What's a clan leader?
In simple terms, it's the person who calls the shots for the clan.
Depending on history, culture, customs, and traditions, the power of a clan leader varies across families. For the Uchiha, the clan leader holds absolute authority—or at least, they used to. Back in the day, the leader's word was law, settling all matters big and small with a single decree.
That changed after Uchiha Madara, the clan leader who defected from the Leaf Village.
The clansmen who refused to follow Madara held several discussions and decided to curb the leader's power. They boosted the authority of the clan elders to counterbalance the leader's one-man rule, hoping to prevent another disaster. After all, Madara's betrayal nearly led to the clan's annihilation.
Back then, Tobirama Senju, not yet the Second Hokage, proposed wiping out the Uchiha entirely. Thankfully, the First Hokage, with his kind heart, not only spared the Uchiha but praised their choice to stay loyal to the village.
Even so, that generation's elders were scared witless.
The elders gained the power to challenge the clan leader's decisions. In some cases, with the majority of the clan's support, they could even replace the leader. That said, no such thing has happened yet. After Madara, there have only been two clan leaders.
Uchiha Fugaku is the second.
And unless the leader blatantly betrays the clan, no one dares to casually call for a replacement.
In the original history, even when the clan was rife with rebellious sentiment, they didn't ditch the wishy-washy Fugaku. Instead, they pressured him through collective petitions, forcing him onto the path of plotting a coup… Honestly, if they'd just cut Fugaku loose, the Uchiha's extinction might not have been so humiliating!
"Didn't expect Homaru to back you too. This boosts the plan's chances even more!" In the courtyard of Sogen's house stood an ancient cherry tree, said to have been planted by an ancestor of Sogen's line when the Leaf Village was founded. When the clan relocated, they used earth-style jutsu to move the tree along with them.
Beneath it sat a bluestone slab, where Uchiha Genshi perched, holding a bottle of his beloved Red Jade Port, sipping as he admired the blossoms.
"Myself, Ryūji, Homaru… three of the six elders are on your side. Plus, the young folks you've rallied—over half the clan's jonin are with you… Sogen, how much longer are you gonna prep?"
Sogen had spread a felt blanket on the grass not far from the tree, sitting cross-legged as he joined his grandfather in cherry-blossom viewing and scheming.
"This time, I turned down the Third's offer. If I don't become clan leader soon, it won't be long before another attack comes my way. Honestly, Grandpa, I'm half tempted to pull Tōka out of the academy. The ninja school doesn't feel safe…"
"No need to worry about Tōka. I've got people watching her. If you're still uneasy, you can escort her to and from school. But dropping out? Bad idea. You've said it yourself—the Uchiha can't stay isolated. We need to connect with other clans, and the ninja academy is the best way to do that. If Tōka quits, how will you convince other clansmen to send their kids there?"
"It's not like we'd send everyone—just a few with good tempers and decent looks… Okay, fine! I'll personally escort Tōka to school for a while."
"Don't spoil your sister too much. You'll regret it when she's a handful."
A breeze swept through.
The old cherry tree's branches swayed, and delicate pink petals drifted down like sweet cakes, carried by the wind toward a nearby bamboo grove, as if a cherry-blossom rain had fallen.
Genshi, caught up in the sight, couldn't help but clap in admiration. "Beautiful!"
"Tōka's a girl, so a bit of pampering's only natural," Sogen said with a grin, though inwardly he grumbled, *You're the one who spoils her the most, old man. I didn't even know you had people protecting her… I never got that kind of treatment when I was out fighting Mist ninjas!*
Of course, he kept those thoughts to himself, his face betraying nothing.
"By the way, Sogen, what's the deal with Shisui?" As the cherry-blossom rain settled, Genshi reluctantly tore his gaze away and abruptly brought up Shisui.
Not that it was out of the blue—Sogen had been expecting the question.
Uchiha Shisui, though only fifteen like Sogen, was already a legend. His moniker "Shunshin no Shisui" (Shisui of the Body Flicker) was known even among Cloud and Stone ninjas. Among the clan's younger generation, his influence was nearly as strong as Sogen's "Enma" (Flame Demon) reputation.
Plus, while Uchiha Kagami died young, he still had a loyal following in the clan, including one elder.
So, Shisui's stance could significantly impact Sogen's success.
"Sort of," Sogen said with a slight nod, sipping his green tea. Ninjas under twenty weren't allowed to drink, a rule the Uchiha strictly followed. Alcohol was a poison, and lust a blade—both more harm than good for young ninjas.
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Truth be told, overindulgence in either was bad at any age.
"Strictly speaking, Shisui's supporting me because he's faced the harsh reality and realized I'm his only option. He *has* to back me. Sure, he could try going it alone, but his personality? He's not cut out for that."
Genshi took a swig of wine, his cheeks flushing as he slurred slightly. "Your plan to save the clan doesn't *have* to hinge on you. If Fugaku changes his tune, with his clout in the clan, you'd have a hard time toppling him. Keep that in mind—don't let a glimpse of victory make you reckless."
"I'm not worried about that."
Sogen flashed a carefree smile. "They say it's easier to move mountains than change a person's nature. Our clan leader's soft, indecisive, willow-in-the-wind ways aren't going away anytime soon. Besides, the Uchiha respect strength. As long as my fists are strong enough, the clan will know who to follow."
With that, he glanced at the sky and stood. "Grandpa, enjoy the cherry blossoms. I've got a visit to make to our clan leader."