"Andrew, are you saying we should just ignore what happened at the police department? Won't this deepen the conflict between us and the village even further?"
Shisui, still weak but slowly recovering, immediately voiced his concerns. For him, improving the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village wasn't just a mission—it was a belief. He couldn't accept the idea of letting things slide when the rift was already growing wider.
"Shisui is right. The police department is the only authority the Uchiha still hold. If we give that up, we risk being pushed entirely out of Konoha's power structure."
The Fifth Elder nodded seriously. Even though Shisui was currently in poor health, his stance gave renewed hope to the Dove Faction that sought compromise with the village.
"Tch~"
At their words, Andrew couldn't help but laugh sarcastically. His eyes swept toward the Fifth Elder and the Dove Faction members, mocking them without hesitation.
"Andrew Uchiha! What's the meaning of that laugh? Are you mocking me?!"
The Fifth Elder, a veteran among the clan's senior leadership, was used to being treated with respect. He couldn't tolerate this kind of disdain from someone younger, especially not in front of the entire clan.
"Fifth Elder, I do respect you as an elder... but don't you think you should act like one? You're too old to be this naive."
"You!"
Before the elder could utter another word, Andrew was suddenly standing right in front of him, his blood-red Sharingan slowly rotating, its pressure overwhelming. The power in his gaze surged, making it hard for the Fifth Elder to even stand straight.
"What? Don't tell me you're too afraid to activate your Sharingan? Or are you too weak? What a joke..."
Gasps echoed throughout the room. Was Andrew insane? It was one thing to talk back to a clan elder, but to challenge him outright in front of everyone?
The Fifth Elder's face flushed with rage. He never expected such open disrespect and humiliation. Worse still, it was in front of the entire clan. This was both a personal and political slap to the face.
"You all saw what happened today, didn't you? Do you still believe Konoha considers us their equals? What are the elders thinking, trying so hard to get closer to the village? Do they want the same betrayal to happen again?"
Andrew turned away from the elder and spoke to the rest of the Uchiha. His voice was calm but firm, and his words struck a chord with many of the gathered clansmen.
They remembered. Just hours ago, Konoha's leadership had made it clear they didn't trust the Uchiha. They had even tried to seize their bloodline. The memory was fresh and infuriating.
"Of course, I'm not saying we should blindly oppose the village. We are strong, yes. We're not afraid to die. But sacrificing ourselves for nothing? That's not bravery—that's stupidity."
Andrew glanced toward the Fourth Elder and the hardliners. Though they were more reliable than the Doves in terms of strength and resolve, they were also too eager to leap into a coup. They didn't think about the future, about the family's survival.
"I'm not here to blindly follow either side. I'm analyzing both your strategies. Appeasing the village is pathetic and dangerous. Rebelling invites genocide. So what's left? Simple."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"We change. We adapt. And we do it in a way that ensures our survival and strength, until one day, the village can't suppress us anymore."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. Many Uchiha nodded slowly, recalling how the Third Hokage had hesitated to confront them directly when they stood united.
"That sounds ideal, but how do we even begin such a transformation? It's easier said than done."
The Fourth Elder furrowed his brows. He understood Andrew's point, but implementing it was a different matter.
"We start with the villagers' perception of us—Fifth Elder, this should sound familiar to you, since you've tried improving our image before."
Andrew fixed his gaze on the elder again.
"We all know the real reason the village resents us isn't just because of our pride or aloofness. It's the police department."
"Exactly! That's why I've advocated for softer law enforcement. The police department's violent image has hurt us more than helped."
The Fifth Elder jumped in, passionate once more. Although Andrew had just humiliated him, his point was something the elder had long supported.
"Your intention was good, Elder, but your method was flawed."
Andrew shook his head.
"The police department, no matter how it's run, will always be unpopular. Law enforcement never earns gratitude. And as long as we cling to that power, the villagers will always see us as enforcers rather than protectors."
He straightened his back and declared clearly:
"So the first step we take is to withdraw from the pit of the police department!"
The crowd stirred. Give up the police department? Was he mad?
The Fifth Elder opened his mouth to object, but to everyone's surprise, Patriarch Fugaku held up his hand, silently signaling him to stand down.
"Many of you may be confused, but I can explain it clearly."
Andrew faced the clan again, his voice steady.
"Before we do anything, you all need to understand the 'Uchiha Threat Theory.'"
That term caught everyone off guard.
"The villagers were brainwashed by Danzo and other high-ranking officials. They were led to believe that we Uchiha always lust after power, that we want to usurp Hokage. Giving up the police department completely flips that narrative."
"You accuse us of being power-hungry, but here we are giving up power. What threat are we then?"
The logic was brutal and effective. The Uchiha threat narrative would collapse under the weight of their own decision.
"Even if we want to step back, the village won't accept it so easily."
Fugaku finally spoke, understanding Andrew's goal but seeing the obstacle ahead.
"Of course, but we have an excuse already handed to us on a silver platter: the villagers' complaint letters."
Andrew smirked.
"All clansmen named in complaints will be temporarily recalled. We'll say we're understaffed and can only patrol our own neighborhood. We simply 'can't' do more."
It was genius. The complaints themselves would justify the Uchiha's withdrawal.
"That move is brilliant. Recalling our own is technically not abandoning power, but rather concentrating it."
Fugaku chuckled softly, now completely on board. The more he considered it, the more sense it made.
Before, the Uchiha had used that limited authority to maintain the village's law and order, only to be met with hostility. Now, they would let the village police itself. Let them feel the loss.
"Danzo is still Hokage's advisor. After the embarrassment he suffered today, he'll retaliate through the police department. I hope the patriarch will be ready to deal with the Hokage when the time comes."
"Leave that to me. You're right. We Uchiha need to change."
Fugaku exhaled deeply, his voice steady.
With his words, the direction was set. Andrew's strategy had won over both hardliners and doves. The room was quiet, but a sense of unity began to bloom.
For once, the Uchiha clan stood together.
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