"How should I approach it?"
Rēn asked earnestly.
"Remember what Uncle Yashiro just said? Don't take the praise outsiders throw around too seriously," Uchiha Ranzan said.
"That annoying old man!" Chihaya from the side looked annoyed.
"Rēn, both you and Shisui have big reputations. Some say Shisui is the strongest in the clan. Others insist it's you. But no matter who people think is number one, it's mostly just the younger generation talking. The older jōnin in the clan aren't likely to buy into it. Like Yashiro said, most of them are loyal to the clan head."
At that point, Rēn understood what Ranzan meant.
Displaying strength at the right time wasn't a bad thing. Especially in the Uchiha clan, where strength was equated with authority. It came down to whether or not you knew how to use it.
Shisui was the perfect example.
In the original timeline, after the undisputed number one in the clan—Shisui—died, loyalists like Yashiro stormed the clan head's house and questioned Uchiha Fugaku's son, Itachi. That alone showed the level of influence held by the so-called strongest in the clan.
"I see. Beat them down until they can't argue, and they'll naturally fall in line. Is that the idea?"
"More or less. It might not go that smoothly, but strong rule over the weak is the natural order."
Ranzan nodded.
To him, Rēn was the undisputed strongest. Although he was three years older than Rēn, he had never once won in all their spars since childhood. Rēn's strength was absolute, overwhelming in ninjutsu, kenjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu alike.
His support for Rēn came from shared ideals and personal friendship—but also from deep respect for Rēn's overwhelming power. As he himself said, the Uchiha revered strength.
And Ranzan, despite his calm personality, was Uchiha to the bone.
"The natural order, huh…"
Rēn narrowed his eyes.
At that moment, more figures appeared on the stone steps.
"Grandpa, Elder Ryūji, Elder Homaru, Elder Jun!"
A group of elders, all over sixty years old, arrived together.
"Rēn, don't let me down tonight." Elder Homaru, hot-tempered as always, spoke first.
"Do your best, Rēn."
That was the familiar voice of Elder Ryūji.
"Rēn… I hope you didn't deceive Shisui. If you did, even if I'm old and frail, I'll make sure you regret it." Elder Jun, thin and looking unwell, gave Rēn a long look before following Homaru and Ryūji forward.
Only Uchiha Genshi remained behind.
"How's the situation?" Genshi asked.
"Half and half. Ranzan just told me. The best way is still to use your fists on the hardliners."
"Half isn't bad. For something so hastily arranged, having half the supporters show up is a decent result. Good thing you brought Shisui to our side. Without him, we might not have managed to hold this emergency meeting at all. Everyone's here, right?"
Rēn humed in agreement.
Ranzan said, "Aside from the clan head and his personal followers, everyone else is here."
"Then come with me."
Genshi glanced at the shrine's main hall. "No need to wait for Fugaku. He always arrives last. And at this point, meeting with him alone wouldn't mean much. Even if he plans to back down, Rēn, you shouldn't accept it. Instead of waiting for it to be handed to you, take it yourself."
"You noticed too, Grandpa?"
"I'm not senile yet. When I proposed the emergency meeting, even with Jun's help, it would've been hard to push through if Fugaku opposed it. But he didn't. He supported it easily. He even informed you ahead of time about the scheme… If you can't see what he's trying to do, you might as well bury me now."
"Then you better pick a good burial plot, Grandpa. Want it next to Great-Grandpa's grave?"
"No way. That old bastard had the worst temper. I don't want to be bothered even after death. Give me a few days. I'll take a walk through the cemetery and reserve a spot. Whenever I die, just bury me there."
The three walked along the gray stone path into the main hall.
The seventh tatami mat from the right had been lifted, revealing a staircase leading to an underground chamber.
They descended into a short corridor of stone, seven to eight meters long. After exiting the passage, the space suddenly opened into a large underground room that could fit around two to three hundred people. Nearly fifty clan members had already gathered. They knelt in their assigned positions on the dark red wooden floor.
At the front of the room was a recessed area.
A stone tablet filled with strange script stood in the center. On the walls to either side were murals of ancient tengu. Two fire basins were placed before the stone, providing the only light in the dark chamber.
Not every clansman had the right to attend.
Only shinobi from the clan were allowed in, and only those of jōnin rank. Chūnin and genin were excluded. A portion of the jōnin were also stationed outside to guard the compound. In the end, fewer than fifty people participated in this gathering.
At the very front, Elder Homaru, Elder Ryūji, Elder Jun, and two other elders had already taken their seats. If it could be called that—they each had a cushion, a bit softer than the hard floor.
"Elder Genshi is here too."
One of the clan members in the back heard footsteps and turned to see Uchiha Genshi with two younger men beside him.
"It's Ranzan."
"And Rēn!"
The mood shifted slightly. Word spread quickly among the clan, especially among the jōnin who were the core of its strength. Most of those present already had a vague idea why this emergency gathering was being held—and that Uchiha Rēn would be one of the main figures tonight.
Supporters gave him their full attention. Many of them were of the younger generation.
Opponents met him with cold or rejecting stares. Most were the older generation.
Some watched with simple curiosity, observing the infamous Flame Demon of the Uchiha.
Rēn remained calm in the face of all these stares. Hands tucked into the sleeves of his robe, he walked forward at a steady pace behind his grandfather, following the path left clear through the center.