Chapter 182 - The Uchiha Council
Uchiha Clan Shrine
This clan meeting was a small one—only Uchiha Fugaku and a few elite Jōnin from the clan were present. Not even the elders had been summoned.
As the clan continued to flourish within the village, the support for Fugaku had grown stronger. Naturally, his authority within the Uchiha had also risen.
Especially with Uchiha Itachi's steady growth, the Uchiha clan had essentially become a one-man show—Fugaku's word was law.
At this moment, Fugaku sat silently in his chair, deep in thought. A considerable amount of time had passed since he left the Hokage Tower.
There was no doubt that the resurrection of Senju Tobirama had brought immense pressure. But more than that, Fugaku was concerned about Orochimaru's true intentions.
Could it be that he sensed the Uchiha clan growing too powerful and wanted to revive the Senju to balance them?
If that were true, it would be a troubling development.
In that case, Orochimaru's immortality jutsu wasn't even the main issue anymore. The immediate concern was the clan's survival and safety. The future could wait.
Although Fugaku had seemed somewhat humiliated during today's high council meeting, that, too, was intentional—a performance for the others.
In truth, Fugaku wasn't intimidated by Tobirama's resurrection.
After all, the Senju had already dwindled to a single member—Tsunade. Even if Tobirama was now added to the count, it still only made two.
Just like the Hatake clan today: small in number. No matter how strong, as long as they didn't engage in direct conflict, their influence on village politics remained limited.
Konoha was a massive military organization. Beyond its top leadership, every department needed operatives—cogs to keep the system turning. That was where the Uchiha held their advantage.
For Konoha, the Uchiha still had value.
Even in terms of raw strength, Fugaku believed Tobirama and Tsunade couldn't match the Uchiha.
This wasn't arrogance. It was confidence backed by his and Obito's dual Mangekyō Sharingan, and the four elite Jōnin seated before him.
Right now, what concerned Fugaku most was why Orochimaru did this. If he truly intended to check the Uchiha's influence, then what should Fugaku do?
Resist?
Though confident in his clan's power, Fugaku wasn't a fool. He knew they couldn't take on all of Konoha alone.
They wouldn't even need Orochimaru to act—Kazane alone stood like an insurmountable mountain before them.
Submit?
Fugaku wasn't willing. The Uchiha now had elite personnel stationed in almost every major department in Konoha. Uchiha Gōtan and himself controlled both the Interrogation and Police Divisions, and Shisui was a squad captain in the ANBU.
In a few more years, once Uchiha Itachi inherited the title of Hokage from Orochimaru, Konoha would practically belong to the Uchiha.
This was a far cry from the days when the clan was forced into submission under Sarutobi Hiruzen, living with their tails between their legs.
Now, with their strength bolstered by Orochimaru's regime, they had ambitions of their own—aims for a greater future.
No one wants to live under someone else's shadow forever, especially not the proud Uchiha.
Time ticked by, and Fugaku remained lost in thought. But the men he summoned began to grow restless.
Shisui nudged Uchiha Gōtan beside him, gesturing subtly toward Fugaku to encourage him to speak.
After all, Gōtan was a contemporary of Fugaku. They'd grown up together and even served in the same team within the Police Force. Their relationship was close.
If Gōtan interrupted, Fugaku wouldn't blame him.
However, Shisui's movement caught Fugaku's attention. Realizing everyone had already arrived, he finally addressed them:
"Everyone, the greatest crisis for our clan is upon us."
Shisui and the others were momentarily stunned.
The announcement was so sudden—and given how well the clan was currently doing, especially with rumors circulating that Itachi was poised to become the next Hokage—it left them confused.
To hear Fugaku suddenly declare a crisis left them momentarily speechless.
"Orochimaru has revived Senju Tobirama. I trust you're all aware of what he did to our clan in the past. And now he's been brought back, placed in charge of Konoha's newly established Research Department. Moreover, Orochimaru has really developed a jutsu that can extend human lifespan."
The moment Fugaku said this, everyone froze.
Had it been anyone else—notorious for jokes—they might've laughed it off as some ridiculous fairy tale.
Resurrecting the dead and extending lifespan? Immortality? That was something no one throughout history had ever truly achieved.
And now Fugaku claimed Orochimaru had done it? Their minds struggled to accept it.
"Lord Fugaku, you mean the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama?"
The ever-straightforward Shisui voiced the question on everyone's minds. The others all stared at Fugaku, hoping for a denial.
They desperately wanted to believe they had misheard.
"No mistake—it's him. Senju Tobirama!"
But Fugaku crushed that hope with a firm and direct answer.
"What?!"
"How can this be…?"
The group murmured in shock, stunned by the revelation.
"Then, Lord Fugaku, what do you plan to do?"
Uchiha Gōtan, an older ninja, had lived through the days when the clan was isolated within the Police Division. He knew exactly what this could mean.
And he understood that if Fugaku had summoned them, it must be for something important.
Fugaku, however, still hadn't decided on a concrete plan.
After a long silence, he finally said:
"For now, make sure our clansmen restrain themselves. Don't give Tobirama any excuse to act against us. But if he comes for us first, don't back down. The clan stands behind you."
"We, the Uchiha, are not what we once were. The days when they could trap us with a line drawn in the dirt are long gone."
"If he really wants a fight… then we fight."
ヽ('⌒′メ)ノ
Fugaku's voice remained calm, but everyone could hear the pride and powerful confidence in his tone.
"Yes, Lord Fugaku!"
His assertiveness filled them with courage. They exchanged glances and responded in unison.
---
That night, as Fugaku lay in bed, sleep eluded him. His mind kept turning over the events of the day.
He may have sounded bold earlier—like dealing with Tobirama would be no trouble at all.
But deep down, he had no solid plan for handling what had happened.
As the clan head, it was his duty to guide the Uchiha to prosperity and strength.
Every decision he made represented the entire clan. One wrong move, and he could plunge them into ruin. The more he understood Orochimaru, the more uncertain he became.
Orochimaru wasn't someone easily dealt with. Despite his apparent indifference to power, if he truly wanted to strike against the Uchiha…
Then once that venomous snake bit down, shaking him off would be no easy task.
Especially after what had happened with Uchiha Makoto not long ago—Fugaku had no choice but to overthink every angle.