"Clan Head, Ichiro left the money—but he has no intention of letting the young master go."
The jōnin Ichiro had kicked out earlier returned to report the situation to Uchiha Gen.
"Damn it, Ichiro! Do you really think I can't deal with you?!"
Gen slammed the table in a fit of rage. Blood immediately spilled from his mouth as the wound left by Ichiro's Ryūjin Jakka reopened and tore wider.
"Clan Head, please don't exert yourself! You'll only make your injuries worse!" the medic beside him warned carefully.
"Tell me the truth—can my injuries still be healed?"
The medic hesitated for a moment, then sighed and answered honestly.
"Sir... no. Before, you might have lasted another six months. But now? It'll be a miracle if you survive the month."
He was being optimistic. Gen's current state was critical. There were many cases like his—ninja were not built for longevity. Even during the Warring States era, the average lifespan of a shinobi was only around thirty.
Injuries sustained in youth would fester and erupt with age. Most ninja didn't die at the hands of others—they died to old wounds and disease. Few ever passed away peacefully.
"If Lady Tsunade were here, she might be able to extend your life a bit," the medic added.
"Leave me."
Relieved, the medic quickly bowed and took his leave.
"Clan Head, Ichiro has become far too arrogant. He needs to be taught a lesson," grumbled Uchiha Kawaji, still bitter over being kicked.
"Oh? Are you going to teach him that lesson?"
Gen's glare was like a blade. Kawaji instantly lowered his head, silent.
Sigh…
Gen sighed in disappointment. Even his own son, Fugaku, had proven useless. If he had the strength to suppress Ichiro, none of this would have happened. But Ichiro wasn't weak—his methods had earned him the support of half the clan.
Gen couldn't deny it. As much as he wanted Ichiro dead, the boy's skills were real.
And because Ichiro had such widespread support, Gen couldn't move against him directly. All he could do was try to trip him up.
"Go contact Uchiha Rin, Uchiha Takeshi, and Uchiha Daita. Bring them back. At this rate, the clan is going to change hands soon."
All three were elite jōnin and loyal to him and Fugaku.
"Yes, sir."
Kawaji immediately left to find a way to summon the three.
After Kawaji departed, Gen called a meeting with the three clan elders.
Of course, Ichiro had been keeping close tabs on everything.
"Calling a meeting of the elders to challenge me? What a joke."
Ichiro scoffed. He couldn't care less about the old men. Maybe they had once been powerful, but now they were little more than relics hoarding power. Their presence hindered the clan more than it helped.
"Unless Gen offers them something worthwhile, those greedy geezers won't lift a finger for him."
Ichiro was part of the upper ranks of the Uchiha too—he knew exactly what made those elders tick. Even if Gen was still technically the clan head, that didn't mean the elders would help him out of loyalty.
Besides, Gen had long since lost his grip on the clan. His ineffectiveness had led the Uchiha to a slow decline. Many among the clan had already grown disillusioned with him.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a drag from his pipe.
An ANBU had just finished reporting the events inside the Uchiha clan.
"Continue monitoring them. Stay hidden. Do not interfere."
Hiruzen gave the order and waved the ANBU away.
He had no plans to get involved in Uchiha affairs. Internal strife within the clan was something all the Konoha higher-ups enjoyed seeing.
Besides, even if he wanted to intervene, he couldn't. The village usually didn't interfere in clan matters unless it endangered the whole village.
"Gen's on his last legs. The question is... who'll inherit the title of clan head?"
Hiruzen's gaze turned thoughtful.
To be honest, he preferred to see Fugaku take over. The reason was simple: potential.
Ichiro had far more potential than Fugaku. He could very well reach Kage-level strength in the future—and maybe even awaken the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan.
If Ichiro became clan head, it would be a great boon for the Uchiha—but a major threat to Konoha.
Worse, according to Hiruzen's intel, Ichiro was a strong-willed man. If he led the Uchiha, tensions between the village and the clan would only escalate.
Hiruzen admitted it—he didn't like the Uchiha. But right now, the village still needed them.
The Second Great Ninja War had ended years ago, and although peace had lasted for a while, warmongers in other villages were stirring again.
There might not be a Third Great Ninja War soon, but if it did break out—he needed the Uchiha as front-line fighters.
Five days passed in the blink of an eye.
Ichiro had been expecting Gen to make a move. Surprisingly, nothing happened. Gen had kept calm.
And then, the news came—Uchiha Gen was dead.
Ichiro had guessed the man wouldn't last more than a week, but even he hadn't expected him to die in five days.
He wasn't the only one caught off guard. Gen himself hadn't expected to die so quickly.
His plan had been to wait for Ichiro to lower his guard, then rescue Fugaku from custody. He hadn't even convinced the clan elders to help yet—he'd been biding his time, worried that Ichiro might retaliate while Fugaku was still in his hands.
The plan had been simple: once Fugaku was free, Gen would turn on Ichiro, launch a full-on assault, and use his remaining strength to install his son as clan head before dying.
But fate had other plans. Before he could do anything—he died.
No scheme. No retaliation. Just a bitter, silent end.
As they say, man proposes—heaven disposes.