Seeing that Uchiha Sōjin actually had half the room supporting him, Fugaku's face darkened.
So he came prepared, huh? And I didn't expect this many people to back him...
Still, despite the surprise, Fugaku didn't let anger cloud his judgment. He remained calm and composed.
"Oh? Since you want to replace me as clan head, then let me ask you—how do you plan to deal with pressure from the Third Hokage?"
"Deal with it? We fight back, obviously! Let that old bastard Sarutobi see what the Uchiha are made of!"
"Always backing down just lets them push us further. The only way to reclaim our place is to strike first!"
Yes, even now, most of the Uchiha only saw the Leaf's actions as political maneuvering.
It never occurred to them that Hiruzen was preparing a complete extermination of the clan.
This ignorance was exactly why, in the original timeline, the Uchiha had no defenses in place on the night of their massacre.
"Oh? So you're saying you want to lead the clan... into open rebellion?"
Fugaku's tone remained level.
"Hmph! Rebellion? We're just reclaiming what's rightfully ours!"
"We're one of the founding clans of Konoha—we're the rightful rulers!"
"Fool! That kind of thinking will only doom the clan."
"Konoha's strength is something we cannot match head-on. Going to war with the village is suicide!"
Fugaku shot back, his voice rising.
"You're just being spineless, Fugaku! The Uchiha are the most powerful clan in the shinobi world—what's there to fear from that old relic Sarutobi?"
Sōjin's voice was full of confidence, practically glowing with arrogance.
"Yeah! The Uchiha fear no one!"
"Exactly! We're unbeatable!"
His supporters cheered loudly.
"Konoha has Jiraiya of the Sannin," Fugaku reminded them sternly.
"We have the Sharingan!"
The crowd of Sōjin loyalists activated their Sharingan in unison, red eyes gleaming.
"Konoha has Tsunade, the greatest medical ninja alive."
"We have the Sharingan!"
"Konoha has an elite ANBU force."
"We have the Sharingan!"
"Konoha has Danzō and Root."
"We have the Sharingan!"
Fugaku: "….."
He took a deep breath. Yep… Uchiha arrogance really is in our DNA.
Especially those with three-tomoe Sharingan—they all think they're gods. Defeating the Hokage? No big deal.
After a long pause, Fugaku finally spoke.
"Fine. Since you want the position so badly, let's settle this the Uchiha way. Beat me, and the clan leadership is yours."
"Heh! Just what I was hoping for!"
Sōjin stood up with a grin, licking his lips in anticipation.
"Honestly, I've been wanting to beat your face in for years."
Fugaku rose to his feet, ready to knock some sense into the clan with his fists.
But just as the match was about to begin—
BOOM!
The hall's main door exploded into pieces.
And a dramatic voice rang out—
"Well, well~ What do we have here? A bunch of huskies holding a summit? That's a new one~"
"Who the hell?!"
Everyone turned toward the door in shock.
Who dared to break into a Uchiha clan meeting like this?
As the dust cleared, a small figure stepped into view.
When they saw who it was, Fugaku's face instantly turned black.
Rukawa?!
Of all people, it was his own son. And he just insulted everyone in the room.
"Huskies"? Whatever that means, it definitely isn't good.
Damn it! What were those guards doing?! Why the hell did they let this kid in?!
And when did this brat get so bold?!
Fugaku's voice thundered:
"Rukawa! What are you doing here?! This isn't a place for children!"
"Get home! Now!"
He was livid, unleashing the full fury of a strict father.
"Tch. Fugaku, is this the kind of kid you raised?"
"Utterly undisciplined. Barging into a clan meeting like it's his playground!"
Sōjin jeered from the sidelines.
Fugaku ignored him, focusing on his son:
"Go home right now! You've clearly forgotten your place!"
"If you don't, I swear I'll—"
"Shut up. Who the hell do you think you are? You think you have the right to discipline me?"
Rukawa cut him off coldly, eyes locked onto his father without an ounce of respect.
"You coward. When the Third Hokage pressured you, you just turtled up."
"And you want to lecture me? Don't make me laugh."
"W-what did you just say?!"
Fugaku's face was a storm of fury and disbelief.
Did my own seven-year-old son just call me a coward? In front of everyone?!
Where's the obedient child who used to bow his head and call me 'Father' with respect?!
"Get out! This is serious clan business—not something a brat like you should even speak about!"
"You have no right to be here!"
"Heh."
Rukawa sneered.
"You're the one who should leave."
"Hesitant in crisis, indecisive in leadership. Always bowing to Hiruzen, giving in to pressure."
"You're not a coward—you're worse than that. Calling you spineless is being too kind."
He jabbed a finger toward Sōjin.
"For once, he's right—you're not fit to lead."
Hissss…
The entire room collectively gasped.
No one expected a kid to talk to his father like that.
Not to mention, this was the clan head.
This kid's got some serious nerve…