Shuoye Uchiha slowly raised his head.
His gaze was steady as he swept it across everyone present.
He spoke no words at first—
Yet the pressure he radiated was unmistakable.
His eyes shimmered like stars in the night sky, drawing every gaze in the chamber.
"Great Elder," he began calmly, "you wish to know what I think?"
His deep voice shattered the silence.
He rose to his feet.
In that instant, it felt as though the temperature in the hall had risen several degrees. His sharp gaze cut across the crowd like a blade.
"Clan Leader Fugaku's words are complete nonsense."
A pause.
"I am not targeting Clan Leader Fugaku alone. I'm saying everyone here—every single one of you—is the same."
The hall exploded.
Shock.
Anger.
The air ignited like dry wood catching fire.
Someone leapt to their feet, eyes blazing.
"On what grounds do you speak to us like that?!"
"You don't understand the current situation of the Uchiha at all!"
Another young member stepped forward, fists clenched tightly.
"We've dedicated ourselves to this clan! Do we not deserve your respect?!"
Shuoye smiled faintly.
But beneath that smile lay sorrow.
He knew—
These young Uchiha still fought for the clan's pride.
But they were lost.
"Precisely because I care about the Uchiha," Shuoye said steadily, "I say these things."
"You're stuck in place. You cannot see the future beyond your own disputes."
"What we need is unity—not internal conflict."
"We cannot continue like this."
His words pierced like a sword.
Some fell silent, reflecting.
Others bristled, anger brewing.
Beside them, Shisui Uchiha felt something stir within his heart.
It was familiar.
The faith.
The ideals he and Shuoye once shared.
Where would the Uchiha's future truly lead?
Before the silence could settle—
A figure abruptly stood from beside Fugaku.
Uchiha Tekka.
"Shuoye! Who gave you permission to speak so arrogantly here?! Insulting the Clan Leader—are you asking for punishment?!"
Rage burned across Tekka's face. Muscles tensed. His fist tightened, ready to explode with force.
"Apologize to the Clan Leader!"
With a roar, he threw a punch.
The air shrieked beneath the pressure of it.
But the next second—
His confidence shattered.
"Tekka! What are you doing?!"
Fugaku's thunderous shout echoed through the hall.
Tekka froze.
His body trembled.
Horror flooded his eyes.
His fist—
Was aimed at Fugaku.
"Clan Leader?! I—how—"
His voice trembled. Shock drained the strength from his limbs.
He tried to retract his strike—
But the world around him blurred, spinning.
Confusion swallowed him whole.
"Such a low-level mistake."
Shuoye's voice drifted lightly through the air, tinged with disdain.
He stood there calmly, as though observing a trapped insect.
"When did you ever think you could challenge me, Tekka?"
His tone was soft.
Yet every word struck like a needle.
The hall erupted in murmurs.
"He… he used genjutsu?"
The whisper spread rapidly.
The Uchiha clan understood genjutsu better than anyone.
Shuoye had always been known for his taijutsu.
Yet now—
He revealed such mastery over illusion.
Unbelievable.
Tekka's fist still hovered midair, like a meteor frozen before impact.
But within him, turmoil raged.
Fugaku's eyes narrowed, seeing through the chaos.
"As a member of the Uchiha," he said gravely, "you must not lose reason over momentary anger."
"And Shuoye is not an opponent you can provoke lightly."
On the surface, it sounded like discipline directed at Tekka.
But beneath it—
Lay a subtle warning aimed at Shuoye.
Shuoye waved his hand lightly, dispelling the suffocating tension.
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Think carefully."
"The Uchiha legacy is not built on force alone."
"It is built on courage."
He stepped forward.
Composed.
Unhurried.
Like a man unveiling the opening act of a grand spectacle.
"From this moment on…"
"You will witness a brand-new Uchiha—under my leadership."