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Chapter 62 - Chapter 62: The First Step in Clan Reform

The Next Night – Uchiha Clan Grounds, Naka Shrine

At this moment, all of the Uchiha Clan's jōnin had gathered here. Even the Police Force had only a few chūnin left on duty.

Seventh Elder looked at the clan members before him and began to speak:

"Ever since Fugaku's death two years ago, the position of clan head has remained vacant. This has left the Uchiha without a unified voice in the village."

"As for the selection of a new clan head, opinions have varied wildly. We've debated this for two years. The purpose of tonight's clan meeting is to finally decide on the new head."

As he finished speaking, the seated jōnin began voicing their opinions.

"Ever since Captain Fugaku was assassinated, funding for the Police Force has been tight."

"I say Seventh Elder should take the position. His experience speaks for itself. Only he can restore the Uchiha's former glory."

"Glory? Or a death sentence? Can't you see the efforts Shisui has made over the years?"

"Heh… The Fourth Hokage is the student of one of the Sannin, Jiraiya, who in turn was the Third Hokage's student. That entire lineage has been targeting the Uchiha since the Second Hokage's era!"

"But the Fourth Hokage isn't like the others. Shisui said our clan's only hope lies with him."

"He just wants to use us as tools. Shisui has been useful to him, so now he wants the entire Uchiha to serve under him."

"What did you say? Shisui is doing all this for the clan!"

"Really? He's being used by the Fourth!"

"Bastard! And what have you done for the clan?"

…...

The arguments continued endlessly. Sitting at the back, Yun and Itachi observed the scene quietly.

Yun muttered, "Only about thirty or forty jōnin in total, and even they're split into two camps bickering like this."

Rubbing his forehead, he sighed, "Add in the Uchiha's hereditary mental instability, and they really think a coup is a good idea?"

Itachi responded, "But what if we add your strength and Shisui's to the mix? Two Mangekyō Sharingan users would make even Konoha tread carefully. If we wait for the right moment, success isn't impossible."

"Huh?" Yun turned to Itachi in surprise. 'Did this guy take the wrong meds? Wasn't he the lunatic who once massacred the entire clan?'

Itachi met Yun's gaze seriously and said, "Over the past two years, the plans you and Shisui have enacted, and especially the recent incident… Shisui told me everything about Uchiha Hika's case."

???

'Didn't we promise Minato we wouldn't tell anyone? Oh well… Itachi must've figured it out anyway.'

Itachi continued, "Naive people can still rise to power, but the powerful can no longer afford to be naive. Yun… If Sasuke is going to live a good life in Konoha, the Uchiha must become strong again."

"Only when we're strong enough to make Konoha think twice, or when your secret plans succeed, will the clan truly be safe."

Yun smiled. "This is why I said you didn't read enough books before. You need life experience to really understand this village. Read more, philosophize less, or you'll just end up a madman."

Knock knock knock!

The Seventh Elder tapped the table on stage. The room quieted.

He looked around and declared,

"I nominate Uchiha Shisui as the new head of the Uchiha Clan!"

The room erupted.

"What? Why would Seventh Elder nominate Shisui?"

"Are we all going to become the Fourth Hokage's pawns?"

"Fugaku's death was so sudden. Who else could've moved that fast but the Fourth Hokage?!"

"We helped found Konoha! Why can't we be Hokage?"

"We are Uchiha, we won't bow our heads in shame!"

Knock knock knock!

The noise stopped again.

The Seventh Elder stood and said calmly,

"You are all jōnin, capable of rational thought. So tell me: Would Konoha ever allow an Uchiha to become Hokage?"

"The Daimyō's approval, a vote of confidence from the Jōnin Council… Do you think we could pass?"

Silence.

"Of course not. Due to the Police Force's long-standing autonomy, our relations with ordinary villagers and merchants are strained."

"Many in the village, both civilians and ninja clans, hold negative opinions of us. There's no way we'd get the necessary support."

"Thanks to Madara Uchiha's legacy, the Daimyō himself wouldn't allow it. Even if he's just a regular person."

"So what now? Are you planning to kill half the village? Only through fear would they accept us."

"And then what? With Konoha weakened, the Sand from the Land of Wind would attack. Can we defend ourselves against a four-front assault?"

A militant Uchiha stood up and snapped,

"So what, we just accept being oppressed? Ever since the Second Hokage, the village has targeted us!"

"You're good at analysis, Lord Seventh, but just because Shisui convinced you doesn't mean he can convince me! I will never acknowledge Shisui as our leader!"

He turned to leave. 

Shff!

A figure appeared behind him. A flash of light, 

His sleeve was cut, revealing an ANBU tattoo on his shoulder.

"ANBU mark? Under the Third? Or the Fourth? Or maybe… a leftover from Root?"

The man spun around and glared at Yun, Mangekyō Sharingan swirling. 

'Demonic Illusion: Shackles of Binding!'

The genjutsu activated, but nothing happened.

Shff!

He lunged with a kunai, but Yun casually tilted his head, dodging, and slashed. The man's arm hit the floor.

'The Cursed Seal of Binding!'

Black markings crawled up from his feet. Paralyzed by pain, the man couldn't move.

"Why… Why didn't my genjutsu work…?"

'Genjutsu?' Yun thought. 'Wait, there was a genjutsu?'

Buzz!

Yun's Sharingan spun like a shuriken.

"Three tomoe genjutsu? Didn't even feel it."

"Mangekyō?!"

The traitor's eyes went wide.

"Impossible! A kid like you, who are you?!"

Yun smiled, putting away his Mangekyō.

"Still in the Ninja Academy. That's why you don't know me. I'm Uchiha Yun, pleased to meet you."

"Stop him!"

"Who is he?!"

"Restrain him!"

In just two seconds, most hadn't even reacted yet.

Yun turned around and shrugged.

"Relax, I only exposed his shoulder, didn't kill him."

Everyone looked at the severed arm, the ANBU tattoo clear as day.

Yun pried open his mouth and tapped the back of his head, forcing him to stick out his tongue.

'Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. So he's a leftover from Root?'

Yun recalled Danzo once mentioning Root members were among both the Yamanaka and Uchiha clans. This guy must be one of them.

At this moment, Shisui stepped forward beside Yun.

"He came with me. Uchiha Yun. He's one of the keys to maintaining stability in Konoha."

Uchiha Seventh added,

"With power, we can negotiate with Konoha. A coup leads only to destruction. But now, we have an opportunity."

"Two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan. That power alone is enough to bring us back to the negotiating table. Shisui convinced me. Only this way can the Uchiha be great again."

Their eyes changed. Cold chakra filled the shrine.

Yun noticed the faintly pale look in Shisui's right eye. The power's nearly drained.

At this moment, Itachi also stood and walked forward.

"Shisui told me much about my father's death, and I trust him."

"As the eldest son of the previous clan head, I support Shisui as the new head!"

The room fell silent.

The traitor, tongue cursed, could say nothing.

The Seventh Elder looked at Yun with confidence, but that gaze sent a chill down Yun's spine.

Under Mangekyō, something invisible seemed to be spreading.

"The Seventh Elder has always been analytical, and he's not wrong."

"Right now, the Uchiha have zero chance of becoming Hokage."

"A coup would only lead to Konoha being torn apart by the other great nations. We wouldn't survive."

"Shisui, always close to the Fourth Hokage, is the only one who can deceive the village leadership."

"Right now, no one in Konoha would allow an Uchiha to be Hokage. We must wait and watch."

"If the Seventh Elder has been convinced, what's left to argue? Shisui and Yun are both Uchiha."

"Someday… Fifth, Sixth, Seventh Hokage, why not?"

"With Yun's potential, the Uchiha can rise again!"

Though the mood was optimistic, Yun felt a strange fear inside.

'Kotoamatsukami, that terrifying genjutsu, was this the power erased by plot?'

'If not for plot convenience, how could the Uchiha be wiped out? How could Shisui have ended up drowning himself?'

'It's absurd.'

Yun glanced at Shisui's faint right eye.

'No way he could use it again… right?'

Under the night sky, Uchiha Shisui was officially named clan head.

He also took over as Captain of the Police Force, with the Seventh Elder as his vice-captain.

The Seventh Elder's son, Uchiha Yashiro, and Uchiha Yatsuyo all pledged loyalty to Shisui.

After the meeting, they held a private council.

As new clan head, Shisui presented his first proposal:

"Within a year, the Uchiha will disband the Police Force."

The Sevent Elder looked reluctant.

"It's been ours since the founding of Konoha. Should we really give it up?"

Yun smiled at the old man.

"If you're planning a rebellion, autonomy is helpful."

"But if we want a Uchiha to become Hokage someday, the Police Force is a death trap. No need to explain, we all know why."

Uchiha Eighth asked,

"Then where will our people go?"

Shisui answered:

"To jōnin instructors, investigation squads, ANBU, and most importantly, the Ninja Academy faculty."

"Teachers?" The Seventh Elder asked skeptically.

"Those posts aren't easy to get. The jōnin instructor pool is practically the Third's territory…"

Shisui raised a hand to stop him.

"There will be negotiations and trade-offs. And others want access to those roles too. That's why we need a year."

"Either way, we must give up the Police Force. For now, let's use the regulation system Yun developed."

Yun handed a thick book to the Seventh Elder.

"There's knowledge in here Konoha doesn't teach. Read more, it'll help the clan."

He looked at Itachi.

"You too. If you're free after missions, study this book at the Police Force."

Itachi frowned.

"Do I really need to?"

Shisui smiled.

"You should. I'll reread it too. Yun's ideas are very useful."

Curious, the Seventh Elder opened the book.

Contents:

Personal glory belongs to the individual, but Uchiha's glory belongs to all.

A true genius never needs to flaunt their clan's pride. Only the weak hide behind their surname.

Only by holding power can one force enemies to negotiate.

Politics is not about life or death, it's about compromise.

Uchiha can only be great again by uniting the majority.

On the pathology of Uchiha's mental instability...

.....

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