Everyone's expressions were grim, and the atmosphere in the room was heavy.
The Uchiha Clan was proud—arrogant, even—but they were not fools.
A clan meeting at nearly two in the morning?
There was no doubt—
It was aimed at them.
"Fugaku has gone too far!"
"We just dealt with Root, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo haven't even responded yet—but Fugaku is already panicking!"
"If outsiders heard this, they'd think Fugaku was Hiruzen's lapdog!"
"..."
Voices filled with indignation rose one after another.
Especially when they recalled that Fugaku had once been chosen by them as clan head—
The disgust they felt now was as if they had swallowed something foul.
Uchiha Jin frowned slightly.
Although his speech had been interrupted, he showed no anger.
Instead, he raised a hand, silencing the room.
"Before we gain the power to dominate the ninja world like Madara," he said calmly, "a bit of arrogance is fine—but we still have to follow the rules of the game."
"Let's go."
Without another word, he turned and headed toward Naka Shrine.
The others followed closely behind.
Though many of them didn't fully understand his meaning, Jin had already proven his strength—and as a Mangekyō user, his authority was unquestionable.
In the language of the ninja world—
He had already proven himself.
---
Ten minutes later. Naka Shrine.
The Moderate and Gentle Factions had already arrived.
Their faces were dark, their eyes burning with anger.
The reason was simple.
In their view, the Uchiha Clan's situation was already dire enough.
Yet Uchiha Jin—this newly risen Mangekyō wielder—had not stabilized the clan as expected.
Instead—
He had become the greatest source of instability.
Especially tonight.
He had struck at Root again.
The Radical Faction's previous reckless actions had only barely been suppressed by the Hokage.
And now—
Again?
The Gentle and Moderate Factions had finally had enough.
For the first time in a long while, they had united.
Their goal was clear—
To use this clan meeting to teach Uchiha Jin a lesson.
---
At that moment, the Radical Faction arrived.
Led by Uchiha Jin, they ignored the almost murderous gazes directed at them and calmly took their seats.
"Alright. The clan meeting will now begin."
Fugaku's brows were tightly furrowed as he spoke directly:
"Tonight, Root lost three squads—and Anbu lost one as well."
"Elder Setsuna… do you have anything to say about this?"
Straight to the point.
There was no need for pleasantries between people who knew each other so well.
Shisui followed immediately:
"Hokage-sama is struggling to restrain Lord Danzo. However, out of goodwill, he is still willing to give the Uchiha Clan a chance."
His gaze hardened.
"Elder Setsuna, the clan's situation is extremely dangerous."
"I hope you will hand over those responsible."
"Otherwise, even Hokage-sama will be unable to help us."
One after another, voices joined in—
Almost all of them condemning the Radical Faction.
They longed for stability.
Over time, many had already been assimilated into the village's way of thinking.
Combined with the Uchiha's inherently rigid mindset, they genuinely trusted Hiruzen Sarutobi.
This was—
The Uchiha mindset.
Once they believed in something, it was nearly impossible to change.
Even those who appeared gentle—like Shisui or Itachi in the original story—were no exception.
In fact—
They were often the most extreme.
This was precisely why Uchiha Jin had never considered recruiting them.
Before his transmigration, he had thought changing the Uchiha would be simple.
But after living among them—
He had completely discarded that idea.
It was impossible.
Even the so-called "gentle" ones were extremists at their core.
That was why they could awaken the Mangekyō.
And Jin himself—
Was no different.
With memories from two lifetimes, he too was an extremist.
The only difference was that his upbringing had given him broader knowledge and perspective.
That was also why—
When his parents were taken by Root, he never sought help from anyone.
Even now, after awakening the Mangekyō and seizing control of the Radical Faction—
He still hadn't revealed the truth.
Because he understood—
Extremists only trusted themselves.
---
"Haha, my apologies."
Uchiha Setsuna suddenly spoke with a faint smile.
"This old man has already retired."
"If you have anything to discuss—speak to Jin."
"After unanimous agreement within our faction, Lord Jin is now the leader of the Radical Faction… and will also take over my position as clan elder."
He spoke casually.
As if announcing something trivial.
But his words—
Shocked the entire room into silence.
Fugaku's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Elder Setsuna… you're stepping down?"
"Yes. Do you have an issue with that?" Setsuna replied indifferently.
Fugaku fell silent.
Shisui's expression darkened as he stepped forward.
"Lord Jin may be strong, but he is too young."
"And the position of clan elder requires nomination and election. How can it simply be handed over in private?"
Setsuna didn't even blink.
Instead, a faint, mocking smile appeared on his lips.
"All members of the Radical Faction support Lord Jin."
"Would you like to hold a vote right here?"
Shisui froze.
He knew—
A vote would be meaningless.
Even if the Gentle and Moderate Factions opposed it, the Radical Faction alone was enough to secure the result.
After all—
This wasn't an election for clan head.
Taking a deep breath, Shisui turned to Jin, his expression solemn.
"Elder Jin."
"Let's return to the matter at hand."
"This issue concerns the survival of the Uchiha Clan."
"I hope you can give us a clear answer."
"Hand over those responsible."
"Don't make things difficult for Hokage-sama."
---
Silence fell.
All eyes turned toward Uchiha Jin.
Everyone wanted to see—
How this newly appointed leader would handle the situation.
If he refused, he would provoke the village.
If he complied, he would lose the trust of his own faction.
An impossible dilemma.
And yet—
Jin remained completely calm.
Since entering the room, he hadn't spoken a single word.
Only now did he slowly lift his gaze.
"Hand over the culprits?"
He spoke lightly.
"Shisui… what exactly are you talking about?"
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Root and Anbu members were killed—so why are you asking me to produce these so-called culprits?"
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"It sounds to me like you've already decided the Radical Faction is responsible."
"So tell me—"
"Where is your evidence?"
"If accusations can be made without proof, then any death in the village could simply be blamed on us."
His voice grew colder.
"Isn't that a bit unreasonable?"
"Or perhaps…"
A faint, dangerous smile appeared on his lips.
"You intend to eliminate us through baseless accusations?"
He leaned back slightly, his tone turning mocking.
"Our factions may have differences, but that doesn't give you the right to shamelessly frame us—just to expand your own influence."