Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

"Tsk!"

The clearly audible gasp echoed in the conference room, interrupting the Third Generation's words.

The wrinkles on the face of the man in his sixties twitched slightly. He stared intently at the lower half of Sogen's face, and his previously gentle voice turned completely cold. "Uchiha Sogen, is this your explanation?"

"So what?"

Zongxian put on a stern face and responded coldly.

He stood three steps away from the doorway, head held high, his eyes cold and sharp, like a drawn blade gleaming with cold light. The clan chief and ministers sitting at the conference table felt a phantom pain as if their skin were being pierced. Among them, the fat old man, whose weight alone was almost enough to break the chair, frowned slightly.

Always felt,

This scene feels strangely familiar?

It's like I've seen it somewhere before?

"The Uchiha's autonomy over the police department was granted by the Second Hokage. I've reviewed the documents personally signed by the Second Hokage stored in the police department's archives, and they don't mention anyone else's approval is needed for the change of the police department's head." Zongxian's cold gaze swept over the faces of the four leaders, and he said sarcastically.

"Or... is this going to abolish the rules left behind by the second generation?"

"Times have changed, and your clan is acting so recklessly. Do you expect me to just sit idly by? Don't try to use your teacher's name to pressure me. My teacher taught us back then that there are no unchanging rules in this world. Even stones can be eroded by the wind and water, let alone people and systems."

The Third Hokage remained unmoved, completely unconcerned by Sogen's sarcasm. "If the Uchiha don't take the police department seriously, as the Hokage, I will not stand idly by. The police department is both the Uchiha's autonomous region and Konoha's police department. Even if my teacher knew, he would understand my actions."

"So? What kind of explanation do you want from me?"

"Don't worry, I don't intend to break the rules of family autonomy. It's just that your clan's behavior this time has gone too far. I've already sent someone to invite Clan Chief Fugaku. Once Clan Chief Fugaku arrives..."

"Fugaku Uchiha is no longer the clan head."

Sogen interrupted the Third Hokage again without any politeness, his crimson eyes sweeping over everyone present. Apart from the Hyuga clan, no one dared to meet his gaze: "To be honest, I was mentally prepared for our current situation... However, since you're waiting for Uchiha Fugaku, then so be it! I want to see exactly what kind of Uchiha you want us to become!!!"

[Chapter 39. Yang Escape? (Seeking votes! Seeking investment!)]

Next to the conference room was a small room, which was used as a resting and waiting space for secretaries, guards and others who came to the meeting with the adults. Today, Shisui was regarded as Zongxian's follower and also sat in this small room.

The room is small, but that's only relative to the adjacent conference room.

"Please, please don't let this get out of hand!!!"

Standing in the corner of the room, Shisui's heart was pounding with anxiety. His unease was noticeable to everyone else in the room, but no one spoke to him. As close attendants and guards of the clan leader and ministers, they all understood to some extent that holding a meeting so early seemed to be aimed at the Uchiha clan.

Furthermore,

The Uchiha clan members are not very popular.

Nobody would bother hanging around in front of Shisui for no reason.

Just as Shisui was lingering in endless unease, the door to the room opened, and another boy with a flame fan emblem on his clothes walked in. No, rather than a boy... he was actually just a boy of about ten years old!

"...Itachi?"

Shisui's eyes widened.

I never expected to meet Itachi here.

Itachi Uchiha walked towards Shisui, who was standing in the corner.

"Itachi, how could you...?"

"Shisui, why?"

"Why what?"

Zhi Shui was completely baffled.

Why would you support Uchiha Mugen?

"..." Shisui frowned slightly. "Itachi, are you blaming me for helping Sogen remove your father from the position of clan leader?"

"Do not."

Uchiha Itachi shook his head without hesitation.

“I understand that Father… wasn’t a particularly good clan leader. But compared to Uchiha Sogen, at least Father didn’t stand against the village. Shisui, you once told me about the Will of Fire, that the clan and the village are an integrated whole. But what Uchiha Sogen is doing is splitting the village and the clan!!!”

"Itachi, you..."

Shisui looked completely stunned.

Suddenly bombarded with Uchiha Itachi's tirade, he was momentarily speechless, his mind a jumble of thoughts with too many things to say... What did he mean by the former clan head Fugaku not standing against the village? This former clan head had actually expressed support for the coup at the Naka Shrine gathering...

As for the claim that Zongxian split the village and his family,

Sogen had long since given up on the possibility of getting along with the Third Hokage and the others, and instead chose to wait for the future Fifth Hokage.

"These things are rather complicated, Itachi. Let's talk about it properly next time. This isn't the place to discuss this..."

at this time,

The Hokage Building beneath their feet trembled slightly.

Shisui froze for a moment. Was it an earthquake? Or...? An ominous premonition surged uncontrollably into his heart. He immediately used a teleportation technique to appear at the door, smashed open the door and entered the corridor. He immediately saw a large hole in the wall, through which he could see the extremely chaotic conference room.

next second,

The door, which was nearly knocked off by Zhishui, was completely destroyed.

The guards and attendants in the room all rushed out, and then... they stared wide-eyed at the large hole in the wall. When they saw the image of Shimura Danzo, the Hokage's assistant, imprinted on the opposite wall, their eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

What exactly happened?

Who would dare to lay a hand on Danzo?

"Uchiha Mugen!!!"

At that moment, Danzo, whose image was imprinted on the wall, let out an angry roar.

He struggled to pull himself off the wall. The old man was quite sturdy. Although he was best at Wind Release and Sealing Techniques, few people knew that he was also proficient in Earth Release, Water Release, and Fire Release. The old man dared to compete with the Third Hokage for the position, so he must have some skills.

The moment Danzo was hit by Sogen, he realized something was wrong and didn't have time to use the Substitution Jutsu. He had to use the Earth Release: Hardening Jutsu to strengthen his body so that he wouldn't be slammed against the wall and turned into mincemeat by Sogen's punch.

"I'm right here, no need to shout so loudly!"

Zongxian stepped through the large hole and into the corridor, facing the people there without fear.

As for why things suddenly turned out this way... well, it all started when Itachi Uchiha obeyed the Third Hokage's orders, returned to his clan, found his father Fugaku Uchiha, and the two of them went to the Hokage Building together.

The Third Hokage intended to stir up Fugaku Uchiha's resentment, making him confront Sogen Uchiha, thus allowing Fugaku to step in as a referee and reap the benefits.

but,

He also misjudged some things. Itachi Uchiha, who was not yet qualified to participate in the secret meeting, did not know that his father had expressed his support for the coup in front of many clan members. This left the Third Hokage without crucial information, leading him to make the wrong judgment.

No matter how easily influenced this former clan chief might be, he wouldn't have forgotten his support for the coup at the Nanga Shrine rally last night in such a short time. What if he suddenly sided with the third head of the clan and opposed Muneaki for the sake of the clan chief position...?

That's absolutely shameless!

"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama, I am no longer the head of the Uchiha clan. This was a decision made jointly by the six elders and many Jonin of my clan, and I personally have no objection to it."

The unexpected rejection caused a slight deviation from the planned schedule.

"Fugaku, do you really believe that a fifteen-year-old child can guide your clan onto the right path?"

"I'm just an ordinary Jonin in my clan right now. This kind of thing... is something for my clan leader to worry about."

Fugaku Uchiha took two steps back, positioning himself completely behind and to the side of Sogen.

The third generation's brows furrowed deeply.

The expressions of the two advisors beside him also turned somewhat unpleasant.

On the contrary, Danzo remained expressionless, his face ashen. He glanced at the Third Hokage beside him with an expression that seemed to say, "See! There isn't a single trustworthy member of the Uchiha clan!" This made the Third Hokage even more upset.

The Third Hokage, his face grim, pondered whether to simply use his power to force Uchiha Munen to abdicate. If he resisted… well, that would be perfect. He could rally the clan heads to kill Uchiha Munen, control Uchiha Fugaku to keep him alive, and then send him back to appease the Uchiha clan…

This is a backup plan.

He was reluctant to use it unless absolutely necessary. If the Uchiha clan went out of control, even if he could wipe them out, it would still damage Konoha's vitality.

However, just before he made up his mind to take action, Zongxian, whose anger was rising even higher, turned the tables and launched an attack.

He produced a large amount of 'evidence' proving that Shimura Danzo had sent Root's men to impersonate Kirigakure ninjas to attack him and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. He stated that Shimura Danzo had assassinated members of the Uchiha clan to steal the Sharingan and argued with Danzo relentlessly.

Distracted, the Third Hokage was unable to stop Danzo and Uchiha Mugen from clashing.

As a result, the heads of various clans all became cowards, and no one stood up to support Danzo. It was true that they disliked the Uchiha, but Danzo, this scoundrel who forcibly recruited talented ninjas from various clans to join Root, was also hated by many.

The conflict between Sogen and Danzo

To many, this is a classic case of dogs fighting.

They would never willingly step into this quagmire. Ideally, Danzo and Uchiha Mugen would both be severely injured, or even die together!

This is exactly the result Zongxian wanted.

He had considered for a long time how to prevent the Uchiha clan from being besieged by the various clans of the village while fighting against the Third Hokage and his group. After much thought, he finally set his sights on Danzo.

This guy is the best target to strike.

Fighting Danzo would not only avoid an attack from the major clans, but might even encourage those who prefer to protect themselves to sit back and watch the fight.

As for angering the Third Hokage and his group... they were never on the same side to begin with. The angrier the Third Hokage was, the happier he would be. Moreover, compared to Danzo, who watched Pain destroy Konoha just to seize control of his own village, he was truly willing to fight the Uchiha clan to the death at all costs.

On the contrary, it was the third generation, who was known as "Oni-O".

His heart was always with the village. The Third Hokage would never easily start a war with the Uchiha clan unless he was confident that he could eliminate them at a low cost!

Anyway,

In the midst of the argument, Zongxian suddenly erupted, throwing a punch with unexpected speed and power, sending Danzo flying and leaving a large hole in the wall of the conference room. The terrifying power immediately reminded everyone of the legendary Sannin, the one with the red hair.

"Yang Escape?"

The fat old man, who had been sitting motionless in his chair, looked at the huge hole that Uchiha Munegen had punched and suddenly stood up, his large body crashing through the conference table in front of him.

It was this fat old man's sudden action that...

The Third Hokage and his group were a beat too slow in their efforts to support Danzo, and they all looked at their former fellow disciple and teammate, the fat old man Akimichi Torifu, with puzzled eyes.

[40. Chapter Forty: Obtaining Wind on the Autumn Road]

This is common knowledge among the older generation in Konoha Village. The Second Hokage had six disciples: Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Kagami Uchiha, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and the least noticeable Torifu Akimichi.