Half an hour later.
The clan head's house, reception room.
All Uchiha who had not yet joined the Radical Faction were now seated in the meeting hall, whispering among themselves, their expressions clearly not good.
Fugaku was no exception.
Although there seemed to be quite a few people in the reception room, it was important to remember that these were all the people on his side, and most of them were from the Moderate Faction. He could count the number of people he could truly command on one hand.
Alas!
He let out a sigh.
Recalling a month ago, he could still command with great authority. How did it come to this?
"Alright, Fugaku."
"Everyone is here, just say what you need to say."
It was Uchiha Hatchodai who spoke, one of the elders of the Moderate Faction, who leaned towards making concessions to the Village to integrate into it.
Given the current situation within the Uchiha clan, he was honestly very displeased. After all, only a handful of the clan members who originally trusted him remained.
If Fugaku hadn't said there was something important, he really wouldn't have been in the mood to come!
The others remained silent.
Everyone now had little respect for Fugaku. After all, he was just a commander without an army. Although he still held the title of clan head, in reality, no one took him seriously.
Fugaku: "..."
His face was so gloomy it looked like water would drip from it, and he clenched his fists in anger.
He hated it!
If he had known Uchiha Jin would be such a failure, he should have killed him at all costs when the guy first rose to prominence.
Now, it was too late.
Taking a deep breath, he forcibly suppressed these thoughts, his tone becoming very serious: "That Uchiha Jin fellow has taken back our ancestral land!"
Hiss!
Hearing Fugaku's words, everyone gasped.
But before everyone could recover from their shock, Fugaku, as the clan head, spoke again: "But this is absolutely not a good thing. Everyone should know the relationship between the Uchiha and the Village. Forcibly taking back that land from the Village will only make the situation between the Uchiha and the Village even more tense."
"Therefore, Uchiha!"
"We cannot let Uchiha Jin continue to act recklessly. We must find a way to stop this guy's foolish behavior."
"We finally managed to ease relations with the Village; we absolutely cannot let Uchiha Jin destroy all of this!"
However, it was a pity.
Even though Fugaku was shouting excitedly, the atmosphere in the room remained deathly silent.
Everyone was silent, no one spoke.
Fugaku was bewildered.
He couldn't quite understand why everyone wasn't reacting.
After a long while.
As Fugaku's expression grew increasingly grim, Uchiha Siming, an elder of the Moderate Faction, sighed and spoke helplessly: "I admit that what you said, Fugaku, is very true, but the problem is that we cannot stop it."
"That's right, there's no one left!" Uchiha Hatchodai also slowly nodded: "Fugaku, accept your fate."
"Except for the people in this room, everyone else has joined the Radical Faction."
"Even if we wanted to resist, we don't have the strength to!"
As everyone spoke, Fugaku's heart sank deeper and deeper.
Uchiha Shifang, who had been silent, also couldn't help but mumble: "I told you before, Fugaku, that we should also adopt defensive measures similar to the Radical Faction, but you kept hesitating and refused."
"You think about the bigger picture, but the people below don't understand these things."
"They only know that if they don't join the Radical Faction, then death is the only path that awaits them."
Everyone present spoke up.
Everyone basically had opinions about Fugaku. If he, the clan head, hadn't been so irresponsible, they wouldn't have all abandoned him.
Finally, Uchiha Amano, the Grand Elder of the Uchiha, a person from Uchiha Madara's era, had actually retired to live at home, now existing as merely a mascot.
But this time, he also spoke: "I don't hate those clan members who joined the Radical Faction, because they simply want to live. If you, Fugaku, as the clan head, cannot protect their safety, then don't blame them for choosing to join the Radical Faction."
"And don't talk about the greater good of the Uchiha. If you were truly that selfless, would you be willing to send your wife and children directly to Danzo in exchange for those ordinary clan members?"
"Why haven't these people here joined the Radical Faction?"
"There's no such thing as 'for the Uchiha'; it's simply because everyone's strength is here, and they're not afraid of Root coming to assassinate them."
"I'm tired!"
"Since Uchiha Jin now represents the general trend, I, an Uchiha, will also join the Radical Faction."
"As for you, Fugaku, I'll give you one last piece of advice!"
"You are always hesitant, no matter the situation. The Uchiha fell into this predicament precisely because of your hesitation. Back then, the Uchiha clearly chose to fully support the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze..."
"But when Minato Namikaze truly fell into a predicament, you, because of Danzo's obstruction, ultimately missed the opportunity to rescue Minato Namikaze, which led to the clan falling into this difficult situation."
"You are truly not suitable to be the clan head. I advise you to step down voluntarily."
"My words are done. Farewell!"
After speaking.
Uchiha Amano shakily stood up and, taking a few people with him, left directly, heading straight to join the Radical Faction.
Inside the reception room, there was a deathly silence.
Everyone fell silent, no one spoke again.
Fugaku's face was grim!
Uchiha Amano had torn open the truth he least wanted to face; the Uchiha's current predicament was indeed due to his hesitation back then.
But, at the same time.
He absolutely did not agree with Uchiha Jin's ideas. In his opinion, Uchiha Jin was too radical.
If Uchiha Jin led them, the clan would definitely be completely annihilated!
It was at this moment that Uchiha Hatchodai also chose to stand up: "Everyone, I'll take my leave too!"
"Although I don't quite approve of Uchiha Jin, I've thought about it carefully during this time. Whether it's Root and Anbu choosing to retreat, or his proactive defense during this period, it has indeed ensured the safety of the clan members."
"Now, he's even reclaimed the Uchiha ancestral land!"
"I think I should try to trust Uchiha Jin!"
"Although his actions are indeed somewhat radical, he has indeed changed the Uchiha's passive situation of being beaten."
"Perhaps following Uchiha Jin will lead to the clan's annihilation, but it's better than living in such humiliation now. I, Uchiha Hatchodai, also have spirit in my blood."
"I'd rather die standing than live kneeling!"
After speaking.
Uchiha Hatchodai left directly, and the people who followed him also departed.
With the departure of the two elders, many others stood up one after another, ultimately choosing to join the Radical Faction.
Finally.
Only Fugaku, the clan head, remained, along with two elders, Uchiha Shifang and Uchiha Siming, and three of their subordinates, totaling thirteen Uchiha Jonin.
Fugaku's face grew increasingly grim, and the killing intent in his eyes became heavier.
Uchiha Jin!
Because of this bastard, he truly became a commander without an army.
Suddenly.
Just then, Shisui, who had just finished his shift, came in.
Looking at the empty room, Shisui couldn't help but speak.
"Clan Head, where is everyone else?"
"Weren't we supposed to have a meeting to decide how to organize against Uchiha Jin and the Radical Faction?"
"Where are the other elders?"