c114: Use the Other Person's Way to Repay the Other Person's Kindness
"It's normal for Shisui to invite the elders. But why invite Mikoto?"
Uchiha Fugaku furrowed his brows in confusion. What kind of move was this?
"Sister Mikoto isn't just a simple housewife," Gen said calmly.
"First of all, she's your wife, the matriarch of the clan. Second, she's the daughter of Elder Setsuna. And third, Mikoto-san is a full-fledged jōnin with a fully developed Sharingan three tomoe. That's not common, even in the Uchiha."
"For a kunoichi to reach the rank of jōnin even in a powerful clan like ours—isn't just about strength. It means strategy, perception, and calm judgment. She was also once Kushina Uzumaki's close friend, which means she has insight into how the Hokage's family works."
"Besides, we're all men here. Having a level-headed woman in the room, especially someone with Mikoto-san's sensibility, might help us spot things we miss."
Fugaku paused and considered this seriously. Mikoto wasn't just a quiet presence in the house she often offered sharp insights during private conversations.
He nodded. "Alright then. We'll go back and call the meeting immediately."
Fugaku shelved his paperwork and left the police department with Gen.
Back at the clan compound, Fugaku quickly sent word to summon the three elders and Shisui Uchiha. Meanwhile, he returned home and asked Mikoto to prepare tea for the incoming guests.
A short while later, the three elders Setsuna (the great elder), the second elder, and the third arrived at Fugaku's home alongside Shisui. All bore expressions of curiosity.
Mikoto welcomed her father and the guests respectfully. Her expression showed curiosity but not alarm what was going on to bring so many of the clan's top figures together under one roof?
After preparing a fresh tray of tea, she entered the sitting room, placed the steaming cups one by one, and was about to leave quietly.
"Mikoto, take off your apron and join us," Fugaku called without looking up.
"Eh?" she blinked in surprise. "Me?"
"What do you mean 'eh'? Gen believes you may help us in what we're about to discuss," Fugaku replied, his tone a little sharp from lingering tension. "Go get ready."
Mikoto didn't mind the tone. Instead, she looked faintly pleased.
"Oh—alright. I'll be right back."
Though Mikoto had contentedly chosen the path of a housewife to raise Itachi and maintain the household, she was still a former jōnin. Being included in political discussions stirred an old flame of purpose within her.
The three elders and Shisui kept composed expressions, but even they were silently wondering what could require such an assembly. A gathering like this was only a step away from a full clan meeting.
Soon, Mikoto returned, now dressed in her usual formal Uchiha attire—dark robes with a traditional long skirt. Her clothes were simple, as was customary in the Uchiha tradition, but her graceful poise and refined demeanor gave her a quiet strength.
She knelt beside Gen, smiled warmly, and waited without interrupting.
At the long table, the seating was arranged as such: Fugaku, the clan head, sat at the head. Elder Setsuna was at his left, the second elder to his right, the third elder next to Setsuna, Shisui beside the second elder, Gen next to the third elder, and Mikoto opposite Gen.
Gen nodded toward Fugaku discreetly.
Fugaku returned the gesture and addressed the group gravely.
"Everyone, allow me to explain what happened this morning."
He recounted the entire reconstruction meeting: how Danzo, Homura, and Koharu had suddenly turned uncharacteristically cordial, how they had praised the Uchiha, and how the proposal to relocate the clan near the police department and detention center had been approved by him.
As Fugaku continued, everyone's expressions darkened. Even the elders, who usually maintained their composure, frowned.
"I take full responsibility as clan head," Fugaku admitted, looking weary. "The elders weren't present at the meeting, so I can't blame you for missing Danzo's hidden agenda."
The elders exchanged glances. Fugaku's willingness to own his mistake softened their response.
Shisui remained silent, clearly troubled.
Mikoto, however, cast a quick glance at Gen, admiration flickering in her eyes. He had caught all this just from overhearing the clan's chatter?
Gen, without posturing, spoke up. "This isn't about blame anymore. What matters now is preventing Danzo's plan from succeeding."
Fugaku looked at Gen with gratitude. He could see clearly now: Gen had political instincts far beyond Shisui's. Shisui was a prodigy in combat and stealth, but when it came to subtle manipulation and inter-clan diplomacy, Gen had already surpassed most.
The elders nodded in agreement. With blame set aside, attention turned to strategy.
"Let's discuss our next move," Fugaku said.
The room fell into a heavy silence.
One elder proposed they simply retract their agreement and refuse to move. Another wanted to stoke resistance among the general clansmen and let grassroots discontent pressure the village. A third thought appealing directly to the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi might work, given his past fairness.
Someone even suggested bringing other clans into the protest to force a more widespread negotiation, but that idea was dismissed dragging other clans down wouldn't solve the Uchiha's deeper alienation.
Yet, none of the options generated consensus.
Fugaku looked to Gen.
"Xuan, what's your idea?"
All eyes turned to Gen Uchiha, who calmly set down his cup.
"My idea's a bit unorthodox. It might cause some personal discomfort for you, Lord Fugaku."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "If it preserves the clan's future, a little discomfort means nothing. Speak."
Gen nodded, then explained carefully:
"If we want to reverse this without sparking open conflict, we need to create the illusion that the decision doesn't lie with you at all. We override your initial agreement by appealing to the will of the entire clan."
"We draft a joint statement signed by as many clan members as possible—clearly opposing the relocation. We submit it directly to the Third Hokage."
"Then you go to the Hokage privately, appearing helpless, showing that you can't suppress the collective will of the Uchiha. You present yourself as a loyal leader stuck between your clan and the village."
Gen's voice turned serious.
"This forces Sarutobi to act. He has always presented himself as someone who values the will of the people. If we corner him with public opinion from one of the strongest clans, he'll have to either side with us or risk alienating the entire Uchiha clan publicly."
"Danzo and his people have always manipulated the system using indirect influence. Let's repay them with the same tactics."
Everyone's eyes lit up.
"It's brilliant," said one elder. "But it will embarrass the clan head. If the news leaks, people will say he was overruled by his own clan."
Gen bowed his head. "That's true. But embarrassment is better than leading our clan into isolation and decline."
"Face can be recovered. Political ground, once lost, is harder to reclaim."
The implication was clear: if Fugaku refused, he would seem more concerned about his image than the clan's survival. And if too many in the room disagreed with him, his position as clan head would become unstable.
Fugaku's face darkened, but he remained silent. He knew this was a trap one that used his earlier mistake against him.
But it was also the best available option.
And it was exactly the kind of political play the village elites had always used on them.
Danzo weaponized fear. Gen was now weaponizing collective will.
Except this time, the Uchiha were the ones holding the pen.
At the end of the table, even Mikoto looked toward Fugaku. Her expression was calm, but there was resolve in her eyes.
And as Fugaku looked around—at his wife, the elders, Shisui, and Gen—he knew there was no turning back.
The future of the Uchiha would not be bartered away so easily.
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