Chapter 7 - Step Down, Clan Leader!
Renji pondered, having just finished discussing the current issues within the police force.
Now, it was time to address the problems between Konoha and the Uchiha.
"The root cause of the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha isn't the tension between us. You've all been focusing on the wrong point of contention."
After a moment of thought, Renji slowly voiced his opinion.
"So, you also think we shouldn't rebel, right?"
Uchiha Tetsu's face lit up with joy. This was clearly the mindset of their conservative faction.
It seemed Renji was indeed aligned with his own thoughts, just as he had expected. He truly was the good kid Tetsu had always believed him to be.
On the other hand, Uchiha Setsuna looked somewhat displeased.
Wasn't this guy's earlier statement leaning toward the radical faction? Why was he suddenly saying this now?
"No, perhaps I didn't fully express my earlier point. What I meant was that our enemies aren't all the ninjas in Konoha Village, but rather the elders led by Sarutobi Hiruzen and the forces under their command.
As for the other ninja clans in Konoha and those who remain neutral, there's no need for us to antagonize them. Even if we were to resist later, our target should be Sarutobi Hiruzen and his group, not the entire Konoha Village!"
In Renji's view, shifting the target from the entire Konoha Village to the Hokage's faction would naturally reduce the pressure.
Previously, the Uchiha clan had always talked about rebellion, but that rebellion wasn't just about dealing with Sarutobi Hiruzen and his allies—it was against the entire Konoha.
However, if the goal was only to oppose Sarutobi Hiruzen and his group, and not the entire Konoha, then there was no need to make so many enemies.
Within Konoha, there were indeed those who were dissatisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen. At the very least, the Hyuga clan's attitude toward the Hokage's faction was lukewarm.
Otherwise, during the Konoha Crush, why were there so few Hyuga ninjas seen on the battlefield?
As the largest ninja clan in Konoha at the time, the Hyuga clan's lack of participation in the battle was a clear indication of their dissatisfaction with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Especially since it hadn't been long since the incident involving Hyuga Hizashi's death.
Even if Hyuga Hiashi didn't say it outright, he would always remember this incident in his heart.
"Right, Renji is correct. What we want to overthrow is Sarutobi Hiruzen, not the entire Konoha. We just want to reclaim what originally belonged to our Uchiha clan!"
Uchiha Setsuna, who had been wearing a grim expression, suddenly broke into a wide smile. Clearly, he was very satisfied with Renji's follow-up explanation.
After all, in his view, if the Uchiha clan didn't take a radical stance externally, they would only be slowly worn down over time.
"Renji, are you suggesting rebellion?"
Uchiha Fugaku's heart sank. This wasn't a good idea.
"This is just self-defense. Clan Leader Fugaku, do you really think that if we do nothing, they'll just leave us alone? Isn't that a bit naive? Over the years, it's been Danzo who has been targeting the Uchiha, but without the Hokage's tacit approval, Danzo wouldn't have been able to act so brazenly.
"So, in the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen also doesn't want our Uchiha clan to become too powerful. This is a policy that has been carried on since the Second Hokage and is still being used by them to this day.
"We've thought about just enduring it, but what have we gained in the end? During the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, our Uchiha clan contributed the most, yet we received little credit. All the credit went to the Sannin and Namikaze Minato.
"During the Nine-Tails' attack, we did nothing wrong, yet we were pushed to the outskirts of the village, surrounded by other ninja clans and ANBU surveillance. Clan Leader Fugaku, look at the other clans around us. Doesn't it seem like they're just waiting for us to rebel so they can immediately gang up on us? In this situation, with them constantly pushing us toward rebellion, do you really think this is a choice we can make?"
In Renji's view, Uchiha Fugaku was far too naive.
Even though things had already reached an irreversible point, he still naively clung to the hope of improving the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha through other means.
In the end, it wasn't that the Uchiha clan couldn't integrate into Konoha—it was that the other side simply didn't want them to integrate.
Seizing the moment while Fugaku remained silent, Renji continued, "Additionally, there's one last thing I want to say. Clan Leader Fugaku, I believe you are no longer fit to lead the Uchiha clan. Your indecisiveness will only lead the Uchiha clan to ruin!!!"
That's right!!
The final matter Renji wanted to address was the removal of Uchiha Fugaku from his position as clan leader.
Only by stepping down could Fugaku make way for change. At this critical juncture, altering the course of events might even present an opportunity for a reward.
Therefore, no matter what, Renji's first priority was to become the leader of the Uchiha clan.
"What!!?"
Before Fugaku could react, the surrounding Uchiha members were stunned.
Although they had been arguing earlier, none of them had ever considered deposing Fugaku. But now, with Renji bringing it up, Uchiha Setsuna's interest was immediately piqued.
He had always thought Fugaku was too weak. In the face of Sarutobi Hiruzen and his allies, Fugaku had been unable to secure any benefits for the Uchiha clan and had instead been constantly suppressed.
Faced with all this, Fugaku had no solutions.
But Renji was different. From the solutions Renji had proposed earlier, Setsuna saw a glimmer of hope.
Rather than waiting for death, it was better to take a gamble.
"Renji, do you have any idea what you're saying?"
Fugaku finally reacted, his expression darkening as he looked at Renji with a dangerous glint in his eyes. Clearly, he hadn't expected Renji's thoughts to be so radical.
Not only did Renji want to lead the Uchiha clan in rebellion, but he also wanted to remove Fugaku from his position as clan leader.
"I've thought this through very clearly. Clan Leader, please step down. Compromise will never bring peace to the Uchiha clan. Either lead the Uchiha clan away from Konoha, or confront Sarutobi Hiruzen and his allies in areas other than武力, gaining the upper hand. But no matter which path we take, you lack the resolve to do it. That's why you are no longer fit to be the leader of the Uchiha clan!"
The first option, leading the Uchiha clan away, was likely impossible. After all, even Uchiha Madara had failed to take the Uchiha clan with him when he left. At this point, it was even less likely that Fugaku could succeed.
As for the second option, Fugaku could have done it, but he lacked the courage. Despite possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan, he had chosen to wait for death.
Renji couldn't understand Fugaku's mindset. If you want to die, that's your choice, but many Uchiha clansmen don't want to die. Why drag everyone else down with you?
(End of Chapter)
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