Uchiha Madara's departure had no impact whatsoever on Konoha's clans or civilians.
Life went on as usual, and time continued to pass as usual. The only difference was that the Uchiha clan's influence in Konoha had diminished.
Although Uchiha Izumiya had entered the ranks of the elders to replace Uchiha Madara, Madara himself had been utterly unable to deal with the other three elders. Izumiya was even less capable.
In the blink of an eye, it was Konoha's fifth year. Konoha had already been established for a full four years.
Masahiko walked through Konoha's streets, where traces of the New Year celebrations still lingered.
Ever since Uchiha Madara had left, Masahiko had once again put improving his strength on the agenda. For more than half a year, he had devoted himself to training. After adapting to the strength gained from allocating points, he had pressed onward on the path of fusing Yin Release and Yang Release...
Yet there had been no progress so far. With the New Year celebrations just over, he had come out to relax and shift his perspective.
Masahiko was still pondering the reason for his failed fusion when the distant clanging of chisels jolted him awake. Looking up, he saw someone busily working on the massive cliff behind the Hokage Office Building.
"Are they carving Hokage Rock?" Masahiko murmured. He knew that Hashirama had entertained this idea ever since Konoha was founded. Of course, Hashirama had originally wanted Madara to become Hokage, then carve Madara's face into the cliff for Konoha's villagers to admire.
Unexpectedly, Hashirama had ultimately become Hokage himself. He had never mentioned the matter again, but now that Madara had left, work on Hokage Rock had finally begun.
Without realizing it, Masahiko walked beneath Hokage Rock and stared blankly upward.
"So this is