Although Uchiha Fugaku was a weak and indecisive clan leader, that didn't mean he was without supporters.
Right now, his mind was full of doubt and unease. Over the past month, he'd heard vague whispers about changes stirring within the clan.
What he couldn't understand was how the two diametrically opposed factions had suddenly begun working together—there was even talk of reconciliation. To him, this was unthinkable.
As clan head for so long, he knew better than anyone just how deep the animosity ran between the two sides. The fact that they hadn't already resorted to violence was due in part to their respect for clan law—and perhaps the existence of Shisui.
Most people didn't know why Shisui was so powerful. But the elders knew—he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Now, everything was changing. The younger members of both sides were starting to communicate, and even the elders were meeting and talking face-to-face.
It all made no sense to Fugaku. And although unity should have been a good thing, this newfound harmony had completely excluded him.
Such abnormal circumstances were never a good sign. There may not be a specific phrase for it in this world, but the sentiment was the same.
Even more troubling was the shadow behind it all—the presence of Uchiha Yuhara.
Yuhara had always been acknowledged as a genius within the clan. A peer of Shisui's, he had experienced the horrors of war at a young age.
He had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan and passed the Jonin exams to become one of Konoha's elite.
By all accounts, he had a brilliant future ahead of him—but Yuhara had always been different from other Uchihas. He'd never joined any internal faction, nor had he entered the Police Force. Instead, he became a mission shinobi, detached from clan politics.
Now, this loner was working with both sides. That, more than anything, made Fugaku uneasy.
Even tonight's clan meeting felt off from the very beginning. Still, no matter how unsettled he felt, he had to keep his composure—he was the clan leader, after all.
"Clan Head, everyone has arrived. I believe we can begin," Uchiha Takechi said, pulling Fugaku from his thoughts.
Fugaku snapped back to reality and quickly shook his head. "Let's wait a little longer. Itachi has returned—I believe he'll attend."
"Apologies, Clan Head," Uchiha Sō stood up and spoke calmly. "We do not wish for Itachi to be present this time."
Fugaku's brow twitched slightly. That deep sense of unease flared stronger.
To exclude his own son, a three-tomoe Sharingan wielder, from the meeting—and for the one to make this decision to be Uchiha Sō—was deeply troubling.
Uchiha Sō was a key elder among the moderates. He'd gained control of that faction largely through his mentoring of Shisui.
Itachi, technically, had always leaned toward Sō's side. But now even Sō was keeping him out of the loop—and standing shoulder to shoulder with Takechi?
This could only mean one thing: tonight's meeting would be far more volatile than Fugaku had imagined.
"What is the meaning of this?" a young man among the crowd suddenly stood and shouted. "The Clan Head's son will one day be our leader too! How can you just—"
"Arata, enough," Fugaku interrupted sharply.
The young man—Uchiha Arata, was one of Fugaku's few loyal followers. Dutiful, respectful of tradition, and reasonably strong, but short-sighted.
Now was not the time for rash words. This was a decision made jointly by the faction elders. For a junior member like Arata to challenge it was asking for disaster.
Even as clan head, Fugaku didn't dare escalate things. The clan was already fractured—he couldn't afford to make things worse.
"Clan Head…" Arata tried to say something, but Fugaku cut him off again.
"If this is the request of the two elders, then I'll respect it," Fugaku said calmly. "And please, forgive Arata . He is young and impulsive."
His meaning was clear: he would not press the issue further.
Arata also seemed to realize he'd spoken out of turn. Though still visibly upset, he fell silent. The hall grew heavy with a tense, wordless stillness.
"It's fine. Arata meant well," Takechi said, shaking his head. Then he turned to Fugaku again. "Shall we begin?"
"Very well," Fugaku sighed and nodded. "Let's begin. What is the topic of this clan meeting?"
His tone carried a faint edge, but he still managed to keep himself composed—for the good of the clan.
"This meeting is of great importance," Takechi replied calmly. "After discussions with Elder Sō, we believe that the current state of affairs demands serious consideration."
Then, he turned his gaze toward Yuhara, who sat beside Shisui.
"Yuhara, come forward. Tonight, this meeting revolves around you."
All eyes turned toward Yuhara. Those in the know remained calm. The few who didn't looked confused.
Fugaku was one of the confused—though his sense of unease was now overwhelming.
He could tell that tonight's event would be aimed at him. Both factions had come together, deliberately keeping him out of the loop. They'd even excluded his own son.
It was clear something serious was about to unfold.
And if they were pushing Yuhara to the forefront… what did that mean? Wasn't Shisui supposed to be on his side? Had he changed his views?
With countless doubts swirling in his mind, Yuhara slowly stood and walked to the center of the hall.
He nodded politely to both Elder Takechi and Elder Sō before finally turning to face Fugaku.
"Everyone here knows who I am—so I'll skip the introductions.
I'm standing here tonight not because I want to, but because the situation in our clan has become impossible to ignore.
And the cause of that situation… is our clan head!
Tonight, I stand here to call for the impeachment of Uchiha Fugaku!"
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