!"

A flash of insight struck; Shisui's eyes widened dramatically. He seemed to grasp something and, incredulously, looked at Sima Yi, "Grandfather means handing the letter to the Third?"

"Hahaha, exactly that meaning."

"If we give it to the Third, would they act against the Senior Elder? Could they use it to suppress the Uchiha?"

"Not only won't they, they'll actually support the Senior Elder." Sima Yi's eyes narrowed slightly as he explained, "The Uchiha's annual meeting will inevitably upset Konoha's leadership, but the Third's displeasure won't stop you; moreover, he'll help you hold it smoothly."

"Zheng Bo Ke Duan Yu Yan!" Shisui immediately recalled the story that had left a deep impression on him.

"Exactly, the larger the Uchiha's actions, the more attention they draw, which aligns better with the Third's interests; therefore, as long as you bring it up proactively, he'll readily agree."

Thus, you neither maintain close contact with the Senior Elder—avoiding the Third's suspicion—while also fulfilling your spy role and showing loyalty, repaying the Senior Elder's favor; the clan will know you opened the meeting with the Third, allowing it to proceed smoothly.

"One move, many gains!"

Shisui felt like bowing immediately, his admiration so profound he was humbled to his core.

"One more thing."

But unexpectedly, Sima Yi didn't stop; he gently stroked his long beard, smiling softly as he gazed at Shisui.

Shisui knew this was a test for him and immediately fell into contemplation.

Putting aside the Senior Elder, the clan members, and the Third, who else remains?

Uchiha Fugaku! "It's Clan Head Fugaku. Grandfather, you just said the clan head's actions always lean toward Konoha's leadership; if Konoha's leadership approves our annual meeting, then the clan head would have no objections, and thus there would be no internal division."

"Exactly. Remember, in every major matter stay calm and composed; never act on impulse, and never easily get drawn into conflicts, especially internal ones."

"A hundred‑legged insect dies without stiffening; a great clan like the Uchiha is not threatened by external foes, but internal strife will sap its spirit and undermine its foundation."

"Now you stand at the intersection of three parties; every step must be taken with the utmost caution, and you must never lightly court danger."

Before Sima Yi arrived, he had only felt somewhat lost; only after Sima Yi came did he realize there were actually so many dangers around him.

"I understand, Grandfather. I will be careful. I will deliver this letter to the Third right now."

"No rush. Acting at night easily invites suspicion. Bring it along tomorrow when you are on duty."

"Yes."

(End of this chapter)