To say Uchiha Fugaku had no hesitation would be a lie. Facing humiliation in front of his clan and even the village weighed heavily on him. Yet he knew this was a burden only he could carry.
His expression shifted, uncertain for a moment, before hardening with resolve.
"As long as I can protect the honor, interests, and future of the Uchiha clan," Fugaku declared, his voice steady, "I am willing to bear every consequence."
The elders immediately voiced their praise, but Gen, Shisui, and Mikoto exchanged glances. For them, the matter wasn't so easily resolved.
"It's better to act sooner rather than later," Fugaku continued, pressing his advantage. "I think we should hold a clan meeting tonight."
Having finally made a decision, his heart felt lighter. He wanted to strike while the iron was hot.
The elders nodded in agreement, but Gen shook his head. "No… now isn't the right time for a clan meeting."
Shisui blinked, puzzled. "Why not?"
The others also turned to Gen, waiting for his reasoning.
Gen's tone was calm, but his words cut like a blade.
"If we try to gather signatures at a clan meeting, we'll have to explain everything, the schemes of Danzo and the rest. Once the heads of each household know, word will spread quickly. The more people involved, the more personal agendas surface. Some will be tempted by the short-term gains they've been promised. Others will grow cautious. That disunity is exactly what Danzo wants."
The room grew quiet as his reasoning sank in.
"And once too many people know," Gen went on, "the news will leak beyond the clan. Konoha's factions will catch wind of our dispute with the elders. If Danzo spreads the story that the clan leader broke his word after accepting generous terms, our own people might begin to doubt the leadership."
Shisui frowned, trying to follow the train of thought. "Then… when do we reveal the truth?"
"Only if we're forced to," Gen replied. "If Danzo presses us further, then yes call the clan together, expose their treachery, and let the entire village hear it through our people. That way, the shame falls not on us, but on them."
He leaned forward slightly, eyes sharp.
"The Nine-Tails' attack was only months ago. The village is still in ruins, fragile and wary. If word spreads that Danzo and his allies are scheming to suppress us instead of rebuilding, their reputations will crumble. The Hokage can't ignore that."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "We must put ourselves in the weaker position, the oppressed side. If we're seen as arrogant or rebellious, we gain only enemies. But if we are seen as mistreated, as forced into a corner, then other clans, civilian shinobi, even villagers will sympathize with us. The Hokage, as the symbol of Konoha's justice, cannot ignore the will of the people."
Gen's voice carried a quiet conviction. "Since the Hokage is bound by that justice, let him be bound by it."
Everyone in the room was silent for a long moment. Their gazes shifted to Gen some astonished and some almost unnerved.
He was still so young, yet his vision and cunning stretched far beyond most of the clan. He was already their strategist, their hidden think tank.
…
It wasn't that the others were foolish. They simply thought within old patterns.
The Uchiha had always relied on clan meetings for major decisions. That tradition, meant to appear democratic, had long since become a liability with too many voices, too much delay, and too little secrecy.
Gen's words struck at the heart of that flaw. He saw what even the elders had missed.
In the silence, Shisui finally asked, "Then… if we don't use the clan meeting, how do we gather signatures?"
Instead of answering, Gen turned to Mikoto with a small, knowing smile.
Mikoto raised a brow. "Are you testing me?" She let out a soft laugh before answering seriously.
"It's simple. We assign the task as a police mission. Have the police force collect signatures. Families without shinobi can be visited by those who do. No need for explanations, no room for resistance."
Shisui slapped his forehead lightly. "Of course… I was overthinking it."
The elders and Fugaku exchanged approving nods. Clear, decisive, and clean.
But Fugaku wasn't done. He leaned forward, expression tight. "Gen, there's one more thing. What if… what if the Hokage refuses to amend the proposal?"
The air in the room grew heavy. Everyone was thinking the same question.
Gen didn't hesitate. "From what you described, the Hokage isn't truly against us. He only followed because you agreed. It's unlikely he'll oppose us directly. But if he does…"
His eyes darkened, his voice cold.
"Then we use harsher measures."
Shisui frowned. "What kind of measures?"
"A march," Gen said simply. "The entire clan, out in the open, walking through the village in protest. Not against the Hokage, never do that, but against Danzo and his allies. That way, we don't sever ties with the village, but we turn every eye against those three."
Everyone in the room froze, then their eyes lit up. It was bold, dangerous even but undeniably effective.
Just like the joint letter, it weaponized public opinion.
And this… Konoha's leaders would never be able to ignore.