Chapter 14: The Silent Radicals; An Irresistible Strategy!
Fugaku's face was ashen, yet his back was drenched in a cold sweat.
He understood perfectly well that if he couldn't resolve the situation tonight, his authority would be utterly devastated.
But therein lay the problem.
He couldn't answer a single one of the questions Uchiha Jin had posed. After a long, agonizing silence, he grit his teeth and spoke. "The concessions the clan makes now are for a greater purpose—to allow the Uchiha to fully integrate into the Hidden Leaf!"
"And where are the results?" Jin shot back instantly. "Are we integrated yet?"
Fugaku's voice died in his throat.
He truly had no tangible results to show. Although he had toiled and endured for his entire life, his "patience" had only been met with the village's increasingly aggressive targeting.
He wanted to explain his hardships, to speak of the burdens he carried, but his pride—or perhaps a lingering sense of shame—prevented him from being that thick-skinned.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke coldly.
"Uchiha Jin, you are too young."
"You don't understand the complexity of the political landscape. However, considering your age, I won't hold your insolence against you."
"Now, let us discuss the business at hand!"
Despite his obvious fury, Fugaku chose to back down. He knew he couldn't win a verbal debate against Jin, so he tactfully shifted the topic to the current crisis facing the clan, hoping the meeting could find a way to weather the storm together.
On the other side, Jin's expression remained unchanged. Seeing Fugaku retreat, he naturally ceased his fire. He understood the principle of not over-extending against a cornered foe, so he simply fell into a relaxed silence, showing no interest in participating in the actual discussion.
The rest of the Radical Faction followed suit.
In the past, they might have enjoyed shouting and arguing during these meetings, but ever since Jin took over, their entire operational style had shifted. They no longer had an interest in long-winded debates. Jin gave the orders, and they executed them.
To them, this entire "negotiation" process was a waste of time. If Jin hadn't insisted on attending, the Radicals likely wouldn't have shown up at all.
As Fugaku took control of the meeting, the members of the other factions began to voice their opinions.
"I believe we should discuss this matter further with the Hokage-sama."
"Indeed. We cannot be reckless!"
"The Uchiha's position is already delicate. Every move we make must be calculated and cautious."
"I agree. We should seek a collaborative solution."
The atmosphere in the shrine became strangely harmonious. Without the Radicals' constant interruptions and rebuttals, there was no conflict. Everything seemed perfectly civilized.
Yet, everyone in Naka Shrine felt an underlying sense of unease. A clan meeting without an argument was a historical first for the Uchiha; they were, quite frankly, not used to it.
Fugaku himself felt uncomfortably awkward. He cleared his throat and looked toward the corner of the room. "Elder Jin, what is the Radical Faction's opinion on these suggestions?"
"No opinion," Jin replied flatly. "We agree."
The corners of everyone's mouths twitched. They couldn't wrap their heads around it. Just like that? They agree?
Are these really the Radicals?
Shisui's brow knit together. In his earnestness, he couldn't help but ask, "Just what kind of conspiracy are you planning, Jin-kun?"
"Conspiracy? Heh." Jin's face was filled with pure disdain. "You underestimate me."
"I, Uchiha Jin, have never stooped to using low-level conspiracies. I find them beneath me."
"But if you're so curious, I don't mind telling you the truth."
"The reason I'm not objecting is simple: the Radical District is an iron fortress. No matter how much chaos erupts outside, it won't affect my people. Since that is the case, why should I interfere in your mess?"
"In fact, I hope you continue to be this stupid. I hope you lose even more Three-Tomoe elites. I hope their corpses continue to be sent to the Root's dissection tables so their eyes can be grafted onto Danzo's arm..."
"The more elites your factions lose, the more the common clansmen who support you will grow terrified. Eventually, when their fear outweighs their loyalty to you, they will naturally seek refuge under the Radicals."
"This is a good thing for me. Why would I oppose it?"
Jin's tone was as calm as a placid lake.
This was an Open Scheme.
He didn't need to hide his intentions. Coming from a world of modern history and strategy, he knew that a plot built on secrets could be easily unraveled, but an "Open Scheme"—one where the target knows the trap but has no choice but to walk into it—was unstoppable.
He was telling them exactly what he wanted to happen. But even knowing his goal, what could the Moderates and Neutrals do? Given their nature, they would continue to follow the path he predicted.
They would trust the village, refuse to fortify, and lose more people. Jin only had to wait for the factions to collapse under the weight of their own failures, and the survivors would naturally flock to him for protection.
As Jin's words sank in, the faces of the Moderates and Neutrals turned an ugly shade of gray.
Shisui slammed his hand on the table, his face flushed with rage. "Uchiha Jin, you—!"
"Did I say something wrong?" Jin asked, his eyes cold and detached. "Are you planning to resist?"
"Don't make me laugh. You idiots don't have the guts. If you actually resisted the village, you'd be 'Radicals' like us."
"And if you choose to keep trusting Hiruzen Sarutobi, you fall right into my plan. I'll just sit back and watch your elites walk to their deaths. No matter what you choose, I win."
A deathly silence fell over Naka Shrine.
Everyone was forced to acknowledge the terrifying nature of Jin's strategy. Even though they knew his plan, they had no counter-move.
Silence.
It felt like an eternity before Shisui grit his teeth and spoke. "I believe in the Hokage. Your 'strategy' will never succeed!"
"Whatever. If it makes you happy," Jin shrugged.
On the other side, Fugaku remained lost in thought, his mind racing. But no matter how much he analyzed the situation, he found no way out.
Could he emulate the Radicals and set up internal defenses? No. That would be an act of defiance against the village.
But if he maintained the status quo, the elite clansmen would continue to disappear, fulfilling Jin's prophecy. Unlike the naive Shisui, Fugaku knew the ruthlessness of Root and the depravity of Danzo. If Jin wasn't lying—and he had no reason to—then Three-Tomoe eyes were a "resource" Danzo would never stop hunting.
Fugaku realized he could no longer "muddle through."
In the past, he would have stalled and hoped for the best. But if he did that now, every day that passed would see his influence dwindle as people fled to the safety of the Radical District. He would lose his position as Clan Head.
No. I can't let that happen!
Jin is too extreme. If he becomes Clan Head, the Uchiha are truly finished.
Don't panic. There must be a way!
Fugaku grit his teeth, his mind churning as he desperately searched for a third option—any way to break Jin's irresistible strategy.