Yuhara's words seemed like he was trying to help Uchiha Fugaku avoid some unnecessary blame, but those who understood could tell it was the greatest criticism of Uchiha Fugaku!
His meaning was very clear—Uchiha Fugaku might be a good clan leader during normal times, but when it came to critical moments, he truly couldn't live up to the responsibilities of that position.
Uchiha Fugaku obviously understood Yuhara's words; his expression grew somewhat grim. However, he managed to control his emotions, simply watching Yuhara silently without interrupting.
He was holding back his own frustration, wanting to see exactly why he was considered unqualified!
"Clan Leader, and everyone present, the clan is currently facing an unprecedented crisis. I believe the elders should have noticed this long ago. From the moment I was attacked by Root's ninjas, I think everyone understood what Konoha's attitude truly is, right?"
Yuhara ignored Uchiha Fugaku's change in emotion and sighed slightly before continuing.
"Konoha wants to force our hand because they know the clan has split into two factions, and one of those factions wants to reclaim everything Uchiha lost through force.
Imagine if I had been ambushed successfully—vanished without a trace, and Konoha outright denied it.
Meanwhile, the clan's internal emotions would be stirred, shifting towards the hardliners. In the end, the only choice left for you, Clan Leader, would be to support the hardliners, right?
With that result and environment, Konoha would then have the perfect justification to label Uchiha as rebels. What do you think would happen next?"
At this point, Yuhara paused slightly, his gaze fixed on Uchiha Fugaku, observing his expression.
But to his disappointment, Uchiha Fugaku's expression barely changed.
Maybe he already knew this outcome, or maybe he simply didn't believe it.
But Yuhara didn't care; some things would continue, and some things would inevitably change!
"My answer is simple—extermination."
Yuhara said this in the calmest tone, yet it was the most terrifying answer. All the members present, whether moderates or hardliners, looked grim.
The hardliners, having experienced Yuhara's lesson that night and heard him speak of this before, were slightly more prepared.
But those who supported Uchiha Fugaku and the moderates looked utterly shocked and unwilling to believe it. They couldn't imagine that this would be the outcome, even in their worst nightmares.
"Uchiha Yuhara, what nonsense are you spouting? Stop trying to scare everyone!"
The captain of the Police Force and a supporter of Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Inoho, spoke up.
"Even if something like that were to happen, I still believe the Clan Leader would lead us through it!"
"It's a pity—he can't. And he never has."
To this guy, who had been kicked away by Uchiha Itachi with a single blow, Yuhara didn't even spare him a glance. He continued to speak steadily and firmly.
"Perhaps you're all wondering why it turned out this way?
There are two main reasons: first, the Second Hokage. From a historical perspective, he always despised the Uchiha.
And from the village's perspective, Madara's assault on Konoha with the Nine-Tails, leading to his mutual destruction with the First Hokage, added fuel to that fire.
Combining these two aspects, it's natural that Tobirama would harbor resentment toward the Uchiha.
Don't be fooled by his establishment of the Police Force, granting us supposed power.
He even took Uchiha Kagami as his disciple, but that was just a ploy!
Taking Kagami-senpai as his disciple was to lull us into a false sense of security. The establishment of the Police Force, bound to the prison, naturally kept us far from the political center.
And whether it was Kagami-senpai or the Police Force itself, it created a structure that isolated and monitored us. Can't any of you see that yet?"
Yuhara sighed as he spoke, and apart from the elders and Shisui, the other Uchihas in the room wore grim expressions.
They wanted to refute Yuhara's words, but for a moment, they didn't even know where to start.
Even Uchiha Fugaku stayed silent, clearly understanding some of it but unable to find the words to counter.
"The Third Hokage and others inherited the will of the Second Hokage. I believe that hostility still lingers."
Yuhara collected his thoughts and continued, this time his tone growing sharper.
"And the incident with the Hyuga clan a few years ago—I think all of you are aware of it. Ask yourselves, if that had happened to us, could you accept it?
This is the second reason. The Hyuga clan grew dissatisfied, as did many others. If you were the Hokage, what would you do?
You'd make an example of us. You all understand what that means. If I had been successfully ambushed, and the clan made a decision, what would our fate be?"
Yuhara raised three questions, each more painful, each more silencing, and each more infuriating.
Thinking along Yuhara's logic, the clan truly seemed to be on the brink of a great crisis—perhaps even extermination.
At that moment, even Fugaku's supporters began to understand why Itachi was kept out.
However, they were still puzzled as to why Shisui was allowed to stay.
But Yuhara did not give them an answer. He stared at Uchiha Fugaku, his tone growing more severe.
"I don't need to elaborate on the consequences. I've said before—I don't deny that Clan Leader Fugaku has worked hard in his position.
But it's a shame—you lack the capability, the boldness, and your character is too soft with a fragile will.
The true reason the clan has come to this point, beyond external pressures, is you!
The external environment is severe, yet you only think of compromise. The clan is divided, yet you never thought to unify it.
Fugaku, are you really a qualified Clan Leader?"
Yuhara's words were like a hammer striking the hearts of everyone present, especially Uchiha Fugaku.
He did not speak, only stared silently at Yuhara, because at that moment, he didn't know what to say.
For a moment, the entire shrine grew even more silent and heavy, with everyone watching Yuhara and Uchiha Fugaku.
They were waiting for Uchiha Fugaku's response, and for Yuhara to press on.
But just then, a commotion erupted outside the shrine, making everyone frown—even Yuhara.
Soon, a young Uchiha ninja pushed open the door and entered, whispering, "Lords, Itachi-sama is here. We followed orders and didn't let him in, but..."
Uchiha Itachi?
At the mention of the name, everyone present reacted differently, but their eyes all instinctively turned to Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha Fugaku's expression also darkened slightly. But before he could speak, Shisui suddenly stood up.
"I'll handle this," Shisui said calmly. "Yuhara, you said the clan needs discipline. Even if I consider Itachi my brother...
He must still obey the clan's discipline!"