Seizing the Land

Uchiha Izuna walked over. Shikaku Nara, quick to react, called out, "Everyone, strike up the music! Welcome the Uchiha back!"

As soon as he spoke, the shinobi of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans began beating drums and gongs in welcome. Uchiha Izuna froze and looked ahead, where Shikaku Nara and Hyuga Hiashi stood at the front, smiling broadly.

As for the Anbu Ninja, they were now in disarray. Because of what had happened today, only a small number still supported Sarutobi Hiruzen. After all, he was still the Third, and they hoped there might yet be a way to turn things around.

A large portion, however, had joined Hatake Kakashi's ranks. They could see clearly that Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't be able to hold on to the Hokage Position, while Uchiha Izuna had a sensitive identity and no plans to consolidate the Anbu.

So for now, staying with Kakashi meant remaining neutral. They hadn't earned any credit for helping him seize power, but they hadn't offended either side. No matter how things turned out, they would be safe.

No one was a fool, and no one would abandon their family and wife to commit themselves wholeheartedly to a side. Political struggles were never that simple.

"Welcome back to the heart of Konoha!" Hyuga Hiashi was the first to greet them with a bow.

Shikaku Nara said nothing. He was a clever man. He had already brought so many people to celebrate. If he went out of his way to ingratiate himself further, never mind whether Uchiha Izuna accepted it—the other shinobi clans might call them fair-weather friends.

For the sake of his clan's honor, he couldn't keep fawning over him. There was a limit to everything.

Uchiha Izuna chuckled, stepped forward, and gave Hyuga Hiashi a big hug. The corners of Hyuga Hiashi's mouth lifted as he shot Shikaku Nara a provocative look, as if to boast, "Could you manage this?"

Look, look! Uchiha Izuna hugged me first!

Shikaku Nara didn't mind at all. He simply watched with a smile. After the embrace, Uchiha Izuna turned to him and held out his right hand. "Clan Head Nara, you went to a lot of trouble arranging the Uchiha's relocation. This is quite a welcome—you've left me overwhelmed."

"What are you saying? The Uchiha were among Konoha's original founders. You built Konoha alongside the Senju Clan. Without you, there would be no Konoha." Shikaku Nara meant every word.

If the Third and Shimura Danzō hadn't oppressed the Uchiha, he would have been more than happy to befriend such a powerful clan.

Other clans slandered the Uchiha and looked down on them, whether out of jealousy or fear. In truth, they were merely indulging their own false sense of pride.

Shikaku Nara, on the other hand, considered the Uchiha reliable and powerful. If he allied with them, the Uchiha would provide strength while the Nara provided strategy. With that kind of partnership, what could they possibly fail to accomplish?

Uchiha Izuna enjoyed Shikaku Nara's flattery. When Shikaku praised someone, his words were so smooth and pleasant that they never felt out of place.

Uchiha Izuna chuckled. "Where was the Uchiha Compound before?"

As soon as he asked, the smiles vanished from Hyuga Hiashi and Shikaku Nara's faces, replaced by troubled expressions.

Seeing their faces, Uchiha Izuna's smile faded. "What? Don't tell me someone took over the compound after we left?"

"Don't forget, the First, Hashirama Senju, personally designated that land as the Uchiha Clan's compound! Who was so brazen as to commit such an outrageous betrayal?" Uchiha Izuna's voice turned cold.

Shikaku Nara hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Izuna, after the Uchiha left, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura divided up the properties there."

"That's true. Those two former Hokage aides abused their power with impunity. They were all bluster and no courage, and they betrayed their principles for personal gain. With Sarutobi Hiruzen's influence behind them, they've embezzled who knows how much money. Most of the clans know exactly what they're like," Hyuga Hiashi said with a frown.

Shikaku Nara watched Uchiha Izuna's expression. He wanted to know whether the man he had chosen to support had what it took to lead—or whether he was just another Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Uchiha Itachi's expression didn't change. He had known about this for a long time. Back when he served under Sarutobi Hiruzen, those two old geezers had repeatedly made things difficult for him.

If he hadn't been worried that the Uchiha would see red when they heard the news, he would have reported it long ago.

Now that he heard their names, he clenched his fists, ready to fight.

Uchiha Shisui also looked upset. His grandfather was still buried in the cemetery on the compound, and these two former comrades of his grandfather had brazenly seized the Uchiha family's property!

Uchiha Fugaku's expression was complicated, but the throbbing vein on his forehead showed just how furious he was.

The Uchiha all stared at Uchiha Izuna with bloodshot eyes, their Sharingan activated.

Uchiha Izuna laughed. "In that case, Shikaku, show me the way. I'd like to see which strays decided to play king of the hill just because the tiger was away!"

With that, he activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. In an instant, a cold, violent chakra—barely held in check—enveloped everyone present.

The shinobi of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans paled and swallowed hard, staring at Uchiha Izuna in fear.

Hyuga Hiashi, however, carefully studied the Mangekyō Sharingan. This power, spoken of only in legends, was truly terrifying.

The corners of Shikaku Nara's mouth lifted. He wasn't afraid. He was excited. Perhaps Konoha was about to welcome a leader who would restore it to greatness!

The Shinobi World might be on the verge of a great change—and he could take part, playing an extremely important role.

Shikaku Nara took a deep breath. "Please, Lord Izuna, come with me. I'll show you the way." With that, he strode off toward the former Uchiha Compound, leading Uchiha Izuna and the others.

Uchiha Izuna waved a hand. "Everyone, leave your luggage here. Fifty people stay behind to guard it. The rest, come with me!" Then he pulled out the Gunbai and slung it over his back.

Some of the older Uchiha had seen that figure when they were young. Back then, he had been leaving in sorrow.

Now, Uchiha Izuna's back gradually merged with that figure in their memories, bringing many of the elders to tears.

When the younger Uchiha asked about it, the elders told them what had happened back then, ending with one last remark:

"Lord Izuna's back looks exactly like that lord's!"

"I knew the second and third young masters looked familiar! They must be the reincarnations of Lord Madara and Lord Izuna!" The old men had begun to ramble.

"Lord Madara and Lord Izuna must have been unable to bear watching the Uchiha suffer like this. That's why they were reborn as the clan head's two sons!" The elder grew more and more excited, even preparing to kowtow to Uchiha Izuna.