Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

"Curiosity? Perhaps you're right! I really have no interest in the gods enshrined in shrines."

"You're so old-fashioned!"

"Say what you will, but I think people should still live a down-to-earth life."

"You're only eighteen years old, Arashiyama, but why do I feel like you're an eighty-year-old man?"

"If I could live to be eighty, that would be a future I long for!"

As the sun sets behind the mountains, standing on the 180 steps of the shrine's approach, one can see the smoke gradually dying down in the Uchiha clan's territory.

"It's almost time."

Uchiha Arashiyama perked up.

Whether it's tradition or not, the Uchiha clan's gatherings are always held after dinner in the evening, around that time when everyone has time. No one could answer Sogen's question; the clan members only knew to follow the rules and traditions, and few people would study why these rules and traditions existed.

"Oh! I've seen them."

Figures could already be seen on the stone steps of the approach path below.

"They came really fast!" Zongxian exclaimed, looking at Uchiha Arashiyama beside him. "I've noticed that the clansmen seem to really like gatherings. Every time a gathering is held, those clansmen who are forced to stay behind to protect the clan's territory have gloomy faces, as if they've stepped in dog poop."

"I don't know either. You can figure out these strange questions yourself! I can't answer your questions."

Uchiha Arashiyama shrugged.

He genuinely didn't know that Zongxian was a clever child and was known for being strange in the family. He always seemed to think differently from the other children and would ask a bunch of odd questions that left people bewildered and unable to answer.

Zongxian didn't ask any further questions because the figure climbing the steps was getting closer.

"Arashiyama, Muneaki, you two are here really early!"

The tribesmen who climbed up the steps waved and greeted the two.

"Uncle Yashiro, you're here pretty early too."

Zongxian pursed his lips, not expecting that the first person he would encounter was Uchiha Hachidai, a staunch supporter of Uchiha Fugaku. As a senior Jonin in the clan, Uchiha Hachidai not only possessed formidable strength, but also enjoyed the trust of his clan members due to his rich experience in the police force.

This person is most likely one of the stumbling blocks tonight's rally.

"Sōken, let me give you a piece of advice: don't take the reputation others boast about too seriously. You're still too young. If you want to lead the family forward, I will definitely support you in ten years. But right now... Fugaku is more stable and reliable..."

"Uncle Yashiro, I've made up my mind, so please don't waste any more words."

Before Uchiha Hachimoku could finish speaking, Sogen resolutely refused.

Uchiha Yatsuhoshi wasn't angry. Having earned the trust of so many clansmen in the police force, he wasn't so shallow as to get angry so easily. Seeing that Sogen was stubborn to the end, he simply gave up on trying to persuade him and walked straight to the secret room under the main hall of the shrine.

Next,

The clansmen gradually ascended the steps of the approach, encountering their supporters who had already been won over. Zongxian and Arashiyama stepped forward to exchange a few words, reconnect, and confirm that the other party's stance remained firm before letting them into the secret chamber.

If you encounter someone who is hesitant and lacks resolve, you won't resort to violence; you'll still let them go. However, once they leave Arashiyama, you'll immediately make a mark on their notebook.

"Arashiyama, how are you feeling?"

Once most of the clansmen who had participated in the gathering had entered the secret chamber beneath the main hall of the shrine, Zongxian glanced at the deserted stone steps and began to speak again, "How many supporters do we have?"

"This is a bit tricky!"

Arashiyama flipped through the notebook in his hand. "Even if Elder Jun's people chose to support us, compared to Chief Fugaku's supporters... it's about fifty-fifty! We haven't created a gap big enough to convince everyone. We're still too hasty. If we had more time, even just a week would be good..."

"The problem is we don't have that much time."

Zongxian sighed. Usurping the throne was indeed not so easy. He hadn't planned to use overly brutal means to achieve his goal, but... judging from the situation, it seemed unlikely. "So... in the end, I'll have to resort to force!"

"It's probably inevitable."

Uchiha Arashiyama scratched his head and said seriously, "Sōgen, this may not necessarily be a bad thing. The clansmen admire the strong. As long as you can use force to subdue the most stubborn opponents, once you become the clan leader, you won't have to worry about anyone causing trouble for you."

[Chapter 21, Page 7: The Secret Room Under the Tatami Mat (Seeking Recommendations!)]

"How to say?"

Zongxian humbly sought guidance.

"Do you remember what Uncle Yashiro said earlier? Don't take the reputation that outsiders boast about too seriously," Uchiha Arashiyama asked.

"That annoying old man!"

"Zongxian, you and Shisui have a great reputation. Some people say that Shisui is the number one expert in the clan, and some people firmly believe that you are the number one expert in the clan... However, no matter what, your so-called number one expert is actually just what the young people say. The senior Jonin in the clan may not buy it. Just like what Uncle Yashiro said, these people are basically the supporters of the clan leader."

Having said that, Zongxian understood the meaning behind Uchiha Arashiyama's words.

It's not a bad thing to demonstrate your strength at the right time, especially in an environment like the Uchiha clan that worships the strong. To some extent, strong martial power is equivalent to power; it just depends on whether you know how to use that power.

Stopping water is a prime example.

In the original history, Shisui, who was undoubtedly the 'number one shrewd fighter' in the clan, died. The clan members, including Uchiha Yatsuho, who were considered staunch supporters of Uchiha Fugaku, actually rushed to the gate of the clan head's house to question the clan head's eldest son, Uchiha Itachi. This shows what kind of influence this so-called number one shrewd fighter had.

"I see, if you beat them until they have no temper, they'll naturally become obedient, right?"

"...That's true. Although it may not be as smooth as we imagine, it's only natural that the strong lead the weak."

Uchiha Arashiyama nodded affirmatively.

In his eyes, Sogen was the undisputed strongman. Although he was three years older than Sogen, the two had never won against each other in their many sparring sessions since childhood. Sogen's strength was truly dominant, with overwhelming power in ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, and so on.

His unwavering support for Sogen stemmed not only from their shared sense of freedom and common ideals, but also from his profound respect for Sogen's dominant and powerful presence. As he himself stated, the Uchiha clan idolizes the strong.

Despite his composed personality, Uchiha Arashiyama is, in fact, a true Uchiha at heart.

Is it something that should be taken for granted?

Zongxian narrowed his eyes.

At this moment,

Another figure appeared on the steps of the approach.

"Grandpa, Elder Long Si, Elder Huo Wan, Elder Jun!"

A group of elderly people, all over sixty years old, came together.

"Zongxian, don't disappoint me tonight." The hot-tempered and impulsive Elder Huowan was the first to speak.

"Zongxian, do a good job!"

This is Elder Long Si, whom I know very well.

"Zongxian... I hope you haven't deceived Shisui, otherwise, don't underestimate me just because I'm an old man. I'll risk my life to make you regret it." The thin and pale Elder Jun gave Zongxian a deep look, then walked forward with Elder Huowan and Elder Longsi.

He left Genji Uchiha at the very end.

"How is the situation now?" Uchiha Genji asked.

"Half and half! Arashiyama just told me that it's best to use our fists to subdue those stubborn ones!"

"Half? That's not bad. To have half the supporters in such a hasty effort is quite an impressive number... Luckily you managed to win over Shisui, otherwise we wouldn't even have been able to hold this impromptu meeting. Are almost everyone here?"

Zongxian blinked.

Uchiha Arashiyama said, "Apart from the clan head and some of his close confidants, all the other clan members are present at this meeting."

"Then you can come in with me!"

Uchiha Genji glanced at the main hall of the shrine. "There's no need to wait for the clan head. Fugaku is used to being the last to arrive, and there's no point in meeting Fugaku alone at this time. Even if he's willing to give it to you, Muneki, you'd better not accept it. Rather than waiting for someone to give it to you, you should take it yourself."

"Grandpa, you noticed too?"

"I'm not blind yet! When I proposed to hold a meeting on short notice, even with Jun's help, it would have been difficult for Fugaku to stop me, but Fugaku didn't stop me and supported the decision smoothly. Plus, he told you in advance... If you still don't understand what Fugaku wants to do, you might as well bury me in the ground."

"But Grandpa, you still have to choose a good burial site, right? You want to be buried next to Great-Grandpa?"

"Absolutely not. That old geezer has a terrible temper. I don't want to die with no peace. I'll wait a few days. I'll go to the cemetery and reserve a spot. Then, whenever I die, just bury me there."

The three of them walked into the main hall along the path paved with bluish-gray stone bricks.

The seventh tatami mat from the right was lifted, revealing steps leading to a secret underground room.

Descending the steps, there is a seven- or eight-meter-long bluestone passageway. After passing through this short passageway, the narrow space in front of you suddenly opens up. This spacious secret room, which can accommodate nearly two or three hundred people, is already crowded with people. More than forty tribesmen have gathered here, kneeling on the dark red wooden floor according to their assigned positions.

In front of the tribespeople was a recessed space.

There stood a stone tablet covered with strange characters, and on the walls on both sides were ancient murals of tengu (celestial dogs). In front of the stone tablet on the left and right sides, two braziers were set up, and the bright and hot flames inside were the only light source in this dark chamber.

Not all members of the tribe are eligible to participate in the gathering.

Only the clan's ninjas were allowed to participate in the gathering, and they were all Jonin. Chunin and Genin were not qualified to enter this secret room. In addition, a group of Jonin-level clan members were assigned to guard the clan's territory. In the end, fewer than fifty people participated in the gathering.

now,

Elders Huowan, Longsi, and Jun, who arrived a step ahead, along with two other elders, had already taken their seats at the front. To say they were seated was a bit of an exaggeration; the elders were simply sitting on futons, which were a bit softer than the wooden floor.

"Elder Xuanshi has also arrived."

The clansmen at the back noticed the footsteps behind them, turned around, and immediately saw Uchiha Genji, along with two others following him.

"It's Arashiyama."

"And Zongxian too!!!"

The atmosphere became slightly strange. News spread quickly among the clan members, and Jonin were the core strength of the clan. The clan members sitting here generally understood why this temporary gathering was being held, and they also knew that Uchiha Sogen was one of the main figures at tonight's gathering.

His supporters, mostly young people, gave him the warmest attention.

The opponents expressed their dissatisfaction with indifferent and resistant looks; this group was mostly middle-aged and elderly.

A small group of people also observed the renowned [Flame Demon] of their clan with simply curious eyes.

Zongxian remained calm and unmoved by the different gazes he received. With his hands tucked into the sleeves of his long robe, he followed his grandfather with unhurried steps, walking forward through the reserved passage.

[Chapter 22. The Uchiha are actually scoundrels]

"Zongxian, over here."

Uchiha Chihaya, sitting in the second row, waved.

As a young junior who had been promoted to Jonin for less than half a year, she should have been sitting at the very back. However, privileges exist everywhere. With an elder as her grandfather and being a girl, Uchiha Chihaya squeezed into the front row with Elder Ryuji and no one said anything.

The arrogance of the Uchiha clan has long been ingrained in the very bones of its members.

Moreover, those qualified to participate in the gathering are all the best in their clan. Their pride is three times stronger than that of ordinary clansmen. They would never do something so shameful as to argue with a girl!