The next day.
The Uchiha clan meeting proceeded as scheduled.
It was still early, and many important figures had yet to arrive.
Uchiha Council Hall.
Silence reigned—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
This was the calm before the storm.
Inabi and Tekka had already spread the news.
Nearly all of the hawkish Uchiha jōnin had received word that Yusuke was about to challenge the clan head.
"Flame Demon" Yusuke versus "Wicked-Eyed" Fugaku—
This was destined to be a clash of dragons and tigers within the Uchiha clan.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps echoed from the entrance of the hall.
Uchiha Yusuke strode in, wearing a jōnin flak jacket emblazoned with the clan's fan crest, a longsword hanging at his waist.
The moment he appeared, he immediately drew the attention of the clansmen.
Several jōnin who were on good terms with him even stepped forward to greet him.
Within the clan, Yusuke's standing was already on par with some of the elders.
Among the younger generation, his prestige was second only to Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku.
It was just that he usually immersed himself in training and had never interfered in clan affairs.
Yusuke found a quiet corner and closed his eyes to rest. Inabi and Tekka didn't dare disturb him.
Only when Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku appeared and announced the start of the meeting did Yusuke return to his seat in the front row.
The so-called clan meeting was essentially a summary of the important events that had occurred within the Uchiha over the past month.
The whole process was, frankly, rather boring.
Listening to Uchiha Fugaku drone on about statistics as usual, Yusuke felt drowsy.
Despite constant pressure from Konoha's upper echelons, the Uchiha clan as a whole still appeared to be thriving.
Uchiha Fugaku was quite satisfied with the clan's current state.
This dovish clan head was still immersed in the old dream of peaceful coexistence with Konoha's leadership.
"Flame Demon" Yusuke and "Shunshin" Shisui—two great geniuses standing side by side!
His son, Uchiha Itachi, was also brimming with promise. The Uchiha's future looked bright!
Perhaps the next Hokage would even come from the Uchiha clan…
When that time came, Konoha's suppression would naturally dissolve.
The Uchiha—once renowned throughout the world—would again shake the shinobi world!
However, Uchiha Yusuke was painfully clear-headed.
Danzo's Root had already placed a blade against the Uchiha's throat. If things continued like this, the clan's destruction was only a matter of time!
The meeting dragged on for nearly an hour. Yusuke was so bored he nearly fell asleep.
Once the main matters concluded, Uchiha Fugaku stood and delivered a few closing pleasantries.
"That concludes last month's summary."
"I hope everyone continues to work hard!"
Uchiha Fugaku smiled as he glanced around.
"Is there anything else? If not, the clan meeting is adjourned!"
As his words fell, some clansmen were already preparing to leave.
Quite a few hawkish jōnin, however, turned their gazes in unison toward Uchiha Yusuke.
Seeing this, the others also faintly sensed that something unusual was in the air.
"Hm?"
"Something's up?"
Under countless gazes, Uchiha Yusuke slowly stood.
"Clan Head—I wish to challenge you."
His voice was soft, yet carried an unquestionable, decisive edge.
One stone stirred a thousand waves.
Yusuke's declaration instantly sent the meeting into an uproar.
"Yusuke is actually challenging the clan head?"
"He's not joking, is he?"
"With Yusuke's talent, the clan head position would naturally fall to him in another ten years."
"Using a challenge so rashly… this move feels uncharacteristically impulsive for Yusuke."
"Yusuke's strength is impressive, but defeating Clan Head Fugaku should still be extremely difficult, right?"
"Picking the fruit before it's ripe—this really doesn't seem like Yusuke's usual style."
Whispers spread as opinions diverged.
Yusuke had never had any conflict with the clan head—on the surface, their relationship had always been good.
Moreover, Yusuke had always acted alone and had never shown any desire for power.
Even his position as vice-captain of the Konoha Police Force had been something Fugaku practically forced on him.
Yet now, Yusuke was stepping forward on his own to vie for the position of clan head?
It simply didn't fit common logic.
Those who had received advance notice all remained silent, clearly adopting a wait-and-see attitude.
Since matters had reached this point, debate was meaningless.
According to Uchiha rules, everything would be decided by strength.
The smile on Uchiha Fugaku's face slowly faded, surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Yusuke… you want to challenge me?"
Meeting Fugaku's gaze, Yusuke showed not the slightest trace of reverence.
"I have no intention of making things difficult for you."
"But I truly believe you are not fit to lead the clan."
Uchiha Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So you came prepared."
"In that case, I'll grant your wish."
With someone openly challenging him, he naturally had to uphold the dignity of the clan head.
The Uchiha under his leadership were already mired in crisis. If he refused to accept the challenge now, he would have no authority left to continue as clan head.
From another angle, Yusuke's challenge also presented an opportunity to reestablish his prestige.
Victory and defeat would be decided by strength alone.
Uchiha Fugaku narrowed his eyes.
"This hall is too cramped. We'll go to the dueling grounds."
"Today, I'll give you a lesson you'll never forget!"
Though Yusuke bore the title "Flame Demon," Fugaku was clearly confident in his own power.
A talented youth, nothing more—this was not yet the time for you to take the stage.
Fugaku knew Yusuke well.
He was absolutely not someone who would betray the Uchiha. More likely, he had been incited by the clan's hawkish faction.
A minor punishment to rein in a young man, while also displaying his own strength—this seemed like a reasonable choice.
Yusuke chuckled softly in reply.
"Who teaches whom a lesson… that's still hard to say."
"Clan Head, you'd better be careful."
On the surface, the two were sharply opposed, yet their words remained measured rather than hostile.
This eased the hearts of the surrounding clansmen somewhat.
"At least they don't seem intent on becoming enemies."
"The Uchiha really can't afford internal strife right now."
Every jōnin present understood the clan's current predicament.
Both Yusuke and Fugaku were indispensable pillars of the Uchiha.
Clan Head Fugaku was famed as "Wicked-Eyed," highly proficient in the Uchiha's Sharingan ocular techniques.
Yusuke, known as the "Flame Demon," had refined the Uchiha's Fire Release ninjutsu to the pinnacle.
Who was stronger between the two—
That was truly impossible to predict.