Inside the Uchiha clan, laughter didn't stop.
After Konoha's leadership made its decision, Fugaku's support shot up again—higher than it used to be—while the radicals could only grind their teeth in rage.
In the Clan Head's residence—
Shisui, dispatched by Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat in the tea room and spoke with formal respect. "Clan Head, your judgment was correct. Under your leadership, the Uchiha's situation in Konoha has finally eased significantly."
"I'm willing to become a blade in your hand and help you completely unify the Uchiha."
Shisui knew exactly what this was.
It was the Hokage's scheme—aimed mainly at the radicals.
But he still chose to follow it, because he believed it was temporary.
Once Uchiha Jhin—the cursed source of chaos—was eliminated, the Uchiha would surely be guided by the Hokage into becoming part of Konoha.
"Good. Very good!" Fugaku's stern face softened into a faint smile.
He knew this was, in truth, a free win.
But he didn't feel ashamed—he felt proud.
Because in Fugaku's mind, Uchiha Jhin was a chess piece.
Shisui's "defection" thrilled him, but he still held the Clan Head's posture. After a moment's thought, he continued, "The Uchiha's circumstances are improving. That's worth celebrating."
"Summon every clansman who has awakened their eyes to the Naka Shrine."
"Today, we celebrate properly."
Fugaku's intent wasn't difficult to read, and Shisui understood instantly.
As a newly "loyal" subordinate, Shisui bowed and took his leave, going to notify the others on Fugaku's behalf.
As the door slid shut, Fugaku's smile deepened.
Even Shisui had come to him.
Unifying the Uchiha was close now—and with such a fortunate day in hand, this was the perfect time to hammer the radicals into place.
Even if he couldn't subdue Uchiha Jhin and the radical leadership, pulling over some of the radical rank-and-file would still be a gain.
But in the shadows, Itachi's face twisted with pain and confusion.
He tailed Shisui, then stepped out and blocked his path.
"Shisui-niisan… why—"
"Shh. Don't speak." Shisui reacted instantly.
He pulled Itachi into a corner, then spoke in a careful, low voice. "This is the Hokage's arrangement. The one I truly serve is still the Hokage."
Only then did Itachi finally breathe out, relief loosening his chest.
The two spoke quietly for a few more moments, and Itachi left at last, satisfied.
Shisui smiled to himself and said nothing more. With a soft sigh, 'I'm not alone in this path,' and then he started contacting clan members.
The softliners and moderates had no objections. With news this good, a celebration was normal.
But the radicals were the opposite.
They'd already heard the truth from Uchiha Jhin. Single-minded didn't mean stupid—how could they not see it?
Jhin met Konoha's upper ranks, and almost immediately the surveillance was withdrawn—then suddenly the village claimed it was "because of Fugaku's sincerity."
Nonsense.
Did Fugaku have that kind of influence?
Of course not.
Jhin didn't argue with them. He only waved a hand, signaling for silence.
"Don't rush. Don't get angry."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi wants the Uchiha to fight each other. We can't let Konoha lead us around by the nose."
"I'll take Tekka and the others to the clan gathering. The rest of you will follow Elder Setsuna's command—use this time to begin the operation."
"Every radical, shinobi, or civilian, relocate near my home."
"Split all shinobi squads into morning, afternoon, and night rotations. Patrol and guard twenty-four hours a day."
"Set up every position—open and hidden posts. Everything."
"Do it quietly. Understood?"
His tone was still calm.
He started assigning tasks, piece by piece, as if this were routine.
The upper ranks' scheme wasn't subtle—anyone with basic reasoning could see it—so Jhin refused to be dragged into the enemy's rhythm.
He only cared about using this opening to confirm his own objectives.
Everyone nodded solemnly.
Since joining the radicals, Jhin had done one thing after another—decisive, brutal, effective—and it had conquered them completely.
Even when they didn't understand, they'd learned the habit:
Act first. Think later.
…
Half an hour later.
The Naka Shrine was full of noise and smiles, as if it was a holiday. Faces glowed with celebration.
But the moment the radicals arrived, the air snapped tight.
The softliners and moderates frowned, plain as day. They never liked the radicals—especially not the radicals under Uchiha Jhin's command.
To them, the Uchiha and Konoha were already tense enough.
And Jhin's radicals only poured oil onto the fire.
Fugaku wore a mild smile, voice warm. "Since you've come, take your seats."
"Today is a good day. No disputes. We're only celebrating."
As Fugaku spoke, the plants he'd arranged in advance began praising him—one after another, loud and shameless.
They discussed how under Fugaku's leadership, the Uchiha and Konoha had "broken the ice," and how today marked a huge step forward.
The message underneath was simple.
Fugaku is great—radicals, kneel.
The radicals couldn't take it anymore.
"You're spouting garbage. Is this Fugaku's doing?"
"Jhin-kun went to meet Konoha's elders, and right after that, the Root and ANBU withdrew—what does that have to do with Fugaku?"
"They didn't withdraw early. They didn't withdraw late. They withdrew right after Jhin-kun met the village."
"He comes into power with no achievements, and then steals someone else's credit—how can the Uchiha have someone this shameless?"
"It's obviously Konoha trying to stir up Uchiha infighting, and you idiots are celebrating like you've won something!"
"Hmph. Worthless."
The radicals' voices were sharp with ridicule.
These words fell like a slap on Fukagu's face.
Fugaku's expression darkened. Around him, others began to look thoughtful.
Because… it made sense.
It was too much of a coincidence.
They might be stubborn, and they might dislike the radicals, but they were still people who cared about reason.
If they didn't, Konoha wouldn't have been able to squeeze them this badly for so long.
As the radicals spoke, their look at Fugaku began to change.
Uchiha Jhin sat with narrowed eyes and a calm face.
He didn't argue; he didn't even try to stop them, as if he had nothing to prove.
He only watched Fugaku—quietly tracking every tremor in his expression, every tightening of the jaw.
Two minutes later, Fugaku's face turned red. He opened his mouth, trying to force out an explanation—
And Jhin cut him off.
"Enough. Shut up. All of you."
"Fugaku is our Clan Head. What's a little credit worth?"
"If the Clan Head wants it… Then give it to him."
Jhin's voice carried a dominating certainty.
He acted like he truly didn't care, like he was generous to a fault—so righteous and magnanimous it almost looked holy.
As if he would never let something so "small" endanger the Uchiha's future.