The new clan leader announced the end of the meeting.
The clan members, with mixed feelings, left in small groups. Soon, those who remained in the clan grounds would learn about the change in leadership through word of mouth.
Of course, to ensure that the news accurately reached every independent clan member, the elders would use various methods to spread the name and deeds of the new leader. They had done the same thing a decade ago when they supported Fugaku's rise to power, and now they would repeat the process with practiced ease.
However, compared to those matters, the most urgent task was to take control of the Police Force.
The Uchiha clan leader and the head of the Police Force were bound together by position. This was a benefit granted by the Second Hokage to the Uchiha, but also a form of constraint. Regardless, Sougen needed to take control of the Police Force as soon as possible, succeeding to the position of its leader. Only then could he unite the clan's full strength and stand up to the Third Hokage and his faction.
"Fugaku-senpai, please lead the way to the Police Force. Shisui, Arashiyama, Chisato… you all come along as well."
Sougen gestured, bringing his entire small group with him.
The Police Force was a massive organization with hundreds of members. He couldn't manage it alone, and without bringing his trusted subordinates, he risked becoming blind and deaf once he stepped into the office. Fortunately, Sougen was not alone; he had his own faction.
"Elders, please wait for a bit longer. Once I have things sorted out with the Police Force, I'll gather everyone to discuss the future of the clan."
"Go, go!" Elder Homaru waved dismissively. "I've seen through you, kid. You're one of those 'my way or the highway' types. Discuss? Ha! As long as you don't work us old bones to death, we'll be lucky!"
Some of the other elders shook their heads, some frowned, while others chuckled, but no one voiced any objections.
The Police Force had always been the clan leader's domain. The elders' authority only extended within the clan's internal affairs, a rule that the Uchiha clan had developed through practice. Therefore, they wouldn't interfere with the Police Force.
"Fugaku-senpai, after you!"
Sougen made a gesture, inviting Fugaku to lead the way.
"Is it really necessary to rush this much? It's almost midnight," Shisui asked as he caught up.
"The sooner, the better," Sougen replied firmly.
Although he had succeeded as clan leader, making him the de facto head of the Police Force, not even the Hokage could change that. However, there's a saying: *When you're about to finish building a mountain, the last stretch is the hardest.* The closer he was to success, the more he couldn't afford to be careless.
Sougen had already confirmed with Fugaku that the official documents had been sent to the Hokage's office while he was attending the meeting. Most likely, the Third Hokage and Danzo would use those papers as an excuse to stir up trouble. The sooner Sougen solidified his position, the more time he would have to deal with the challenges ahead.
They passed through the passageway, climbed the stairs, and emerged to find the moon high in the sky.
Naka Shrine was bathed in cool moonlight, and the clan members who had left earlier were already far along the path. The shrine was now shrouded in cold silence, with no lights visible. The rustling trees swayed in the chilly night breeze, enhancing the eerie atmosphere.
Wasting no time, the group set off immediately, heading straight for the Police Force building.
The distance between Naka Shrine and the Police Force headquarters wasn't short, and since there was no one skilled in space-time techniques among them, they had to run through the forest the old-fashioned way.
"Sougen—no, clan leader—can I ask you something?" Shisui approached again.
"What is it?" Sougen blinked, unsure what Shisui wanted to say this time.
Was it about preventing a coup? Or perhaps about taking over the Police Force? Or something else? Sigh, since yesterday, troubles had been non-stop, throwing off his plans and forcing him to adapt on the fly. To be honest, his head was starting to ache from all the confusion.
"Did you… experience a change, just like I did?"
"What are you talking about?"
Sougen was completely baffled.
What kind of riddle was Shisui playing at?
Then, noticing Shisui blinking repeatedly, Sougen suddenly realized what he was getting at. Shisui was asking if he had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, but couldn't say it openly in front of others.
Come to think of it, under Sougen's subtle influence, Shisui had indeed become more cautious, refraining from disclosing his Mangekyo Sharingan to others. According to him, only three people knew about his Mangekyo: Sougen, Elder Jun, and no one else, not even the previous clan leader.
"No, not yet. It's not time," Sougen shook his head, denying it.
"Not time yet…?" Shisui frowned. The way Sougen phrased it was strange. What did he mean by "not time yet"? Suppressing his confusion, Shisui asked, "No? Then, how did you defeat Hachidai-san and the others? Your eye power seems…"
"I see now," Sougen said, understanding the curiosity.
He glanced around and noticed that while they were running, everyone had perked up their ears, curious about his answer. It wasn't surprising, given how impressive Sougen's performance had been in the secret chamber earlier.
After all, everyone had the same three-tomoe Sharingan, so why was Sougen stronger? And don't give the "genius" excuse—Uchiha was full of geniuses. Even Shisui, without his Mangekyo, might not have been able to resist Sougen's genjutsu in their three-tomoe states.
Shisui's genjutsu was known for its subtlety, but when it came to raw eye power, even Shisui felt outmatched before he unlocked his Mangekyo.
"Shisui, since you've asked me a question, let me ask you one in return. What do you think is the true nature of the Sharingan?" Sougen didn't answer directly but posed a question instead. He glanced at the others running beside them. "Everyone, feel free to think about this and tell me your answers once you figure it out."
Hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought, even Fugaku and his close associates.
Coincidentally, Uchiha Hachidai was also in the group.
Despite Shisui bringing up his defeat, Hachidai held no resentment. He lost, and that was that—nothing to be upset about. In fact, after being defeated so decisively by Sougen, he felt a sense of deep respect.
Now, he too was pondering the question Sougen had raised.
*(End of Chapter)*