The following morning, Uchiha Fugaku had only just gotten out of bed when a clansman came to report.
"Clan Head, the First and Third Elders request a clan meeting!"
The speaker was a young man in his twenties, moderately built, with sharp features and the typical pride of the Uchiha clan. Though his tone was polite, it lacked any genuine respect.
Fugaku recognized him Uchiha Tekka a known supporter of the First and Third Elders.
As expected, those aligned with the elder faction held little reverence for him, the current clan head.
"So impatient, are they?"
Fugaku sighed to himself.
He knew exactly why the elders were eager to call a clan meeting. Uchiha Shisui had recently awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—a development that made the elders believe a coup against the village might now be possible.
And so, unable to wait, they sought this meeting to plan the next step.
What they didn't know was that their rising star, Shisui, had already pledged loyalty to the Third Hokage. He had become a traitor in their eyes—a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"So be it. It's time for clarity anyway."
Having made up his mind, Fugaku looked at Uchiha Tekka said:
"Go back and tell the First and Third Elders that I agree to the clan meeting. However, this time, only elders are permitted to attend."
Gui was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected the clan head to agree let alone impose such a restriction.
He quickly remembered his instructions: the First and Third Elders wanted the entire upper echelon present. Most of the clan's senior members supported their faction, so a full meeting would give them the advantage.
He hurriedly protested:
"Clan Head, the elders intended for this to be a full clan meeting with all senior members present."
"Insolence. This is not your place to speak."
Fugaku's expression darkened, and his cold gaze fell sharply on Tekka.
"M-my apologies, Clan Head. I-I only…"
Under Fugaku's glare, Tekka felt ice crawl down his spine. His entire body turned cold, and he started to tremble.
It was the same feeling he'd once had on the battlefield during the Third Great Ninja War when, as a Chūnin, he had been locked onto by an elite Jonin. If not for another Uchiha Jonin stepping in to save him, he would have died then and there.
Now, that same feeling of impending doom returned even stronger.
"Remember your place. You're just a messenger. You have no right to speak here."
Fugaku's voice was calm, but cutting.
"Y-yes, Clan Head. I understand…"
Though he felt humiliated, fear kept Gui obedient.
"Just deliver my message. If the elders are dissatisfied, they can voice it during the meeting."
With that, Fugaku waved him away.
His predecessor had been far too lenient so much so that even a low-ranking clansman dared speak against the clan head.
But he was no longer that man. He would not tolerate such behavior.
Tekka fled in panic. Before leaving, he glanced back at the clan head's residence, his heart full of bitterness and resentment.
He had come representing the First and Third Elders, only to suffer public humiliation. He would be sure to report every detail to them—and they would seek justice on his behalf.
Half an hour later, at the Naka Shrine.
The First Elder, Uchiha Setsuna, the Third Elder, Uchiha Yashiro, the Second Elder, Uchiha Mamoru, and Clan Head Fugaku all arrived in turn.
"What an impressive display of authority, Clan Head."
The gaunt Setsuna sneered, the long scar down the left side of his face twitching with disdain.
After returning from Fugaku's residence, Tekka had given an embellished account of the morning's events, which only fueled Setsuna's anger.
Tekka had represented both him and the Third Elder Fugaku's treatment of him was clearly a deliberate slight against them.
"Indeed. The clan head surely knows how to flaunt his power though oddly, that power only seems to appear in front of his own people. Why didn't we see this side of you at the last village meeting?"
Uchiha Yashiro, hawk-nosed and sharp-tongued, added coldly.
To them, Fugaku's actions were nothing less than provocation.
He may hold the title of clan head, but as elders, their status was not far beneath his. They would not tolerate such blatant disrespect.
"Hmph. I've yet to ask how you manage your subordinates, and here you are questioning me instead."
Fugaku snorted coldly.
His predecessor might have yielded for the sake of internal unity. But that only led to more pressure and disrespect. He would not make the same mistake.
His eyes swept across the three elders with quiet intensity.
"A mere clansman dared to defy me openly. Is this how you discipline your followers?"
At that, both Setsuna and Yashiro exploded with rage.
"It's none of your concern how we manage our people! Even if Tekka was out of line, it's not your place to punish him!"
They were used to Fugaku backing down. Now, seeing his new hardline stance, their anger flared like gunpowder igniting.
"Let's not go too far."
Before things escalated further, Uchiha Mamoru the Second Elder stepped in, raising a hand to calm them.
"We're all members of the same clan. There's no need to let this spiral out of control."
"Our current situation in the village is already unstable. If we can't unite even amongst ourselves, then the Uchiha have no future."
He turned to Setsuna and ,Yashiro softening his tone.
"And besides, this meeting wasn't called to argue about discipline, was it?"
Setsuna and Yashiro exchanged a glance, then gritted their teeth and nodded reluctantly.
As much as Fugaku's tone infuriated them, today's agenda was far more important.
Taking a deep breath, Setsuna turned to Fugaku and asked coldly:
"Before we begin, I must ask why limit this clan meeting to only the four of us?"
With the majority of senior members supporting their side, an open meeting would favor them. This restriction clearly worked against their plans.
"I would have told you even if you hadn't asked because that is precisely the issue we need to discuss today."
Fugaku's voice was steady as he looked each elder in the eye.
"I restricted this meeting to the four of us because among the clan's senior leadership…"
He paused, gaze sweeping the room, then declared solemnly:
"There is a traitor!."