Rising Power

After signing the Truce Agreement with the Senju, and with Madara and Izuna successively taking up the positions of clan head and vice clan head, the Uchiha Clan entered a period of recuperation.

But given Madara's personality, it was difficult to suppress the higher-ups without making a strong initial impact.

This was true even after he defeated Uchiha Gakugyo with the power of his Mangekyo Sharingan.

With war out of the question, Izuna chose to take action.

After becoming vice clan head, he gained a certain number of skill points. While not a lot, it was enough to exchange for a few C-rank or two B-rank Ninjutsu.

He brought these out to expand the Uchiha Clan's scroll collection, publicly claiming that he and Madara had developed them together.

While not as effective as suppressing external enemies, it was at least enough to silence the loyalists of Uchiha Gakugyo for the time being.

However, regarding Izuna's claim of "joint development with Madara," the clan members knew the truth in their hearts but said nothing.

They were well aware of what kind of ninja Madara Uchiha was; learning Ninjutsu would be absolutely no problem for him.

Developing Ninjutsu, however, was an entirely different matter, requiring unique insights into Chakra and considerable experience.

Only a genius like Izuna, who had developed "Chidori" specifically to complement the Sharingan, could develop such things.

Still, since Izuna himself said it, they dared not disrespect the two clan leaders.

Upon assuming high positions, they naturally became busy.

Even though Izuna was an ordinary person in his previous life, he now had to shoulder a portion of the responsibilities.

Financial income, mission assignments, border defense... a mountain of issues awaited their attention.

Every morning upon waking, a pile of tasks awaited him.

He used to read transmigration novels where the protagonist had a supportive wife or loyal followers to help with such matters. Why didn't he have such good luck?

Time flew by, and the news of the temporary truce between the Uchiha and Senju gradually spread throughout the Sengoku period.

This naturally caused a stir throughout the ninja world.

Although it was only temporary, it was unprecedented in ninja history.

The speed at which news spread in the Sengoku period was far slower than in the later era of the Five Great Nations.

Half a month after the news of the Uchiha-Senju truce spread throughout the Sengoku period, the news of the new clan leaders reached the ears of the other ninja clans.

The Senju Clan appointed Senju Takeuma as the new clan head and Hashirama Senju as the vice clan head.

Alright, this was not surprising; everyone had expected it.

But the Uchiha's appointments were astonishing.

Madara Uchiha was appointed clan head, and Izuna Uchiha was appointed vice clan head. Uchiha Gakugyo, whom everyone had expected to become the new clan head, was transferred to defend the Mount Kumogakure camp.

What the hell!

What were they trying to do?

Uchiha Gakugyo wasn't dead, so how could Madara Uchiha succeed him?

The ones most concerned about this matter were naturally the Uchiha's number one enemy, the Senju Clan.

Hashirama Senju, regarding his rival Madara Uchiha becoming clan head before him, did not show much emotional dissatisfaction, only simple curiosity.

"Older Brother, what do you think is going on?" Tobirama Senju asked, sitting cross-legged opposite Hashirama Senju.

Hashirama Senju took a sip of tea, crossed his arms, and pouted, "Hmm~~ The most straightforward explanation is probably that Madara's strength has surpassed Uchiha Gakugyo's~~"

It sounded like the most nonsensical answer, but upon closer thought, it was the most likely.

The Senju had their own affairs to attend to, and after chatting for a while longer, Tobirama Senju returned to his residence.

A fallen leaf drifted in from outside the window and landed on the windowsill of Hashirama Senju's room.

Glancing at the potted plant on the windowsill, which served as decoration, Hashirama Senju sighed, "It's almost autumn. But if there's no war, it should be much better."

As he spoke, Hashirama Senju gently brought his hands together, and the withered potted plant began to be enveloped in a faint green light.

The yellowed branches unexpectedly began to sprout new buds!

At Izuna's residence.

During dinner, he listened to the sound of dripping water from the courtyard outside the walkway.

A wisp of autumn wind blew into the room. Madara, sitting opposite Izuna, took a few sips of sake and smiled, a rare occurrence. "When was the last time we had time to sit together like this and drink?"

Izuna put a roll of sushi into his mouth, a slight smile also appearing on his lips. "I don't remember."

He remembered, at least it was before Tajima Uchiha's death.

It had been nearly four months since he took on the role of vice clan head, and it was only tonight that the two brothers finally had the free time to sit down for a drink.

This showed just how busy things were.

"I visited the Third Elder today. Your new teaching method is quite interesting."

Madara raised his wine cup and took another sip. "With this, the Uchiha will only grow stronger."

No matter how many times Madara said such things, Izuna would always feel surprised to some degree.

Hashirama Senju, resurrected by the Impure World Reincarnation, often said that Madara used to be a man who yearned for peace and was full of hope.

He himself had never believed it until he heard these words firsthand, and only then did he feel that it was indeed true.

In the original work, the death of Uchiha Izuna, coupled with the ostracism by opponents led by Tobirama Senju and others, and further fueled by Black Zetsu's secret schemes, was what caused this guy to completely darken and go berserk.

"Speaking of which, you're already the clan leader, Brother. Shouldn't you also consider your lifelong event? Elder San seems to have a niece..."

During a rare moment of leisure, Izuna couldn't help but tease Madara. "You know, Soshu's son is already five years old."

Madara's eternally unchanging poker face couldn't help but show a hint of awkwardness. "This... there's no rush. What about you?"

As he spoke, Madara kicked the ball back to Izuna's side.

Izuna propped his cheek with one hand. In his view, getting married at thirty wasn't too late. The main reason for marriage and childbirth in this era was to pass on the family line.

As for Izuna's own perspective, he wanted to find someone he liked.

Of course, a beautiful woman would be even better.

Just as the two brothers were chatting idly about trivial topics...

Suddenly, Uchiha Soshu, whom they had just been discussing, appeared in the adjacent aisle using the Body Flicker Technique.

"Clan Leader, Vice Clan Leader!"

Uchiha Soshu knelt on one knee and said.

"Oh, Soshu. Want to eat together?"

Izuna glanced sideways and said with a half-joke.

"Something terrible has happened! Lord Sora from the western defense post sent news,"

Uchiha Soshu was not in the mood for jokes. He looked up, his face full of tension, and gritted out a sentence, "Led by the Hagoromo Clan, along with the four northwestern clans, they are advancing towards our Uchiha's northwestern border!"

Upon hearing this news, even Madara paused his hand as he was picking up food.

After five seconds of silence, Madara flicked his sleeve and stood up, coldly shouting, "Gather all clan members of Jonin rank and above in the clan and head to the assembly hall!"

"Yes!"

Uchiha Soshu disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.

"Hmph, the Hagoromo Clan... How audacious!"

Madara Uchiha muttered to himself, his expression sinister.

He glanced at Izuna behind him and saw that the latter was quickly shoveling the remaining sushi on his plate into his mouth. A dark line appeared on Madara's face. "What are you doing?"

Izuna swallowed the last bite. "I won't be able to eat such good food at the next meal."

Madara's eyes widened. He suddenly grabbed the plate and, in one go, swallowed all the remaining sushi. "Scum who dare to take advantage of my Uchiha's crisis, I will tear their flesh off!"