Chapter Seven: Unexpected Events and Responses

The Southern He Shrine was perched atop a secluded hill, surrounded by picturesque scenery. For the Uchiha, the shrine was not only a place of worship, but also the location where the clan’s secret meetings were held.

By the time Uchiha Rei arrived, almost everyone qualified to attend had already gathered inside. Yet, what puzzled Rei was how the atmosphere in the room was utterly contrary to his expectations.

Logically, last night’s rescue operation should have dispelled the suspicions and doubts within the Uchiha caused by the Nine-Tails’ rampage. Moreover, the clan leader Fugaku’s revelation of the Mangekyo should have invigorated the clan, strengthening their cohesion. To Rei, the clan members' expressions ought to be calm, or at least relaxed.

But at this moment in the shrine, every clan member wore an awkward expression, and Uchiha Fugaku’s face was clouded, anxious and unsettled. This was entirely outside Rei’s predictions; something unexpected must have occurred to provoke such a situation. His brows furrowed, and he sat heavily in his seat, his mind growing grave.

Since the nature of the upheaval was still unclear, he resolved to listen to the clan leader’s explanation before making any decisions.

Uchiha Fugaku glanced at Rei as he entered, and seeing everyone had arrived, he opened the meeting without delay:

“I believe everyone is aware of what happened last night, so I won’t repeat it. Let’s discuss the decisions handed down by the village this morning."

“Although the Nine-Tails was successfully repelled, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, was gravely injured and must tend to his family, so he will require a period of recuperation.”

“By unanimous decision of the village’s upper echelons, during the Fourth’s recovery, the Third Hokage will return as acting Hokage to govern.”

Hearing Fugaku’s announcement, Uchiha Rei’s heart sank, nearly leaping from his seat.

The Fourth needed rest, and the Third would return as acting Hokage... He hadn’t anticipated such a development, especially since last night, at Rei’s urging, the Uchiha had shifted their position entirely in support of the Fourth.

No wonder everyone present was so uneasy—the clan’s actions yesterday had cut off all avenues of retreat!

With the Third reinstated, the Uchiha would fall into an awkward, even worse predicament than before.

But that wasn’t all. Fugaku continued, “Due to the severe damage to buildings across the village, it’s been decided to redistribute the clan territories.”

He pulled out a map of the Leaf Village, pointing to its edge, “According to the plan, we will relocate to the corner of the village.”

At this, Fugaku paused.

A storm of arguments erupted as expected.

The older ninja of the clan merely wore grim faces and sneered coldly.

The younger Uchiha, proud and hot-tempered, jumped to their feet, shouting, “What is this? Are they trying to isolate us?”

“Isolate? Look at the map—aren’t they just trying to confine us?”

“Outrageous! Clan leader, we absolutely cannot accept this!”

The radicals among the Uchiha protested vehemently, while even the moderates looked troubled.

As the quarrel reached a fever pitch, Fugaku coughed, and the assembly hall fell into a sudden hush.

Those who had witnessed the clan leader’s Mangekyo in the police force last night had already spread the news. Fugaku’s prestige was now at its peak; his voice commanded instant attention, and everyone settled quietly back into their seats.

Seeing the clan’s attitude, Fugaku’s expression eased slightly. But when his gaze found Rei in the crowd, his lips twitched involuntarily.

Last night, Rei had given him, the clan leader, not a shred of respect—ordering him to obey, forcing him to make choices.

And the result?

The clan’s fate had been wagered on the Fourth, and even his carefully concealed Mangekyo had been revealed.

Yet now, with the Fourth forced into recovery, relations with the Third were irreparably damaged.

This morning, the village hadn’t bothered with any consultation, simply sent an ANBU to inform the Uchiha of their relocation!

Fugaku understood well that the blame did not fall entirely on Rei; he himself had agreed to support the Fourth and expose the Mangekyo because he accepted Rei’s reasoning.

They were simply unlucky—the Third’s return was unforeseen by anyone.

But now, a solution had to be found.

With resolve, Fugaku spoke, “Rei, what do you think? Should the clan agree to relocate or refuse?”

All eyes turned to Rei, their expressions varied.

Last night, Rei’s actions had been relayed by the police force members present.

Originally, Rei’s behavior was reasonable, legal, and clearly beneficial to the clan.

But now, with the Third taking power, the consequences were entirely different.

With so many gazes fixed on him, Rei’s expression remained unchanged, but bitter irony flickered in his heart.

To have him speak now was to put him directly on the spot!

Clearly, the clan leader was retaliating for Rei’s ‘overstepping’ last night, deliberately.

His response would be crucial; a misstep here could cost him all future influence.

Drawing a deep breath, Rei’s mind raced, and he quickly devised a plan. He rose calmly and countered,

“Clan leader, if the village wants us to move, surely they won’t expect us to do so without compensation. What are they offering?”

He did not get entangled in the question of moving or not moving—the answer was obvious.

In the original timeline, the Uchiha were ultimately forced to abandon their territory, isolated and monitored.

This was the village’s decision, the law’s decree. Unless the clan was prepared to launch a coup, resistance was futile.

He had hoped that helping Minato seal the Nine-Tails would improve relations and avert this outcome.

But the Third’s return to power had ruined Rei’s plans, forcing him to consider new troubles ahead.

Fugaku, unsure of Rei’s intent, replied diplomatically, “The specifics are still being discussed, but since the village suffered heavy losses, I’m afraid the compensation won’t be much.”

At this, Rei’s face took on righteous indignation: “If the compensation is inadequate, then even if it is the village’s final decision, we Uchiha will not comply!”

“But it’s the village’s order, and the Third Hokage’s command...”

Before Fugaku could speak, someone instinctively contradicted him, earning murmurs of agreement.

Hearing opposition to his words, Rei felt a secret relief—this was precisely the reaction he wanted.

Silently, the focus of the conversation shifted from forcing him to decide, to the village pressuring the Uchiha.

This change in the main topic freed him from responsibility, and the situation instantly transformed.

“So, what do you suggest?”

Fugaku quickly grasped the shift.

To move the heart of the clan’s debate in just a few words—he had thought Rei’s performance last night was impressive, but he had underestimated him.

Rei scanned the clan, finally meeting Fugaku’s gaze, his expression earnest and assertive.

“We need more compensation!”