"Rēn, over here."
Uchiha Chihaya, sitting in the second row, waved at him.
As a young jonin promoted less than half a year ago, she should have been seated at the back. But privilege existed everywhere. With a grandfather serving as an elder, and being a lass, Chihaya had squeezed into a front-row seat beside Elder Ryūji without anyone saying a word.
Arrogance had long been ingrained in the Uchiha clan's bones.
And those qualified to attend the assembly were all elites of the clan—their pride ran even deeper. No one would lower themselves to squabble with a child over seating.
"Chihaya, sit properly. Don't fidget, or people will laugh at you."
Rēn approached, resting his hand on his childhood friend's head, and glanced at the empty seat beside her.
"I'm changing seats today. Tell Futaba to come sit with you."
With that, he withdrew his hand.
He walked past the second row and stopped in the front row, where the six elders sat together. He sat cross-legged beside Elder Homaru at the far right. There was no spare cushion, so he chose the more comfortable sitting position.
A small stir immediately spread among the clansmen behind him.
Rēn's bold move triggered a wave of whispered discussions. Some thought he was breaking protocol, others admired his nerve, and some simply didn't care.
"Hey, kid. I like that courage of yours."
Elder Homaru laughed and turned to glance at Rēn, clear amusement in his eyes.
Hearing this open show of support, the murmurs behind them grew louder. Still, everyone knew where they were, and the dispute remained verbal. No one would be foolish enough to draw a blade in this place.
"If I've decided to do it, then of course I'll do it head-on."
Rēn replied naturally.
Sitting there cross-legged with his back straight, he looked like a blade forged through numerous trials. Even from behind, his determination and sharpness were unmistakable.
"Well said."
Elder Homaru nodded, his appreciation growing. He was a man of fiery spirit and admired this kind of defiant energy. To him, this was how an Uchiha should be—brash, proud, and radiant.
Compared to Fugaku, whose overly calm personality bored him, he began to wonder why he had ever supported him as clan head in the first place.
While the two chatted idly,
The clan head finally arrived, fashionably late as usual.
He wore the standard uniform of the Police Force—a green flak jacket and dark pants. The insignia on the sleeve, near the shoulder, displayed the flame fan embedded within a shuriken.
He wasn't alone. Behind him followed six Uchiha jonin, all trusted aides close to his age. The youngest among them glared at Rēn with open hostility. If looks could kill, Rēn would already be riddled with holes.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting. I had some personal matters to deal with."
Uchiha Fugaku walked up to the stone monument, turned to face the room, and scanned the crowd. His gaze paused on Rēn's face for a second before looking forward again.
"I'll keep it brief. This emergency meeting has one announcement."
He paused for a few seconds. When he saw the crowd's full attention focused on him, he continued.
"I intend to hand over the position of clan head to Uchiha Rēn."
Like a stone thrown into a calm lake, the room erupted.
Although some were mentally prepared,
Everyone had expected a fierce battle. Some had looked forward to Fugaku using his authority to crush the rebellious upstart. Others hoped to witness the Flame Demon overpowering the current leader in a dramatic confrontation. At the very least, it should have been something intense.
This lukewarm handoff felt completely wrong.
Not just the clansmen—even the elders were visibly surprised. Uchiha Genshi frowned and instinctively turned his head toward his grandson sitting at the far right.
"Apologies, Clan Head. I refuse."
Rēn stood up, his clear and resolute voice echoing through the chamber.
Redecoulsu. If he accepted it like this, it would be nothing more than a transfer of title. Fugaku's influence would remain, and his approval or disapproval would continue to carry weight. Any decision he made could be quietly overturned with a glance from the former head. Authority without control was meaningless. Rēn hadn't come this far to become a figurehead.
One wave hadn't settled before another surged up.
"What?!"
"What's going on?"
"This isn't what I heard. What's happening?"
Everyone was confused.
Old and young alike exchanged bewildered looks, unable to understand what this development meant.
"Rēn, do you know what you're saying?"
Uchiha Fugaku frowned at him. "You—"
"The position of clan head is not something that should be handed over."
Rēn cut him off sharply. He raised his head and locked eyes with Fugaku.
"I prefer to take it with my own hands."
Turning to face the gathered jonin, he continued.
"You all know who I am, so I won't waste time with introductions. I'll speak directly. I believe Clan Head Fugaku lacks the leadership and the resolve to guide us through this crisis. He hesitates at the crucial moment, choosing caution when action is required. After the Nine-Tails incident, he allowed the clan to be confined like prisoners without raising a word of resistance. When we were forced to the outskirts like outcasts, he called it strategy, called it preserving the bigger picture. But what did his patience earn us? Not peace. Not dignity. Only deeper exclusion, and the slow erosion of our standing within the village.
"This isn't a time for silence or ambiguity. It's a time for decisions and for responsibility. I may be young, but I do not hesitate. I know what needs to be done. And more importantly, I am willing to bear the consequences of those decisions and will move our clan towards a brighter future."
"So I'll say it clearly: I will be the next clan head."
He didn't slow his speech or soften his words.
This wasn't the time for sweet talk. He didn't believe he could convince so many clansmen with words alone. Nor did he want to. Words were cheap. He preferred to show them through strength what the authority of the next clan head looked like.
To put it bluntly, aside from their well-known arrogance, Rēn believed the Uchiha had a streak of shamelessness.
Back when Uchiha Madara was crushed by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, the Uchiha clan didn't dare resist him. Instead, they turned against Madara himself rather than face the terrifying power of Hashirama. That showed just how deeply they feared the First Hokage's strength.
Now, Rēn intended to follow that very path. He would make these arrogant clansmen submit completely beneath his feet.
"Rēn."
Fugaku raised his voice.
"There's no need to make this difficult. I'll hand the position to you directly. This will be a formal succession, and the clansmen won't object."
Rēn gave him a sideways glance.
He didn't reply.
He couldn't tell if Fugaku truly wanted to give up power, or if he was setting him up as a scapegoat while retaining real control behind the scenes.
Either way, no matter what Fugaku's true intentions were, Rēn had no intention of accepting.
He hadn't forgotten his grandfather's warning on the mountain path.
"Suo, how about we have a little match?"
Rēn raised a finger and beckoned to the handsome young man standing beside Fugaku.
Uchiha Suo, one of the youngest among Fugaku's trusted aides, had been glaring at him with displeasure from the moment he entered.
As expected,
Already unhappy with Fugaku's decision to name Rēn as successor, Suo's rage exploded. Rēn had publicly challenged and insulted the clan head, pushing him to the limit. Now, to be directly provoked—
"Uchiha Rēn, don't be so arrogant. Is this how you speak to your seniors? Just because you've made a name for yourself doesn't mean you're the strongest in the clan."
With a metallic clang, Suo drew his short blade. Fueled by anger, he charged at Rēn and slashed down.
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