Chapter 75: The Outcome Is Decided
The moment that suggestion was spoken aloud, the previously quiet hall erupted into a wave of voices—most of them expressing support.
Uchiha Kenjirō glanced awkwardly at Yusuke, then quickly raised his voice in explanation:
"There is no doubt that Yusuke is the strongest among us—he is a hero of the Uchiha Clan.
But Yusuke has always focused on his training and rarely attends clan meetings. He is unfamiliar with the intricate affairs of the clan.
I believe Yusuke himself has no desire to become clan head."
Of course, Kenjirō was doing everything he could to prevent Yusuke from becoming the new leader. A man like Yusuke was beyond his influence. If Yusuke truly rose to power, not only would Kenjirō's control diminish, it might vanish entirely.
Just then, Itachi—who had remained silent until now—stood up and walked calmly to the center of the hall.
"There is something I must formally announce to everyone."
"Before my father passed, he gave me a clear directive—he appointed Yusuke-sensei as the next head of the Uchiha Clan.
I firmly believe that only Sensei has the power and vision to lead us back to prosperity."
The moment Itachi made the announcement, not only Kenjirō, but also the other two elders visibly stiffened.
They couldn't predict exactly how Yusuke would govern once he became clan head, but one thing was certain—he would not be as pliable as Fugaku.
The three elders exchanged quick glances and silently reached a temporary alliance. Whatever internal rivalries they had, their immediate priority was now the same: stop Yusuke from becoming clan head. Everything else could wait.
Then one of them spoke—Uchiha Makoto, a man still strikingly handsome despite his age:
"Itachi, was there anyone else present when your father made this declaration?"
The question sparked murmurs throughout the room.
At that moment, Yusuke's voice cut through the noise, calm but resonant:
"I was there as well. Does my presence count for anything?"
The chatter ceased instantly.
Makoto could feel Yusuke's gaze fall upon him like a weight. The air around him seemed to thicken, as though he were being swallowed by quicksand—each movement suddenly heavy, labored.
Is this genjutsu? he wondered, heart pounding. No… it feels more like pure pressure—just his presence alone.
A bead of cold sweat slowly trickled down his forehead. After a long moment of internal struggle, Uchiha Makoto yielded to instinct:
"Of course. If you were present, Yusuke, then I believe it must be true."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the oppressive weight lifted. Makoto exhaled in relief, silently wiping the sweat from his brow while marveling at the terrifying force that Yusuke exuded without even trying.
But not everyone was so quick to yield.
From the side, another elder—Uchiha Mitsunari, Makoto's longtime rival—stepped forward with a cold snort of dissatisfaction:
"Hmph! Even if Fugaku made such a declaration on his deathbed, the Uchiha Clan does not choose its leader solely by the word of a former head!"
Unlike the burly Kenjirō or the refined and handsome Makoto, this elder—Uchiha Mitsunari—was remarkably rotund. Were it not for his stern expression, his appearance might have even come across as endearing.
But no sooner had he spoken than he experienced the same suffocating pressure Makoto had just felt.
Yusuke looked at him with a faint smile and said leisurely,
"Elder Mitsunari, may I ask what objections you have to my candidacy for clan head? If there are any, please do enlighten me."
Though Yusuke smiled warmly, everyone in the room could see the blade-sharp intensity in his eyes. It was clear he was applying pressure—subtle but undeniable.
Mitsunari tried to gather his thoughts, but under Yusuke's overwhelming presence, even thinking felt sluggish and difficult.
He opened his mouth with great effort and let out a dry cough from his parched throat—but no words came.
Yusuke didn't wait. He stood, slowly sweeping his gaze across the assembled Uchiha.
"I once focused solely on training, with little concern for the inner workings of the clan."
"But after the attack by Root, I've seen just how many problems lie within our ranks."
"Let's be honest—our clan has fallen. So far, in fact, that even Root dared to make a move against us!"
"Before he died, Fugaku-san entrusted me with the clan. And now, I accept that responsibility without hesitation."
Yusuke unleashed his full spiritual pressure across the chamber. His gaze cut through the crowd like a blade.
"Who stands with me? Who opposes me?"
Not a sound followed.
Even the three elders, who had been most resistant, instinctively lowered their heads after meeting Yusuke's eyes. No one dared speak against him.
Then suddenly, led by Uchiha Souichiro, those from Fugaku's former faction stood up and shouted Yusuke's name in unison—voicing their support loud and clear.
And so, Yusuke was officially named the new head of the Uchiha Clan.
---
Elsewhere in the shinobi world, far from civilization, stood a remote mountain known as Mount Sumeru.
Shrouded in thick mist, the mountain loomed ominously. Not a single animal could be seen anywhere on its slopes. Jagged cliffs surrounded it, and below those cliffs lay beds of razor-sharp stone spikes.
Within a pitch-black cavern deep in the mountain, the air echoed with bloodcurdling screams.
At the very back of the cave, a naked man lay restrained on a stone operating table, his limbs sealed by fūinjutsu, unable to move even an inch. Standing over him was a white-haired man in a long white robe—clearly not a doctor, but something far more sinister.
This wasn't a treatment. It was an experiment—cruel, invasive, and utterly inhuman.
As the victim's screams faded into faint gasps and finally silence, his life drained away.
"Tch... another failure."
The white-haired man clicked his tongue in frustration.
"His bloodline limit was too weak—completely useless for integrating into my Chimera Technique.
Looks like I'll need to find another shinobi with a stronger kekkei genkai to continue my experiments."
He set down his tools and let out a weary sigh of dissatisfaction.
Just then, a hoarse, eerie voice echoed through the cave:
"A fascinating concept. I must say, I'm quite interested in your technique myself.
Would you be willing to share your findings… with an old friend?"
The white-haired man's eyes narrowed.
"…Orochimaru."