A thick, heavy silence pervaded the grand hall of the Uchiha following the departure of the broken Sixth Elder. Patriarch Hayato Uchiha remained immersed in deep contemplation, analyzing the situation from every conceivable angle. He weighed his options with agonizing seriousness, considering exactly what the next step should be in this intricate and perilous predicament. His eyes were half-closed, his hand resting thoughtfully on his chin. The choices were limited; all were difficult, and each carried monumental consequences.
Amidst that charged silence and profound reflection, a young member of the extremist Hawk faction suddenly erupted in a loud, angry, and zealous shout: "Honorable Patriarch! We must respond with force to this blatant insult! We cannot remain silent in the face of this!"
His sudden, booming voice acted like a heavy stone thrown directly into a sleeping hornet's nest. Instantly, the radical members of the Hawk faction seated in the rear rows reacted with visible fervor:
"Yes! We must strike back with overwhelming power!"
"This insult is unacceptable!"
"The Uchiha are not to be humiliated like this!"
"War! War now!"
The voices were passionate, furious, and overlapping. However, the most surprising development this time was that several elders and individuals who were typically neutral in the debates between the two factions joined the chorus of anger. Men known for their balance and caution were now demanding war as well. It was an unusual shift, a clear transformation in the collective mood of the clan.
In truth, nearly every elder in the hall, without exception, felt deeply insulted and visibly enraged by the rejection from the Kingdom of the Blue Dragon. Whether they belonged to the hardline Hawks or the moderate Dove faction, the sentiment was the same. Even Patriarch Hayato himself, who by nature and philosophy leaned toward the Doves, felt a sting of clear humiliation. Despite their internal disagreements, they were ultimately the proud, arrogant, and self-assured Uchiha Clan. This pride and arrogance flowed through the veins of every single one of them.
Therefore, while the moderate Doves were in constant dispute with the radical Hawks over many policies and decisions, that conflict did not mean they possessed any less pride or a lesser sense of superiority over others. They simply preferred to prioritize reason, logical thinking, verification, and caution over the blind impulse and recklessness typical of the extremists. It was a difference in methodology, not in the level of Uchiha pride.
Furthermore, witnessing the painful and shattered state of the Sixth Elder added fuel to the fire. While they were all deeply displeased with his visible fear and cowardice, they simultaneously felt a measure of genuine sadness and deep pity for him. After all, the Sixth Elder was a man who truly loved the clan with all his heart, having dedicated his entire life to its service and defense. This devotion and sincerity could not be denied or questioned by anyone, radical or moderate. Everyone knew his loyalty; everyone respected his long years of service.
Consequently, a deep and burning rage ignited in every heart toward the true cause of this painful psychological collapse. Who had shattered the spirit of this strong warrior? Who had forced him to kneel and plead? The Kingdom of the Blue Dragon! Minister Sato! They were the ones responsible; they were the ones who deserved vengeance. This emotional and psychological state dominated the thinking of everyone in the Great Hall—a collective fury, a thirst for revenge, and a readiness for war.
Only one person remained outside this tidal wave: the Second Elder standing at the front. His face grew dark and somber, filled with deep sorrow and acute anxiety. He knew all too well that no matter what he said now, no matter how he tried to persuade them, he would be unable to change the course of this escalating situation. Rage had seized everyone, emotions governed their minds, and the decision was essentially made. It seemed entirely clear that a massive military confrontation was inevitable, whether he wished for it or not. The train of war had begun to move, and it could not be stopped now. A sense of helplessness and frustration washed over him, mourning what was to come.
As for Hiroshi, the Patriarch's young son, his stance was entirely different and far more complex. He understood both psychological states clearly. He understood the Sixth Elder's fear and his collapse, for he himself had felt a portion of that gargantuan pressure. And while he personally recognized the terrifying and crushing weight that Minister Sato had exerted in the royal hall—and understood the Second Elder's realistic, logical fears of a losing and destructive war—his strong nature and deep-seated pride meant he would never break as the Sixth Elder had.
To Hiroshi, breaking was not an option; surrender was not a path. He would follow his father, the Patriarch, into this coming war with total confidence and loyalty, facing it directly and bravely. Even if this confrontation would ultimately lead to his certain death, it did not matter. An honorable death was far better than a life of cowardice. For him, this was exactly what it meant to be a true Uchiha: pride until death, arrogance until the end, never bowing. It was a firm conviction, a deep belief in the identity of the clan.
Patriarch Hayato looked at the two men before him—the Second Elder with his gloomy face and his son Hiroshi with determined eyes—with a look of understanding. This was the true and authentic nature of the Uchiha: overwhelming pride, towering arrogance, and the absolute refusal of insult regardless of the cost. As Patriarch, he could not suppress this deep nature or change it, even if he wanted to. This was who they were; this was their identity and their fate.
He then spoke in an audible, clear, and firm voice that filled the entire hall: "It seems everyone here already knows what we shall do, and what the correct decision is for us." He paused, looking at the faces of the assembly, then continued: "There is no need even for a formal vote this time. The consensus is clear."
Every eye in the hall focused on him with intense concentration and anticipation. Some were eager and zealous, some carried visible rage, and others held a silent understanding of the coming decree. The Patriarch then spoke louder, with greater power and decisiveness: "Therefore, we shall seize the mine by direct force!"
The voices began to rise slightly, but he raised his hand to finish: "And we shall teach the Kingdom of the Blue Dragon a harsh lesson they will never forget!" He paused for effect, then added in a sharper tone: "This lesson will serve as a clear and direct warning to the entire world... that we are the Great Uchiha Clan, and no one, regardless of who they are, should ever mess with us!"
He raised his voice even further: "Otherwise, they will pay a very heavy price they will not forget!"
Immediately, shouts of high zeal, clear joy, and powerful encouragement erupted throughout the entire hall. It was as if they were celebrating an early victory in a war they considered certain and decided in advance.
"Yes! This is the right decision!"
"Uchiha! Uchiha!"
"We will win easily!"
"We will teach them who we are!"
"Glory to the clan!"
It was a collective frenzy and a blind confidence in their absolute superiority. Meanwhile, the Second Elder remained in his place, completely silent, his tired face etched with deep sorrow and visible helplessness. He knew the truth, but no one would listen to him now. He felt a sense of loneliness and isolation, grieving for the future that lay ahead.
Young Hiroshi maintained total silence, closing his eyes in deep meditation and internal thought. He was preparing himself mentally, accepting his fate. The confrontation was coming, and death was likely, but he was ready. Patriarch Hayato noticed the strange silence from the two of them amidst the general enthusiasm. He saw the sorrow on the Second Elder's face and the meditation in his son's eyes. However, he said nothing of it; he did not comment, nor did he ask. He only let out a deep, silent sigh and outwardly ignored the matter. The decision was made, the path was clear, and the future was set. There was no turning back now. War was coming.
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