I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 292 People hate those who only say half the story, just as readers hate authors who leave things unfinished.

Fugaku's bluntness was so direct that Tatsuma didn't know how to answer the question. It was like everyone was having a nice chat about attitudes, and suddenly they were about to get into real money.

Takumi Uchiha and his son Fugaku Uchiha sought help from the Hokage's faction. Hiruzen Sarutobi also expressed his willingness to help, and Tatsuma relayed this message.

Therefore, according to normal logic, Fugaku's side should provide the solution, and the Hokage faction should find a direction that can handle the operation. The village's intervention should absolutely not be made public, nor should it be openly discussed.

As the "intermediary," Tatsuma cannot represent the Hokage lineage in a definitive capacity; otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to organize a private dinner and invite Fugaku to attend.

Tatsuma wasn't even sure if Fugaku was simply caught off guard or if he was being pressured into making a promise to the Hokage's faction.

After all, Fugaku seems to be both intelligent and unintelligent at the same time, and even with observation, it is difficult to draw conclusions in a short period of time.

Tatsuma pursed his lips and said, "Brother Fugaku, that's an interesting question. The village will naturally do everything in its power to maintain stability within the village and ensure the healthy development of the ninja clan."

Fugaku was clearly dissatisfied with Tatsuma's answer. He continued to stare at Tatsuma, thinking, "You want to bring this up in public? Then let's talk about it openly."

"Tatsuma, you can't possibly not know what kind of answer I want. What I want to know is how the village can make me the next head of the Uchiha clan without the support of many clan members."

You must understand, I cannot be involved in bloodshed. After all, those are my people, and I cannot lay a hand on them for the sake of a clan chief's position.

After listening to Fugaku's words, Tatsuma was certain that Fugaku was forcing him to deal with the radicals; the village was asking him to deal with the opposition, so he was asking the village to help him deal with the opponents.

However, the language was too blunt, so blunt that even Yatsushiro couldn't stand it and silently looked down at the dipping sauce at the bottom of his bowl.

The Eighth Generation suddenly felt that he shouldn't get involved in this kind of topic. The Uchiha's self-purification for the sake of the village, and the village's intervention in ninja clan affairs for the sake of the Uchiha clan leader's position, were unprecedented before today.

For the first time, he felt that being favored by the young clan leader and promoted to a trusted confidant might not be a good thing. If today's topic were leaked, then whether it was the Uchiha clan or the village, they would probably hold him accountable first.

Even if he was just listening in and did nothing or said anything, he would still be the sinner if something unexpected happened.

However, neither Fugaku nor Tatsuma paid attention to the Eighth Generation's conflicted feelings. Tatsuma frowned. Hiruzen Sarutobi had sent him to test the Uchiha's attitude and bottom line.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not offer the village any assistance or bargaining chips. In other words, Hiruzen Sarutobi might renege on any promises Tatsuma made at this time, leaving him pleasing neither side.

Tatsuma even began to reflect on himself, wondering if his aggressiveness had just caused Fugaku's rebound.

However, he couldn't refuse Fugaku's answer, but neither agreeing nor refusing was permissible. Tatsuma didn't have the authority to agree, but at the same time, Hiruzen Sarutobi's willingness to cooperate made it impossible for him to refuse Fugaku's conditions.

Thoughts, ideas, and ideas churned in his mind, and Tatsuma unconsciously frowned. Even with his sharp mind, it took him several seconds to think before he spoke:

"Brother Fugaku, your clansmen are also ninjas of Konoha. They are the branches and leaves that make up Konoha, and they are the children that Konoha has nurtured. The village would never lay a hand on its own children."

Upon hearing this, Fugaku's expression turned grim, and he pressed his left hand lightly on the table, seemingly ready to get up at any moment.

But Tatsuma quickly followed up, saying, "But some children have indeed disappointed the village. I'm not talking about the Uchiha clan members, but those who have harmed the village's interests."

The village's stance towards these traitors has always been firm and clear: the village will protect every child, but it will not tolerate any threat that could disrupt this family.

Since we can neither agree nor refuse, let's devise a plan to leave each other room to maneuver, and then plan further.

Fugaku also picked up on some key points, and the pressure on his hand on the table gradually loosened. He said, "But in fact, apart from Uchiha Madara who betrayed the village, and Uchiha Setsuna and his followers who attempted to rebel, none of my clansmen have harmed the village."

If they were to fabricate baseless charges, not only would other members of the clan not agree, but even I, who have a stake in this matter, would never allow it.

As Tatsuma relaxed slightly, Fugaku seized the initiative. Tatsuma naturally noticed this, but he didn't have the same tension as Fugaku. The initiative wasn't something that could be held by someone else and necessarily benefit from it.

Moreover, it wouldn't be difficult to regain the initiative from Fugaku. Tatsuma's expression returned to composure, and he leaned back slightly as he said, "Everyone has a devil inside them. If they have the will, they will naturally take action."

It's just lacking a suitable setting.

People dislike those who only say half the story, just as readers dislike authors who cut short their stories. However, within a certain threshold, this "hook" can make the other party in the conversation both annoyed and curious, prompting them to ask further questions.

Just as Fugaku was about to listen to Tatsuma's plan, he subconsciously looked into Tatsuma's eyes after Tatsuma paused in his speech, and his body leaned forward as Tatsuma leaned back.

It was just a small gesture, but it was enough to show that the initiative in the conversation had returned to Tatsuma. Tatsuma stopped stalling for Fugaku and explained:

"If you just want them to be unable to stop you from becoming the head of the Uchiha clan, then all you need to do is associate their names with the matter of 'humiliating the Uchiha'."

No serious actions are needed; even something as trivial as not paying for a meal can be amplified and guided so that everyone who sees the Uchiha clan will say, "The Uchiha who doesn't pay for meals is here again."

Given your personalities, you'll definitely investigate. At that point, all you need to do is reveal the names of the people who actually didn't pay for their meals, making the Uchiha clan ashamed to have such members. Would anyone still support that?

Of course, I'm just giving an example. Not paying for a meal is a minor issue; it might damage one's reputation, but the impact won't be too far-reaching.

Fugaku nodded. He could easily understand the smear campaign against the other candidates, but that wasn't what he wanted. He could easily get into that position with his father's methods. What he wanted was to secure his position.

It was what Tatsuma meant by controlling the Uchiha clan and leading them to a better future, so he asked, "What if my ambitions are even greater?"

"That would make things even easier. The Uchiha Police Department often goes too far in law enforcement. What if the person subjected to this excessive enforcement is a high-ranking official from the Land of Fire or even a political figure from another country?"

This would make it difficult for the Uchiha clan to handle the situation themselves, requiring another department, such as the Anbu, to take over. If the Uchiha clan member is "unfairly treated" during the Anbu's takeover, and happens to be able to resist, then...

"Do you think, given the nature of the Uchiha, you won't rebel?"

"meeting."

"It would be best if he resisted. If he resisted, the situation would become even worse, and the Anbu would take a more serious approach to it, gradually escalating the conflict until he no longer had the opportunity to participate in the internal disputes of the Uchiha clan."

If those who actually committed the acts are dealt with in this way, then the remaining mouthpieces and repeaters will naturally become nothing to fear.

After Tatsuma finished speaking, Fugaku narrowed his eyes, already understanding Tatsuma's plan, but he still pretended to be naive and asked, "You mean, the Anbu will get involved?"

"I'm just giving an example."

Tatsuma pushed it away directly. This plan was only a draft. Fugaku had not yet agreed, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had not even heard of it. How could it be finalized?

Fugaku was a little disappointed; he still hadn't managed to trick Tatsuma. As for the plan Tatsuma offered, he couldn't make a decision.

This plan sounds simple and easy to implement, but it's too simple. It completely takes advantage of the Uchiha's nature and then profits from it. The village can use this trick to deal with his enemy, Uchiha Fugaku.

But the same principle can also be applied to Fugaku Uchiha's own people, and even to anyone with a typical Uchiha personality.

Even Fugaku began to suspect that the village might have used similar methods to deal with the Uchiha clan before, but it had never escalated to the level Tatsuma described.

Fugaku was skeptical that Tatsuma's proposed solution was something he had come up with in such a short time; it was more likely a different story.

As a member of the Hokage lineage, Tatsuma had the authority and was familiar with this operation, which is why he was so proficient.

However, Fugaku had to admit that Tatsuma's plan was indeed feasible. There weren't many peers who could truly threaten his position. As long as he identified a few key figures, at least within his generation, those who opposed him would be powerless against him.

As for if he were to actually reach such a cooperation with the village and completely eradicate the will of those remaining evils within the clan, it would indeed make him more worry-free and allow the Uchiha clan to develop better.

It's just a loss of sovereignty and a disgrace to the nation!

After thinking for a long time, Fugaku said, "Tatsuma, I will carefully consider your suggestion when I get back. As for the village's guidance on the development of the Uchiha clan, I fully support it."

However, I currently lack any real influence within the clan, and my father, as he ages, is gradually becoming less capable, so he may not be able to cooperate with the village's reorganization too quickly.

Want to purge the Uchiha clan? The prerequisite is to let him secure the position of Uchiha clan leader, but he has not promised to cooperate once he is in power.

Tatsuma, sitting opposite Fugaku, heard Fugaku's plan perfectly clearly, but he didn't expose it. Instead, he smiled and said, "Just a small suggestion."

As for the internal reorganization of the Uchiha clan, that's an internal matter for the Uchiha. The village hopes to see every ninja clan improve, but it also respects the wishes of every ninja and clan.

Tatsuma's sudden agreeableness made Fugaku somewhat uneasy, and suspicion appeared in his eyes. Could there be some trap he couldn't see?

But he quickly withdrew his suspicious gaze and smiled at Tatsuma, saying, "The things we talked about today were too heavy. We didn't even get to properly enjoy dinner. I'll treat you next time you're free."

One meeting like this is definitely not enough. Today, both sides have obtained enough conditions to go back and discuss. The next meeting will be a more detailed consultation.

Tatsuma nodded. This time, he did not refuse. The reason his attitude suddenly improved so much was because he was not in a hurry. It didn't matter if Fugaku disagreed now.

Once the Hokage faction adopts a friendly attitude and speaks with the other Uchiha clan members, it's Fugaku Uchiha who should be worried. As for having the Uchiha host a banquet next time, that's fine too.

Because the next guest will not be a well-meaning guest like today's Fugaku, but a hostile guest, a hostile guest who will ask for an exorbitant price!

(End of this chapter)