Chapter 7: The Clan Leader
After the incident at the village gates, Uchiha Douhuan returned to the Uchiha compound with his clan members.
Along the way, some of the more radical Uchiha seemed like they wanted to say something, but seeing Douhuan's back, they wisely chose to keep their mouths shut.
Upon their return, Douhuan finally turned around and spoke:
"I know everyone has many questions. Since we are all gathered here, let's hold a clan meeting."
No one objected.
The lights were lit in the clan's shrine, signaling the start of the meeting.
However, when Douhuan took his seat, he unapologetically sat in the first position beneath Uchiha Fugaku.
The elders exchanged silent glances—but no one objected.
In the Uchiha clan, strength dictated authority.
With his Mangekyō Sharingan, Douhuan could claim the position of Clan Head if he wanted—and they would support him.
Meanwhile, Fugaku, who had remained silent the entire way back, simply glanced at Douhuan before saying nothing.
"Are all Chunin and above present?" Douhuan asked once everyone was seated.
"They are all here," Uchiha Inaho responded immediately.
"Good."
Then, Douhuan dropped a bombshell.
"First matter of discussion: I will become the Clan Head."
"Who approves? Who objects?"
The room descended into chaos.
Shisui and Itachi stared at Douhuan in utter disbelief.
Meanwhile, a moderate elder finally gathered his thoughts and spoke:
"Douhuan, given that you have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, it is natural for you to take leadership… but you have never been involved in clan meetings. You are not well-versed in our internal affairs."
"You should first familiarize yourself with our clan's situation before taking the position—perhaps in a year or two."
Even one of the radical elders supported this stance.
After all, Douhuan's speech at the village gates suggested that he was not entirely aligned with their faction.
Douhuan, however, simply laughed coldly.
"I understand the clan's situation perfectly. That's exactly why I never attended these pointless meetings."
"Tell me—after all these years, what has the Uchiha clan actually decided?"
His hands pressed against the table as he stared down the seated elders.
"Have you agreed to launch an outright rebellion?"
"Or have you decided to surrender to the village?"
"If you had reached a decision, I wouldn't be sitting here today."
"Endless, directionless debates will only drag the Uchiha into the abyss."
"The Uchiha do not need pointless meetings—they need a leader who will pull them out of this mess. This clan only needs one voice."
His words thundered through the shrine.
The Uchiha fell silent.
Then—
"I support Douhuan as Clan Head!"
Uchiha Inaho stood up first, breaking the silence.
Today, he had witnessed Douhuan annihilate nearly a hundred Root operatives as if it were nothing.
To him, Douhuan was unstoppable.
"Douhuan has the Mangekyō Sharingan! I support him as well!"
Uchiha Saito followed suit.
One by one, more of the younger Uchiha—especially those who had witnessed Douhuan's power firsthand—began voicing their support.
"Enough."
Fugaku's voice suddenly cut through the growing noise.
The room fell silent again.
Fugaku's gaze turned toward Douhuan.
"It seems you already have a plan, don't you?"
"If I'm standing here, it means I've already made my decision," Douhuan replied, locking eyes with Fugaku.
"You, of all people, should be able to see the Uchiha's future."
Though his words were vague, Fugaku understood immediately.
Douhuan had figured it out.
Fugaku also possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
If Fugaku revealed his Mangekyō, he could fight for his position.
But… should he?
If only one Uchiha had the Mangekyō, there was still a chance the clan could remain rational.
But if the clan discovered that two Uchiha had awakened it…
Their last shred of restraint would disappear.
At that point, even if they didn't want rebellion, they would have no choice.
Fugaku studied Douhuan for a long moment.
Then—
He sighed.
"I suppose so… The clan's current predicament is my responsibility."
"Douhuan… the clan is yours."
"Father!"
"Clan Head!"
Itachi and Shisui immediately panicked.
Unlike the other Uchiha, they knew just how dangerous Douhuan truly was.
His speech at the village gates had seemed reasonable—but Shisui still remembered the night before.
The things Douhuan had said that night…
He was far more radical than any of the elders.
"Do not disappoint our clan, Douhuan," Fugaku murmured, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
Then, he stepped aside, relinquishing his seat.
Before heading to the village gates, Fugaku had glimpsed fragments of the future with his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Douhuan's presence had already changed fate in an unexpected way.
Though Fugaku could not see everything clearly, one thing was certain—
The future was brighter than before.
So, he let go.
"...As you wish," Douhuan replied.
He stepped toward the Clan Head's seat but did not sit immediately.
Instead, he turned to address the gathered Uchiha.
"The Uchiha have always been a proud clan."
"Our current difficulties are nothing more than obstacles."
"I will lead us forward. But this glory—I will not claim it alone."
"Follow the Clan Head's command!"
Uchiha Inaho, already a die-hard supporter, immediately snapped to attention and saluted.
"Loyalty! Devotion!"
With a clear leader, the younger Uchiha—including all those except Shisui and Itachi—followed suit.
"Loyalty! Devotion!"
Seeing this, the remaining skeptical elders could only remain silent.
Douhuan surveyed the crowd, satisfaction flickering in his gaze.
The Uchiha were loyal.
As long as they had a leader to follow, their loyalty was absolute.
Then, he raised his hand to signal for silence.
"Next, I have two important announcements."
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