Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

Not long after the chat with Uchiha Fugaku ended, more Uchiha clan members arrived at the ancestral hall one after another.

Among them were the hawk elder, Uchiha Setsuna; Uchiha Chiba's grandfather, Uchiha Inada; and Uchiha Fugaku's father, Uchiha Tanaka.

Uchiha Tanaka sat high on the stage and raised his hand to stop the noise below.

"Quiet, everyone," he said. "This clan meeting is being held today to discuss a major event related to the future of our Uchiha clan. It is also related to whether we, the Uchiha clan, can compete for the position of Hokage."

As Uchiha Tanaka finished speaking, the crowd below fell silent for a moment, before a heated discussion broke out.

"Clan leader, just say it directly. As long as the Uchiha clan can become Hokage, I will support whatever you ask me to do."

"Yes, Mr. Patriarch, just tell us already, don't make us wait."

Uchiha Tanaka looked down at them, like a vegetable market, and then activated his Sharingan, raising his voice. "Quiet! As an Uchiha, it's unbecoming to be noisy."

The clan leader's powerful presence instantly silenced the crowd.

Seeing that his power was still strong, Uchiha Tanaka nodded secretly and cleared his throat. "Ahem. Alright, since everyone wants to know, I won't hold back. Uchiha Chiba is out."

Upon hearing Uchiha Tanaka mention Uchiha Chiba, all eyes immediately turned to the young man standing in the corner.

However, no one made a sound; they just watched quietly.

Chiba, under the intense gaze, maintained a calm expression, having already been informed by Uchiha Fugaku in advance.

He slowly stood up, facing everyone, and walked to the front of the ancestral hall.

"Lord Patriarch, Elder Setsuna, Elder Inada."

Chiba greeted the three on the stage one by one. They all nodded in response.

Uchiha Tanaka saw that the protagonist was already in place, and then spoke again. "Everyone, what we are going to discuss this time is whether to allow Chiba to become Tsunade's disciple."

"Let me share my opinion first. I believe everyone knows that Chiba has learned medical ninjutsu from Tsunade. Although the two aren't in an official teacher-student relationship, it's very close. I think it would be best for Chiba to formally become Tsunade's disciple. This would allow our Uchiha clan to enter the heart of Konoha's power, which would be a great advantage in our future bid for the Hokage position."

"Alright, this is my opinion. Those who agree, raise your hands."

After speaking, Uchiha Tanaka raised his hand first. As the clan leader, his gesture prompted almost half of the clan members, including Uchiha Fugaku, to raise their hands.

Chiba observed carefully and noticed that those who raised their hands were mostly supporters of the patriarch and the more peaceful members.

"I have a different opinion."

At this moment, Uchiha Setsuna, who had just closed his eyes to meditate, suddenly spoke. "We are Uchiha. The position of Hokage should be fought for with our own hands, not entrusted to the Senju."

"Don't forget, the Senju were once our enemies."

"Uchiha's glory was bought with blood. This act of becoming a disciple of the Senju is tantamount to betraying Uchiha."

Uchiha Setsuna seemed to shout out the last sentence with all his might.

He took a deep breath and said, "Those who agree with me, raise your hands."

Uchiha Setsuna, known for assassinating Senju Tobirama, was a ruthless figure. In just a few words, he stirred up the competitive spirit of the clan.

Chiba glanced down again, noticing that about half of the people had raised their hands in support of Uchiha Setsuna.

Uchiha Tanaka's face darkened. He was obviously the clan leader, but his influence within the clan was comparable to an elderly man nearing his retirement.

"Since the number of people supporting both sides is equal, let's hear the thoughts of the protagonist. Chiba, please share your opinion."

Uchiha Inada, noticing the tense atmosphere, stepped in to mediate.

With the focus back on Chiba, everyone in the room turned their attention to him.

Chiba looked at the members of the tribe and then glanced at the Uchiha rice fields.

When Uchiha Inada saw Chiba's gaze, he offered an encouraging smile.

However, Chiba ignored the smile and turned his head back.

He then took a deep breath. "My life is my own to decide. No one can arrange my life."

His calm tone seemed to treat the matter as something trivial.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Inada grew anxious and was about to speak, but Uchiha Setsuna interrupted with a laugh. "Haha, yes, this is the courage our Uchiha should have. Boy, I'm starting to like you."

"Chiba, our decision isn't just for you, but also for the family. You should think about it carefully," Uchiha Tanaka added.

"No need," Chiba replied with a hint of ridicule at the corner of his mouth. "Elder Setsuna is right. If you want the position of Hokage, then fight for it with your own hands."

Chiba's expression became even more disdainful as he continued, "If Uchiha wants the Hokage position, we can only seize it with force. Otherwise, even if the Konoha higher-ups choose a civilian to be Hokage, it won't be Uchiha's turn."

As someone who knew the plot, Chiba spoke both from his true thoughts and the harsh reality.

"Haha, Qianye boy, I like you more and more," Uchiha Setsuna chuckled.

Uchiha Tanaka, however, did not share the sentiment. "Chiba, your idea is too simplistic. Although we Uchiha don't have deep relationships with other families in Konoha, we are one of the biggest contributors to its establishment. Apart from the Senju, who can be more powerful than us? Are you truly qualified to become Hokage?"

Uchiha Tanaka disagreed with Chiba's statement.

Any ninja in Konoha could become Hokage, but Uchiha was an exception. This wasn't only the perspective of Konoha civilians but also that of Konoha's high-ranking officials and major clans.

Chiba shook his head. "Anyway, I've clearly told you my thoughts. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

After speaking, Chiba began to walk away. As he reached the door, Uchiha Tanaka stopped him.

"Chiba, wait. I hope you can think about it. This is for the future of the family."

Chiba, now somewhat irritated, had already made his refusal clear but was being pressed further.

He pulled his right foot back from the door.

Eight Inner Gates, Sixth Gate, Gate of View—Open!

Boom!

A wave of air swept through the room, knocking the people closest to him to the ground.

"Uchiha Chiba, are you provoking us?" Uchiha Tanaka asked, his voice sharp.

The Uchiha clan members, all with at least one magatama in their Sharingan, turned on their eyes. Chiba's sudden burst of power was impressive, but it did not intimidate them. They all activated their Sharingan and glared at him.

Facing the room full of Sharingan eyes, Chiba said calmly, "I said, my life is mine to decide."

As soon as the words fell, a strange force swept through the entire hall, and most of the Uchiha clan members fell unconscious as if struck by an unseen force.

Those who were unaffected were the ones with three magatama Sharingan, though they were visibly struggling.

"What kind of power is this?" Uchiha Tanaka stared at the boy in disbelief.

Though he wasn't as severely affected as the others, the strange power had still left his head spinning.

Chiba did not answer but walked straight out of the hall.

As soon as he left, a shaky figure followed him.

"Chiba."

Chiba looked back to find Uchiha Fugaku following him unsteadily.

"What's wrong, Brother Fugaku? What's going on?"