The arrival of Uchiha Fugaku was like a massive boulder thrown into a lake, instantly freezing the atmosphere of the entire training ground. His aura, imposing even without anger, made everyone feel a heavy pressure.

"Clan Head!"

Upon seeing Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Setsuna seemed to have found his backbone. He immediately retracted his Chakra, stepped forward with his cane, pointed at Uchiha Kei, and preemptively accused him.

"You have come at the right time! This Uchiha Kei ignores family regulations, openly defies Elders, and uses these crooked methods to bewitch people and incite opposition among clansmen! Such behavior is no different from betraying the clan! He must be severely punished!"

His voice was impassioned, as if he were the embodiment of justice and a firm defender of family tradition.

The fifty-plus civilian Ninja present watched Uchiha Kei nervously, their palms sweating. They both hoped that Uchiha Kei could withstand the pressure and secure the right for them to become stronger, yet feared that he might truly be severely punished, causing their only hope to be extinguished along with him.

Uchiha Fugaku's gaze swept calmly over Uchiha Setsuna without immediately stating his position. After hearing the statement, he walked slowly to Uchiha Kei. His gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, as if he wanted to see clearly into the depths of Uchiha Kei's soul. He scrutinized the young man who stood straight despite the dual pressure of the Elder and himself, and then glanced at the civilian Ninja behind him, whose eyes were filled with longing, nervousness, and anticipation.

As Clan Head, he knew the current predicament of the Uchiha clan better than anyone. Inside, there were numerous factions and a lack of cohesion; outside, there was the suspicion and suppression from the Konoha higher-ups. The clan was like a riddled, massive ship that could sink at any moment.

He needed change.

But what he needed was a controlled change that could be used for his own purposes, not a revolution that would overthrow his rule.

The appearance of Uchiha Kei was both a danger and an opportunity for him. He was like an incredibly sharp double-edged sword; if used well, he could cut through thorns and thistles; if used poorly, he would hurt himself.

Uchiha Fugaku's inner mind was weighing things rapidly. He saw the flames in those fifty-plus pairs of eyes behind Uchiha Kei—that was the purest desire for power, something not seen in the elite class. If he could take this power and use it for his own...

Finally, after a long silence, Uchiha Fugaku made his ruling. A ruling that appeared "neutral" but was actually full of political wisdom.

"Uchiha Setsuna," he spoke to the elder first, his voice steady. "Uchiha Kei's actions indeed have improprieties. Teaching techniques privately without the permission of the Council of Elders violates clan rules."

Hearing this, a trace of smugness appeared on Uchiha Setsuna's face.

"However," Uchiha Fugaku's tone shifted, and his gaze fell back onto Uchiha Kei. "His intention to make the clansmen stronger is good. We, the Uchiha, never refuse any method that can make us stronger."

Uchiha Fugaku's gaze swept across the entire scene, and he announced his decision in an indisputable tone.

"Since both sides hold different opinions, then let us resolve this using the oldest and fairest way of the Uchiha."

"A duel."

"I will give Uchiha Kei one month." Uchiha Fugaku extended one finger. "During this month, you may use your 'Assault Style' to train this group of clansmen who follow you. One month later, they will have a public duel against elites selected from the Military Police Force who practice traditional Taijutsu."

"Ten duels; the side with the most wins shall be the victor."

"If your team wins," Uchiha Fugaku looked at Uchiha Kei, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes, "then it will prove that your philosophy is correct. The clan will formally acknowledge the status of 'Assault Style,' and you will be responsible for promoting it throughout the entire clan."

"But if you lose..." Uchiha Fugaku's voice turned cold. "Then it will prove that this set of things of yours is nothing but grandstanding tricks. You must publicly admit your error, disband your team, and accept the punishment of the Council of Elders. From now on, no one in the clan is allowed to mention the words 'Assault Style' ever again."

This proposal instantly caused an uproar in the entire crowd.

Using a group of civilian Ninja viewed as "trash" to fight against the true elites of the Military Police Force? This was simply a fantasy!

In Uchiha Setsuna's eyes, a cold sneer of a successful conspiracy flashed. In his view, this was not a duel at all, but a public execution of Uchiha Kei. He could not imagine any possibility of Uchiha Kei winning. This proposal not only upheld the tradition of dueling, making it impossible for him to openly oppose it, but could also use the hands of the elites to completely crush Uchiha Kei's arrogance—killing two birds with one stone.

"I have no objections." Uchiha Setsuna immediately stated his position.

As for those civilian Ninja who had just ignited with hope, their hearts instantly sank to the bottom. Although they were full of confidence in the 'Assault Style,' they truly lacked the confidence to defeat those elites who had enjoyed the best resources since childhood within just one month.

Everyone's gaze was focused on Uchiha Kei.

This gamble was betting his personal future, the future of 'Assault Style,' and even the only hope for their group of people.

Facing Uchiha Fugaku's seemingly fair but actually incredibly harsh conditions, there was not a trace of hesitation or retreat on Uchiha Kei's face.

He knew this was the test Uchiha Fugaku gave him, and also his only chance. The only chance to turn his reform from "underground" to "above ground," and to gain legitimacy and justification.

Meeting Uchiha Fugaku's scrutinizing gaze, he calmly and powerfully spat out two words.

"I accept."

No grand words, no impassioned speeches, only these simple words. Yet they contained immense confidence and determination.

Uchiha Fugaku looked at him deeply. From those calm black eyes, he saw something called "composure." It was as if this gamble, which he saw as having a lopsided outcome, was already in the bag in the eyes of his opponent.

"Very good." Uchiha Fugaku nodded and finally said a meaningful sentence to Uchiha Kei.

"The Uchiha worship the strong and also respect philosophies that can bring victory. One month later, prove yourself with a victory. Otherwise, everything will return to the starting point."

Having said that, he did not stay any longer; he took Uchiha Itachi and turned to leave.

A gamble concerning old and new philosophies, and the future direction of a clan, was thus established.

Watching the backs of Uchiha Fugaku and the Elder as they left, Uchiha Kei turned around to face the fifty-plus followers behind him, who were nervous and uneasy.

In one month's time, to what extent could he train this "ragtag army" that everyone looked down upon, to fight against those true elites?