Fushan Steps Down! Black Zetsu's Trail! Madara's New Plan!

Amegakure, high tower conference room.

The victory celebration outside was deafening, but the atmosphere in this room was exceedingly grim.

Several dozen elite Uchiha Clan fighters from the front lines stared intently at the young man seated at the head of the table.

"Just as I said earlier."

Tobirama casually swirled the wine cup in his hand, his tone calm, yet his words struck like thunder.

"And I've already secured enough benefits for our Uchiha Clan from the Third."

"First, an independent Anbu division, under my command."

"Second, the Konoha Military Police Force's enforcement authority will be expanded, granting it the privilege of acting first and reporting afterward."

"Third, Root will be disbanded, and its resources will be folded into the Uchiha Clan."

"Fourth... and most importantly."

The corners of Tobirama's mouth lifted slightly as his gaze swept across everyone present.

"After the war ends, I will serve as Acting Hokage."

Boom!

The moment those words fell, the Uchiha present erupted completely.

"Acting Hokage?"

"Oh my god! Is our Uchiha Clan finally going to touch that position?"

"Long live Lord Tobirama!"

Frenzied.

They were even more fervent than when they had heard the news of a nation's destruction.

The Uchiha Clan had been excluded for decades. They had dreamed of laying their hands on the Hokage's throne. Now, the young man before them had made that dream a reality!

"Everyone, quiet down."

Tobirama raised a hand in a pressing gesture.

The cheers stopped abruptly.

Every gaze instantly became incomparably reverent and obedient.

Tobirama turned his head toward the man who had remained silent in the corner—the former clan head, Fushan Uchiha.

"Senior Fushan."

Tobirama's voice was soft, yet it carried an unquestionable pressure.

"The clansmen in the village have already held a meeting under the Great Elder's leadership."

"Everyone unanimously believes that the current Uchiha Clan needs a stronger, tougher leader who can bring everyone prosperity."

"So..."

Tobirama leaned forward, his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan slowly turning as scarlet light pierced straight into Fushan's heart.

"They have nominated me as the new clan head."

"What do you think about that?"

"Or rather..."

Tobirama's fingers lightly tapped the tabletop. The soft knocks sounded as though they were hammering against Fushan's heart one after another.

"Would you like to voice an objection?"

Fushan's entire body stiffened.

Cold sweat trickled down his temples and dripped onto the table.

Pressure.

Terrifying pressure.

It came not only from the unfathomable ocular pressure of Tobirama's eyes, but also from the dozens of gazes around him.

He looked around.

The subordinates and clansmen who had once treated him with utmost respect now looked at him with indifference, even impatience.

As if they were saying: Old man, hurry up and step down. Don't delay us from rising to greatness with Lord Tobirama.

Everyone's hearts had gathered around that young man.

Fushan opened his mouth, wanting to speak of seniority and rules, wanting to angrily rebuke Tobirama, but the words reached his lips and were swallowed back down.

Object?

What could he use to object?

In a fight, he could not beat even one of the other man's fingers.

In terms of achievements, the other man had destroyed a nation alone, ended the war, captured three Kage, and elevated the Uchiha Clan to the heavens.

If he dared say no, these fanatical clansmen would likely tear him apart before Tobirama even needed to act.

"Hah..."

Fushan sighed dejectedly, seeming to age ten years in an instant.

He slowly rose to his feet, removed the sword at his waist that symbolized the clan head's authority, and placed it on the table before Tobirama with both hands.

"I... have no objections."

Fushan's voice was hoarse, carrying a trace of bitterness, but even more resignation and relief.

"Tobirama... no, Clan Head."

"You are stronger than me, and you have more courage."

"Handing the Uchiha Clan to you... may truly be the right choice."

"I, Fushan Uchiha, willingly relinquish my position for a worthy successor. From this day forward, I will follow the clan head's lead in all things."

After saying that, he bowed deeply.

That bow marked the end of the Uchiha Clan's old era.

"Good!"

"Greetings, Clan Head!"

The surrounding clansmen erupted into cheers again. Not one person felt regret for Fushan. Everyone was immersed in the joy of the clan's rise.

Tobirama picked up the sword and casually tossed it to Konan beside him to hold.

"Very good."

"Fushan, you made a smart decision."

"From now on, just be an elder in peace. Follow me, and you won't lack benefits."

The meeting ended.

Everyone dispersed, leaving behind only the smell of wine and lingering warmth.

After Tobirama left.

In a dark corner, the ground suddenly split open.

A massive pitcher plant emerged, revealing a half-black, half-white figure.

Black Zetsu.

"Damn it... damn it!!"

Black Zetsu's hoarse voice was filled with furious frustration.

"What kind of monster is he?!"

"Twelve years old... Mangekyo... Wood Release... Sage Mode..."

"He even made everyone follow his lead. He's no ordinary genius!"

Black Zetsu was about to go mad.

His entire script had been thrown into chaos!

According to the plan, the Uchiha Clan should have been excluded and suppressed by Konoha. Then an Indra reincarnation filled with hatred would be born, eventually awakening the Rinnegan and reviving Mother Kaguya.

But what now?

This Tobirama Uchiha had directly led the clan to soar!

Not only had the clan not been exterminated, he was even about to become Hokage?

And he wanted to lead the entire clan into prosperity, toward a brighter future?

How was this supposed to work? Without hatred or despair, who would awaken the Rinnegan? Who would launch the Infinite Tsukuyomi?

"A variable... far too great a variable..."

Black Zetsu spun anxiously underground.

"No, I must tell Lord Madara about this."

"If we don't take action soon, Mother's revival plan will be delayed until who knows when!"

"I absolutely cannot let Mother's will come to nothing! I must revive Mother!"

At this moment, Black Zetsu's resolve was so firm it was as if he were about to join a political party!

Land of Grass, an underground cavern somewhere.

It was dark and damp here, illuminated only by faint candlelight.

The massive Demonic Statue of the Outer Path towered in the darkness, radiating a desolate aura.

A gaunt old man sat on a stone chair, tubes inserted into his body.

Though he was so old he looked ready to crumble, his one remaining eye still gleamed with an air of supremacy over the world.

Uchiha Madara.

"You're saying..."

Madara's voice was old and low, echoing through the empty cavern.

"That brat called Tobirama Uchiha awakened the Mangekyo, learned Hashirama's Wood Release, and even... defeated three nations by himself?"

"Yes, Lord Madara!"

Black Zetsu emerged from the ground and reported with embellishment:

"That kid's strength is simply unfathomable!"

"Hanzo was killed in seconds by him. He caught Tailed Beasts like pets. Even that old hag Chiyo was slapped to death with one strike."

"Lord Madara, his current strength... has likely surpassed even you and Hashirama at your peaks!"

Madara fell silent.

His lone eye narrowed slightly, while his fingers gently tapped the stone chair's armrest.

Surpassed me?

If anyone else had said that, Madara would have slapped them to death already.

But after hearing Black Zetsu's description...

A Susanoo-Clad Buddha—that was the kind of spectacle he and Hashirama had only managed together back then.

A twelve-year-old brat had actually done it?

"Interesting."

Only after a long while did Madara slowly speak, an excited smile unexpectedly curling across his lips.

"I never expected that, just as I am about to die, the Uchiha Clan would produce such a perfect descendant."

"This kind of power... this kind of talent..."

"If it's him, perhaps he can become a good piece on the board."

Black Zetsu grew anxious. "Lord Madara! That brat is arrogant beyond measure now. Not only has he become clan head, he wants to become Hokage too. How could he possibly listen to us?"

"Heh, young people being a little arrogant is perfectly normal."

Madara was unconcerned. Scheming light flickered in his aged eyes.

"As long as one is an Uchiha, one cannot escape that curse of fate."

"Those who pursue power will eventually yearn for true peace."

"Besides, he only has the Mangekyo after all, not the Eternal Mangekyo. Using his power so recklessly, even Hashirama Cells will make him go blind."

"I imagine he has already begun losing his sight..."

"Black Zetsu."

Madara instructed:

"Do not confront him head-on."

"Find a way... to lure him into the basement beneath Naka Shrine."

"Let him see that stone tablet."

"As long as he sees what I left behind, sees that the Infinite Tsukuyomi is the only path to saving the world..."

"With his power and intelligence, he will surely understand that the current Hokage and power are nothing but illusory children's games."

"Only creating a perfect world is the pursuit of a god."

Black Zetsu's eyes lit up.

That's right!

The stone tablet!

It was the scripture left behind by the Sage of Six Paths, altered by Black Zetsu!

As long as Tobirama saw it and believed it, the stronger he became, the more beneficial he would be to the plan!

"Understood, Lord Madara!"

Black Zetsu gave a sinister laugh.

"I'll find a way to guide him."

"Geniuses like him are often the most conceited, and the easiest to draw in with the truth of this world."

Amegakure, nighttime.

Bonfire celebration.

The enormous square was piled high with wine and meat.

Konoha's ninja and the surrendered Rain Village soldiers were all mingling together, drinking deeply and feasting on meat.

Tobirama sat in the highest seat.

His left arm held the slightly tipsy Tsunade, while Konan sat obediently at his right, peeling oranges.

But he was not lost in feminine charms.

His gaze swept over the figures below as they raised cups and toasted one another.

Hyuga Hiashi, Shikaku Nara, Shibi Aburame...

Every clan head from Konoha's great families was here.

"Politics has never been just about fighting and killing."

Tobirama thought to himself.

Having the biggest fist could only make people fear you. To become Hokage, to truly take control of Konoha, he still needed people to support him.

"Everyone!"

Tobirama raised his cup and stood.

His voice carried across the entire gathering.

"We won this battle!"

"But I also know that the great clans have their own difficulties."