Chapter 7: The Clan Chief

After the incident at the village entrance concluded and having obtained what he sought, Uchiha Tōkan returned with his clan members to their territory.

On the way back, some of the more radical clan members intended to speak up, but upon seeing Tōkan’s back, they wisely chose to keep silent.

Once back at the clan grounds, Tōkan finally turned and said, “I know many of you have doubts. Since everyone is here, let’s hold a clan meeting.”

No one present objected. Lamps were lit inside the family shrine, and as Tōkan took his seat, he naturally claimed the foremost position beneath Uchiha Fugaku.

The elder clan members exchanged glances, tacitly acknowledging this fact. Within the Uchiha clan, strength commands respect. Having awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, Tōkan’s ambition to become clan leader was one they were willing to support.

Fugaku, who had remained silent throughout the journey, cast Tōkan a glance but maintained his quiet demeanor.

“Are all the ninja ranked Chunin or above present?” Tōkan asked after everyone had taken their seats.

“All are here,” Uchiha Inaho responded first.

“Very well. First order of business: I intend to become the head of the Uchiha clan. Who supports this? Who opposes?” Tōkan laid down his trump card at the outset.

Rather than scheming against the Hokage, Tōkan chose the most straightforward and forceful approach regarding clan matters.

The assembled clan members erupted into confusion, and among them, Shisui and Itachi exchanged incredulous looks toward Tōkan.

At that moment, a dovish elder gathered his thoughts and spoke, “Tōkan, now that you have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, it would be reasonable for you to take the position of clan leader. However, you have not participated in clan meetings for many years and are unfamiliar with the internal affairs. It would be premature to assume leadership so rashly.”

“Indeed, Tōkan, you should first familiarize yourself with the clan’s situation. Perhaps wait a year or two before becoming leader,” added a radical elder, supporting that view. From Tōkan’s remarks at the village entrance earlier, it seemed he was not aligned with their faction.

“Heh.” Tōkan sneered contemptuously. “I know the clan’s situation very well. That’s precisely why I have stayed away from these meetings.”

“Tell me, after all these years of meetings, what conclusions have you reached?” Tōkan leaned on the table, scrutinizing the elders seated at the front. “Have you decided to rebel by force, or surrender to the village? If you had come to any decision, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”

“Chaotic bickering only drags the clan into the abyss. What the Uchiha clan needs is not endless meetings, but a leader who can guide us out of this predicament. The clan needs but one voice!”

Tōkan’s words rang like thunder, and the clan members looked to one another, falling into a heavy silence.

“I support Tōkan becoming clan head!” Uchiha Inaho stood, breaking the silence first.

Having witnessed Tōkan’s effortless massacre of nearly a hundred Root operatives earlier, Inaho had become a fervent follower.

“Tōkan possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan! I support his leadership as well!” Uchiha Zaidō also voiced his endorsement.

Soon, the younger generation of the clan, led by the two, rose in support of Tōkan’s bid for leadership.

“That’s enough!” Fugaku suddenly spoke, silencing the room. He then turned to Tōkan. “Tōkan, from your demeanor, I take it you already have a plan.”

“Since I stand here, naturally I have a well-formed plan. I believe, Lord Fugaku, with your insight, you can see the future of our clan as well,” Tōkan said, locking eyes with Fugaku.

Though Tōkan’s words were veiled, Fugaku understood his meaning—Tōkan had likely deduced that he too possessed a Mangekyō Sharingan.

Though revealing his own Mangekyō could secure his position as clan head, could he truly expose it?

If one pair of Mangekyō Sharingan still allowed some calm within the clan, revealing his would shatter all remaining composure. At that point, rebellion would be unavoidable.

Fugaku regarded Tōkan meaningfully, and after a long pause, said, “Very well. I bear responsibility for the clan’s current plight. Tōkan, I entrust the clan to you.”

“Clan Head!”

“Father!”

Itachi and Shisui immediately grew anxious. Unlike the others, they fully understood Tōkan’s madness. Though his speech earlier seemed aligned with the village’s interests, Shisui clearly remembered Tōkan’s wild words from the previous night.

“Do not let the clan down, Tōkan,” Fugaku said, ignoring Itachi and his son, gently patting Tōkan’s shoulder as he stepped aside.

Before heading to the village entrance, Fugaku had glimpsed fragmented futures with his Mangekyō Sharingan. Tōkan’s emergence had altered the future unpredictably. Though the vision remained unclear, it was far better than the bleak future originally foreseen. Thus, Fugaku felt no attachment to the clan head’s position.

“As you wish,” Tōkan approached Fugaku’s seat but did not sit immediately. Instead, he looked over the elite Uchiha before him and slowly spoke, “Since ancient times, the Uchiha have been a clan of honor. Today, we face only a temporary hardship. I will lead all of you to restore our clan’s glory—and this glory shall not be mine alone.”

“Following the clan head’s orders! Loyalty! Devotion!” Uchiha Inaho, already a fervent admirer, saluted, mimicking Tōkan’s earlier gesture.

With a leader at the helm, the young members of the Uchiha clan, save for Shisui and Itachi, all stood and saluted.

“Loyalty! Devotion!”

Seeing this, even the elders who harbored doubts about Tōkan’s succession remained silent.

Tōkan looked down upon the gathered clan with satisfaction. Though most lacked cunning, once given a central figure, their loyalty could be trusted absolutely.

“Next, I will announce two matters,” Tōkan said, signaling for silence.