"Shadow Clone Technique."
Uchiha Akihito formed hand seals, and with a puff of smoke, two identical clones appeared beside him.
"Have Masato and Tetsuya come see me."
With a calm instruction, the two clones swiftly departed.
If he wanted to save the Uchiha, he first had to become clan head.
And becoming clan head required more than simply defeating Uchiha Fugaku.
He also needed the support of the clan.
If he personally went around contacting people, however, it would inevitably diminish his standing. This sort of task required two trustworthy individuals to handle it on his behalf.
Akihito already enjoyed considerable prestige within the clan. Secretly gathering a group of supporters would not be difficult.
Since the Nine-Tails Incident, the hawkish faction within the Uchiha had been pushing for an armed coup.
Unfortunately, Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku was a thoroughgoing dove. He kept delaying, indulging in superficial peace and never making up his mind.
Because of this, there were quite a few within the clan dissatisfied with Fugaku—what they lacked was a capable leader to rally behind.
To compete for the position of clan head, three things were indispensable: strength, reputation, and qualifications.
Akihito had participated in the Third Great Ninja War and served as Vice Captain of the Konoha Police Force.
Known as the "Flame Oni of Konoha," he wielded the Uchiha clan's inherited swordsmanship and Fire Release techniques with masterful skill.
He was fully qualified to run for clan head.
His only shortcoming was likely his age.
After all,Uchiha Akihito was only sixteen.
…
After splashing some water on his face, Akihito cast aside his swirling thoughts.
Facing the mirror, he began adjusting his hairstyle and expression.
The Uchiha clan was renowned for their looks—practically the pinnacle of the ninja world—and Akihito was the pinnacle among pinnacles.
If the ninja world had an entertainment industry, he could have risen to the top purely on his appearance.
He secured his flowing black hair with his shinobi forehead protector, doing his best to make himself appear more mature.
He was already over 180 centimeters tall, and his naturally composed temperament made it easy for others to overlook his true age.
After carefully grooming himself, Akihito changed into a brand-new jōnin flak jacket and fastened his finely crafted sword at his waist before stepping out of the bathroom.
At this moment, his bearing was extraordinary and heroic—anyone who saw him would instinctively nod in approval.
When Akihito arrived at the first-floor hall, Masato and Tetsuya were already waiting.
"Akihito, you finally show yourself!"
"What's so important that you called us over this late?"
Upon seeing him, Masato and Tetsuya greeted him warmly.
Akihito smiled faintly and gestured for them to sit.
"We're brothers here. No need to be so formal. Let's sit and talk."
Masato and Tetsuya were his direct subordinates in the Police Force and former comrades-in-arms.
During the Third Great Ninja War, the three had frequently formed a squad to carry out missions, earning considerable merit through their seamless coordination.
Seeing Akihito treat them with such courtesy, a trace of emotion flickered in their eyes. There was a gap in status between them, yet Akihito had never once put on airs.
Both Masato and Tetsuya possessed jōnin-level strength and had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
After exchanging pleasantries, Akihito steered the conversation toward the main topic.
"No one else knows you came here tonight, right?"
His expression turned solemn. What he was about to say concerned the fate of the Uchiha—there could be no carelessness.
"Don't worry. You specifically told us to keep it quiet. We wouldn't expose ourselves so easily."
"Akihito, what exactly is so important?"
Seeing his grave expression, Masato and Tetsuya grew tense as well.
Even during the banquet at the clan head's house, they had sensed something off about him.
Calling them over at this hour meant it had to be something significant.
Akihito silently studied the two of them instead of speaking immediately.
Their friendship was genuine—but the matter of clan leadership was not about friendship. It concerned the future of the entire clan.
He needed them to follow him willingly.
Masato and Tetsuya exchanged a glance, remaining silent. They could both sense that Akihito's presence tonight was somehow different from usual.
After several minutes, Akihito took a deep breath and finally broke the silence.
"I've decided. At tomorrow's clan assembly, I will challenge the clan head."
His expression was resolute as he spoke each word clearly.
The clan assembly was a monthly event. All jōnin without active missions would attend.
"What?!"
Masato and Tetsuya shot to their feet, faces filled with disbelief.
"Akihito's going to challenge the clan head?"
"Did I just hear that wrong?"
Though they had expected something serious, they had never imagined he intended to challenge Fugaku.
They understood perfectly what challenging the clan head meant within the Uchiha.
Unlike other clans, the Uchiha had always revered strength above all. The position of clan head belonged to the strongest.
The principle of "might makes right" was engraved deep in every Uchiha's bones.
Judging by Akihito's expression, this was clearly no joke.
"Akihito… maybe you should think this through again?"
"Clan Head Fugaku won't be easy to deal with."
Uchiha Tetsuya forced a wry smile.
He knew Akihito's strength well—the absolute pinnacle among elite jōnin, someone capable of effortlessly defeating ordinary jōnin in seconds.