After the confrontation at the village gate ended, Uchiha Douhuan—having obtained what he wanted—returned to the Uchiha district alongside the rest of the clan.
Along the way, several of the more radical clan members wanted to speak up.
But when they looked at Douhuan's back, they wisely closed their mouths.
Once they arrived, Douhuan finally turned around and said:
"I know everyone has many questions. Since we're all here, let's convene a clan meeting."
No one objected.
Lights were lit inside the clan's shrine.
When everyone took their seats, Uchiha Douhuan sat—without hesitation—in the first seat beneath Uchiha Fugaku.
The elders exchanged glances, silently acknowledging this arrangement.
In the Uchiha clan, power ruled.
A man awakened to the Mangekyō Sharingan had every qualification to become clan leader—and if Douhuan wanted the position, they would support him.
As for Uchiha Fugaku, who had remained silent the entire way, he merely glanced at Douhuan and kept quiet.
"Have all Chūnin and above gathered?"
Douhuan asked after everyone had settled.
"All present," Uchiha Inoka responded first.
"Good. Then the first matter—
I intend to become the Clan Leader of the Uchiha.
Who approves? Who opposes?"
Douhuan opened the meeting by dropping a bomb.
Rather than playing political games with the Hokage faction, he chose the simplest and most direct method when dealing with his own clan.
The gathered Uchiha were instantly thrown into chaos.
Shisui and Itachi stared at Douhuan in disbelief.
A dove-faction elder organized his thoughts before speaking:
"Douhuan, as someone who has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, you naturally qualify to take the position of Clan Leader. However… you've rarely participated in clan meetings over the years. You don't fully understand our internal issues. It's too hasty for you to take the seat now."
"That's right. Douhuan, learn more about the clan first. Perhaps wait a year or two before becoming Clan Leader,"
A radical elder chimed in—his support diminished after hearing Douhuan's speech at the village gate.
"Heh."
Douhuan let out a cold, mocking laugh.
"I understand the clan's situation perfectly. That is precisely why I never attended these meetings."
He pressed his palms on the table and swept his gaze across the elders.
"Tell me—after all these years of clan meetings, what results have you produced?
Have you decided we should revolt by force?
Or meekly surrender to the village?
If you had actually concluded, I wouldn't need to be standing here today."
"Endless arguments lead only to chaos.
The Uchiha need no more pointless meetings—
but a leader who can guide the clan out of its crisis.
We need one voice."
His words shook the room.
Clan members looked at one another, falling into silence.
"I support Douhuan as Clan Leader!"
Uchiha Inoka spoke first, breaking the silence.
Witnessing Douhuan single-handedly slaughter nearly a hundred Root operatives earlier had turned him into a zealous follower.
"Douhuan has the Mangekyō Sharingan! I support him too!"
Uchiha Zaidō joined.
Very quickly, the clan's young and able members spoke up in succession.
"Enough."
Uchiha Fugaku finally spoke, quieting the hall.
He looked at Douhuan.
"Douhuan… from your tone, you already have a plan, don't you?"
"I wouldn't stand here otherwise.
I believe, with your insight, Clan Leader Fugaku, you can already see the future of our clan."
Douhuan held Fugaku's gaze.
Though Douhuan spoke vaguely, Fugaku understood his meaning instantly—
Douhuan had realized he also possessed a Mangekyō Sharingan.
If he revealed it now, he could easily keep his position.
But could he afford to reveal it?
If only one Mangekyō existed, there were still those who could remain rational.
But if Fugaku revealed his as well, the last shreds of reason within the clan would vanish.
The clan would revolt—whether they intended to or not.
Fugaku stared at Douhuan deeply.
After a long pause, he finally spoke:
"Very well.
The current crisis is the result of my failures as Clan Leader.
Douhuan… I entrust the clan to you."
"Clan Leader!"
"Father!"
Itachi and Shisui panicked.
Unlike the other clan members, they understood Douhuan's madness.
Even though Douhuan had spoken in support of the village earlier, Shisui clearly remembered the terrifying things Douhuan said last night.
"Do not disappoint the clan, Douhuan."
Fugaku ignored Shisui and his son.
He gently patted Douhuan's shoulder and stepped aside.
Before heading to the village gate earlier, Fugaku had used his Mangekyō—which granted glimpses of fragmented futures—to look ahead.
Douhuan's appearance had disrupted the future.
He could not see clearly, but compared to the hopeless future he once saw…
This one held far better prospects.
So Fugaku felt no need to cling to the title of Clan Leader.
"As I desire."
Douhuan stepped into Fugaku's place.
He did not sit immediately.
Instead, he looked over the gathered elite of the Uchiha and spoke:
"The Uchiha have always been a clan of honor.
Our current predicament is only a temporary setback.
I will lead you—
to restore the Uchiha's glory.
And this glory… I will share with all of you."
"Following the Clan Leader's command! LOYAL!
Uchiha Inoka—already a loyal Douhuan fanatic—saluted, imitating Douhuan's gesture from the village gate.
With a leader taking the lead, the young Uchiha—save for Shisui and Itachi—stood up and saluted.
LOYAL!
Seeing this, the elders who had doubts could only remain silent.
Douhuan nodded in satisfaction.
The Uchiha might not be known for sharp political minds—but once given a pillar of authority, their loyalty was absolute.
Next, I have two announcements.
Douhuan raised his hand, motioning for silence