After the members of the hawkish faction filed into the shrine, the three people left standing at the entrance simply stared at one another.
None of them had any interest in speaking.
Their presence there was less about guarding against outsiders and more about keeping watch over their own clansmen.
After all, ever since the internal chaos caused by the abuse of the forbidden technique Izanagi—which had triggered bloody infighting within the clan and severely weakened its strength—trust among the Uchiha had long since begun to fracture.
At the height of that turmoil, different factions within the clan had even stationed people throughout the compound to monitor one another day and night. The hatred between them had reached a level that would have stunned any outsider.
If not for the sudden rise of Uchiha Jiri, who ultimately ended the chaos with the forbidden technique Izanami, the Uchiha clan might very well have vanished from the ninja world just like the Senju clan.
After all, the Uchiha's greatest enemy still sat inside Konoha's Hokage Tower.
As everyone entered the shrine's main hall, the previously calm atmosphere immediately grew heavy.
The interior of the hall was dim.
Only a single beam of cold daylight poured down from the high ceiling.
Dust drifted lazily through the pillar of light, illuminating the platform that displayed the Uchiha fan crest and making it appear solemn and dignified.
The hall itself was spacious enough to accommodate nearly a hundred people seated on the floor.
Yet at this moment, it was so quiet that even the faint rustling of clothing could be heard.
Under the watchful eyes of the dove faction and the clan head's faction, the hawkish members took their seats along the empty left side.
What shocked both factions was—
Uchiha Anlan calmly seated himself at the foremost position of the hawkish faction.
The seat that represented Uchiha Setsuna.
Beside him sat Uchiha Fugaku, his expression stern and his thick brows tightly furrowed.
Behind them knelt Uchiha Shisui, whose distinctive dango-shaped nose and extraordinary talent had already begun to show even at a young age, along with Uchiha Yakumi.
On the far right sat the members of the dove faction, led by Uchiha Huohe.
Behind him sat a young kunoichi who possessed both graceful beauty and a dignified heroic aura—
Uchiha Mikoto.
Beside her was a mature and full-figured female ninja who had once married outside the clan, awakened the Sharingan, and later been invited back into the Uchiha.
Uchiha Hazuki.
She was none other than the mother of Uchiha Izumi.
Altogether, more than fifty Uchiha were present inside the hall.
This number alone accounted for one quarter of Konoha's registered Jōnin.
Such was the terrifying weight of the ninja world's most powerful clan—and the very reason Konoha's leadership feared the Uchiha so deeply.
Among them, the hawkish faction alone made up nearly half.
After all, the militant faction had always been more popular among the Uchiha than the conservative or appeasement factions.
Unfortunately—
The Uchiha were ineffective both in internal struggle and external conflict.
In truth, they were nothing more than scattered sand.
Uchiha Anlan's gaze swept calmly across the hall.
Facing the puzzled looks from the others, he spoke slowly.
"Elder Setsuna is advanced in years and no longer able to personally handle clan affairs."
"I will attend this clan meeting in his place."
The moment those words fell, silence filled the hall.
Only the beam of sunlight continued drifting slowly across the floor, dividing the Uchiha clan crest into halves of light and shadow.
Many Uchiha showed surprise at Setsuna's decision.
But soon, their gazes turned toward the front of the hall.
If one spoke of advanced age, there were still two highly respected elders present.
And among the Uchiha—
Pride mattered greatly.
Even their rivalry with the Senju over the Hokage position had partly stemmed from that pride.
After all, the "Fire" in Hokage had originally symbolized the Uchiha's fire.
Setsuna has already made his choice… why should this old man cling to an empty title?
Lowering his gaze, Uchiha Huohe glanced subtly at the successor seated beside him.
A faint glimmer flashed in his eyes as his thoughts settled.
Although Uchiha Mikoto's strength could not compare with the leaders of the other two factions, she possessed advantages they lacked.
As a woman—and with Huohe's careful guidance over the years—she could navigate between factions.
She could act as a mediator.
Or help the clan head's faction restrain the increasingly powerful hawkish faction.
From any perspective, she was capable of taking on such responsibility.
As for Mikoto's marriage…
I will let her decide for herself.
Huohe thought of the marriage proposals that had come from both Uchiha Setsuna and the clan head.
Their successors—Uchiha Anlan and Uchiha Fugaku—were both outstanding figures within the clan and carried tremendous influence behind them.
Whichever one Mikoto married would inevitably cause major upheaval within the clan.
For the sake of stability, Huohe had never approved either proposal.
Instead, he had quietly observed the two young men.
Over time, aside from strength, the differences between them—in temperament and decision-making—had become increasingly clear.
Stability was necessary for a clan's long-term survival.
But lifeless stability, when faced with external pressure, could only lead to destruction.
In the ninja world, there was a saying similar to judging a person's future from childhood.
And by that measure—
Uchiha Fugaku was no different from the current clan head.
His future was easy to predict.
But Uchiha Anlan was different.
Calm and composed, never rash in his actions, he always moved with clear purpose.
Several proposals he had raised during past clan meetings had brought tangible benefits to the entire Uchiha clan and greatly eased tensions between the factions.
This was a capability Fugaku simply did not possess.
If Fugaku became clan head, the clan would only repeat the same cycle.
And besides…
Mikoto likely already has someone in her heart.
After reaching his conclusion, Uchiha Huohe suddenly raised his head and spoke.
"If Elder Setsuna cannot attend such an important clan meeting, it seems his age has truly caught up with him."
As he spoke, he stood and turned toward the clan head.
"Clan Head, this old man will go visit Elder Setsuna on behalf of the clan."
"For this meeting, Mikoto will represent me and make decisions in my stead."
Those words caused many Uchiha present to raise their heads in surprise.
Uchiha Mikoto parted her lips as if to speak—
But when she met Huohe's gaze, she fell silent.
The old man smiled gently.
"Mikoto, I leave everything to you."
He paused briefly before adding meaningfully,
"Of course… you may also do whatever you believe is right."
Finally, he bowed slightly.
"Clan Head, I will take my leave."
The members of the dove faction immediately stood and bowed deeply as Uchiha Huohe departed.
Then they turned together and bowed respectfully toward Uchiha Mikoto.
Just like the hawkish faction earlier—
The transfer of authority within the dove faction was completed smoothly.
Taking a deep breath, Uchiha Mikoto moved to the front seat of the dove faction.
As she did so, she happened to meet Uchiha Anlan's smiling gaze.
She blinked in response.
Between them sat Uchiha Fugaku, still calm and composed.
At the front of the hall sat the clan head, his eyes sharp and posture upright.
Watching Uchiha Huohe leave without hesitation, a shadow formed in his heart.
Both the hawkish and dove faction leaders had relinquished their authority at the same time.
In doing so, they had effectively placed him on a burning rack.
So be it.
I never intended to remain clan head much longer anyway. Their departure may not be a bad thing.
But Huohe leaving—especially when he and I had always shared a tacit understanding—is definitely not good.
Now that the young Uchiha Mikoto had become the leader of the dove faction—
Whether she would continue Huohe's cautious approach and align with the clan head's faction…
That remained entirely uncertain.