During the truce, there was time for it, and the succession ceremony had become more elaborate as well.
They had to choose an auspicious day, build a new platform for the succession, bathe in fragrant water, pay respects to their ancestors, and take care of a whole host of other tedious details.
It wasn't just Madara's affair; Izuna, as Vice Clan Leader, couldn't avoid it either.
Only after three full days of ceremony did they finally reach the last step: the oath.
Yes, it was something like when Tsunade succeeded as Fifth Hokage and stood atop the Hokage Building to swear an oath to the people of Konoha below.
With Madara's personality, there was no way he could do something like that.
Izuna couldn't imagine what lines Madara had said when he became clan leader in the original story, but now that Izuna was here, it was a small matter.
Standing on the succession platform, Madara faced more than a thousand Uchiha clansmen below, along with a comparable number of non-Uchiha workers who handled farming and other chores.
After clearing his throat, he recited the words Izuna had taught him the night before, speaking in a clear, ringing voice. "Today, I, Madara Uchiha, take up the position of clan leader. I only want to tell everyone this—"
"Wherever leaves dance in the wind, the Uchiha flame will burn. The shadow of the Uchiha flame will shine upon our clan and let new leaves sprout..."
That was right: these were the lines Hiruzen Sarutobi would use in the future for his propaganda—no, his speech.
Izuna had taken them, modified them a bit, and handed them to Madara.
And the results proved that these lines really did have an impact.
The clansmen below, especially the young people under twenty, listened with shining eyes, as if they could see a broad road leading to peace.
"Long live the Uchiha!"
"Long live the clan leader!"
"The Uchiha flame will illuminate the entire Sengoku era!"
One person started it, then a second, then a third. Finally, even the refugees taken in by the Uchiha and the civilians who worked the fields and forges joined them, raising their arms and cheering.
"Since when could that brat Madara come up with such profound lines?"
Uchiha Kōshi and the other elders, standing in a corner of the succession platform, watched Madara's back and muttered to themselves.
When they glanced at Izuna standing to Madara's left, they couldn't help but pause, a suspicion rising in their minds.
After the succession ceremony ended, Madara wasted no time. He immediately summoned the senior members, planning to hold his first high-level meeting as clan leader early the next morning.
Even after becoming clan leader, he still had plenty to keep him busy.
At dawn, he took off his battlefield armor, changed into a thick robe that conveyed solemnity, and entered the council hall once more.
Madara, who had previously sat among the decision-makers, now took the clan leader's seat, the one representing the highest authority.
Izuna also took the seat to Madara's left as he had hoped, the position of Vice Clan Leader, the "clan leader's second-in-command."
"Today, I formally take up the position of the new clan leader of the Uchiha Clan. If anyone has a useful suggestion for the clan, speak freely."
After becoming clan leader, Madara's presence had changed. He was like a sharp blade returned to its sheath, yet still flashing its edge from time to time.
"The first thing we need to do is assign positions."
Second Elder Uchiha Tenzou spoke up. "Many were lost in the battle at Mount Kumogakure. Besides the former clan leader, many of our people in important posts also died in battle. We need to fill those positions promptly to ensure the clan continues to function properly."
The jōnin below felt some sadness at the deaths of so many of their comrades, but they couldn't help feeling excited too. This meant there might be a chance for promotion!
"Of course. Last night, I discussed the new candidates for each position with the three elders and the decision-makers. If anyone has an objection, speak up now..."
As he spoke, Madara took out a list and read from it. "Administrator, Takihiko Uchiha. Intelligence Reconnaissance Team, Uchiha..."
He read out a long list of posts and the people assigned to them.
Very few objected, because the decisions had indeed been made based on each person's contributions and abilities.
There had been no favoritism or backroom deals.
"Lastly, Uchiha Gakugyo will be the senior commander at the Mount Kumogakure camp."
Everyone looked taken aback at the final appointment.
Mount Kumogakure lay on the border between the Uchiha and Senju Clan territories. It was one of the Uchiha's most important defensive positions.
The commander who had previously been stationed there had died in battle, so it was only natural to send a skilled fighter to replace him.
The position was certainly prestigious, but it was also grueling.
That was only to be expected. Anyone stationed there had to remain on edge every day, ready for a Senju surprise attack at any moment, though it was also an easy place to earn merit.
It was a position with high status, high rewards, and high risks.
For a moment, many of the jōnin started wondering to themselves.
Was Madara deliberately pushing Uchiha Gakugyo—who had once competed with him for the clan leadership—into danger, or had Gakugyo volunteered?
But Madara wasn't finished. He continued, "In addition, I announce that Elder Uchiha Kōshi is advanced in years and will enter semi-retirement starting today. Uchiha Gakugyo will be an elder-designate."
At that, the jōnin who had been wondering about the appointment understood. They couldn't help but think that Uchiha Kōshi was one shrewd old man.
When his son couldn't become clan leader, he had started paving the way for him to become an elder.
After all, he was already over sixty. By the standards of the Sengoku era, he probably didn't have many years left to live.
"Good. The vacant positions have been assigned. Next, we'll discuss the future direction of the Uchiha Clan."
Madara put down the list and moved on to the second topic.
Third Elder Uchiha Kai suggested, "We must make good use of the three-year truce with the Senju, avoid all conflict, and develop the next generation's strength."
Everyone nodded in agreement with Uchiha Kai's suggestion.
The Uchiha were indeed warlike, but they weren't Saiyans. They didn't fight just for the sake of fighting, with no regard for whether they lived or died.
The Uchiha were already battered and needed to rest and recover.
But Madara's expression turned a little complicated.
He had just become clan leader. Tradition called for him to make a big show of strength right away.
For example, he could conquer a small clan to demonstrate his ability as the new clan leader.
When Tajima Uchiha became clan leader, he had immediately launched a northern campaign, conquering two small ninja clans in a row and establishing his authority.
The brief change in Madara's expression naturally caught Izuna's eye.
But Izuna only smiled faintly and showed no sign that he had noticed.
At the end of the meeting, Izuna also introduced the system that Konoha Academy would use in the future.
It wasn't one jōnin assigned to three students. The Uchiha didn't have that many jōnin, and there were plenty of students who had to go to the battlefield.
One jōnin would take nine students and train them in both study and practical combat.
The Land of Fire had not yet been established. Across the entire shinobi continent, the land was controlled by many different lords.
They hired samurai and shinobi to do the things they couldn't do themselves.
Although many of the systems used in the later era had not yet come into being, taking on missions was already a common practice.
Even without a war, they could use missions as practical training for the students.
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