Chapter 14: The Silent Radical: An Unsolvable Open Strategy!

Fugaku’s face turned ashen, his back drenched in cold sweat.

He knew full well that if this matter wasn’t resolved properly, his authority would be severely undermined.

But the problem was this!

He couldn’t answer a single one of the questions Uchiha Jin had raised; after a long silence, he gritted his teeth and spoke: “Our current modest concessions are meant to help Uchiha integrate into Konoha!”

“And what results?” Uchiha Jin shot back: “Have Itachi integrated into Konoha?”

At this, Fugaku fell silent.

He had produced no tangible results, despite years of effort and self-restraint—only intensified hostility from the village.

But…

He wanted to explain his hardships, yet his pride wouldn’t let him.

So he took a deep breath and spoke coldly.

“Uchiha Jin, Itachi’re too young.”

“Itachi don’t understand the complexity of the situation. But given your youth, I’m willing to overlook your insolence.”

“Now, let’s discuss the real matter.”

Though Fugaku gritted his teeth, he chose to back down.

He knew he couldn’t outargue Uchiha Jin, so he tactfully shifted topics, outlining the clan’s current troubles and urging everyone to find a solution together.

And as for this—

Uchiha Jin’s expression remained unchanged.

Seeing Fugaku retreat, he naturally ceased his confrontation.

Uchiha Jin understood the principle of not pursuing a desperate enemy, so he fell silent, refusing to participate in the clan meeting’s deliberations.

The radicals felt the same!

In the past, they might have enjoyed arguing in clan meetings, but since Uchiha Jin’s rise, their methods had changed completely.

They had no interest in meetings—Uchiha Jin made the plans, and they acted.

They despised such pointless debates.

If not for Uchiha Jin’s presence, the radicals probably wouldn’t have bothered coming at all.

…

Meanwhile, on the other side—

As Fugaku began presiding over the meeting, the attendees voiced their opinions.

“I think we should consult the Hokage about this.”

“Yes, we mustn’t act rashly!”

“Uchiha’s position is already precarious—we must proceed with even greater caution.”

“I agree. Let’s discuss it calmly.”

“…”

The moderates and centrists voiced their suggestions one after another.

The atmosphere in the clan meeting was harmonious.

With the radicals silent, there was no argument—everything seemed perfectly peaceful.

Everyone in the Naka Shrine felt something was off.

After all, a clan meeting without quarrels was unprecedented—none of them could quite adjust.

Fugaku, at the head, felt deeply uncomfortable.

He cleared his throat slightly: “Elder Jin, what is your faction’s opinion?”

“No opinion,” Uchiha Jin replied coolly. “We agree.”

Every face twitched.

They couldn’t believe it—just like that, they agreed?

Was this still the radicals?

Shisui furrowed his brow, his innocence leading him to ask directly: “What are Itachi plotting?”

“Plotting? Hah!” Uchiha Jin sneered. “Itachi vastly underestimate me.”

“I, Uchiha Jin, have never resorted to scheming, nor do I deign to play such tricks.”

“But if Itachi want to know—I’ll tell Itachi.”

“I don’t oppose because my radical faction’s stronghold is impregnable—no matter how chaotic things become outside, it won’t touch us. So why should I meddle in your mess?”

“I hope Itachi keep being foolish, keep losing more Uchiha with three tomoe eyes—until your corpses are delivered to Root’s dissecting tables, and your three-tomoe Sharingan are grafted onto Danzo’s arms…”

“The more elite Itachi lose, the more terrified your supporters become—and they’ll naturally flock to my radical faction.”

“It’s beneficial. Why would I oppose it?”

Uchiha Jin’s expression remained calm, his tone as Pingdan as ever.

Yes—it was an open strategy.

He had no interest in deceit or subterfuge; coming from Huājiā, he understood that schemes alone lead nowhere—he only ever played open, straightforward strategies.

Just like now—he spoke plainly.

But even if they knew his plan, what could they do? With the stupidity of the moderates and centrists, they’d still follow their own course.

Trust the village. Don’t defend yourselves. Let more die.

All he had to do was wait until their faction collapsed on its own—then the other Uchiha would naturally turn to him.

And that’s exactly what happened.

As soon as Uchiha Jin finished speaking, the moderates and centrists’ faces darkened instantly.

Shisui slammed his fist on the table: “Uchiha Jin, Itachi—”

“Did I say something wrong?” Uchiha Jin replied coldly. “Are Itachi going to resist?”

“I’m not even looking down on Itachi—Itachi fools don’t have the guts. Even if Itachi did resist, Itachi’d become radicals yourselves.”

“And if Itachi choose to trust Hiruzen Sarutobi, Itachi’ll walk straight into my plan—I’ll just watch your elites die.”

“No matter what Itachi choose, I won’t lose.”

As Uchiha Jin spoke, the entire Naka Shrine fell into silence.

Everyone had to admit: Uchiha Jin’s tactics were terrifying. Even knowing his plan, they had no solution.

Silence.

After a long while—

Shisui gritted his teeth: “I trust the Hokage. Your plan will never succeed!”

“Fine. Do what makes Itachi happy,” Uchiha Jin shrugged.

Meanwhile, on the other side—

Fugaku sank into long silence, his mind racing frantically.

But unfortunately—

It was useless.

To learn from the radicals and take proactive defense?

Impossible.

But if he maintained the status quo, more elite clan members would die—exactly as Uchiha Jin planned.

Unlike naive Shisui, he knew Root’s cruelty and Danzo’s malice.

So if Uchiha Jin wasn’t lying, the three-tomoe Sharingan were a direct need for Danzo—and the covert hunts would never stop.

He had no hope in approaching Hiruzen Sarutobi.

If that had worked, the situation wouldn’t have deteriorated to this mess!

Worse still, this crisis didn’t affect the radicals—they’d already fortified their base; Root couldn’t strike them easily.

What should he do?

Fugaku realized he couldn’t bluff his way out anymore.

In the past, he’d have simply faked a resolution—this meeting would’ve ended in nothing.

But this time, he couldn’t.

If he continued to evade, more and more clan members would defect to the radicals—and his position as clan head would soon be untenable.

No, absolutely not.

Uchiha Jin was too radical—he must never become clan head, or Uchiha would be finished.

Don’t panic.

There must be a way.

Fugaku kept trying to convince himself, his jaw clenched, desperately searching for a solution.