c115: Different Approaches but Similar Effects
To risk disgrace in front of so many was not something Uchiha Fugaku took lightly. But he did not hesitate to be seen as disingenuous, for he understood the consequences of inaction.
Fugaku's expression shifted several times before he finally clenched his jaw and declared, "As long as I can protect the Uchiha's dignity, our clan's interests, and our future then I will bear whatever consequences come!"
The elders nodded in swift approval, offering immediate praise. As for Gen, Shisui, and Mikoto, their expressions remained thoughtful and reserved uncertain how to respond.
"We should act sooner rather than later," one elder said firmly. "Let us convene a clan meeting tonight."
Having made his decision, Fugaku felt the burden on his shoulders ease slightly. Striking while the iron was hot, he sought to advance the plan.
The others nodded in general agreement, but Gen Uchiha slowly shook his head.
"This issue is not suited for an open clan meeting," he said flatly.
"Why not?" asked Shisui, a frown creasing his brow.
All eyes turned toward Gen, waiting for his explanation.
"If we aim to persuade the clan members to sign in support of this petition, a general meeting will force us to expose too much Danzo's secret machinations, the council's suppression of Uchiha authority, and the deeper political manipulations."
"If the heads of the main branch families hear all of this, word will inevitably trickle down to the broader clan and from there, to the village."
"When too many people are involved, everyone brings their own biases, interests, and personal agendas. It becomes nearly impossible to achieve unity of thought."
"Not all clan members share our long-term strategic perspective. Many are short-sighted and might be misled by short-term advantages offered by Danzo and the others."
"If even a small faction opposes us, internal dissent will grow and Danzo will seize the opportunity to divide us further."
"Worse still, once this becomes public knowledge, it will widen the rift between Uchiha and the Hokage administration."
"That is dangerous."
"If Danzo starts spreading news of so-called 'favorable terms' supposedly agreed upon by the clan head, we'll be forced to reveal everything to counteract his narrative."
"That will have two effects: first, it will let the villagers know how insidious Danzo's plans truly are. Second, it will publicly smear the reputation of Danzo and his faction especially if the truth spreads among the other clans."
"But keep in mind the Nine-Tails' rampage happened just a few years ago. The village is still healing. Danzo and his ilk are using the fear of another disaster to tighten their control and vilify us."
"If they can be exposed without directly escalating the conflict, so much the better. But if they double down and suppress us further, then we'll have no choice but to make our move."
"However, if things escalate, reconciliation will be nearly impossible. We'll be forced to either surrender all leverage or enter open confrontation."
"Our clan, powerful though it may be, is still not in a dominant position. Danzo, Homura, and Koharu are close to the Third Hokage and form a powerful political block."
"Unless we gain overwhelming strength or have no other option—we must avoid words and actions that fracture village unity."
"Let the narrative be this: Uchiha is being targeted, bullied, and suppressed. Let us earn the sympathy of the other clans and the support of the common villagers and shinobi."
"If that happens, the Hokage who is the symbolic protector of the Will of Fire.will be forced to curb Danzo's overreach."
"Since Hiruzen Sarutobi is the face of moral justice in Konoha, he must act in accordance with that role."
As Gen spoke, his calm tone and thoughtful reasoning surprised the room. Everyone was impressed not just by his analysis, but also by his youth. Such maturity and foresight at his age stood in stark contrast to the emotional and impulsive tendencies of most Uchiha.
He was, many silently admitted, the clan's hidden strategist.
…
In truth, no one present was naïve. They hadn't reached the same conclusion simply due to mental inertia.
The Uchiha clan had long held a tradition of monthly clan meetings. Discussing every issue in that forum had become habitual even instinctual.
What appeared to be democratic governance was, in fact, highly inefficient.
With too many voices, consensus became elusive. And even if unity was reached, it often came too late by then, the opportunity was already lost.
In the manga, the Uchiha's eventual plan was to initiate a coup not a rebellion to destroy Konoha, but a targeted strike to depose the village leadership.
Their goal wasn't destruction.it was control. They sought to remove Danzo, the elders, and perhaps even the Hokage, and replace them with Uchiha leadership.
Of course, to the Konoha administration and its loyalists, this was treason.
Perspective determined the label. People naturally frame their own actions in a positive light.
Still, the truth remained: years of delay and division had doomed the coup from the start.
Spies like Itachi and internal traitors ensured there was no chance of success.
In Gen's eyes, the clan's decision-making system itself was flawed. The paradox was clear: small matters were handled by elders, but major life-and-death issues were debated by the whole clan.
That model lacked both secrecy and efficiency.
A better method would be to let the top-level leaders reach consensus quietly, then secure middle-level support. Any dissenters would be contained to prevent leaks.
Only on the eve of the operation would lower-level clan members be informed. With middle management backing the decision, they could rally the rank and file with carefully crafted rhetoric.
Those who refused could be neutralized. Those more dangerous silenced permanently.
Once unity was reached, a swift strike against the heart of the village's leadership would follow.
Such was the cold logic of real-world power struggles. The kind of thinking any shrewd strategist would eventually adopt.
Still, Gen knew this wasn't the time to present such structural criticisms. He was merely a squad leader not an elder, and certainly not the clan head. He lacked the power and authority to challenge the system openly.
…
"Gen," Shisui asked slowly, "if we don't disclose the full truth, how can we convince everyone to sign?"
"What do you think, Mikoto-san?" Gen countered with a small smile, shifting the spotlight.
Uchiha Mikoto's eyes lit up. She understood this was her moment to shine. The question wasn't difficult, and Gen was giving her space to contribute.
With a slight laugh, she replied, "You're testing me now?"
Then, her tone turning serious, Mikoto continued, "We don't need to explain anything. Have the Police Force ninjas treat it as a mission distribute the forms and collect signatures."
"For civilian families without shinobi, we send trusted ninja to gather support on their behalf."
Shisui blinked, realization dawning.
He had been overthinking, always searching for intricate methods, and had missed the simplest path use the village's shinobi system to create structure and order.
Fugaku and the elders nodded in approval. The method was simple, efficient, and offered plausible deniability. They authorized the plan immediately.
"Ahem, Gen," Fugaku said, "one last question…"
"If the Third Hokage refuses to revise the proposal for reconstruction, what then?"
Everyone fell silent, their attention turning once more to Gen.
"Based on what the clan head said about the recent meeting," Gen began, "the Hokage didn't intentionally suppress us. He just deferred to the agreement we had already made."
"So, the odds of his personal opposition are low."
"But… if we rally the entire clan and he still refuses then conventional methods are useless."
"What's the alternative?" an elder asked cautiously.
"A direct protest."
"A march?"
"Yes," Gen affirmed. "We organize a peaceful march through the village. We do not oppose the Hokage but we publicly target Danzo and the elders."
"In this way, we avoid direct confrontation with Sarutobi Hiruzen and prevent a total rupture with Konoha."
The room filled with murmurs of agreement. This plan, like the petition, relied on shaping public opinion. Danzo and his allies, for all their secrecy, could not withstand open exposure.
If the Uchiha could control the narrative, they could finally control their fate.
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