Chapter 21

Half an hour later.

The clan leader’s residence, reception hall.

Among the Uchiha who had not yet joined the radical faction, all were now seated inside the meeting hall, whispering among themselves, their faces clearly grim.

Fugaku was no different.

Though the reception hall seemed crowded, these were all the people on his side—and most of them were moderates; the number he could truly command could be counted on one hand.

Sigh.

He let out a sigh.

Just a month ago, he had been able to command with authority—how had he come to this?

“Enough, Fugaku.”

“Everyone is here. Just say what Itachi need to say.”

It was Uchiha Hachiya, one of the elder moderates who favored yielding to the village and integrating into it.

With the current state of the Uchiha clan, his mood had been foul all along—those who once trusted him were now reduced to just a handful.

If Fugaku hadn’t claimed it was urgent, he truly wouldn’t have come.

The others remained silent.

Now, they held little respect for Fugaku—he was merely a figurehead with no real power. Though he still bore the title of clan leader, no one took him seriously.

Fugaku: “...”

His face darkened as if dripping with water; his fists clenched tightly in rage.

He hated it!

If he had known Uchiha Jin would turn out so disastrous, he should have killed him at the first sign of his rise, no matter the cost.

Now, it was too late.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his emotions, his tone turning grave: “Uchiha Jin has reclaimed our ancestral lands!”

Hiss!

At Fugaku’s words, everyone drew in a sharp breath.

But before anyone could react, Fugaku, as clan leader, spoke again: “But this is certainly not a good thing. Everyone knows the relationship between the Uchiha and the village—forcibly taking back that land will only intensify tensions.”

“Therefore, Uchiha!”

“We cannot let Uchiha Jin continue his recklessness. We must find a way to stop his foolish actions.”

“We’ve only just begun to ease relations with the village—we cannot let Uchiha Jin destroy it all!”

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Even as Fugaku shouted passionately, the room fell into dead silence.

Everyone remained silent; no one spoke.

Fugaku was stunned.

He couldn’t understand why no one reacted.

After a long while.

As Fugaku’s face grew darker, the moderate elder Uchiha Siming sighed and reluctantly spoke: “I admit Itachi’re right, Fugaku, but the problem is we cannot stop him.”

“Yes, there’s no one left!” Uchiha Hachiya nodded slowly: “Fugaku, accept it.”

“Everyone outside this room has joined the radical faction.”

“Even if we wanted to resist, we have no strength to do so!”

As others spoke, Fugaku’s heart sank further.

Uchiha Sifang, who had remained silent until now, muttered: “I told Itachi before, Fugaku—we should’ve adopted defensive measures like the radicals. But Itachi hesitated, unwilling to act.”

“Itachi think of grand strategy, but the people below don’t understand that.”

“They know that if they don’t join the radicals, death is their only fate.”

Those present began speaking one after another.

Everyone had grievances against Fugaku—if only he had shown more leadership, they wouldn’t have turned against him.

Uchiha Tianye, the clan’s senior elder and a survivor from Madara’s era, had long since retired to live in seclusion, now merely a ceremonial figure.

But this time, he spoke: “I don’t blame those who joined the radicals—they only want to survive. If Itachi, as clan leader, cannot protect their safety, don’t blame them for choosing the radicals.”

“Don’t talk about the ‘greater good’ of the Uchiha. If Itachi were truly selfless, would Itachi hand over your wife and children to Danzo to save the common clansmen?”

“Why haven’t these people here joined the radicals?”

“It’s not because of loyalty to the Uchiha—it’s because we have strength. We aren’t afraid of Root sending assassins.”

“I’m tired.”

“Since Uchiha Jin now represents the tide of the times, I, too, will join the radical faction.”

“As for Itachi, Fugaku, I’ll give Itachi one final piece of advice!”

“Itachi’ve always been indecisive. The Uchiha are in this predicament because of your hesitation. Back then, the clan had already chosen to fully support the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze...”

“But when Minato truly fell into crisis, Itachi, because of Danzo’s interference, missed the chance to rescue him—and that’s what led us to this plight.”

“Itachi’re unfit to be clan leader. I advise Itachi to step down voluntarily.”

“That’s all I have to say. Goodbye.”

After speaking.

Uchiha Tianye rose shakily, took a few people with him, and walked out directly—heading straight to join the radical faction.

The reception hall fell into utter silence.

Everyone remained silent; no one spoke again.

Fugaku’s face darkened.

Uchiha Tianye had torn open the truth Fugaku most feared: the Uchiha’s current state was indeed his own fault—his hesitation.

But equally.

He would never accept Uchiha Jin’s ideas. In his view, Uchiha Jin was far too radical.

If Uchiha Jin led the clan, it would be utterly annihilated!

At that moment, Uchiha Hachiya also rose: “Everyone, I’m leaving too!”

“Though I don’t fully endorse Uchiha Jin, I’ve thought carefully these past days. Whether it’s Root and the Anbu withdrawing, or his proactive defenses, he has indeed ensured the safety of our clansmen.”

“Now he’s reclaimed our ancestral lands!”

“I think I should try trusting Uchiha Jin.”

“Though his methods are indeed radical, they’ve changed the Uchiha’s passive, beaten-down situation.”

“Perhaps following Uchiha Jin will lead to annihilation—but it’s better than living in this miserable, cowering existence. I, Uchiha Hachiya, still have blood in my veins.”

“I’d rather die standing than live on my knees!”

After speaking.

Uchiha Hachiya walked out directly, and those who followed him left with him.

With the departure of these two elders, many others rose one after another, ultimately choosing to join the radical faction.

Finally.

Only Fugaku, the clan leader, remained—along with the two elders, Uchiha Sifang and Uchiha Siming, and three subordinates, totaling thirteen Uchiha jōnin.

Fugaku’s face grew darker; the killing intent in his eyes grew heavier.

Uchiha Jin!

Because of this bastard, he had truly become a leader with no followers.

Suddenly.

At that moment, Shisui entered, having just finished his shift.

Seeing the empty room, Shisui couldn’t help but speak:

“Clan leader, where is everyone else?”

“Aren’t we supposed to meet and decide how to deal with Uchiha Jin and the radicals?”

“Where are the other elders?”