The Uchiha clan head felt a headache forming as he sensed how quickly the situation was shifting.
He looked toward Uchiha Fugaku, who sat calmly with a steady expression and the bearing of a capable commander.
In the past, Fugaku's composure in the face of any situation had always pleased him.
But now, seeing Uchiha Anlan and Uchiha Mikoto exchanging glances while his own foolish son remained perfectly calm, he suddenly felt an inexplicable irritation rising in his chest.
What on earth is this child thinking? They're practically launching an attack right in front of you, and you're just sitting there?
At least nod and offer congratulations!
The clan head, who at least understood a bit about social etiquette, sighed inwardly as he looked at Fugaku—who somehow appeared even calmer than himself.
Forget it.
If Fugaku cannot fight for it himself, then giving him the position of clan head might bring disaster rather than blessing.
While the three of us old bones can still hold things together for a few more years, we might as well observe a little longer.
Regardless of their factions, whether it was Uchiha Setsuna, Uchiha Huohe, or himself—
The glory of the clan had always been placed above everything else.
Besides, the clan head position had essentially fallen into his hands by circumstance.
Passing it on to someone more suitable carried no psychological burden for him.
The clan head cleared his throat lightly, drawing the attention of everyone present.
"The purpose of this clan meeting is mainly to announce two matters."
The old clan head spoke directly.
"First, the Hokage Tower has requested that our clan immediately dispatch at least ten Jōnin squads to the eastern coastal border to guard against Kirigakure ninja, who have recently grown restless and may have already crossed the sea."
A full Jōnin squad consisted of one Jōnin and three Chūnin.
Being able to produce ten such squads at once—
Among the entire Konoha village, no clan other than the Uchiha could accomplish that.
As for the Hyūga clan?
Their development had long since become distorted. Most of their strength was spent suppressing the numerous Branch House members while protecting the small Main House.
This imbalance made it difficult for them to produce Kage-level fighters, and even their number of Jōnin was pitifully small.
The Hyūga shouted slogans loudly, but in reality their primary function was reconnaissance.
"Second," the clan head continued,
"based on war achievements, the Hokage has promised to open up more Jōnin positions and ANBU slots to our clan to the greatest extent possible."
As his words fell, the reactions within the hall varied.
Some showed clear excitement.
Others barely concealed their dissatisfaction.
Everyone knew that having the strength of a Jōnin did not necessarily mean holding the rank of one.
Within Konoha, aside from the benefits and privileges attached to the position, every Jōnin also possessed voting rights and eligibility for election.
Yet among the entire Uchiha clan, fewer than fifteen were officially registered as Konoha Jōnin.
Most of those held the title only because they served as captains within the Konoha Police Force.
The rest were clan shinobi not formally recognized by the village.
Among Konoha's more than two hundred Jōnin, the Uchiha's official representation barely made a ripple.
But if their numbers increased—
The situation might change.
Although, even then, it might not matter.
More importantly, the ANBU positions, formally known as the Assassination Tactical Special Forces, were what truly excited many members of the clan head's faction and the dove faction.
To them, it felt like Konoha's leadership was finally extending goodwill toward the Uchiha.
On one hand, they could protect Konoha.
On the other, they could gain the Hokage's trust.
Such a win-win opportunity prompted Uchiha Fugaku to speak immediately.
"I am willing to lead a squad to the front line and repel Kirigakure!"
Uchiha Yakumi and Uchiha Shisui also spoke up, each volunteering to lead a squad.
After their statements, the atmosphere inside the shrine suddenly fell silent.
Logically speaking, the dove faction should have followed next.
This strange silence made Uchiha Fugaku's brows furrow.
His gaze first fell upon Uchiha Mikoto's gentle face.
She only responded with a polite yet distant smile.
That courteous reaction immediately gave Fugaku a bad feeling.
His gaze swept behind her, where the members of the dove faction sat in collective silence.
His brows tightened further, forming a deep crease.
What do they mean by this?
Are they expecting me to fill all ten squads by myself?
Though if that meant earning enormous war merits and improving the clan's standing within Konoha…
It might not be a bad thing.
After all, someone from the Uchiha had to fight and bleed regardless.
That thought appeared in his mind.
Unconsciously, Uchiha Fugaku glanced toward the clan head's seat.
That glance initially confused the old clan head.
But then he noticed Fugaku subtly move his hand.
Immediately, a Jōnin from the clan head's faction volunteered to fill the next slot.
Once the clan head realized what was happening, a surge of suppressed anger rose in his chest.
He nearly wanted to slap his foolish son across the face right then and there.
Yet in that brief moment of distraction, another member of the clan head's faction raised his hand.
The Uchiha were about to enter the battlefield.
They would face Kirigakure—one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
In such battles, even Kage-level shinobi could die if they were careless.
This was not some easy mission with high rewards and minimal danger.
Suppressing the frustration boiling inside him, the old clan head raised his hand to draw attention.
Looking toward both the hawkish and dove factions—who remained silent as if waiting for something—he quickly spoke.
"Anlan. Mikoto."
"What are your thoughts?"
As the newly risen leaders of their respective factions, their subordinates would naturally not speak unless they did.
Watching the clan head's faction volunteer half the squads in the blink of an eye, both the hawkish and dove factions looked toward them with strange expressions.
War was no game.
People would die.
We are all Uchiha. We are all part of Konoha.
Then why is Brother Fugaku the only one volunteering so eagerly?
Has Sister Mikoto changed?
And what is Brother Anlan thinking?
Feeling the gazes of both factions, Uchiha Shisui felt deeply uncomfortable.
It was as if a complete family had been forcibly split into three pieces.
The love and trust between clan members had shattered beyond repair.
He looked at Uchiha Mikoto, still gentle and composed.
Then he looked at Uchiha Anlan, smiling calmly.
Recalling the words Anlan had spoken earlier in the meeting, Shisui quietly waited for what would come next.
"Clan Head," Uchiha Mikoto spoke calmly.
"The Uchiha are part of Konoha. Fighting for the village and defending the Land of Fire is only natural."
"But I have a small question."
Hearing this, Fugaku and the others brightened with anticipation.
Only the old clan head felt his heart suddenly skip a beat.
Within the beam of sunlight pouring down from the ceiling, Uchiha Mikoto straightened her back and raised her head calmly.
Her clear voice echoed throughout the hall.
"The Uchiha fighting for Konoha is our duty."
"But why does Konoha always stand above us, treating the merits and rewards we rightfully deserve as if they were charity?"
She paused slightly.
Her gaze swept across the hall before settling back on the clan head.
Her voice remained gentle and composed—
Yet every word was as sharp as a blade.
"A ninja accepts a mission."
"Completes the mission."
"And receives the mission's reward."
"Clan Head, may I ask—"
"Is there anything improper in this process?"
"Or is it that the communication between you, as clan head, and Konoha's leadership… already contains a serious problem?"
Her words were like a bucket of icy water thrown into the faces of Fugaku and the others in the middle of winter.
Even the old clan head's expression froze in astonishment.