Never before had anyone dared to speak to a clan head in such a manner.
Although Uchiha Fugaku had not yet officially become the clan head, everyone already regarded him as one. To insult the clan head was equivalent to insulting the entire Uchiha clan. Even if it came from one of their own, it was unacceptable.
"Don't forget you're also an Uchiha!" someone growled at Kin in a low, furious voice.
Initially, when Uchiha Kin entered with a semblance of courtesy, they had assumed he understood propriety. But reality proved the opposite—he had openly mocked the clan head. This was something they could not tolerate.
At this moment, both the hawk and dove factions glared at Kin with equal fury, their gazes sharp enough to tear him apart.
"I never said I denied being an Uchiha," Kin replied nonchalantly, shrugging. This identity was innate, something he couldn't—and had no intention to—shed. Had he not been born into the Uchiha clan, Sarutobi Hiruzen might have been quite amiable toward him. After all, Hiruzen was generally magnanimous toward other clans, as maintaining his position as Hokage required it. Only the Uchiha were treated as political adversaries.
Unfortunately, this also meant the Uchiha could never coexist peacefully with Hiruzen. The man sought to exploit their power while simultaneously fearing it.
Unfazed by the hostile glares, Kin stepped out of the shadowy corner and walked up to Fugaku. "I just refuse to acknowledge a future clan head who's this foolish," he said coldly.
"So, young clan head, having joined the ANBU, are you truly unaffected by the higher-ups' influence?"
"What?!"
"Clan Head Fugaku joined the ANBU?!"
The Uchiha clansmen were stunned. Fugaku's face darkened, but he offered no rebuttal. Silence fell over the room. Under Uchiha Hokaku's leadership, the clan had vehemently resisted joining the ANBU. They hadn't yet been pushed to the brink and still prioritized the clan above all else. To them, joining the ANBU was tantamount to pledging allegiance to the Hokage.
This revelation dealt a severe blow to Fugaku's reputation and instantly shifted the momentum in Kin's favor.
"Uchiha Kin!" Fugaku growled. "Revealing an ANBU member's identity without authorization violates village protocol." ANBU identities were classified, unknown even to fellow villagers.
"And what does your unhesitating use of ANBU tactics against me signify?" Kin shot back.
Fugaku fell silent, unable to answer. The clansmen watched him intently, waiting for a satisfactory response. The Uchiha, long oppressed by the village's leadership, harbored deep resentment. Fugaku's actions had placed him at odds with his own clan. Were it not for his status as heir, they would have already demanded answers.
Fugaku had never expected Kin to expose his ANBU affiliation so brazenly. This was a direct challenge, a complete severing of pretense.
"Or was it the Third Hokage's order?" Kin pressed, his gaze icy as he watched Fugaku clench his fists, fury simmering beneath the surface. Yet Fugaku dared not act.
Admitting it would mean openly aligning with the Hokage. Denying it would imply he had attacked a clansman without justification. Either way, he was cornered.
Even the dove faction, which had initially supported Fugaku, fell into uneasy silence. Attacking a fellow clansman was an unforgivable transgression.
Fugaku had never imagined Kin would force him into such a position. He couldn't comprehend why Kin was so relentless. It was as if Kin believed his ascension would spell doom for the Uchiha, despite Fugaku's efforts for the clan.
Now, the tables had turned. The clansmen's silence spoke volumes—their restraint was only out of respect for his status as heir.
"It was I who ordered Fugaku to join the ANBU," Hokaku interjected, his expression grim. He could see Fugaku losing ground. If this continued, Fugaku would lose the clan's trust entirely, rendering him unfit to lead. Though Hokaku himself hadn't known about Fugaku's ANBU membership.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen and his ilk have always feared the Uchiha. We needed a spy to monitor their movements," Hokaku explained. "If you weren't willing to take on the risk for the clan, Fugaku had no choice but to sacrifice himself."
The clansmen's anger swiftly redirected toward Kin.
"Well played," Kin remarked, clapping slowly. Hokaku's words had masterfully reversed the situation. But Kin's goal lay elsewhere.
"The real question is, do you still believe Uchiha Fugaku is fit to be clan head?" Kin pressed.
This time, Hokaku hesitated. Turning the clan against Fugaku had been a secondary objective. Kin's true aim was to make Hokaku question Fugaku's competence. After everything that had transpired, could Hokaku truly entrust the clan to such a leader?
His real target had always been Uchiha Hokaku.
"What is it you want?" Hokaku demanded, his voice heavy.
"I want to be clan head," Kin declared outright. The Uchiha's formidable shinobi were valuable assets, and he intended to wield them.
"Impossible!" Hokaku refused outright. The other clansmen exchanged uneasy glances—the idea of replacing the clan head had never crossed their minds.
"Don't be so hasty," Kin said. "You accuse the village of marginalizing the Uchiha, denying us a Hokage. Yet you deny capable shinobi like me the chance to lead the clan."
Hokaku had no rebuttal. In terms of ability, Fugaku paled in comparison to Kin. Fugaku's recent actions had disappointed him, forcing him to reconsider. But Kin was dangerous. Letting him lead could doom the clan.
"I, Uchiha Kin, do not believe I am inferior to—" Kin paused, his voice dropping to a measured tone, "—Uchiha Madara."
The clansmen's eyes widened in shock. No one dared compare themselves to Madara. How could Kin be so audacious?
Even Fugaku stared at Kin in disbelief. He had assumed Kin's rivalry was with him, not Madara. Was this arrogance, or did Kin truly possess the strength to back his words? Recalling Kin's reputation—on par with the Second Hokage—the room fell into silence.
"What Madara achieved, I can achieve. What Madara failed to do, I will accomplish," Kin declared. "I hope you'll make the right choice this time."
Once, the Uchiha had abandoned Madara. What would they choose now?
Kin was no Madara.
...
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(End of Chapter)