Chapter 28: Next Target: Shisui and Fugaku Arrive!

Upon hearing this, everyone took their leave.

The radicals, of course, were already accustomed to this.

The moderates and centrists also raised no objections; after all, they were all of the same clan, and had long known Uchiha Jin’s methods.

Small matters are decided in large meetings; big matters are decided in small ones!

Matters requiring unified front alliances are discussed in large meetings, but when it comes to actual planning and operational strategy, Uchiha Jin only consults a select few—subordinates merely execute their orders.

In the past, they disliked this, believing clan affairs required collective deliberation.

Now, it was different!

Uchiha Jin’s several successful actions had convinced them he was right.

Ten minutes later.

The small courtyard grew empty, save for a dozen Uchiha with triple tomoe scattered around its perimeter, forming a defensive perimeter to ensure not even a bird could fly out.

Inside the courtyard.

Uchiha Jin invited several elders into the house, personally brewed tea for each of them, then spoke before anyone could open their mouths.

“Gentlemen!”

“Among Itachi are both newcomers and veterans.”

“Since Itachi are all seated here, it proves Itachi trust me, Uchiha Jin—so I’ll skip the formalities.”

“As before, I’ll lay out the next phase’s objectives; if anything is unclear, I’ll explain later.”

Uchiha Jin’s tone was grave.

Kira and other radical elders had no objections.

Hachi and Amano, though newly aligned, found it novel—this was nothing like the clan assembly.

Yet they nodded in immediate agreement.

After all, the radicals’ past successes had proven the superiority of this method.

“Fine, no problem!”

“I accept. Jin-kun, speak.”

Both spoke calmly.

Seeing everyone nod, Uchiha Jin wasted no time, drew a deep breath, and spoke directly.

“Next phase: two objectives.”

“First, use the Police Department’s authority to raise the banner of ‘The Will of Fire’ and throw the entire village into chaos.”

“We must give the Hidden Leaf leadership something else to worry about, so they stop fixating on the Uchiha.”

“I plan to appoint mid-level ninja as team leaders, with genin as police force members, specifically to handle village affairs.”

“Second: recruit other ninja clans!”

“Direct recruitment won’t work—Uchiha’s reputation is too tainted; other clans don’t trust us.”

“So my plan is to force them.”

“Though the Police Department’s authority has been eroded over the years by the Anbu, those powers were originally established by Hashirama Tobirama—our reclaiming them is legally justified.”

“The specific plan: find a spy from another ninja village, control them with the Sharingan, and make them run straight toward the Root’s location.”

“The Police Department will then, under the pretext of capturing a spy, mobilize all our strongest members to launch a direct assault on Root!”

“Tobirama will likely assume I’m trying to rescue my parents—so Root’s elite will be deployed to transfer and guard them.”

“That will leave other Root positions dangerously exposed.”

“The Police Department’s goals are only two!”

“First, seize as many Root mission scrolls and research materials as possible; second, eliminate as many of Root’s active forces as possible.”

“Especially Root’s elite jōnin—kill as many as Itachi can!”

“Tobirama dreams of becoming Hokage; after such a devastating loss of elite forces, he’ll be forced to pressure other ninja clans into sending their best seeds into Root.”

“The more Root elites we kill, the more desperately Tobirama will pressure other clans.”

“Then we’ll have the chance to recruit those other ninja clans!”

Hiss!

As Uchiha Jin spoke, every face in the room was stunned.

At this moment,

they truly realized: Uchiha Jin was nothing like Fugaku.

Fugaku often convened clan assemblies, yet solved nothing.

What of Uchiha Jin?

He spoke no empty words—he gave direct orders and actions.

And his actions were logical, grounded, unlike the old radicals who recklessly rebelled—he was truly wrestling with the Hidden Leaf leadership within the rules.

Especially by striking at the Hidden Leaf leadership while simultaneously pressuring and recruiting other ninja clans.

Truly—brilliant!

“I agree!”

Uchiha Amano immediately voiced support.

Though a moderate, he was still an Uchiha.

His past refusal of the radicals stemmed only from the slim chance of success—but now, Uchiha Jin’s strategy of conflict without rupture, harmony without conformity, gave him real hope of victory.

“I support it—fully!”

Uchiha Hachi also raised his hand.

After realizing the Hidden Leaf leadership could not be trusted, he’d even considered outright rebellion to join the radicals.

But unexpectedly,

Uchiha Jin’s approach was far more moderate—and far more likely to succeed.

This made him trust Uchiha Jin even more, convinced he was a truly intelligent Uchiha!

Others began speaking.

Almost unanimously, they supported his plan without needing further explanation.

Seeing this, Kira sighed.

“It’s just like… so much like it!”

“Jin-kun, your calculations and planning remind me of Uchiha Izuna.”

“The Uchiha who could match Hashirama Tobirama in strategy!”

As Kira spoke, others nodded in agreement.

They were all veterans from the late Warring States period; though they’d never seen Uchiha Izuna in person, they’d heard tales of his brilliance from clan elders.

And now,

they saw Uchiha Izuna’s shadow in Uchiha Jin.

For a moment,

the atmosphere in the parlor grew warm.

Uchiha Jin said nothing more, and since the serious matters were settled, he began chatting casually with them.

And just then,

Uchiha Inabu entered: “Elders, Fugaku and Shisui have arrived.”

“They wish to see Elder Jin.”

The elders were taken aback.

Uchiha Jin, however, remained calm—he knew without guessing why they’d come.

After a brief thought, he said directly: “Let them in.”

“Yes!” Uchiha Inabu bowed.

Two minutes later.

Shisui and Fugaku entered the parlor; seeing Amano and Hachi, their expressions darkened instantly.

They were not fools!

The heavy guard outside meant something major was being discussed inside.

And the presence of these two moderate elders proved they had already chosen their side.