"Then next," the Grand Elder said, his tone sinking, "we must discuss how to minimize the impact of this incident."
Punishments had been decided, but that was only the surface problem.
What they faced now… was far more troublesome.
Seven Uchiha picking a fight with one person in broad daylight — and losing — wasn't merely embarrassing.
If this was only a spectacle to the bystanders, then Uchiha would merely suffer a hit to their pride.
But if someone in the village chose to twist the narrative…
If a well-placed whisper reached the wrong ears…
With the tension between Konoha and Uchiha already festering,
This small spark could easily become something far worse.
A deeper rift.
A new round of suspicion.
A political disaster.
On that, every elder fell silent.
The younger members of the clan might not understand the delicate balance they were living under.
But the elders did.
All too well.
The Grand Elder's words weighed on them like a stone.
After a moment, Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward.
"I have a suggestion," he said. "About how to handle the aftermath."
He technically wasn't supposed to be here — too young, not yet part of senior council but after escorting the Grand Elder inside, he had stayed quietly by the wall.
The Grand Elder lifted an eyebrow.
"Oh? Speak."
All eyes turned to Fugaku — some curious, some disapproving that a youth was joining the conversation.
Fugaku inhaled deeply.
Then pointed toward the seven kneeling on the ground.
"We should spread the news of their punishment throughout the entire clan."
Silence fell like a dropped kunai.
Eikō and the others snapped their heads up, eyes wide with disbelief.
"What!?"
Even the elders stiffened. Faces darkened.
Spreading clan shame on purpose?
Air out dirty laundry for everyone to admire?
Had Fugaku lost his mind?
"Please listen," Fugaku said quickly, bowing slightly toward the elders.
"Yes — this incident already damaged our reputation. That cannot be undone."
"But dwelling on lost pride will not fix anything."
"If we make their punishment known to every member of the clan, and let the village hear it as well…"
"…then people will see that the Uchiha do not shield wrongdoings."
"That we discipline our own."
"That we are strict, responsible, and not a clan that abuses power."
His voice was steady.
"In doing so, the impression of Uchiha changes."
"It becomes clear the clan does not tolerate arrogance — even from its own."
The elders paused.
It was infuriating at first — but the more they listened, the more it made sense.
A controlled, self-imposed humiliation…
To create a reputation of strict self-governance…
This could soften the damage done today.
It could even improve the clan's standing in the eyes of Konoha.
Something so simple — yet none of them had considered it because they were too focused on pride.
"Hahahaha!"
The Grand Elder suddenly burst out laughing.
"Excellent! Yes, excellent!"
He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
"To think we struggled with this problem, while the solution was this straightforward."
"Very well! We will do exactly as Fugaku suggested!"
The elder's tone held unmistakable approval.
One by one, the elders voiced their agreement.
"I agree."
"Same here."
"That will work."
Everyone supported it — except the seven kneeling on the ground, whose faces sank even further.
Great.
Another thing for people to talk about.
"Good," the Grand Elder concluded. "If we are all in agreement, then this discussion is settled."
He began walking toward the shrine exit.
"Tomorrow," he said, "I must visit Yagami's home personally to apologize."
"What!?"
"Grand Elder — surely you can't be serious!?"
The room erupted with disbelief.
Apologizing to someone who humiliated their own clan?
Humbling himself in front of an outsider?
But the Grand Elder didn't stop walking.
"You need not try to persuade me," he said firmly. "This is something I personally promised the Hokage."
His cane tapped slowly across the floor as he left the hall.
Behind him, Eikō and the others lowered their heads again — heat rising in their faces.
If not for their stupidity…
The elder would never have to endure such humiliation.
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