Chapter 468: When in Doubt, Find Mugetsu
"I believe we should demand that the Third Hokage grant the Police Force the right to proactive engagement, no longer limiting us to maintaining security inside the village," Elder Shin declared, revealing the true purpose of this clan meeting. "We should be able to fight enemies independently and let those outsiders witness the might of the Uchiha!"
He was dissatisfied with the Police Force's current authority. In his eyes, the Uchiha deserved far more.
To Shin, the idea was brilliant. Konoha would eliminate its enemies, and the Uchiha would gain fame and influence. A perfect win win.
Fugaku's expression shifted slightly. He had not expected Shin to be this radical.
The "right to proactive engagement" sounded simple, but the meaning behind it was dangerous. It meant the Police Force could gather forces at any time, form a combat unit, and wage war.
Without even thinking hard, Fugaku knew Hiruzen would never agree. This was a direct attempt to seize authority that belonged to the Hokage alone.
"I support Elder Shin proposal," an Uchiha jonin said at once, voice firm. "It makes perfect sense. Our clan is powerful. Keeping us confined to village security work is a waste of talent."
"I agree. The more enemies the Uchiha eliminate, the safer Konoha becomes. That protects the village too."
"Not only proactive engagement," another added, appetite growing. "The Police Force should have greater autonomy. We should be able to add positions freely."
"I support it," Inabi spoke up as well. "War tempers shinobi and strengthens them."
Inabi did not hate police work, but it was too comfortable. If the Police Force had the right to proactive engagement, he could leave the village and fight whenever needed.
"The hawkish faction is rising again," Nobuhiro sighed so softly it was almost imperceptible.
Ever since Setsuna's coup failed, the Uchiha hawks had been dealt a crushing blow. Most of their core members had been captured and imprisoned by Tobirama.
Nobuhiro had always thought it would take decades for that faction to recover.
He had not expected them to regain momentum this quickly.
"I object."
Shisui stood up immediately.
At only eight years old, sitting on a cushion, he could easily be swallowed by the crowd. If he stayed seated, many might not even realize who was speaking. So he stood, making it unmistakable.
"The Third Hokage will never approve this proposal. All it will do is make Konoha's leadership even more wary of us."
Hearing someone deny his proposal so completely, Shin's gaze sharpened as he searched for the dissenter.
When he realized it was Shisui, the very genius he had praised moments ago, Shin's expression darkened.
He had just called Shisui the pride of the clan, and now Shisui was publicly refuting him without even a hint of restraint.
"Shisui," Shin said, forcing a benevolent look onto his face, "you are still young. There are many things you do not understand. In times like this, it is best to listen to your elders."
He disliked Shisui's "ingratitude," but he could not scold him outright.
Not now.
He had just elevated Shisui. If he started tearing him down immediately, he would be slapping his own words.
So Shin endured it, even as irritation simmered.
At the same time, he made a decision.
Shisui would never endorse the hawkish ideology. From now on, Shin would not promote Shisui again. He would focus on Obito instead.
Obito seemed easier to guide. Even when Shin exaggerated Obito's achievements, Obito would correct him. The boy was too straightforward.
"Exactly," a hawkish Uchiha chimed in. "At your age, Shisui, you should read more clan history and listen more."
"I don't recall any rule stating that age limits one's right to speak at a clan meeting," Shisui replied evenly. "Even if I am only eight years old, I am a jonin, just like Elder Shin."
Several hawks who were about to jump in fell silent at once.
Many of them were only chunin. In rank, they were beneath Shisui.
Even though Shin had announced Shisui as the youngest jonin, Shisui's height and face were deceptive. It was still difficult for people to truly picture him as a Konoha jonin until he said it himself.
"In a clan meeting, any clan member who is a shinobi may speak freely," Fugaku said after a brief pause, giving a slow nod.
Fugaku was neither hawkish nor dovish. As clan head, such labels did not fit him.
He stood with Uchiha interests.
And Shin's proposal was absurd. Taking it to Hiruzen and Konoha's leadership would only increase suspicion and bring no tangible benefit to the clan.
That was why Fugaku spoke in Shisui's favor.
Shin glanced at Fugaku, then looked back at Shisui.
"I cannot guarantee the proposal will be approved," Shin said. "But even if it is rejected, that does not mean our effort is wasted. We must make Konoha's leadership understand the demands of the Uchiha. We must receive treatment that matches our strength."
Shisui's heart sank.
This was exactly the problem. Shin was too articulate.
He had wrapped his starting point in the banner of the entire Uchiha clan, making it sound as if anyone opposing him was sabotaging the clan's "good intentions." He also framed Hiruzen's refusal as unfair treatment, so even if the proposal failed, Shin's standing inside the clan would not suffer.
As Shisui predicted, agitation spread instantly. Even some Uchiha who had been silent began leaning toward Shin.
Shisui's mind raced.
He had to shut this down, and he had to do it before it grew roots.
The history and politics Teacher Mugetsu had taught him finally proved their worth. Combining that knowledge with the Uchiha's current reality, Shisui found the path forward.
To achieve his goal, he needed two things.
First, the clan had to understand this proposal was not merely "unlikely" to pass. It was impossible. "Might fail" and "will fail" were entirely different.
Second, he needed status equal to Shin's, so he could contest him on the same footing. Otherwise, the first point would never land.
To make the clan understand impossibility, Shisui would have to explain it clearly enough that even someone with no political sense could grasp it.
But without equal standing, many would dismiss him out of bias, assuming he was just attacking their favored elder.
Shin could also twist words and exploit any gap in Shisui's argument.
Shisui understood the Uchiha too well. This was not a clan that could be convinced by logic alone.
Yet gaining equal status was the hardest part.
Becoming an elder did not happen overnight. War merit and clan merit were not the same thing. There was no world where Shisui became an elder at eight years old.
But Shisui had one clever idea.
By Uchiha custom, if he defeated Shin in combat, then even if Shin was an elder and Shisui was a child, the clan would still view them as equals.
"Should I challenge Shin right here?" Shisui hesitated. "Would that be too extreme?"
He was not worried about losing. He believed he would most likely win.
After breaking through with his Breathing Technique, he was confident he could solo one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Shinobi at that level were rare even within the Uchiha.
Shin's raw strength was, at most, comparable to his. The odds of Shin being stronger were very small.
Shisui's confidence also came from a decisive advantage.
Shin could not possibly know about Flame Breathing Chakra Mode or Armament Haki.
Shisui, on the other hand, knew the Uchiha's techniques and fighting habits like the back of his hand.
What held him back was not fear. It was consequence.
If Shisui challenged Shin openly and won, Shin's pride might shatter. He could become desperate, turning into a stubborn enemy who opposed Shisui at every step. That would poison Shisui's long term plans.
Shisui did not want to deepen internal conflict.
He wanted to unify the clan's strength, not split it further.
Nobuhiro was just about to stand and support Shisui. He could not sit by and watch the hawkish faction expand unchecked.
At that moment, Fugaku spoke.
"The matter of proactive engagement is of great importance," Fugaku said. "This clan meeting will be suspended and reconvened in one week for further discussion."
Normally, a dovish elder would step forward and refute Shin' directly.
But Shengqing had positioned himself as speaking for the Uchiha as a whole. As clan head, Fugaku could not appear to stand against the clan itself.
And no matter how Fugaku tried to hint, the dovish elders only wore helpless expressions, as if to say they were willing but unable.
So Fugaku used the only tool he had left: delay.
As clan head, he had the right.
"Clan Head, your insight is profound," Shin responded immediately, conceding without resistance. "This matter is indeed significant to our clan. Taking an extra week to deliberate is better than rushing."
Then he added smoothly, voice still polite.
"However, even important matters cannot be delayed indefinitely. Indecision is a major taboo."
His intent was obvious.
He could not stop Fugaku from using his authority. Unless he somehow rallied the clan to remove Fugaku, which was impossible. Fugaku's ability and strength were recognized by everyone.
So Shin agreed, praised Fugaku, and made sure Fugaku could not use the same tactic again next week.
Fugaku could only nod, expression controlled. One week was one week. Perhaps within that time, he could find an answer.
"Then the meeting is adjourned," Fugaku announced.
The Uchiha dispersed, clustering with familiar faces, excitement humming through the shrine as they discussed what had just happened.
"Obito, it's over. We can go back now," Shisui said, gently poking Obito beside him.
Ever since Obito had exchanged a single sentence with Shin, he had gone distant eyed, and it had continued until now.
"Oh. Oh, it's over?" Obito blinked, snapping back to attention. He stood and nodded. "Then yeah, let's go."
The moment Obito decided Shin was another boring adult, he had immediately activated his distraction technique and retreated into his own world, shutting out everything else.
"Obito, you go ahead. I have a small matter to handle," Shisui said, shaking his head.
Even with the meeting suspended, the crisis was not resolved.
He needed a solution that would stop the proposal while minimizing internal damage.
"Alright, I'll head back first," Obito said, waving. "Bye, Shisui. Bye, Uncle Nobuhiro."
Then Shisui turned to Nobuhiro. "Uncle, you go back too. I have something to do elsewhere."
"Alright," Nobuhiro replied. "If you need help, come to my house and find me."
He needed to speak with the dovish Uchiha as well. The clan's current direction could not be ignored.
Finally, Shisui glanced toward Fugaku, who had not yet left.
Based on Fugaku's performance tonight, Shisui judged that Fugaku also opposed Shin's proposal. But for certain reasons, he had not spoken further on Shisui's behalf after the delay.
"Shisui, do you need something?" Fugaku asked, noticing Shisui's gaze.
After this meeting, Fugaku admired Shisui even more.
Despite his age, Shisui's thinking already surpassed many adult Uchiha. In comparison, Obito's political sense was lacking.
"No," Shisui said, shaking his head. "Goodbye, Uncle Fugaku."
Then he left.
Fugaku opposed Shin, but he clearly did not have a real solution yet. Otherwise, he would not have delayed the meeting by a week.
After leaving Naka Shrine, Shisui headed straight for Konoha's central district and stopped at Mugetsu's doorstep.
Since Shisui could not find a clean answer on his own, he went to the person he trusted most.
He knocked. Once inside, he explained everything, holding nothing back.
After listening, Mugetsu nodded slightly.
"Your general direction isn't wrong."
"Do you mean I should challenge Elder Shin within the week, then explain everything at the next meeting?" Shisui asked.
Mugetsu shook his head.
"If you don't want to become mortal enemies with him, you can't be that direct."
Mugetsu's gaze sharpened, thoughts already arranged.
"Fugaku supports you, doesn't he? Then have Fugaku organize a sparring exhibition under the pretext of improving the clan's overall quality."
"Those who perform well can receive guidance from an elder. And the elder assigned to guide you will coincidentally be Shin."
Mugetsu's tone remained calm, as if he were discussing training schedules rather than clan politics.
"Then you defeat him with a posture that is only slightly superior."
If Shisui openly challenged Shin during a clan meeting and won, Mugetsu felt Shin might actually lose his mind. Uchiha pride could be that fragile.
Shisui's eyes lit up as he understood.
This way, even if Shin lost, resentment would be less likely.
After all, it would look like coincidence. Shisui was simply too strong.
An Uchiha would not blame someone for being stronger. They would blame themselves for being insufficient.
"Still," Mugetsu added, voice measured, "don't place too much hope in it. It depends on the person. Some will hold a grudge no matter what, because you made them lose face."
No matter how tactful the setup, defeat was still defeat. Especially in front of an audience, the shame could not be erased.
"Understood," Shisui nodded.
Then he asked the question that had been gnawing at him the entire walk over.
"Teacher Mugetsu… Elder Shin's thinking is sharp. He should understand this can't succeed. So why is he still pushing it?"
Shisui could not believe someone with Shin's rhetoric was too ignorant to see the reality.
This was not a small request, like higher pay or better benefits. It concerned a core power.
Mugetsu looked at him seriously.
"Sometimes, something that harms the group isn't necessarily harmful to him."
Mugetsu's words were steady, almost clinical.
"You think this is serious because it will make Konoha's leadership more wary of the Uchiha. But from Shin's perspective, the Uchiha already distrust Konoha's leadership, so what does one more mark matter?"
"As long as there's no coup, Konoha's leadership won't move against the Uchiha."
Mugetsu continued without pause.
"And once Konoha rejects the proposal, Shin can use that rejection to stir emotions, expand the hawkish faction, and gather more followers."
"For him, it's beneficial, and it costs him nothing."
Shisui fell silent.
He realized he had underestimated Shin.
He still lacked experience, in too many ways.
Then, quietly, he felt genuine gratitude rise in his chest.
"Luckily… I have Teacher Mugetsu."
.....
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