All the Uchiha clansmen stared blankly at the three figures on the stage…
Seisui, Obito, and Shisui…
Wasn't the Sharingan supposed to be a Kekkei Genkai that even Uchiha found difficult to awaken?
How many elites had struggled for years just to barely unlock the three-tomoe…
So how was it that with these three, the Sharingan seemed almost adjustable—activating whenever they wanted, evolving whenever they pleased?
Was that even reasonable?
Isshin was completely stunned.
He wasn't someone who liked to believe in mystical nonsense; he preferred calm, rational thinking.
But the problem was—
Ever since Seisui had arrived in the Uchiha clan, talents had begun to emerge one after another, and the clan had been thriving!
How long had it been since they'd seen Uchiha with this level of talent?
And now three appeared at once!
Shisui didn't even need mentioning—he was already a genius.
But Obito? That kid had been a dead last, someone Isshin barely paid attention to. Yet after sticking close to Shisui and Seisui, in less than a year he had already awakened a two-tomoe Sharingan…
This made Isshin increasingly convinced that Seisui was the chosen one destined to restore the Uchiha clan!
Especially after hearing from Shio that Seisui most likely possessed an "ancestral blessing"…
After a moment of processing, Isshin suddenly stood up and rushed to Tobirama's side.
"What… what are you doing?"
"Forcing your eyes open? I don't know how you did it…"
Isshin pointed at the blood beneath Tobirama's eyelids, his arm trembling slightly: "But it must be extremely damaging to your body! You're not allowed to be this reckless in the future!"
"Our Uchiha still have plenty of time to wait for your growth—you absolutely can't do this again!"
Isshin was genuinely afraid that Seisui had gotten carried away and would ruin his own bright future, burning through his potential…
Even the Mangekyō Sharingan required careful conservation of ocular power after awakening—how could it be used so recklessly?
Yet at the same time, a powerful sense of recognition surged within Isshin.
This—
This was what a leader of the Uchiha should be!
Without that kind of ferocity, that touch of madness—if one was too calm—how could they resemble a true Uchiha?
Back then, when Izuna fought Tobirama, he looked like more of a madman than anyone.
Without that edge, how could one possibly intimidate the arrogant Uchiha?
Even the other clansmen feared Izuna's swift blade…
Similar thoughts began to rise in the hearts of the other Uchiha.
The arrogant fear the ruthless, and the ruthless fear those who don't fear death…
"Shisui, Obito—I'm fine…"
Tobirama rubbed the heads of the two boys, signaling them to step back, then looked at Uchiha Kaku with a smile.
"Why aren't you speaking?"
"Answer me—do I now have the qualification to evaluate the Sharingan? Can I continue speaking?"
The smile vanished abruptly, and his tone turned sharp and cold.
Kaku fell silent, then nodded. After a moment, he spoke: "I'm sorry…"
He hadn't expected things to turn out like this.
"Sit down."
Tobirama waved his hand.
"And everyone—don't take this matter to heart. I should have proven myself. Uchiha Kaku's doubts weren't without reason."
Kaku froze.
It felt like a sliced orange had rolled through his heart—sour and uncomfortable.
He really deserved to die!
Watching this scene, Madara downed his drink in one gulp.
Refreshing—truly refreshing!
That bearing… it couldn't be said to be exactly the same as Izuna back then, but it was at least ninety-eight percent similar!
Ruthless when necessary, yet capable of restraint when needed…
And what pleased Madara most was that the extreme edge Seisui displayed—so long as he became disillusioned with Konoha, he would inevitably agree with the Eye of the Moon Plan!
No one understood Uchiha geniuses better than him…
If Izuna were still alive, he would surely support his plan as well!
"I mention the negative effects of the Sharingan not to stigmatize our clan, but to emphasize that we must face both the gains and losses brought by our bloodline."
"When I was questioned earlier, I let my emotions rise—I myself am an example."
Tobirama sighed.
"So I only hope that when clan members gain power beyond imagination in the future, if you wish to do something, come talk to me—or to your loved ones. Sit down and give each other a chance to communicate."
"We are family. We are companions. There is nothing that must be borne by one person alone."
Tobirama bowed to the Uchiha.
The clan members were stunned, then quickly stood and bowed back.
At this moment…
In the hearts of every Uchiha present, Seisui had at least become someone worthy of respect.
Madara watched the scene, feeling somewhat conflicted.
Why did it feel like he was being subtly lectured?
But with his deeply entrenched obsession, Madara twisted the logic into something that satisfied him: "Am I not already searching for a successor? That's also communicating with the clan… yes…"
"I have no problem!"
It could only be said that whether in strength or obsession, Madara stood at the very peak of the clan.
"Next… there is one final question."
"How exactly can our Uchiha clan determine whether the Hokage is truly accepting us—whether he wants us to let go of prejudice and genuinely integrate into the village?"
"Everyone here is reasonable. The Uchiha have always believed in clear distinctions between love and hate!"
Tobirama heated up the atmosphere.
The Uchiha burst into applause.
Even though Hiruzen was indeed a good Hokage…
The historical divide couldn't be erased overnight.
Even agreeing to reform the Konoha Military Police Force didn't carry enough weight.
After all, under Tobirama's interpretation, that was merely a correction.
"I believe that true acceptance of the Uchiha has nothing to do with being Hokage. It lies in whether the Uchiha can speak up like any other clan—pointing out problems in the village without being suppressed!"
"Fugaku and Isshin are both Konoha council members—but do they dare to voice their opinions now?"
"With the slightest misstep, they'll be labeled and silenced… of course, that's based on historical precedent."
Isshin and Fugaku both nodded in agreement.
Danzo did exactly that every day—staring them down in meetings…
"So, the Uchiha must point out a major, objectively existing problem within the village—and observe how the Hokage responds and handles it!"
"Let's see whether he truly allows the Uchiha to speak, and whether he treats us as part of the village!"
Tobirama said in a deep voice: "Isshin clan head told me to slow this process down—but I don't think that's necessary."
"If the Hokage truly harbors prejudice against the Uchiha, time won't erase it. If he is fair, then it will be proven through action—and the Uchiha love this village too!"
"I believe the Uchiha's love is no less than that of any other clan in Konoha!"
Thunderous applause erupted, shaking the walls.
Who didn't like being praised?
Especially when those words came from such an outstanding young member of their own clan…
"Everyone—but to be safe."
"This time, let me handle it alone. Do not submit a collective petition rashly. The Hokage governs the entire village—if we go too far, it won't look like advice, but like forcing his hand…"
"Even if the Hokage trusts the Uchiha, he is not someone without a temper…"
Tobirama poured cold water at the right moment.
Fugaku couldn't help but speak: "I agree with Seisui."
"Although the Third Hokage is kind, he is not weak. If he misunderstands and thinks we are disrupting the village's order rather than offering fair advice…"
"I believe very bad things will happen."
Isshin glanced at Fugaku in surprise.
Had he… finally grown a bit of a brain?
So he had read a little after all!
What Isshin didn't know was—
Fugaku had seen Hiruzen fight Orochimaru.
And in his perception, Hiruzen had grown far stronger than back then.
He had also participated in military operations against Kusagakure and personally experienced the strength of the Hokage's top subordinates.
If that "kind" Hokage were pushed too far and flipped the table…
With the Uchiha's current military strength, that would spell disaster.
"Fugaku-niisan is right."
"What I intend to expose is also quite extreme, so I've taken that into account."
As soon as Tobirama said that, the Uchiha felt their hearts tighten.
Even Seisui thought it was extreme?
"I've already gathered quite a bit of evidence—from academy students and patrol shinobi—of Shimura Danzo's Root violating the Will of Fire during his time in power. He forcibly recruited a large number of shinobi into Root…"
"Although lately he doesn't seem to have done anything similar."
"That doesn't mean the matter is over…"
Tobirama spoke slowly: "Just like the matter of the Great Clan Head, historical problems left unresolved will have to be dealt with sooner or later. Otherwise, they'll become a bomb waiting to go off."
"Everyone also knows that Namikaze Minato has been extremely popular in the village recently. Many people see him as the pillar of Konoha's new generation…"
"Around the time I graduate, I'll apply to fight him in a duel and defeat him to make a name for myself."
"And at the same time, the Hokage will also help build up this match between me and Namikaze Minato. I've already confirmed that with Asuma…"
Seeing that some of the Uchiha were starting to look puzzled again, Tobirama sighed.
"It's not about using Namikaze Minato to suppress me. It's about establishing an example and a benchmark, which helps unite people's hearts and inspire the younger generation. It's a way of encouraging the whole village through a single focal point. In fact, it also helps raise my profile…"
Tobirama suddenly felt somewhat relieved.
When the Uchiha had opposed him in the past, part of it had certainly come from hatred and historical grievances—but perhaps another part was that they really were a little slow…
If no one explained certain things to them, they would overthink them and veer off in the wrong direction.
For a moment, a thought surfaced in Tobirama's mind that surprised even him.
If that bastard had survived, and if Konoha could still have been founded, then managing the Uchiha might have been even harder—but they also would have been able to contribute far more to the village, instead of only wearing themselves down with internal conflict…
Tobirama steadied himself and continued: "I will publicly impeach Danzō!"
"If the Hokage is willing to bring Danzō's issues into the open for discussion, and does not choose to silence me, then that will prove he truly accepts the Uchiha!"
"And we should then offer the village our sincerity as well!" Tobirama slipped in a bit of his own agenda there. "That is what the will of the Great Clan Head means."
Next, Tobirama roughly relayed to the clansmen what he had said to Danzō that day.
The general meaning was this:
The core of the duel between Madara and Hashirama had been their concern for the future of their clans.
But one should not choose an overly extreme method and skip even the stage of negotiation…
They should inherit Madara's spirit and will—the courage to point out the village's problems.
But at the same time, they also had to beware of excessive behavior, lest something that could have made both the Uchiha and the village better instead turn into a tragedy that pleased enemies and pained loved ones.
This interpretation was met with broad approval from the Uchiha clansmen.
Not a single Uchiha wanted to deny Madara—but neither did they want to reenact the tragedy of the past.
After all, under Hiruzen's rule, the Uchiha no longer had that many grievances.
And because of that, some clansmen also began to worry.
Wasn't aiming their fire at Danzō a bit too much?
After all, that was Danzō!
In Uchiha eyes, Danzō was practically like Hiruzen's own younger brother—a brother and deputy who had grown up alongside him.
He was the shadow standing at the Hokage's side.
"Seisui, isn't this a little too extreme…"
Uchiha En spoke thoughtfully. "Objectively speaking, even though Danzō has done a lot of wrong, he has also made contributions to Konoha."
"And besides, everyone has close friends and brothers. Danzō's relationship to the Hokage-sama is rather special…"
"Take our own clan, for example. If our family or brothers made a mistake, speaking honestly, I would show favoritism."
Fugaku nodded.
That really was true…
He had a son now. If Itachi made a mistake in the future, he too would do everything he could to forgive him…
Of course, discipline was still necessary—that was a separate matter.
In the current Konoha, the idea of "merits and faults being judged separately" was still not especially clear.
Because of the external pressure brought by war, fighting strength was an extremely scarce resource.
So powerful shinobi enjoyed a vague privilege when it came to mistakes, and most shinobi still believed that "merits and faults" could offset each other to a certain extent.
And that was also the next problem Hiruzen was preparing to solve.
To refine the unity of responsibility and authority among shinobi, and to build Konoha's military discipline and order in a more systematic and institutionalized way.
"Yeah, Seisui, how about changing the target?" Even Uchiha Kaku couldn't help but speak up.
Isshin also sighed. The risk in this was simply too great.
"No. Danzō..."
"Only Danzō has obvious enough problems, and only he can best test the Hokage's true feelings toward the Uchiha."
"I know this is extreme, so if this time the Hokage does not overly favor Danzō, then I ask all of you to serve the village sincerely. Otherwise, the clan would look far too rude…"
"That is also why I said I would do this alone."
Tobirama spoke slowly: "If something goes wrong, then I will bear it alone. Any accountability—I'll take it all on myself!"
"At worst, it's just one life. If that can help the clan see Konoha's true nature clearly, then it's worth it."
The Uchiha were visibly shocked.
He was planning to shoulder all the responsibility himself!
Shisui and Obito were both sweating with anxiety…
In the past, the two of them had thought their older brother was calm—but when he went mad, it was truly terrifying!
Challenging the Hokage's advisor head-on at every turn—coming from a ninja academy student, it was simply too shocking to hear.
"Still, everyone, there's no need to worry too much about me."
"I know that although many people in the village still think poorly of Danzō, some have changed their view of him because of the Hokage's commendation. Shisui and Obito told me as much…"
"En-ojisan, you were commended that time too, weren't you?"
Uchiha En nodded.
"That's right… Though I despise Danzō, if someone remains steeped in darkness for too long, becoming warped is almost unavoidable."
Tobirama smiled.
"So I've also left him a way out! He has repeatedly wanted to take me as his disciple, but I refused him."
"If things develop in our favor, then when Danzō is on the verge of collapsing, I'll go talk to him again about becoming his disciple…"
"I'm the one launching the impeachment. If I'm the one to show a willingness to reconcile, that can snuff out most of the doubts."
"And that way, the village won't lose a powerful fighter, while I can also gain the name of belonging to the Hokage's faction. At the same time, Danzō will find it difficult to use the sensei-disciple relationship to coerce me."
"With that title, the Uchiha will also have officially stepped into the upper circles."
"It's killing two birds with one stone…"
The Uchiha's minds froze for quite a while before they slowly caught up with Tobirama's train of thought.
First strike, then pull him back in—gain prestige, vent their anger, and then even walk away with a borrowed title for free?
Though the title of Danzō's disciple did sound rather strange.
Still, its status really was high, and if one could enjoy the benefits without being bound by the name, then it would indeed bring real advantages…
It was just that the danger and shifting undercurrents involved could hardly even be described by words like stormy or treacherous. It was a path lined with killing intent at every step!
If even one part of it went wrong, the Uchiha clan might still be all right—but Seisui would undoubtedly be doomed beyond recovery!
The Uchiha all looked at Tobirama with worry, still wanting to persuade him further.
"For the sake of the clan, I alone will bear it… No one needs to say anything more!"
Tobirama said in a deep voice: "If we do it, then we do it to the utmost! That is the Uchiha way—I despise mediocrity!"
At that moment—
"Catch, Seisui!" Isshin shouted aloud as he hurled Izuna's sword toward him.
The Tōenmaru that Kirigakure had presented.
Tobirama caught it one-handed, his heart stirring.
This looked… rather like that man's sword…
Where had this even come from…
With a thought, Tobirama poured chakra into it and assumed one of Uchiha Izuna's classic side-on sword stances.
The blood that had flowed beneath his eyelids had long since dried, and the flames on the blade, together with the tomoe in his eyes, reflected that dark crimson.
Together with his words, it made Tobirama look like an Uchiha who had just returned from the battlefield—
Only to lift his blade and charge once more, ready to fight his opponent to the bitter end!
And in the eyes of those Uchiha who had known Izuna—
At this moment—
The two figures overlapped completely.
The Uchiha all rose to their feet.
From the depths of their hearts, they offered their respect—for Seisui, who dared to stake his very life for the sake of the clan…
Even Madara was moved in a way he had not been for a long time.
Seisui was simply too much like Izuna…
Especially since, by a strange twist of fate, he had even ended up with the sword Izuna had forged in life…
When Madara thought of his own plan—to drive Seisui into a half-mad state—he even felt the slightest trace of reluctance.
"It is all for the Uchiha—for the ultimate peace of the shinobi world…"
Madara drank another cup of strong liquor, then, slightly irritated, cut off his connection to White Zetsu.
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