In early 56 Konoha, Xingye was already nine years old.
After three years of training and planning, his strength had reached the peak of Chunin, and he was only one step away from becoming a Special Jōnin.
With Xingye driving the changes, the Uchiha Clan Compound had undergone reform. The conservatives had been completely sidelined, and the radicals had taken power. Xingye, Fugaku, and Itachi had formed a triumvirate, jointly leading the Uchiha Clan.
The Uchiha Clan's strength and unity had grown considerably, and its influence in Konoha had steadily increased.
That day, Xingye decided to give a speech at the training grounds to inspire his clan members and show Konoha the Uchiha Clan's strength.
Hundreds of clan members gathered at the training grounds. The atmosphere was fervent and solemn.
Xingye stood on the platform, composed and imposing. Though he was only nine, he already displayed a maturity and leadership beyond his years.
"Everyone," Xingye began. Though his voice wasn't loud, it carried across the entire training grounds. "I've called you here today to announce something important."
The training grounds fell silent, and everyone looked up at Xingye on the platform.
"I know you're all afraid," Xingye continued. "Afraid of Konoha's suspicion, afraid of Danzo's ambition, afraid of the 'Night of the Uchiha Massacre' that might one day come."
Unease rippled through the crowd.
"The Night of the Uchiha Massacre..." someone whispered in alarm.
"Yes, the Night of the Uchiha Massacre," Xingye said candidly. "I know what Danzo is plotting. I know some people want to wipe out our Uchiha Clan."
"But I'm telling you, that 'Night of the Uchiha Massacre' will never come!"
Xingye's voice suddenly rose, his presence overwhelming.
"Because we won't sit back and wait to die! Because we won't become someone else's pawns! Because we will change our own fate!"
The training grounds erupted. The clan members shouted Xingye's name, their blood boiling.
"From today onward, the Uchiha Clan will no longer be a passive victim!" Xingye continued. "We will become active players! We will take control of our own fate!"
"The Night of the Uchiha Massacre? As long as I, Uchiha Xingye, stand in its way, it will never come!"
Xingye's Sharingan opened in an instant. Three Tomoe rotated slowly, emanating an eerie light.
Then he revealed the full extent of his power.
Mangekyō Sharingan!
It was a hidden feature of the system. Once the trait library reached a certain level, the Sharingan could evolve into the Mangekyō.
The Mangekyō's pattern was intricate and mysterious. Its three Tomoe joined together to form a perfect ring, radiating a terrifying pressure.
The training grounds fell utterly silent.
Everyone was stunned.
The Mangekyō Sharingan!
It was the most powerful eye technique of the Uchiha Clan, and only a rare few could awaken it. Yet Xingye was only nine!
"How... How is this possible..." one elder murmured.
Fugaku and Itachi stood behind Xingye, their eyes full of disbelief.
"The Mangekyō..." Fugaku took a deep breath. "Xingye, your talent..."
Itachi gazed at his older brother, admiration shining in his eyes.
"Big brother is amazing..." Itachi whispered.
Xingye suppressed the Mangekyō and returned to the three-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Everyone, this is only the beginning," Xingye said. "I'm still not strong enough, but I grow stronger every day. Just give me time, and I'll stand at the peak of the Shinobi World and protect our Uchiha Clan."
"Let's work together and change our fate!"
The training grounds erupted once more. The clan members shouted Xingye's name, their morale soaring.
[Leadership (Green) → Leadership (Purple)]
The system's notification sounded in Xingye's mind.
Xingye nodded with satisfaction.
The speech had achieved exactly what he'd hoped. His clan members' morale had reached its peak, and he'd also shown Konoha the Uchiha Clan's strength.
The news soon reached the Konoha High Command.
The Third Hokage and Danzo both received the report.
"Xingye awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan at nine..." The Third Hokage took a deep breath. "The Uchiha Clan really has produced a monster."
"We have to deal with him as soon as possible." A murderous glint flashed in Danzo's eyes. "Otherwise, he'll become a threat to me."
"But we should wait," the Third Hokage said. "He isn't strong enough yet. Besides, if we act now, we'll only provoke the Uchiha Clan and start a civil war."
"Then what should we do?" Danzo asked.
"Keep watching him, while speeding up preparations for the extermination plan," the Third Hokage said. "Once he reaches a certain level, we'll wipe them out in one fell swoop."
Danzo was unwilling, but he had no choice but to agree.
Meanwhile, Black Zetsu watched everything from the shadows.
"This child's existence could interfere with my plans," Black Zetsu murmured. "I have to deal with him as soon as possible."
But Xingye had already foreseen all of this.
"Come on, let the storm rage even harder." Xingye stood on the training grounds, gazing at the distant Hokage Building, a cold glint in his eyes.
"Danzo, Third Hokage, your choices will determine your fate."
"Black Zetsu, you never expected me to grow this fast, did you?"
"On the Night of the Uchiha Massacre, my Uchiha Clan will be reborn."
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