Outside Naka Shrine.
Today's clan meeting was not held in the usual chamber within the shrine.
It couldn't be.
There were simply too many people.
This time, every Uchiha shinobi had been summoned.
Not just those with awakened Sharingan—
Even rookie genin still running D-rank missions had arrived.
The last time such a gathering had taken place…
Was when Uchiha Madara chose to reconcile with the Senju and establish Konoha.
That alone was enough to make the atmosphere heavy.
Everyone present understood—
Today's decision would shape the Uchiha's future for decades.
"He's here!"
"Uchiha Ren is here!"
The murmurs died instantly.
The crowd fell silent.
All eyes turned.
The mass of people parted on their own, forming a path leading forward.
Ren walked through it calmly.
Smiling.
Unbothered.
He stepped onto the platform.
At the highest point, Uchiha Raizen stood with his hands behind his back, watching him approach.
"Clan Head," Ren said, his tone direct, "you already know why I've called this meeting."
He didn't bother with pleasantries.
No courtesy.
No buildup.
"You—and Tobirama—are relics of the old era."
"The new era has no place for you."
"It needs someone like me."
"You should step down."
Simple.
Blunt.
Absolute.
Confidence.
Arrogance.
Domination.
The Uchiha present felt it clearly.
This was not the Ren they knew.
Raizen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Impressive."
"To have such spirit at your age… is a blessing for the Uchiha."
Then—
His tone turned cold.
"But don't you think you're too arrogant?"
His Sharingan spun to life—three tomoe locking onto Ren.
Chakra surged outward, cracking the wooden platform beneath his feet.
"You think that just because Tobirama Senju is dead…"
"You can do as you please in the Uchiha—or even in Konoha?"
Ren didn't move.
Didn't react.
That pressure—
Was nothing.
"Tell me," Raizen continued, his voice heavy, "do you think you're worthy of being clan head?"
His hand swept toward the crowd.
Instantly—
His supporters responded.
"Only Lord Raizen can lead the Uchiha!"
"You're just a brat drunk on power!"
"You're not qualified!"
Voices erupted.
One after another.
Then—
A wave.
Overwhelming.
Drowning out all opposition.
Even Inabi, Tekka, and Ren's supporters were swallowed by the tide.
The roar of rejection echoed across Naka Shrine.
Raizen smiled faintly.
Satisfied.
Years of leadership had earned him absolute authority.
He was no weak clan head.
After Madara's departure, he had risen to power—
And led the Uchiha to prosperity.
Not something Ren could overturn so easily.
Ren turned his head slightly.
His gaze locked onto the source of the loudest opposition—
More than a dozen Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan.
Watching him like wolves.
Ren's lips curled.
Cold.
So—
Everyone was against him?
Fine.
Then no one plays.
Flip the table.
"Lava Release: Rasenshuriken."
In an instant—
A blazing sphere formed in his hand.
Rotating.
Condensed.
Violent.
He didn't hesitate.
He threw it.
"Damn it—he's insane!"
"Move—?!"
"No! We can't retreat—there are others behind us!"
"Barrier team—now!"
The group of Uchiha felt it immediately.
That technique—
Was lethal.
But they couldn't dodge.
If it detonated freely—
The weaker clan members behind them would be slaughtered.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
"—!"
"Ninjutsu: Four-Corner Barrier!"
Layer upon layer of defense rose.
Water.
Earth.
Barrier seals.
Just barely—
They stopped it.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion.
Heat waves swept across the entire area.
Weaker Uchiha were knocked flat.
Dust filled the air.
Clothes burned.
Hair singed.
But—
No deaths.
Only injuries.
Still—
Every face was pale.
This was a clan meeting.
Why did it feel like a battlefield?
"Bastard! You've lost your mind!"
Raizen's eyes burned with rage, his Sharingan spinning wildly.
Ren—
Had actually dared to use such a technique here.
He stepped forward—
Ready to strike.
Then—
Stopped.
Because Ren—
Had already formed another.
Another Lava Release Rasenshuriken spun in his palm.
Raizen froze.
Killing intent filled his gaze—
But he didn't move.
"Now you're quiet?"
Ren grinned.
"Not shouting anymore?"
He looked down at the crowd.
No one spoke.
Not a single voice.
The same people who had shouted moments ago—
Now lowered their heads.
Silent.
Even the dozen Uchiha who had blocked the attack—
Clothes torn.
Bodies injured.
Hair scorched.
Their eyes burned with anger—
But none dared move.
They couldn't.
If Ren threw another—
They would have to block it again.
And next time—
They might not survive.
Ren…
Was more Uchiha than the Uchiha themselves.
"Lava Release…?"
Raizen's voice turned grave.
"How do you possess such a power?"
This—
Was no ordinary ninjutsu.
This was a kekkei genkai.
And not one the Uchiha possessed.
Ren shot him a glance.
Cold.
Silent.
No answer.
That secret—
Would never be spoken.
"…So this is your trump card?" Raizen said slowly.
His tone hardened.
"What you've done today already violates clan law."
"Even killing you would be justified."
A pause.
"But I'll give you one chance."
"Stand down."
"Surrender."
"Or do you truly intend to sever yourself from the Uchiha?"
His voice was controlled.
Measured.
Because he knew—
Push too far—
And Ren would throw it.
Another one.
Another disaster.
Ren smiled.
Unrestrained.
Dangerous.
And the air—
Tightened again.
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