Perhaps because Mikoto had broken the ice first, Sasuke's conversation with the others proceeded much more smoothly than expected.
"The Uchiha Clan is currently unstable."
"Part of the reason lies in the deliberate exclusion and suppression by certain people in the village. Of course, it also has to do with our clan's temperament."
Although no one nodded when they heard this, they silently agreed in their hearts.
"Another reason is you… Uchiha Fugaku, Shizuka, and even Yuzu. The three of you have the ability to lead the Uchiha Clan and reunite its voice, yet you've allowed everyone to remain divided."
Seeing the focus shift to himself, Fugaku immediately felt somewhat embarrassed.
If those memories were real, then this young man before him should be his son.
'Since when did a son dare to speak to his father like this?'
"If we forcefully use force to pressure the clansmen, it's more likely to plunge the Uchiha Clan into internal strife prematurely, which would instead be exploited by..."
Fugaku spoke in a deep voice, but before he could finish, Sasuke interrupted him again, firmly.
"Do you think the current situation is any better?"
Hearing Sasuke's words, Fugaku's face turned pale then red.
It was Mikoto who intervened again, gently patting Sasuke's arm.
Under his mother's gentle gaze, Sasuke couldn't help but soften his attitude a little, his voice even lowering slightly.
"In short, the Uchiha Clan is already on the path to destruction. If you don't want the Uchiha to be completely wiped out as I experienced, you must be resolute now."
Sasuke lightly tapped the table with his finger.
"Currently, in this village, only three people have awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan: me, you, and Shizuka. I think both of you should understand how much overwhelming superiority possessing the Mangekyo Sharingan grants over ordinary Sharingan, right?"
As he spoke, Sasuke met their gazes unflinchingly.
Fugaku and Shizuka were slightly taken aback, then began calculating in their hearts.
The memories they received not only showed them the process of the Uchiha Clan's destruction but also revealed some of their own trump cards.
For example, Shizuka's [Kotoamatsukami], the so-called Susano'o-
-And the divine-like power of the Great Scorching Heaven Huodou.
Although they didn't understand the principles, they also saw, in the additional records of those memories, the brotherly battle between Sasuke and Itachi.
It could only be described as earth-shattering.
The Uchiha Clan was indeed strong now, but that was still limited to the level of 'humans'.
"First, reunite the Uchiha Clan into a single entity and preemptively remove the unstable elements."
Sasuke was already issuing 'battle instructions' like a clan head.
Fugaku still wanted to say something but was cut off by Sasuke's next words.
"Secondly, we must demonstrate the Uchiha Clan's power."
"But won't that further provoke conflict between the village and the Uchiha Clan?"
Shizuka timidly raised her hand nearby, and Yuzu also turned her face, clearly not understanding the reasoning either.
"That's why I said you still don't get it."
"What is the reason for the relative stability between the Five Great Nations? Is it because they love peace?"
"It's the mutual threat of military force."
"Only sufficient military power can make others cautious."
"As for the villagers' exclusion, that's even easier to solve."
"We can completely give up the role of the Military Police Force, even declare our intention to leave Konoha Village voluntarily."
Unlike the two younger ones, who looked bewildered upon hearing this, Fugaku seemed to be grasping the idea now.
"Do you think only you desire peace? Actually, Konoha's higher-ups are the ones who most desire stability."
"If we actively express our intention to leave the village, they will instead concede."
"Not necessarily. Given Danzo's personality, he might use this as an excuse to mobilize the entire village's forces against the Uchiha."
"That selfish guy is absolutely capable of doing that."
Yuzu looked up, not hiding her disgust for Danzo.
"That's when the three of us... no, the four of us need to step up."
Sasuke pointed at each of them.
"Also, Shizuka, your Mangekyo's Dojutsu must not be exposed unless absolutely necessary."
"That is the original sin that makes others unable to suppress their desire to kill you. Don't overestimate human nature."
Poked by Sasuke's words and reminded of her alternate self's fate, Shizuka sheepishly rubbed her head.
"Struggle! That's how you earn peace. Concession! Only makes the other side intensify their actions!"
His words fell like heavy iron blocks into their hearts, drawing a conclusion to today's secret meeting.
Sasuke had laid out all the potential future outcomes before them, and they had no intention of turning a blind eye and repeating the same mistakes.
After the meeting, Sasuke, Yuzu, and Satsuki walked together on the street, heading towards the dango shop from his childhood memories.
The next Uchiha Gathering would take place tomorrow, when the plan would be set in motion immediately. This period was actually one of their last few leisurely moments.
The three walked side by side, with little Satsuki looking around and occasionally casting unfriendly glances at Sasuke.
She didn't know he was her counterpart from another timeline, only feeling that this baffling guy had stolen her sister's attention the moment he appeared.
Fortunately, upon reaching the dango shop, Yuzu managed to redirect her sister's attention with food.
"After doing this, what are your plans?"
Just after eating a dango and savoring the familiar sweetness, Sasuke suddenly heard Yuzu's voice.
"..."
"I will go to the southern part of the Land of Wind. There's a country called Roran there."
"Is that the one that sent you..."
Yuzu understood Sasuke's meaning.
"There are still people waiting for me."
After saying this, both Sasuke and Yuzu fell into a brief silence.
"But before that, I want to see if I can use this opportunity to lure that guy out."
Suddenly, Sasuke looked up, his eyes filled with deeply ingrained hatred.
Yuzu didn't need to think to know Sasuke was referring to the mastermind, the masked man who assisted the other Itachi in killing the rest of the clan.
"If everything is his conspiracy, then if the Uchiha undergo such a major change, he might indeed appear actively."
Yuzu nodded gently.
"I will kill that guy, no matter which timeline."
Sasuke bit all the remaining dango into his mouth, chewing with his jaws tight as if grinding his enemy's flesh.
Of course, he was aware of how troublesome his opponent was. But if the plan succeeded, he could at least use the opportunity to probe more of the enemy's details.
It would also serve as preparation for the final battle in the future.
Just as Sasuke was vigorously chewing the dango in his mouth, sudden sounds of commotion and children's exclamations came from a nearby alley.
Sasuke instinctively used his Observation Haki to probe.
With just that one glance, his chewing suddenly stopped.
...
"With me here, don't you even think about bullying him!"
In the alley, a little girl with randomly tied golden hair stood shielding a black-haired boy with white pupils.
Several other children were continuously beating her without any gentlemanly spirit.
"Hmph! Dad said you're a monster too!"
"Hit her! Hit her! Knock her down along with that white-eyed monster!"
Uzumaki Naruko blocked with her arms, which were already covered in bruises, but she showed no intention of retreating.
She knew she probably wasn't a match for the children in front of her.
But she couldn't just stand by and watch them bully someone else!
Behind Uzumaki Naruko, the introverted and timid Hyuga Hikaru gritted his teeth. Watching the girl in front of him being kicked and punched by several children, he could no longer bear it.
"Ahhh!!!"
Hikaru rushed past Naruko, swinging wild punches at the children.
Unfortunately, he had no experience in fighting and closed his eyes in nervousness.
His initial outburst momentarily stunned the children, but once they saw his state, they intensified their attacks.
"Idiot, run away!"
Naruko, ignoring the pain, pushed one child aside and stood in front of Hikaru.
She was prepared to be hit again.
But the expected pain never came.
When she and Hikaru looked up at the group of children, they saw a tall figure standing at the alley's entrance.
The black-haired figure was robust and highly intimidating, a pair of almost glowing red eyes coldly staring down at the young children below.
"Get lost."
Sasuke's tone at that moment was frighteningly cold, causing even Yuzu, who had approached from behind, to shiver involuntarily.