2.
Uchiha Setsuna revealed a broad smile.
Taking advantage of the remaining time, Senya explained his new plan.
Uchiha Setsuna filled in the gaps from the side, making the plan even more perfect.
“Elder Setsuna, what we need to do right now is wake up the majority of the clan, not actually start an all-out war.
I’ll be relying on you in a moment.” Uchiha Setsuna stroked his neatly groomed goatee and gave a slight nod.
Acting?
Who didn’t know how to put on a show?
Uchiha Hikura’s efficiency was high.
Before long, a broadcast accompanied by the crackle of static echoed throughout the Uchiha clan’s compound: “Emergency notice.
Emergency notice.
By the order of Elder Uchiha Setsuna, all clan members, regardless of age or gender, are to gather at the central square immediately for a full clan meeting!
This concerns the life and death of the clan.
You must proceed immediately!” The broadcast repeated three times, ensuring everyone could hear it.
The Anbu monitoring the Uchiha sensed trouble and relayed this intelligence back at top speed.
Having just returned home, before Fugaku could even settle into his seat, he suddenly heard the broadcast.
After listening to its contents, his heart sank.
That morning, Uchiha Setsuna had suddenly gone on the offensive, cornering Shimura Danzo and escalating the conflict once again.
Now, he was using the broadcast to issue an emergency notice, gathering the entire clan.
‘What exactly does Uchiha Setsuna want to do?!
Doesn’t he know that clashing with Konoha will only destroy the clan?!’ Uchiha Fugaku’s expression was incredibly grim.
He had painstakingly mediated between the clan and the village, finally seeing a ray of hope for peace, only for it to be ruined by a stubborn old fool!
“Honey, what happened?” Wearing an apron, Uchiha Mikoto put down her ladle, stepped out of the kitchen, and leaned against the doorframe, asking softly.
Looking at his gentle and virtuous wife, he forced a painfully stiff smile.
“It’s nothing.” “Go call Itachi.
It’s time for us to head out.” “That child Itachi just left.
Should we go call him to join us?” A complex look flashed through Fugaku’s eyes.
He remained silent for two seconds before slowly saying, “No need.
Itachi has grown up and has his own path to walk.” Mikoto nodded gently.
She was a very traditional woman; her husband was her entire world.
“What about Sasuke?” “Call him too.” “Sasuke, it’s time for us to go.” Uchiha Mikoto turned around, revealing a gentle smile, and waved toward the door.
Uchiha Sasuke’s head popped out from the doorway.
In front of his father, he put on the act of a little adult, walking calmly and composedly to his mother’s side.
“Mom, I’m not a kid anymore,” he muttered softly, dodging Mikoto’s outstretched hand.
He wanted his father to see his growth.
He also wanted to be like his older brother, to receive his father’s praise and become everyone’s pride.
Uchiha Mikoto covered her mouth and chuckled.
“Yes, yes, yes, our Sasuke is a little man.” Because of the Nine-Tails incident, the Uchiha clan had been relocated from the bustling center of Konoha to a godforsaken corner of the village.
Although they had more expansive land here, most people couldn’t feel happy about it.
It was like owning a highly valuable property in the city center, only to be forcibly relocated to the barren wilderness.
Aside from the children who were still ignorant of the world, probably no one could be happy about it.
However, it wasn’t entirely without its benefits.
For example, they had cleared out a massive square, and they were able to build more training grounds.
Life was too bitter.
People always had to be a little optimistic.
In less than half an hour, the square was packed with people.
There were gray-haired elders, youths who had yet to shed their childishness, and even babbling infants being held in arms.
Ninja and civilians.
Everyone was mixed together.
Even the usually distinct Doves and Hawks had merged into one crowd.
Because this was a full clan meeting!
In the long history of the Uchiha clan, full clan meetings had only been convened a handful of times.
Every single time, it concerned the life and death of the clan.
People discussed in low voices, looking anxious, nervous, or excited, their expressions varying greatly.
It had to be said that Senya had chosen the optimal solution for the current situation right from the start.
After Uchiha Madara defected and left the village, Uchiha Setsuna had managed the clan until Uchiha Fugaku was appointed as the new clan head, at which point he retreated behind the scenes.
Decades of time had accumulated too much intangible wealth for him.
Even though Uchiha Setsuna had been retired for nearly ten years, he still held immense prestige within the clan!
So the moment the broadcast sounded, everyone followed his call and came to the square.
Amidst everyone’s anxious waiting, Uchiha Setsuna arrived.
The sea of people spontaneously parted to the sides, clearing a path wide enough for two people.
Everyone looked curiously at the youth following beside Uchiha Setsuna.
Many immediately recognized Senya’s identity— In a clan like the Uchiha, which frequently produced handsome men and beautiful women, someone with such strikingly handsome features naturally left a deep, positive impression.
Good looks had always been an excellent weapon, and Senya wasn’t about to be stingy in using it.
Uchiha Fugaku was also sizing up Senya.
For some reason, he felt an indescribable sense of familiarity.
It was as if he had just seen him not long ago.
But soon, he tossed this sliver of doubt to the back of his mind and stared fixedly at Uchiha Setsuna’s aged face.
‘Elder Setsuna, what exactly do you want to do?
Don’t you know that doing this will only bring destruction?’ What did Uchiha Setsuna want to do?
In the past, he chose to retire for the future of the clan.
Now, he was choosing to step forward again, also for the future of the clan.
“Senya, how does it feel to be the center of attention?” Uchiha Setsuna asked in a low voice.
Senya was calm and composed.
“Very nerve-wracking.” Stares carried weight.
Being stared at by so many people felt terrible.
What was worse was that he had to give a damn speech on stage in a moment!
This…
was very difficult.
In his past life, he was just an unsuccessful writer.
From his school days to graduation, he had always been a complete wallflower and had never hosted any major events.
But…
he had already been pushed to the edge of the cliff.
One step back was a bottomless abyss.
He could only move forward, striding forward!
“I don’t sense any nervousness from you, which means you’re very suited for this.
You’ll get used to it,” a kind smile appeared on Uchiha Setsuna’s cold, hard face.
Soon, that smile faded.
He was going to take the stage, offering himself as kindling to become a guiding torch, illuminating the fog ahead for the clan.
The rest of the path could only be walked by themselves.
Harboring complex and indescribable emotions, Uchiha Setsuna stood at the podium.
Through the amplification equipment, his aged, hoarse voice echoed across the square.
“I am very sorry, but the results of this morning’s peace talks were highly unsatisfactory.”