Determination × Determination

In the dim underground chamber beneath the Shrine, a few ever-burning lamps gave off a faint light. Their flames flickered, gently sweeping across the edges of the darkness.

The air was heavy with the scent of old incense and wood. It was so quiet that he could hear his own blood flowing.

Madara stood there in silence, his dark red eyes fixed on the words on the Stone Tablet.

He had long since committed those words to memory, and could even recite them backward.

In the six months since Izuna's "death," the Stone Tablet, the "Sage of Six Paths' last words" inscribed on it, and the "path to true peace"—the Infinite Tsukuyomi—had almost become the sole support for an obsessive conviction deep in his heart.

Whenever he despaired at Konoha's increasingly obvious exclusion of him, whenever he watched his clansmen gradually lose their Uchiha edge in their comfortable lives, whenever the agony of losing his closest family gnawed at him again and again in the still of the night, he came here.

He looked at the Stone Tablet as though he could draw strength from it and find a "way out" that justified all his pain and disappointment.

Yes, before Izuna returned, he had already thought it through.

Konoha, the place that had once held his and Hashirama's dreams, was sliding in a direction that sickened him.

Tobirama Senju scarcely bothered to hide his wariness of and schemes against the Uchiha. Though he tried not to let his prejudices influence village affairs, his decisions still showed a bias.

And Hashirama... his dearest friend might not have abandoned his original ideals, but his naivety and compromises were putting the Uchiha Clan in the position of a frog in slowly heating water.

He had once thought that if he became Hokage, he might still be able to carve out a place for the Uchiha.

But the reality was that the Hokage Position was beyond his reach.

The people's choice, the inclinations of the various clans, and even... that subtle tendency deep in Hashirama's heart to favor responsibility, one he might not even have been fully aware of himself, had all determined the outcome.

So should he stay in Konoha and watch the Uchiha Clan gradually be pushed to the margins, perhaps even sacrificed in a future conflict?

No.

Madara Uchiha would never accept such a future.

He had considered leading the entire clan away to find another home.

But he had quickly dismissed the idea himself.

Of his clansmen, who had lived through war and finally tasted peace, how many would still be willing to follow him back to a wandering life where they never knew what tomorrow would bring?

Uchiha Hikaku might, and some radical young clansmen might, but the rest... Madara could almost foresee their hesitation and opposition.

In the end, he would most likely become a lone outcast who had "abandoned his clansmen" and "destroyed the peace."

Since the real world could not give him the peace and belonging he wanted, since his path had already diverged from his dearest friend's, and since even his clansmen could not understand his foresight and resolve...

Then following the Stone Tablet's guidance to bring about the Infinite Tsukuyomi, in which "everyone could be immersed in a perfect dream," and create an "ideal world" without war, loss, or pain had become his only choice.

For that, he could endure loneliness, bear infamy, and make an enemy of the world.

On the night before Izuna appeared, he had even roughly planned when he would leave and the first part of his route.

He would wait until the Hokage election was settled and the right opportunity came, then quietly disappear from everyone's sight to pursue that long and lonely path.

But... Izuna had returned.

That sudden, unexpected development had thrown all his plans into disarray and stirred the stagnant waters of his heart.

At first, there had been shock and suspicion, along with an almost uncontrollable urge to kill.

An impostor wearing his younger brother's face was the greatest desecration of the dead. How dare he show his face in front of him like that!

When that "Izuna" had just entered the village and thrown himself into his arms, he had truly come close to striking.

Yet after encounter upon encounter, test upon test, what that "Izuna" had shown him made him waver.

The familiar chakra, the Sharingan that could not be faked, the habits so natural they seemed etched into his bones, his knowledge of Madara's preferences, and the pride and intelligence that belonged to "Uchiha Izuna," as well as the unreserved reliance and concern for his elder brother that he revealed without thinking...

All of it made Madara waver.

This was no clumsy imitation, nor was it a simple Genjutsu or Transformation Technique.

Just as Hashirama had said, it was too real. So real that a crack had appeared in Madara's defenses, tempered by hardship and meant to be cold and hard, and the part of him frozen by loss had begun to thaw beyond his control.

He remembered the smile on Izuna's face that day when he playfully teased Hashirama with the way he addressed him.

He was Izuna.

An Uchiha Izuna from a different timeline, who had grown up differently and saw things in an entirely different way.

He had found himself stranded in this world, both familiar and strange to him. He had noticed that something was wrong with his surroundings, but he stubbornly chose to believe his elder brother would protect him.

How could Madara harden his heart and leave an Izuna like this to carry out the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan?

Izuna has only me to rely on. I can't abandon him like this.

So, at least for now, I can't leave Konoha.

Madara slowly closed his eyes and drew a deep breath of the cold air inside the Shrine.

The words on the Stone Tablet were as cold as ever, the temptation of the Infinite Tsukuyomi remained, and his disappointment in this decaying reality had not diminished.

But the weight of "Uchiha Izuna" outweighed everything else.

I can wait.

Madara opened his eyes, his gaze deep and unreadable in the dim light.

Wait until Izuna... finds a way back, or...

The thought made his heart clench, but he forced himself to continue.

Or until the truth of this world can no longer be concealed, until Izuna has to face reality, until the day he... "leaves" me again.

By then, if he still saw no hope in this world, if he still could not walk the same path as his dearest friend, if loneliness and pain still followed him like shadows...

Then perhaps he would take up the plan again.

Madara gave the Stone Tablet one last look, turned, and left the Shrine without a trace of reluctance.

The night breeze brushed his hair at the temples, bringing a faint chill.

He looked up in the direction of his home. A faint light still shone there, like a small, warm lighthouse in the boundless night.

He quickened his pace.

No matter where this Izuna came from or how many mysteries he carried, at least for now, he truly existed there.

And as his elder brother, Madara decided that for as long as he could still protect him, he would give him an environment as "normal" and "safe" as possible.

As for the future... he would deal with it when it came.

Madara's figure blended into the night as he walked resolutely toward that light.

Izuna reviewed several clan affairs files in one sitting. The deeper he read, the more his initial tension eased.

At first glance, these matters involved ninja clans and Kekkei Genkai, making them seem highly complicated. But stripped of their ninja-clan trappings, they were disputes between neighbors, property management, project cooperation, and budget reviews.

"Just as I thought. No matter how things change, the fundamentals stay the same." Izuna put down his brush and rubbed his slightly aching wrist, feeling much more reassured.

"It looks like managing a clan of around a hundred people works on the same basic logic as coordinating a large event. The key is to understand the rules, know the people involved, and then solve problems fairly, transparently, and efficiently."

Of course, he knew things were not that simple.

The "rules" of the ninja world depended more on strength and prestige, interpersonal relationships could be more complicated, and interests involving Kekkei Genkai and the passing down of Ninjutsu were minefields he could not afford to touch.

But most of what these documents described was still at the level of "grassroots affairs." With his limited social experience and logical thinking, he could just about manage them.

Even so, some files gave him trouble.

For example, several reports recorded conflicts between the Uchiha and Senju Clan arising from joint patrols, mission assignments, and even everyday friction. Each side had its own version of events, and the tension was palpable.

"There's... too little information here." Izuna frowned.

He did not know exactly what the relationship between the two clans was like now. Although he knew they were hostile toward each other, as a college student with no similar experience, he did not consider himself qualified to judge.

He was even less certain of "Izuna" and Madara's attitudes and limits regarding such incidents.

Issuing instructions rashly could easily backfire.

"I need to gather more information." Izuna set aside the files involving external conflicts that required a deeper understanding of their background.

There were also revenue reports and expansion applications for the clan-run Ninja Tools shops and medicinal herb shops.

Assessments of the young clansmen's training progress and recommendations on allocating resources, along with preliminary discussions about handing matters over to the village... all of these required him to have a more specific, firsthand grasp of the Uchiha Clan's current situation.

"Reading documents isn't enough. I need to see things for myself and talk to people." Izuna made up his mind.

Avoiding things would not solve the problem. Since he had decided to protect his brother Madara and change that damn future, he had to truly become involved and learn the facts.

He recalled the name Madara had mentioned yesterday—"Hikaku." It seemed this man really had been Uchiha Izuna's capable assistant when he was alive, someone like a deputy or chief secretary?

Perfect. He would go find him tomorrow! He could learn the actual procedures and details of handling clan affairs while getting firsthand information from him about the clan's current situation.

No time like the present! Izuna found a blank scroll and began listing the things he needed to learn and confirm tomorrow:

1. Visit Uchiha Hikaku and learn about his responsibilities and the current procedures for handling clan affairs.

2. Visit the main areas of the clan compound in person: the training grounds, the shopping district, the Shrine, the main residential areas, and so on, to get a firsthand sense of the atmosphere and problems.

3. Observe or learn about one or two specific disputes currently being handled, such as that boundary dispute, and see how they are dealt with in practice.

4. Cautiously inquire about the main points of recent friction with the Senju Clan.

5. Get a general picture of the clan's finances and material reserves.

6. Secretly keep an ear out for any word about the Stone Tablet or suspicious individuals.

After finishing the list, Izuna felt that his thoughts were much clearer, and he had clear objectives to act on.

Though he still did not know whether good fortune or disaster lay ahead, at least he knew which direction to push in.

"All right! The preliminary strategic plan is complete!" Izuna stretched and put away the sorted files and his list. "All that's left is to carry it out tomorrow! Now, time to rest up and sleep!"

He blew out the oil lamp in the study and returned to his room, feeling much more relaxed than when he had arrived, even a little excited and eager to get started.

Early the next morning, Madara woke just as the sky began to lighten.

Years as a ninja had given him a regular routine, and even after being bedridden for several days with injuries, his internal clock remained precise.

He had just gotten up when he heard faint rustling outside his door.

It was not the usual sound of Izuna preparing breakfast in the kitchen, but... the sound of someone getting dressed?

Puzzled, Madara pulled open his door and saw Izuna, fully dressed, just about to fasten the clasp on his Ninja Tool Pouch.

His black high-collared robe fit neatly, the Uchiha Clan Crest on its back. His hair was meticulously combed, and he looked bright and energetic, ready to head out on business.

Madara: "...?"

Hearing the door, Izuna turned and immediately broke into a bright smile when he saw Madara. "Oh, you're awake, Brother? I've already made breakfast. It's keeping warm in the kitchen, so make sure you eat it. I'm heading out for a bit."

Madara's brows knitted almost imperceptibly. "Going shopping?" Judging by Izuna's habits over the past few days, if he needed to go out, he usually did so after breakfast and would let Madara know beforehand.

"No." Izuna fastened his Ninja Tool Pouch and walked to the entryway to put on his shoes, his movements brisk and efficient. "I still haven't had a proper look around our new clan compound since I got back from my mission. I only know roughly where a lot of places are, and I have no idea what they're actually like. I happen to have time today, so I'm going to check them out and get familiar with the place."

Madara: "...?"

Get familiar with the place? The person who had been clearly avoiding going out and dealing with the outside world yesterday was suddenly eager to "get familiar with the place" today?

Wasn't that a bit too sudden a change?

"I'll go with you..." Madara said instinctively, stepping forward to follow him.

He was not entirely comfortable letting Izuna walk around the clan compound alone. Even though he had already made arrangements with Hikaku, what if something unexpected happened?

"You're still a patient!" Izuna immediately turned and held out a hand to stop him without touching him, his tone brooking no argument. "Brother Hashirama said you need a week of rest! Right now, the most you can do is walk around the courtyard. You're not allowed to go far! Follow the doctor's orders, understand?"

"...It's not that serious..." He felt almost completely recovered, and the dull ache in his internal organs was barely noticeable.

"Anyway," Izuna said. He had already put on his shoes and pulled open the front door, letting in the slightly cool morning air. "Stay home and get some proper rest! I'll be back before lunch! Bye, big brother!"

Before he had finished speaking, Izuna had already swept out the door like a gust of wind, leaving Madara standing alone in the entryway, staring blankly at the closed door.

Madara was utterly bewildered.

What was with this sudden burst of enthusiasm?

Yesterday, Izuna had been holed up at home for fear of being "found out," reluctant even to spend much time in the study and avoiding any mention of clan affairs. How had he become like a different person after one night's sleep?

Not only had he taken the initiative to get familiar with the clan compound, but he had acted on it with such energy that he had flatly refused Madara's offer to accompany him.

Could it be... that something had happened last night without his knowing?

Thoughtful, Madara turned around. Instead of going to the kitchen, he headed straight for the study.

Madara spotted the stack of files on the desk at once. They had clearly been sorted into categories.

A used brush and an inkstone lay beside them.

He walked over and picked up the file on top.

Turning to a blank section, he found several lines of neat, elegant handwriting.

The writing lacked the slightly sharp edge of Izuna's usual hand and was instead more orderly and clear, but there were faintly familiar traces in the pauses and strokes of the brush.

The contents of the annotations made his gaze sharpen.

The reasoning was clear and well organized. The proposed solution balanced principle with flexibility and even considered measures to prevent future disputes, such as "setting up simple boundary markers."

Although the specific wording and some of the management ideas felt a little unfamiliar, their efficiency and underlying focus on reconciling conflicts gave Madara a powerful sense of familiarity.

He quickly skimmed the other annotated files as well: procurement, budgets, cooperation negotiations... the annotations on every one went straight to the point, crisp and decisive.

Although the angles and handling of details differed somewhat from the Izuna he knew, the ability to quickly grasp the key points and offer practical solutions was exactly the same.

Madara's fingers brushed gently over the writing, the ink not yet dry. His fingertips seemed to sense the writer's concentration and thought as he put brush to paper.

He seemed to see Izuna sitting alone under the dim yellow lamplight last night, facing these numerous and trivial clan affairs files, taking up his brush and carefully writing down his opinions, word by word.

Madara recalled what Izuna had said last night: "I thought, since it's rare for you to be home recovering, Brother, I might as well give myself a few days off too."

The nervousness he had shown then had been genuine. Izuna had been afraid, but even in fear, even knowing the road ahead was unknown, even afraid of learning that this was not his world...

He had still chosen to face the challenge head-on.

He had chosen to engage with, understand, and try to handle the matters he could otherwise have continued to avoid.

Perhaps the study last night was where he had made that decision.

The corners of Madara's lips curved upward ever so slightly.

This was Izuna.

No matter which world he came from or what differences he had experienced, the pride and sense of responsibility that belonged to Uchiha Izuna, and the spirit that remained resilient even in adversity, had never changed.

Even with fear following him like a shadow, it could not stop him from moving forward.

That was how his younger brother ought to be.

Madara gently put down the file and looked out the window, as though he could see through the walls to the figure walking with determined steps toward the depths of the Uchiha Clan Compound.

"Go on, Izuna," he murmured to himself, an indescribably complex light flickering in his eyes. "Do what you want to do, and see what you need to see. At least here, in the Uchiha Clan Compound... I'll be watching over you."

He turned and left the study, heading for the kitchen.

The porridge warming on the stove gave off a faint aroma of rice, and the side dishes were light and appetizing.

There was also a note beside them.

"Brother! Remember to eat breakfast when you get up! Don't worry about me, I'm just going out for a bit and I'll be back soon! Be good and stay home, follow the doctor's orders, and don't go running around!"

Madara looked at the small writing, his brows relaxing as he smiled faintly.