One by one, Uchiha Clan ninjas began to gather.
Entering the secret chamber of the Shrine, the Uchiha Clan's crest was engraved on the walls, while torches drove away the darkness.
Over thirty Uchiha ninjas congregated here.
All were elite ninjas of the Uchiha Clan who had awakened the Sharingan and possessed great strength.
Among them, Itachi was the youngest, yet also one of the most noticed individuals.
The reason was simple: he was the eyes placed by the Uchiha Clan beside the high ranks.
Through Itachi, the Uchiha Clan could capture the movements of the high ranks and the Anbu, benefiting the clan.
Sitting in the main seat, facing all the Uchiha Clan ninjas, the clan leader, Itachi's father, Uchiha Fugaku, unlike his strict fatherly image at home, bore a stern and formidable expression, as if facing a great enemy.
Even his mother, Uchiha Mikoto, usually kind-faced, also wore a cold and severe expression.
As if she was not a mere housewife, but a formidable presence within the Uchiha Clan.
Itachi found it unbearable, the atmosphere here was too oppressive.
Every gathering made him feel uneasy and suppressed, even more so than the Anbu's atmosphere.
Clearly under the village's protection, why should they act like facing an enemy within the village's territory, which made Itachi feel deeply saddened.
"According to the intelligence we've received, the Anbu is implementing tight surveillance on us. Residents surrounding the Uchiha Clan Land are quietly leaving under the high ranks' policies, as if intending to isolate the Uchiha Clan completely. The high ranks have never considered us as fellow villagers, clan leader, we should establish a regime belonging to the Uchiha Clan. We can no longer let the Senju's will dominate the village!"
The speaker was a male Uchiha ninja, with short, white hair and narrow eyes, seemingly not fully opened.
His name was Uchiha Hachida.
He was one of the representatives of the Uchiha Radical Faction, and one of the Uchiha ninjas most resentful of the Konoha high ranks.
His will could represent the will of the Uchiha Radical Faction.
Although Konoha had entered a peaceful era in recent years, for the Uchiha Clan, it might not be true peace.
The conflicts between Anbu and the Security Team, constant complaints from residents about the Uchiha Clan's Security Team's arrogance, and the high ranks intentionally creating a space around the Uchiha Clan Land, distancing residents from the Uchiha Clan.
This obvious isolation measure had utterly filled the Uchiha Radical Faction with dissatisfaction.
The so-called establishment of a regime for the Uchiha Clan, in Itachi's view, was merely a pleasant way of saying it, the real term would be a coup d'état to seize power.
Such actions would cause too much destruction to the village.
This approach greatly repulsed Itachi.
Perhaps it would become the spark that ignites a war.
"Itachi, what do you think?"
Fugaku did not respond directly but looked towards Itachi.
Everyone's gaze followed Fugaku's words, focusing on Itachi, making it hard for him to breathe.
Itachi nodded and replied, "Yes, the Anbu indeed has tight surveillance on our clan."
Because it was irrefutable, impossible to hide even if he wanted to.
Even if the Anbu operated very secretly, backed by the entire village's power, the Uchiha Clan had a long history with excellent ninjas in every generation, they would eventually notice something amiss.
Before the clansmen could echo, Itachi continued:
"Actually, I think the Anbu's monitoring is just a precaution, the family gatherings are too frequent, that's why the Anbu..."
"Then what do you think we should do?"
Originally viewing Itachi favorably, Uchiha Hachida immediately displayed a hostile look.
"I think we should reduce the frequency of clan meetings, temporarily with the Anbu..."
Itachi offered his suggestion.
However, Uchiha Hachida sneered.
"Itachi, have you forgotten your family's teachings after being in the Anbu for a few years? Was it the Anbu that raised you, or was it the clan that raised you, providing you with ninja techniques and resources, along with a prestigious identity? Whose side are you on?"
"I'm not taking sides. I just think that the distinction between enemy and ally needs to be clear."
Itachi insisted on his views, believing the clan's views were too extreme.
"Don't try to confuse me with your gibberish, just tell me whose side you're on. Did the high ranks offer you an Anbu Squad Captain position, and now you forget the clan? Without the clan's support, how will you achieve your dream of becoming Hokage?"
Uchiha Hachida glared at Itachi, attitude firm and uncompromising.
Old-fashioned! Itachi felt dissatisfied inside.
It was precisely because he wanted to become the Hokage that he couldn't limit his vision to such a narrow-minded clan thinking.
If his view couldn't transcend his clan, he could not become Hokage, nor change the fate of the clan, the village, and the world.
Itachi frowned, noticing many clansmen looking at him, their eyes showing discontent towards him.
Only Shisui and his mother Mikoto were looking at him with concern, signaling him not to say anything that might provoke the clan further.
His father Fugaku was also looking at him with a stern gaze, hoping he would firmly express his stance.
Itachi felt disappointed, most of the clansmen here had lost their rationality.
His father as well.