Sasuke! King of the Uchiha!

The fine rain, like silk threads, fell continuously and warmly on the Uchiha Compound by the Naka River. Today was a rare and lively celebration for the Uchiha Clan—the birthday banquet for the Clan Head's youngest son. Almost the entire clan had gathered, their faces beaming with joy.

Due to the continuous drizzle, several elders had decided to move the celebration venue to the clan's indoor training grounds. The celebration hadn't started yet, and a group of people were surrounding a few elders, engaged in lively discussion and criticizing the Hyuga Clan.

Elder Shana's voice was the loudest among them.

"And they call themselves the entire clan's strength? Pathetic Hyuga! So stingy even for a birthday party, and they have the nerve to call themselves the main family's direct heir?"

Elder Homen was more reserved. The old man merely chuckled beside him, "Can they compare to us Uchiha in terms of grandeur? Such a prestigious clan, yet so stingy. Look how shabby they are!"

Just then, Shisui, who had been sent out to gather information, ran in, still covered in mist. He reported that the Hyuga main family and branch families were having their celebration in the rain in their courtyard.

This made the elders even more animated. Pointing to the enclosed training grounds above them, they mocked the Hyuga again: "The Hyuga Clan truly doesn't know how to care for its members, making even three-year-old children stand in the rain. It's inhumane!"

Although these words were harsh, they were met with waves of laughter from the clan members.

Ever since Qing Xuan's father's generation, the Hyuga had harbored ambitions of competing with the Uchiha for the title of Konoha's foremost prestigious clan. Although they were always beaten back by the Fugaku brothers, the village higher-ups' favoritism was undeniable. The Uchiha found immense pleasure in seeing the Hyuga stumble, not out of hatred, but simply as a hobby.

Even Shisui wasn't immune to this hobby. Today, it was entirely thanks to his constant shuttling between the two clans that the clan members could receive real-time intelligence on the Hyuga Clan. Body Flicker Shisui's contribution was invaluable!

The rain fell like senbon, pattering onto the ground and drawing uneven solid circles.

Qing Xuan emerged from his home, accompanied by Haku and Tsunade, and leisurely walked towards the training grounds.

He was dressed in loose black clothing today. His hair, occasionally stirred by the wind in the fine rain, revealed the clan emblem of a gunbai embroidered with fine stitches on his back.

On the stone path leading to the training grounds, Uchiha clan members slowed their steps, waiting for Qing Xuan to pass. They lowered their voices to greet him.

Amidst the calls of "Young Clan Head," Qing Xuan nodded calmly and walked past, leaving Tsunade, who was following him, stunned.

The rain on the stone path blurred her vision. The small, respected figure gradually grew larger in her eyes. His humble smile, tinged with mist, and his gentle gaze beneath his slightly messy hair slowly merged with a certain face in her heart, momentarily leaving Tsunade in a daze.

"Lord Tsunade?"

Ling's confused voice sounded from beside her. When Tsunade came back to her senses, she saw that figure in the blurry distance turn around in the fine rain and stand there waiting for her.

"Let's go, Mother. We'll be late if we don't hurry."

"Coming right up!"

Tsunade replied softly, raising the back of her hand to wipe away the rain that had mixed with her eyes. The face in front of her immediately became clearer.

One spring rain, two different joys and sorrows.

Compared to the solemn sadness of the Hyuga, the Uchiha were experiencing more of a revelry at this moment.

It seemed as though the clan members, who had been suppressing themselves for so many years, hadn't experienced such unrestrained joy in a long time.

The pattering rain grew louder but couldn't drown out the increasingly high-spirited atmosphere.

This fervor reached its peak with the arrival of the Clan Head and the Young Clan Head's family.

The gunbai patterns within the training grounds were reflected on the dense crowd. Eyes fixed on the front of the ceremony, the entire compound seemed to fall into an unprecedented silence.

The celebration began.

With a solemn expression, Qing Xuan held the three-year-old Sasuke high with both hands under the gaze of all the clan members, reciting the birthday speech he had prepared.

"My brother!"

Behind him, Fugaku Uchiha and the elders stood in a line, quietly watching the young man who always brought them surprises.

Itachi stood beside Fugaku, his eyes filled with a smile as he watched his two younger brothers at the forefront. He was grateful to Qing Xuan, as his father had told him that Qing Xuan had worked hard to secure this birthday celebration for Sasuke with the elders.

Sasuke would surely be happy to receive the blessings of the entire clan on his birthday, wouldn't he?

What he didn't know was that Sasuke was currently feeling a bit of acrophobia from being held up by Qing Xuan, and the attention of so many people made him uncomfortable.

Qing Xuan, however, paid no mind to this. Instead, he lifted Sasuke even higher and shook him.

"From the day you were born, The entire forest of Konoha has whispered this name—Sasuke Uchiha!"

A bit sophisticated.

Many Uchiha couldn't help but raise their eyebrows. They had expected the Young Clan Head to simply say "Happy Birthday" or something similar, but they hadn't anticipated such a grand opening!

This was practically like a memorial service.

Just the opening alone seemed to elevate the entire celebration by several notches. This was truly Uchiha style.

"My brother, I proudly watch you grow day by day, becoming the embodiment of flame.

Remember, we have always established our prestige in the village through strength and wisdom."

Many clan members subconsciously straightened their bodies. This formal atmosphere made them feel somewhat out of sorts, as if being too casual would be an unforgivable disrespect.

Perhaps, this was how a truly prestigious clan should be, they all thought.

"At the same time, I know, You will use your great power with caution."

"But true victory...

Is the hope that inspires the clan."

The expressions of the Uchiha gradually grew serious. They could no longer connect this scene with an ordinary birthday banquet.

"One day, my path will reach its end."

Qing Xuan's congratulatory speech finally came to a close. The next moment, he suddenly raised his voice slightly, and his eyes instantly turned Scarlet.

"And you, will be crowned King!"

At this moment, it was as if thunderclap exploded in the ears of all the Uchiha. It was as if the blood that had long been dormant in their veins suddenly boiled again. One by one, the Uchiha raised their heads, and in their pair of Scarlet Eyes, the black Tomoe bloomed in response to Qing Xuan.

The Tomoe in Qing Xuan's eyes slowly rotated. He lifted Sasuke high and shouted once more.

"You will be crowned King!"

Boom!

A certain string snapped violently in an instant.

The Uchiha loudly shouted in unison.

As if venting, they roared with all their might!

"King! You will be crowned King!"

This is the Uchiha! The prestigious clan of Konohagakure!

It had to be said that Qing Xuan was talented. For this birthday congratulatory speech, others couldn't have matched him even with Body Flicker, and his ability to stir people's hearts...

An irrepressible smile appeared on Fugaku's face. He crossed his arms, but the fingers of his clenched fists still trembled uncontrollably.

Unlike the other clan members whose emotions were easily stirred, Elder Shana and the others scoffed at this unrestrained praise.

They felt that if Qing Xuan said this about himself, it would be understandable, but was he lifting Sasuke Uchiha too high?

They strongly disagreed internally, but under Fugaku's fierce gaze, they could only comply...

"Sasuke! The King of the Uchiha!"

The Uchiha Clan's revelry began from this moment!