"Why did they suddenly leave? Did I ask something I shouldn't have?" Garuda asked, looking puzzled as she watched Uchiha Zhan and the others walk away.
"Garuda, that's something you should only ask me in private. It's best not to mention the Senju Clan in front of these Uchiha Clan members."
"Uh… why?"
Shizune and Itachi also looked at Tsunade in confusion, curious about the reason.
"This branch of the Uchiha Clan is made up of Isamu's father's followers. His father was always at odds with the Senju Clan. On top of that, my grandfather, Senju Hashirama, had a bitter conflict with them years ago. So it's best not to bring up the Senju Clan here…"
"I see… Then what happened to the Senju Clan now?"
"The Senju Clan has disbanded. You could say it no longer exists."
Hearing that, Garuda immediately understood.
No wonder everyone had fallen silent the moment she mentioned the Senju Clan.
It was because the clan had already disappeared.
She had never expected the descendants of the peace-loving Ashura to have reached the brink of extinction.
It truly was…
Soon, Isamu and the others arrived at the main reception hall.
Uchiha Sora immediately stepped forward and respectfully gestured toward the seat of honor.
"Former Clan Leader, please take the main seat."
"Why should I?"
"Sora, don't forget that you are the Clan Leader."
"You are the highest authority and the leader of this entire clan."
"That seat belongs to you."
"Do you understand?"
"Now go and sit."
Isamu firmly refused and instead took the seat below the head position.
By doing so, he not only preserved the authority of the current Clan Leader but also strengthened Sora's confidence and prestige.
"…Understood."
Seeing how much the Former Clan Leader supported him, Sora no longer declined and took the seat of honor.
After everyone had taken their seats, the senior members of the clan briefly reported on the clan's current situation.
After listening to the summary, Isamu nodded in satisfaction.
"To grow the clan from only a few hundred members to nearly three thousand…"
"You've all done an excellent job."
"Whether you're the Clan Leader, an elder, or a department head…"
"You've all contributed greatly."
"I am very pleased to see the Uchiha Clan prospering."
"From now on…"
"The clan is in your hands."
"That will conclude today's report."
"In the future, report the clan's affairs directly to your current Clan Leader."
"Yes!"
Everyone answered in unison.
Uchiha Sora then dismissed the meeting.
Before long, only Isamu, the five elders, and Uchiha Sora remained.
"Uchiha Zhan…"
"How is Elder Shinyō?"
"My father…"
"…passed away."
"He left us about fifteen years ago."
"I see…"
"Take me to pay my respects."
Isamu wasn't surprised.
After all…
The Great Elder had already been advanced in years.
His passing was only a matter of time.
Birth, aging, sickness, and death—
Such was the natural order.
"Of course."
Led by Uchiha Zhan, everyone headed toward the cemetery behind the Uchiha compound.
Standing before Uchiha Shinyō's grave…
Each of them placed a white chrysanthemum before the tombstone.
Uchiha Zhan and Uchiha Sora then knelt and respectfully kowtowed three times.
Only then did Isamu realize…
Sora was actually Zhan's son.
Looking at the Great Elder's tombstone…
Memories of the past flooded back.
Everything Elder Shinyō had done for him…
Felt as though it had happened only yesterday.
"I never imagined…"
"…that you would leave before I returned."
"I haven't even fulfilled the promise I made to you."
"So how could you leave like this…"
As he spoke…
Two streams of tears slowly rolled down Isamu's cheeks.
"Isamu…"
"Please don't grieve too much."
"My father was extremely proud of everything you accomplished for the clan."
"And…"
"He left something for you."
As he spoke, Uchiha Zhan carefully handed over a sealed letter.
Isamu accepted it.
Instead of opening it immediately, he turned toward everyone.
"Leave me alone for a while."
"I want to spend some time with Elder Shinyō."
Understanding his feelings, everyone quietly departed.
Only after they were gone did Isamu slowly open the letter.
Every line was filled with praise.
Every sentence expressed complete trust.
The old elder had believed in him until his very last breath.
After finishing it…
Isamu sighed deeply.
"I never imagined…"
"…that even until the end…"
"…you were still thinking about me."
"How could I ever repay such kindness…"
He remained standing before the grave in silent respect.
Three full days passed.
He neither ate nor drank.
Three days later…
Isamu officially moved into the Uchiha compound.
He had finally returned home.
Uchiha Zhan personally arranged a spacious residence for Isamu and his family.
After returning to the clan, Isamu wasted no time.
He devoted himself entirely to training the clan's shinobi.
Itachi also joined the rigorous training.
Time passed.
One day after another.
Before long…
An entire year had gone by.
On this day…
Isamu received important news from Konoha.
One of the Animal Path bodies from the Xuanyuan Clan arrived carrying an eagle messenger.
Removing the letter tied to the eagle's leg, it respectfully handed it over.
Isamu opened the letter.
After reading only a few lines…
His face immediately lit up with joy.
The letter was from Senba.
It announced that Senba's second child had been born.
A healthy baby boy.
It also asked Isamu to give the child a name.
"Hahaha!"
"I knew this little fellow would come eventually!"
"As long as Itachi exists…"
"I wasn't worried he wouldn't be born!"
Filled with excitement, Isamu called Itachi over, and together they returned home to share the good news.
As soon as they arrived…
Isamu happily announced it.
"I have wonderful news."
"Senba sent word."
"His second child has been born."
"It's a boy."
"What?"
"Senba has another child?"
"That's wonderful!"
"I have another grandson!"
Tsunade was overjoyed.
Garuda and Shizune also smiled warmly.
Even Itachi couldn't hide his excitement.
"I have a little brother!"
"That's amazing!"
"Grandpa, can we go back to see him?"
Looking at his eager grandson, Isamu smiled faintly.
"There's no need."
"Your training cannot be interrupted."
"Your father's letter only asked me to choose a name."
"I don't plan to return."
"I'll simply decide on a name and send it back."
"Oh…"
Hearing that he couldn't go home, Itachi's expression immediately fell.
Seeing his disappointment, Isamu spoke calmly.
"Itachi."
"There's no need to rush."
"You'll meet your younger brother sooner or later."
"But not now."
"Right now…"
"Your most important responsibility is your training."
"Do you understand?"
"Yes…"
"I understand."
"When your strength reaches my standard…"
"I'll let you return."
"Until then…"
"Focus on nothing except becoming stronger."