Chapter 3: Parting on Bad Terms—Fugaku

At the clan meeting.

With Uchiha Jin’s words, everyone present was stunned.

No one had expected Uchiha Jin to deny it.

Though there was indeed no evidence, such a thing didn’t need proof—who else but your radical faction would do this?

The single-minded Uchiha couldn’t think of a rebuttal.

They revered combat and slaughter; verbal sparring was not their strength.

Shisui couldn’t hold back anymore, his face twisted with frustration: “Uchiha Jin, are Itachi too cowardly to admit it?”

“If I did it, I’d admit it—but the problem is, I didn’t do it!” Uchiha Jin shrugged. “Why should I confess to something I didn’t do? Are Itachi planning to torture a confession out of me?”

“How about—I swear an oath?”

“If this was done by my radical faction, may the Sage of Six Paths strike me down with a bolt of lightning!”

The clan meeting fell into dead silence.

No one had expected Uchiha Jin to be so bold—he’d even thrown out an oath outright, leaving everyone completely dumbfounded.

What now?

The moderate and neutral factions were utterly speechless.

Everyone had assumed the radical faction would admit it, at most refusing to hand over suspects.

So just moments ago, they’d spent hours debating how to force the radicals to surrender someone—never imagining they’d never even reach that point, since the radicals had simply flat-out denied everything…

This damn thing’s stuck!

What do we do?

In fact, even the radicals themselves were stunned.

Damn, this guy’s shameless!

The radicals’ lips twitched, barely holding back their expressions.

Uchiha Jin shrugged: “Everyone saw it— the Sage of Six Paths didn’t strike me down, proving I didn’t lie!”

A sneer curled at his lips; he didn’t regard the crowd before him at all.

Please.

These fools who could be easily fooled by Hiruzen Sarutobi—I’ve spent over a decade in education in my past life. If I can’t outmaneuver someone like Fugaku or Shisui, I might as well go smash my head against a wall right now.

Losing in battle? Understandable.

But if I can’t even win a verbal fight against these Uchiha idiots, I’d truly bring shame to the entire army of reincarnators!

As for swearing oaths, Uchiha Jin wasn’t afraid.

Though the Sage of Six Paths truly exists in this world, he’s still far from being a true god—barely a powerful alien at best.

After all, this world has no Heavenly Dao!

“Jin, Itachi…”

Shisui tried to rebut, but couldn’t utter a single word.

There was no way!

Faced with Uchiha Jin’s brazen audacity, this pure-hearted man was completely outmatched.

Fugaku, as clan head, could no longer sit still—he rose and stared sternly at Uchiha Jin.

“Jin, stop this.”

“I know our clan members have suffered greatly, but Shisui and I are truly trying.”

“Give me some time, okay?”

Fugaku’s tone carried a hint of pleading—he was clearly preparing to play the emotional card.

And…

In his gaze toward Uchiha Jin, genuine murderous intent flickered!

He knew his clan members suffered great injustice in the village, but he also knew the Uchiha were no match for the village—so for years he’d exhausted himself trying to maintain peace.

But he couldn’t understand why his clan didn’t understand.

If they’d just endure, yield a little, and wait until they fully integrated into the village, everything would be fine!

He’d always struggled to control the radicals; now, with Uchiha Jin’s rise, he felt overwhelming pressure.

A disobedient genius is better than none at all!

Meanwhile,

Uchiha Jin’s expression remained calm despite Fugaku’s pleading words.

“I’m sorry, Clan Head.”

“I sympathize with the suffering of Root and Anbu, but if Itachi’re trying to pin this on me, I suggest Itachi find evidence first.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

After speaking.

He didn’t bother with Fugaku further and walked straight out of the Naka Shrine.

Explain?

No need.

He had no interest in winning over other Uchiha factions—he knew prejudice in people’s hearts was a mountain. Only a complete blood purge, with enough deaths, might offer a sliver of hope.

For the Uchiha to be reborn, they must be forged in blood and fire!

But no rush.

He knew this opportunity was nearly here.

With Uchiha Jin’s departure, all other radical Uchiha followed him out.

Clearly,

Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku had long lost all authority in their eyes.

“Jin, Itachi…”

Shisui tried to stop them, but Fugaku held him back.

“Shisui, enough!”

“Let them go. Forcing them to stay is pointless.”

“Can Itachi tell me what happened at the scene? Did the village really find no clues at all?”

Fugaku was deeply puzzled.

Because if there was evidence, the matter would be easier to handle.

As for that,

Shisui hesitated—Anbu had rules against leaking intelligence.

But given the case’s complexity, he sighed helplessly: “The scene was completely destroyed; the bodies were burned to ash. No trace remains.”

“But I’m certain this was done by the radicals—Uchiha Jin is the mastermind!”

Fugaku’s face was filled with bitterness—this didn’t need saying; everyone knew who the killer was.

After all…

Before Uchiha Jin rose to power, the radicals were reckless but never dared to act against the village.

At most, they’d rant and rave!

Only since Uchiha Jin’s rise had things spiraled out of control.

Whenever an Uchiha went missing, Root and Anbu would lose several members shortly after!

Such obvious patterns—how could Fugaku, as clan head, not see them?

But it was useless!

Arresting someone required evidence, especially someone like Uchiha Jin.

After a long silence, he spoke slowly: “I can’t help Itachi with this. Shisui, report the facts truthfully to the Hokage.”

“This…” Shisui sighed, bitter: “There’s no other choice.”

After speaking.

He vanished in a body flicker, leaving the Naka Shrine.

After Shisui left, Fugaku disbanded the meeting and returned home.

Yes!

That was it—over.

Neither of them had ever considered seeking justice for the missing Uchiha.

This was why Fugaku’s reputation as clan head had grown increasingly tarnished.

Mikane brought him a cup of tea, then couldn’t help asking: “Was it resolved? Did the radicals back down?”

“No, it’s worse,” Fugaku shook his head. “Uchiha Jin has taken control.”

“The radicals will be harder to handle now—they have a Mangekyo Sharingan.”

Mikane grew interested: “Then how do we explain this to the village?”

Fugaku fell silent for a moment.

“We don’t need to explain anything. We just stay out of it.”

“Let Hiruzen Sarutobi and Uchiha Jin fight it out—it’ll show me the village’s true attitude toward the Uchiha.”

“If things turn hopeless, sacrifice Uchiha Jin. If the village backs down, even better—it affects us in no way!”

Mikane finally understood completely.

Her own husband had treated Uchiha Jin as a pawn to test the village.

Although he wanted to speak up and advise them, he ultimately chose silence.

Uchiha Jin, though a clansman, was not close to Fukutsu or her.

But…

Neither of them noticed a small figure hidden outside the tea room.

Uchiha Itachi!

After hearing their conversation, he clenched his fists in rage.

'The clan, the clan!'

'Why can't Itachi consider things from the village's perspective?'

'What a foolish clan!'