"Take back what we've lost with our own hands"—this single line made every Uchiha elder in the room draw a deep breath.
The split within the Uchiha clan had always been rooted in one thing: reclaiming what had been taken from them.
No matter how different their ideologies became or how severe their internal conflicts grew, that desire had never changed.
Strictly speaking, Yuhara's idea of merging both sides' viewpoints wasn't revolutionary. It wasn't even particularly rare.
Throughout their long years of internal struggle, there had been plenty of wise voices who had suggested similar ideas.
But thinking of a solution is one thing—having the courage and drive to carry it out is another.
Both factions had been entrenched for so long that their differences had become immovable. No one dared to speak the words aloud. No one was willing to be the first to step back.
Especially as time passed and they all grew older, their energy and motivation to enact change had faded. And the next generation had inherited their divisions, carrying those ideological rifts forward. It seemed impossible for anyone to take the first step toward unity.
But Yuhara was different.
He was a prodigy of the clan, and yet didn't belong to any faction.
He maintained decent relationships with everyone, but kept his distance from the inner circles of clan politics.
That neutrality gave him a unique position—reminiscent of Uchiha Fugaku, perhaps—but even Fugaku had never truly escaped being caught in the factional web.
Yuhara, on the other hand, was completely untouched by it all.
Seeing the determined fire in Yuhara's eyes, his youthful vigor and spirit on full display, the elders couldn't help but admit—he was right.
They really had grown old.
"We are old indeed," Uchiha Sō finally said after a long silence. "And we've become weighed down by caution. Many times, what's right or wrong doesn't matter anymore—what matters are our positions, our fears. And that stops us from doing what's right."
He looked Yuhara directly in the eye and asked his final question.
"But merging the two ideologies isn't something easy. How will you ensure both sides are satisfied? And more importantly… if we refuse, what will you do?"
It was another hard-hitting question—realistic, and one of the biggest obstacles to Yuhara's goal of unifying the clan.
To be blunt, it was also a critical test.
Yuhara was a bit troubled by this one. He didn't really want to say what he was thinking. But after considering it, he realized this was exactly the time to show his will clearly.
He took a deep breath, swept his gaze across the room, and began to speak.
"Combining both sides' views is not easy. That's why, when both parties can't agree, someone must make the final call.
"And since I've never been involved in your factional disputes—not with you, not with the hardliners—I'm the most objective person to make those calls.
"A great leader once said: there must be both freedom and discipline.
"Having your own opinions is good—it shows freedom and individuality, and helps bring out everyone's strengths.
"But when it comes to key issues, we must have discipline. A unified clan mindset is not negotiable."
Silence fell across the room again.
His tough stance was hard for the elders to swallow. They had grown used to Fugaku's passiveness.
But in their hearts, they knew—what the Uchiha needed now was a strong leader. And Yuhara's words rang true.
They didn't know who this "great leader" he quoted was, but the message landed.
Discipline was essential. The clan had to be united.
"As for what happens if you refuse…"
As they were digesting his words, Yuhara continued—his voice now low and cold.
"Then I have only one option left.
"I will work with Shisui to reach out to the lower-ranking Uchiha, both ninja and civilian alike.
"I've already told Shisui: power does not come from birthright. It comes from loyalty—loyalty from the clan's members.
"Both of us have been talking to them regularly. That's just the first step. The next one is…"
His eyes sharpened, and the chakra in his body surged.
His tone dropped to an icy chill.
"If negotiations fail—I will eliminate every single one of you elders.
"You are all too important. And too dangerous.
"Your beliefs sway your followers. You can make them stand still—or raise arms.
"But if you're gone, the rest will scatter like sand. And under the leadership of two Mangekyō Sharingan wielders, they will fall in line behind us.
"Don't doubt my resolve. And don't doubt my ability.
"Even if I can't do it alone, Shisui will do it with me.
"Better to use your deaths as the foundation for the clan's rise—than let you drag it into the abyss."
His words were clear and thunderous. This wasn't a threat—this was a declaration.
Yuhara hadn't wanted to go this far. But now that things were out in the open, he saw no reason to sugarcoat his intentions.
If anything, showing his resolve was the best move.
And when it came to actual combat, he had enough confidence not to be taken lightly.
Sure, some of them might play along now and plot behind his back later. But the Mangekyō Sharingan was no joke—not when it came to dominance over normal Sharingan users.
If Itachi and Obito could destroy the Uchiha with just themselves, then so could he.
He just hoped these old men still had enough sense not to force his hand.
The room was deathly quiet. The elders' faces turned grim.
They had considered this possibility. But to hear it said so bluntly—to their faces—filled them with unease.
He may have acknowledged their importance, but hearing someone calmly declare their intent to kill you is never easy to swallow.
And from the way Yuhara spoke, they could tell—he was dead serious.
After a long silence, Uchiha Sō finally let out a sigh and broke it.
"We understand. Seems like, for the sake of our lives, we've got no choice but to compromise again."
His tone was half joking—but the bitterness underneath was obvious.
"Actually, we already had a contingency plan before you arrived. But we have two conditions you must agree to."
"Let's hear them," Yuhara replied. The fact that Sō was negotiating terms meant he had basically won. Now he was just curious what Sō had in mind.
"First," Sō said, "if you become clan head, Shisui must be appointed vice clan head. He will supervise all your actions.
"If you ever go too far, he'll be the only one capable of stopping you."
That one surprised Yuhara, but he quickly nodded.
He hadn't expected his earlier promises to become actual terms. But he had no reason to refuse.
"I accept," he said. "What's the second?"
"This one I'll answer," Uchiha Naoki spoke up. "Tonight, Yuhara-kun, we need you to visit our side. There are certain things we need to verify."
"I can agree to that," Yuhara nodded again, then smirked slightly.
"Though I have a feeling it's more than just 'verifying a few things,' isn't it?"
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