Chapter 6 Intra-Clan Conflict
Not only the clan leader's faction, but even the doves and hawks of the clan looked at Uchiha Mikoto with a bit of confusion.
If Uchiha Anran had said these words, no one would have been surprised—hawks have always been outspoken and like to confront their clan leader head-on.
But why would you, a newly appointed leader of the dove faction, expose the unspoken truth between the patriarchal faction and the dove faction?
Uchiha Hachimoku also looked surprised, but he knew perfectly well that the person who had been delivering "reliable information" was none other than Uchiha Mikoto.
Even during the exchange of messages between the two, he sensed that Uchiha Hikaru was aware of this, but he didn't understand why he didn't stop it and instead chose to acquiesce.
The Eighth Hokage of Uchiha also reported this matter to the hawkish young master, and the only reply he received was "continue contact".
Later, in a chance encounter, Uchiha Hazuki, who had awakened the Sharingan, was invited back to her clan by Uchiha Mikoto.
Within a few years, she acquired the Sharingan with three tomoe.
Because they were both women, Uchiha Hazuki became Uchiha Mikoto's confidante and took her place in contacting Uchiha Hachishiro.
A moment of silence enveloped the shrine's main hall, as if even the light streaming down from the ceiling had frozen.
The old clan patriarch's aged gaze slowly swept over Uchiha Mikoto's calm face, and he had to accept the fact that the dovish stance had shifted directly after the generational change.
The young Uchiha Mikoto is redefining the voice of the "doves" in a way he never expected.
He replied frankly.
"Mikoto, there's nothing wrong with what you said."
The old patriarch paused slightly, his gaze becoming distant, as if piercing through time, looking back at the dusty past.
"The real problem has never been the principle itself, but the deep-rooted and intertwined grudges between the Uchiha and Hokage factions that have been entangled since the birth of Konoha."
His voice was low and slow.
"Let's not dwell on the grudges and grievances before Konoha was founded. Several years after its founding, my clan leader, Uchiha Madara, left Konoha."
"When he returned, he was already riding the strongest tailed beast, the Nine-Tails, and engaged in an earth-shattering battle with the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, at the Valley of the End."
"In the end, Madara died, and the First Hokage was seriously injured and passed away a few years later. His younger brother, Tobirama Senju, succeeded him as the Second Hokage."
"Our clan's elder, Uchiha Setsuna, raised an army in rebellion…which was quickly suppressed."
"Even when the third generation, Hiruzen Sarutobi, ascended to the throne, our clan expressed our dissatisfaction in a clear and unequivocal manner."
The old patriarch's gaze swept over every face in the hall before finally returning to reality.
"Therefore, the grudge between my clan and the Hokage lineage cannot be clarified in just a few words. Now, all we can hope for is that time will reveal the sincerity of the Uchiha clan and slowly wear down this deep-seated conflict."
The sincere words caused many Uchiha members from the clan chief's faction to straighten their slightly bowed backs and look at the hawks with dissatisfaction.
The Uchiha clan is now paying the price for their mistakes.
The tide of battle turned instantly. Uchiha Mikoto remained calm, only glancing at Uchiha Anlan subconsciously, her lips slightly parted.
"That is indeed the history. But what if the Konoha leadership is merely using the guise of 'acceptance' to weaken our clan and continuously bleed us dry...?"
As she finished speaking, a soft gasp filled the hall.
This is also something the old clan chief is worried about, but can worrying prevent him from doing it?
Ordinary Uchiha can escape, but as the head of a clan, there is absolutely no way he can escape.
He knew it better than anyone else.
Some roads, even if they are full of thorns, must still be walked.
I understand your concerns.
Under the watchful eyes of many Uchiha, the old clan patriarch replied crisply and decisively.
"But would we stop holding a knife forever just because we're afraid of hurting people with it?"
He glanced around, his gaze sweeping over Fugaku Uchiha's furrowed brows, Anran Uchiha's deep eyes, and the flickering eyes of the many clansmen.
Whether or not one can succeed is a question to consider only after giving it one's all. If one hesitates simply because of fear of risk, if one only makes statements without taking concrete action—
The old clan chief's voice suddenly rose, echoing in the solemn shrine.
"Then why should the Hokage lineage believe in the Uchiha's sincerity?!"
"The fact that they can now take full control of the security force is already a rare act of goodwill from the Konoha leadership!"
The resounding question made the inexperienced Uchiha Mikoto frown and ponder deeply, trying to find a strong argument to refute the old clan leader in her interactions with Uchiha Anran.
At this moment, even the hawkish Uchiha clan members were pondering the correctness of the old clan leader's words.
In the silence, a clear and firm voice pierced the heavy air like a sharp sword.
"What the clan chief said makes sense, but why should my Uchiha clan suffer such injustice?!"
Amidst the intertwined gazes of the crowd—a gaze filled with concern, dependence, annoyance, and anticipation—Uchiha Anlan slowly rose to his feet.
He surveyed the entire area, his voice clearly reaching the ears of every member of the tribe.
"Indeed, the Uchiha clan is not without fault. But isn't the real root of their mistakes within the Hokage lineage?"
"If the Senju clan hadn't betrayed their principles and manipulated power and intrigue, Madara would have become the First Hokage and protected Konoha. Why would he have left in anger?"
"If Konoha had upheld justice from the very beginning, how could all these subsequent events have occurred!"
"We were just taking back what was rightfully ours with our own hands. What's wrong with that?"
Finally, a cold, mocking smile flickered across Uchiha Anlan's lips.
"Moreover, after Madara defected from Konoha and assassinated the First Hokage, Elder Setsuna assassinated the Second Hokage, and we provoked the Third Hokage, we are still able to control the Security Department and live in Konoha."
"It's never been the mercy of Konoha's higher-ups that's the key, but the strength forged by every single Uchiha here with their blood and fire!"
"They don't dare to really kill us, but our compromises will only lead to their repeated probing!"
If Konoha is likened to a dynasty, the Hokage to the emperor, and the Uchiha clan to the king who commands 800,000 border troops, then Konoha is likened to a dynasty.
If he were a little stronger, even if he only had a pair of Mangekyou Sharingan, Uchiha Anlan would really dare to lead only the hawkish Uchiha to carry out a purge of corrupt officials and completely intimidate Konoha!
Right now, the hawks are willing but unable to act, but if the whole clan were united...
Uchiha Anlan took a deep breath, looked around, and dropped a bomb.
"Just like today, when our entire clan marched on the Hokage Building, how many people in the entire Hidden Leaf Village could withstand the Uchiha's blade!"
These words left everyone speechless.
End of this chapter...