The illusion dispersed, and the Sixth Elder, drenched in sweat, looked at Yan with lingering fear in his eyes.
Only he knew what kind of torment he had just endured.
In response to Fugaku's stern inquiry, Yan calmly spread his hands, his expression indifferent:
"As for whether I've challenged the authority of the patriarch, that judgment rests with the patriarch himself. I did nothing wrong. The family's support and the clan's trust elevated him to an elder's status, but that doesn't give him the right to bark orders at me."
"If you had made genuine contributions to the clan, I would have shown respect—respected you as a senior, as an elder, and as someone deserving of that position."
"Unfortunately, you haven't."
Yan's lips curled into a mocking smile as he stared down the shaken elder with clear disdain.
"What you've brought to the clan is submission—constant compromise. You've made our people lower their heads and coil their tails."
"An old mutt like you doesn't deserve my respect."
Now that the pretense had been shed, there was no point in civility. Calling him a mutt was already more respectful than he deserved. At least Yan hadn't gone further.
Disregarding Fugaku's increasingly grim expression, Yan turned to the rest of the elders and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear:
"Everyone, aren't you ashamed that a man like this stands among you as an elder—equal to you in title?"
"Because I am. I am deeply ashamed."
"..."
Many elders were still stunned that Yan's subordinate had attacked an elder. But as they turned their eyes toward the trembling Sixth Elder, some discomfort grew within them.
They, too, began to feel ashamed.
Unable to withstand a genjutsu from a junior? And he called himself an elder?
Even they felt embarrassed to be seated beside him.
"Uchiha Hiko, do you intend to drag the clan down into ruin with you?!"
Finally regaining his composure, the Sixth Elder's voice cracked as he tried to redirect the blame toward Yan.
But his words only amused Yan, who chuckled softly.
"If not keeping your tail tucked means Uchiha is doomed, then by your logic, we should've been destroyed 800 times already."
"Ahem!!"
Not only did Yan laugh, but several other elders nearly burst into laughter. Even the usually composed Great Elder had to stifle a grin.
In his eyes, Yan truly embodied the spirit of Uchiha's hardliners.
That attitude, that confidence—this youth was born to stand with them.
He must be pulled to their side.
"Enough!"
Seeing that the Sixth Elder wanted to continue arguing, Fugaku finally raised his voice, his tone sharp:
"That's enough. Sixth Elder, I will not tolerate unfounded accusations against fellow clansmen. And Yan, I will not permit acts of violence, no matter the justification."
As clan head, Fugaku stood caught between opposing forces—hardliners and doves.
So the compromise? Both parties received punishment: each took eighty strikes of the disciplinary cane.
On the surface, both sides suffered. In reality, Yan's punishment was superficial. The real loss was the Sixth Elder's dignity.
Even worse—he'd lost the right to scold or discipline juniors freely.
In the past, elders could reprimand younger Uchiha at will. Whether they liked it or not, they had to endure.
Now, things had changed.
The Sixth Elder's vision blurred, and his body wavered. He passed out from shame.
But the dove faction held little influence, and no one stood to defend him. The room's silence was already a form of mercy.
Fugaku sat down, his face taut as he spoke in a grave voice:
"Certain members of our clan have voiced dissatisfaction about our current path. Yan's words may have been harsh, but they hold truth. The pride of Uchiha cannot be compromised. We cannot keep suppressing ourselves just to appease others."
At this point, even if Fugaku didn't want to oppose the dove faction, the situation gave him no choice.
He couldn't publicly support them now. The clan's sentiment was rolling like thunder, and to stand against it would be political suicide.
If the hardliners fanned the flames from behind the scenes, Fugaku would be in an impossible position.
The best course now was to sacrifice the doves and restore calm.
"Patriarch, everything we do is for the future of the Uchiha!" The Sixth Elder, now regaining some clarity, gasped hoarsely.
"The rift between the village and the clan is growing. Only by changing our image and earning Lord Hokage's trust can we hope to become one with Konoha."
But the dove faction's voice was weak within the clan. If it were dismissed today, its existence would be all but erased.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
Yan tried to suppress it, but the laughter burst from him again.
Despite his efforts, he couldn't contain the ridicule.
"Uchiha Hiko! What is so funny?!"
The Sixth Elder snapped, his rage barely contained, his Sharingan flaring like a wounded beast about to strike.
If Yan hadn't stirred this pot, the meeting wouldn't have gone off the rails. The dove faction would've endured.
But now? They were crumbling.
"It's just... I find what you said hilarious, elder. No—absolutely ridiculous."
Yan exaggerated his laughter, then suddenly fell silent, his face emotionless.
"I almost laughed myself to death."
"Yan," Fugaku said quickly, before things escalated further. "State your reasoning. Why do you oppose the Sixth Elder's stance?"
Fugaku now regarded Yan with seriousness. He could no longer dismiss the young man.
Though reluctant, Yan respected the clan head. He curled his lips and finally answered:
"I think the elder's thinking is naive. We are part of Konoha. What kind of 'integration' is he talking about?"
"Should we follow the Senju—dissolve our clan, scatter to the winds, and change our names to blend in with commoners?"
"Take a good look. Which of the old clans—Hyuga, Sarutobi, even Shimura—has actually integrated with civilians?"
Chapter 12: The Sixth Elder Spits Blood and Faints—Fugaku's Private Test Begins!
"I seriously wonder, what's in the Sixth Elder's heart?
Is his vision for Uchiha truly one of self-destruction? To follow the path of the Senju? Dissolve? Become civilians before the world will accept us?"
Whoa.
Now that was a serious accusation.
Even Fugaku and the other elders froze for a moment. Then they turned their eyes to the Sixth Elder—some skeptical, others disturbed.
Because Yan had a point.
Uchiha was already part of Konoha. What more 'integration' was there to be done?
And those so-called 'equal rights' with commoners? None of the noble clans followed that idea.
Why must Uchiha be the only one to bow?
To dissolve, to scatter, to abandon the name—just like the Senju?
If that was the dove faction's goal, then yes—it was digging up Uchiha's roots.
"You… I..."
The Sixth Elder's face turned crimson. Words failed him. He stammered, incoherent, his mouth opening and closing.
Yan wasn't arguing anymore.
He was delivering a finishing blow.
And the charge he laid—one of betraying the clan's foundation—was not one the doves could escape.
They had promoted full integration for years. How could they deny it now?
"Pfft~~"
All the mental strain, the shame of losing face, and the lingering aftereffects of Yan's illusion were too much.
The Sixth Elder coughed violently and vomited a mouthful of blood, collapsing to the floor.
The entire chamber was stunned.
Even Yan blinked, mildly shocked.
Fainting from rage and humiliation? Was that even possible?
But with the elder unconscious, the meeting was forced to adjourn.
Still, the outcome was perfect for Yan.
After today, the dove faction was finished—unless they were willing to go underground.