My Foolish Older Brother

"Young Clan Head Izuna, Young Clan Head Madara went out early again today."

A new day dawned, and Izuna arrived at Madara's mansion once more, receiving the same answer as before.

Izuna pondered for a moment, nodded, and then left.

Dozens of miles away from the Uchiha Clan's territory, on a cliff along Mount Kumogakure, the dividing line between the Uchiha and Senju lands.

The view here was expansive, allowing one to take in the dense forest below.

Madara Uchiha stood at the cliff's summit. Ten years ago, it was here that he first met Hashirama Senju.

It was also here that Hashirama Senju proposed the idea of establishing a village where all ninja clans could coexist harmoniously, starting from this very spot.

"I knew you'd be here."

A familiar voice came from behind him. Madara spoke without turning his head, "It's Izuna..."

"The clan elders are busy trying to win people over, and you have time to reminisce here?"

Izuna walked up to Madara and sat down, his legs dangling over the cliff's edge.

"Hmph?"

Madara frowned slightly.

Izuna shook his head speechlessly. His foolish older brother really had muscles for a brain.

Tajima Uchiha and many of the clan's experts had fallen.

The current Uchiha leadership was in turmoil, especially among the peak Jonin and above. They were all secretly vying for the vacant positions, including the position of Clan Head.

He himself was actually involved in this, exchanging precious skill points for Lightning Release, a skill he wasn't proficient in, to teach his students. This was also why.

Madara Uchiha, on the other hand, came here every day to reminisce about his past with Hashirama Senju, ignoring clan affairs.

No wonder when he betrayed Konoha in the future, no one was willing to follow him despite his reputation.

Thinking about it, the situation with the Senju seemed quite similar.

Hashirama Senju was half a political idiot, relying entirely on Tobirama Senju to play the bad cop.

However, Izuna hadn't yet reached the chuunibyo stage of saying "My foolish older brother" like Uchiha Itachi. He said, "The clan's highest meeting is about to begin soon, Older Brother. You know what the clan needs to address first, right?"

"The position of Clan Head."

Madara wasn't so foolish as to understand nothing and immediately replied, "It's highly likely Uchiha Gakugyo will succeed."

"The Senju will probably have Senju Takeuma succeed, and then you, as the eldest son of the former Clan Head, and Hashirama Senju will serve as the new Clan Heads. After some time, you will then become the official Clan Heads of both clans..."

At this point, Izuna shrugged and smiled, "The situation is remarkably similar."

He had to admit that the tacit understanding between Indra and Asura, the eternal rivals, was fully displayed by Madara and Hashirama Senju, and Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, the two pairs of friends.

"But the situation is different now. Older Brother, you should succeed now."

Madara's heart stirred. He didn't retort, clearly tempted.

After a long silence, Madara asked, "With... the Mangekyo Sharingan?"

Indeed, the Mangekyo Sharingan was his only capital to contend for the position of Clan Head with Uchiha Gakugyo at the moment.

"And me."

Izuna stood up, gently patted the dust off his pants, and smiled, "Do you think I've been doing nothing while you've been reminiscing for the past half month?"

Madara looked at Izuna in surprise. After a while, he said, "Izuna, why do I feel like you're gradually leaning towards Tobirama? A bit... calculating..."

To be honest, as a devoted younger brother enthusiast, he wished his younger brother was more "pure."

Izuna rolled his eyes, too lazy to answer the question.

About twenty days after the funeral ceremony for Tajima Uchiha and the others, the aftermath of the war and various trivial matters were finally settled.

The Uchiha Clan then gradually entered a rare period of peace.

At the same time, the clan meeting officially commenced.

Early in the morning, Izuna received the news and arrived at the main hall located in the center of the Uchiha territory.

Only Jonin-level ninjas and above were eligible to participate in the meeting.

Dozens of Jonin-level ninjas sat in the lower seats, while members of the high-level decision-making group sat on the sides in front.

These included Uchiha Gakugyo, the current Vice Clan Head.

Uchiha Sen, who fought against Tobirama Senju in the Taihang Mountains and narrowly lost to Tobirama Senju's Flying Thunder God, was saved by Izuna. He was a Kage-level expert, of the same generation as Tajima Uchiha.

Uchiha Sora, also of the same generation as Tajima Uchiha, did not participate in the previous Mount Kumogakure battle. He was responsible for guarding the northwestern border and was also a Kage-level expert.

There were also a few elites of the same generation as Izuna and Madara, including their cousin, Uchiha Soshu, who had the strength of a peak Jonin.

The Clan Head was dead, and the highest authority currently held by the clan was in the hands of the three elders.

Besides Uchiha Kai, the Third Elder, who held the position of school principal.

There was also the Second Elder, Uchiha Tenzou, in charge of guarding the clan grounds, equivalent to Konoha's Uchiha Police Force in later generations.

The First Elder was Uchiha Gakugyo's father, Kōshi Uchiha, who was mainly responsible for war logistics, the allocation and distribution of food and weapons, and the handling of all matters before and after battles.

When Izuna arrived, Madara was already there. After nodding to Izuna, the two sat on the cushions of the decision-making council.

Uchiha Soshu, sitting to Izuna's side, whispered, "Izuna, if Madara big brother is going to contend for the clan leader position, does he have a chance?"

Compared to Uchiha Gakugyo, who was twice his age, the younger Uchiha Soshu leaned more towards Madara, whom he had known since childhood, becoming the clan leader.

Of course, another reason was that a few days ago, his four-year-old son, Uchiha Bu'an, who was still learning Ninjutsu.

Now frequently praised Izuna's prowess shown at school.

It is often said that children are easily influenced by their parents, but in reality, the decisions parents make often depend on their children.

Izuna smiled calmly, "Just wait and see."

Once everyone was present, the First Elder Kōshi Uchiha cleared his throat and stroked his beard, saying, "All personnel are present, so I declare that the first highest clan meeting after the passing of Clan Leader Tajima begins."

Izuna and Uchiha Sen, sitting in the position opposite him, exchanged glances. Uchiha Sen narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke, "First Elder, the urgent matter at hand is to elect a new clan leader. I believe everyone present understands this."

Kōshi Uchiha nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this. Since Uchiha Gakugyo was his son, he would naturally be happy if his son became the new clan leader.

However, what Kōshi Uchiha, and indeed most of those present, did not expect was that Uchiha Sen spoke, "I also heard about Madara's valiant performance on the Mount Kumogakure battlefield, and Izuna has secured a lot of rest time for us Uchiha this time."

"Therefore, I propose that Madara Uchiha, Clan Leader Tajima's eldest son, succeed to the position of clan leader, and Izuna be promoted to vice clan leader."