(Bonus Chapter)
"So, Father—do you agree, or do you refuse?"
Uchiha Ran looked at Uchiha Fugaku, a bright smile on his face.
Fugaku hesitated. "Give me a few more days. Let me think it over."
The moment those words fell, the smile on Ran's face vanished.
Disappointment, complexity, coldness, and mockery flickered through his eyes.
"Think?" Ran's chakra suddenly erupted.
"Father, I asked whether you agree or refuse—and your answer is to think?"
The violent surge of chakra instantly alarmed the entire Uchiha clan.
Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui rushed over and saw Ran standing in the courtyard, hair whipping wildly as his chakra radiated outward without restraint.
"Ran, what are you doing?" Fugaku scolded. "Do I not even have the right to think, as your father?"
"Think?" Ran sneered. "At a time like this?"
"The major ninja clans are already drawing closer to the Uchiha, and you're still hesitating about whether to launch a coup?"
"Does this even require thought?"
"If we launch a coup, we remain one family. If not—fine."
"Anyone willing to follow me, step forward. We'll form our own faction."
The moment his words fell, every Uchiha ninja dropped to one knee.
"We will obey Lord Ran's orders!"
The scene stunned both Itachi and Fugaku. Even Shisui knelt without hesitation.
Fugaku staggered back.
At that moment, he finally understood—he was no longer truly the head of the Uchiha clan.
Or rather, he still held the title, but the real power had already been taken by his own son.
He looked at Ran. Ran looked back.
Ran had once believed that Fugaku would make the same choice he had.
But Fugaku's hesitation shattered that belief completely.
As clan head, you either act—or you don't. What was the point of endless deliberation?
Fugaku let out a long sigh.
"…Fine. From today onward, the Uchiha are yours."
"Perhaps I was never suited to be clan head."
A spark of excitement ignited in everyone's eyes. Many had long been dissatisfied with Fugaku's indecision.
In the past, his neutrality had merely offended everyone equally. Now, with the coup right in front of them, his hesitation was unforgivable.
Ran said nothing. He turned and walked away.
Behind him, a crowd of Uchiha followed.
Only Fugaku and Itachi remained where they stood.
Itachi watched Ran's back with envy.
So this is what it means… to be acknowledged by everyone.
"Itachi," Fugaku said quietly. "You should go too."
"Perhaps only your younger brother can save the Uchiha… and save Konoha."
With that, Fugaku turned and walked into the house.
Itachi stared at his father's retreating figure, emotions churning in his chest.
In such a short time, the power structure of the clan had completely changed.
He shook his head and headed after Ran.
---
Ran arrived at the clan meeting hall.
It was already past midnight, yet every Uchiha ninja—except Fugaku—had gathered.
Ran walked straight toward the clan head's seat.
Uchiha Zongyi was about to speak, but dozens of Uchiha activated their Sharingan at once.
The pressure crushed him instantly. He shut his mouth, lowered his head, and remained silent.
Ran looked at the clan head's seat, emotions complicated.
He had thought it would take years to reach this position.
He hadn't expected to sit here today.
Turning to face everyone, he sat down calmly.
"Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku is unwell. For the time being, I will act as clan head and exercise his authority."
"According to tradition, we'll vote by a show of hands."
Ran spoke indifferently, legs resting casually against the table as he looked down at the crowd.
Within ten seconds, every hand was raised—including Zongyi's.
He understood it clearly: Ran's takeover was inevitable. Resistance was meaningless.
Ran stood up.
"Then from this moment on, I expect everyone's full cooperation."
"Yes!"
Everyone knelt on one knee.
"Tomorrow, the newspapers will be sold in twenty areas by twenty teams."
"I'll also need a few people to stir discussion—buy the paper and read it aloud in public."
"At the same time, the Uchiha Police Force will patrol those areas."
"If anyone causes trouble—even ANBU or Root—detain them."
"The promotion of this newspaper is non-negotiable."
"No one is allowed to stop it."
"If you encounter a problem you can't handle, come directly to me."
Ran issued orders one after another. His goal was simple and absolute:
Spread the newspaper.
In an era with no entertainment, public opinion was power.
What happened today was mostly known only to the major clans. Ordinary villagers still believed Hiruzen Sarutobi was the benevolent Third Hokage.
Ran intended to shatter that illusion.
And everything being published was true. It could withstand scrutiny.
Even if ANBU discovered it tomorrow, that risk was insignificant compared to the gains.
Under Ran's command, the Uchiha clan moved swiftly, each performing their role.
---
Ran returned to his room, ready to rest.
But Uchiha Mikoto was waiting inside.
"You're back, Ran," she said softly, hesitation in her voice.
Ran paused, then bowed.
"Mother."
Mikoto smiled gently. "Sit."
Ran knelt opposite her, back straight, eyes respectful.
"Did you argue with your father?" she asked.
"When he came back, he went straight to the bedroom without saying a word."
"No matter how much I asked, he wouldn't explain."
Ran pressed his lips together.
He could be ruthless with Fugaku—but never with his mother.
From childhood to adulthood, Mikoto had always protected him.
Gentle, patient… someone he could never defy.
Ran took out Minato Namikaze's note and explained everything—Fugaku's hesitation, and the critical situation the Uchiha now faced.
This was a moment of life and death.
There was no retreat—only advance.
Every clansman had already placed their lives on the line.
Even Ran himself knew that if he suddenly backed down now, those behind him would tear him apart.
Fugaku's hesitation was far worse.
Everyone had already committed to the coup—yet he still wanted to "think."
At such a perfect moment?
Hesitation leads to defeat.
(A/N)
Bonus Chapter uploaded as promised.
Another one coming at 60 (Currently 6) and Guys if we are in top 50 rankings by tomorrow more Bonus Chapters will be uploaded.
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