The Gathering

In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and frowned at the invitation on his desk. "What do you make of this?" he asked gravely.

"Strange!"

Utatane Koharu shook her head, picked up the invitation, and read it again, looking puzzled.

"Uchiha Fugaku is young and strong. Though he hasn't accomplished anything major in recent years, he's been steady enough. Why would the Uchiha Clan replace their clan head?"

"I think it has something to do with that brat Obito."

Danzo sat in his chair, his expression gloomy.

Mitokado Homura frowned at Danzo and accused him, "If that's the case, why didn't you capture Obito Uchiha earlier and find out what the Uchiha Clan is up to?"

"Heh."

Danzo let out several mocking laughs, his tone undaunted.

"You should ask Hiruzen's good grand-disciple."

"Leave it to Lord Hokage to decide?"

"What a show of authority!"

"Enough."

Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped his pipe against the desk. He looked at the three of them arguing without end and snapped, "I called you here to discuss a response, not to quarrel."

Danzo gave a cold snort, sprang to his feet, and headed for the door. "What's there to discuss? We'll find out when we go and see tomorrow."

"Ah..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and turned to look out at Hidden Leaf Village's bustling streets. "Fine. We'll go and see. I won't let anyone or any clan shatter Hidden Leaf's peace."

The next day, the heads of the major clans and the Konoha High Command entered the Uchiha Clan Compound together, a rare sight. Uchiha clansmen led them to the guest area where the gathering would be held.

The clan heads and members of the Konoha High Command were all formally dressed, their expressions solemn.

No matter how much they loathed and feared the Uchiha Clan, they couldn't change the fact that it was the largest clan in Hidden Leaf Village.

The Senju Clan had once kept them in check. But the Second Hokage had wanted to curb the influence of the clans in Hidden Leaf. He had led by example, disbanding his own clan and forbidding anyone from using the Senju surname. After that, the Uchiha Clan had stood alone at the top.

Especially after the Second Hokage's death, the Uchiha Clan had refused to accept Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Third Hokage.

The Uchiha clansmen all believed that the Uchiha and Senju had founded Hidden Leaf. They could have accepted Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama serving as Hokage.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen? What was he, anyway? It was our turn to lead the Uchiha.

As a result, the Uchiha Clan and the Third Hokage's faction had always been outwardly polite but inwardly at odds. The other clans, who had been struggling under the Uchiha's pressure, rallied around the Third Hokage and joined forces to suppress the Uchiha Clan.

When they received the invitations, the clan heads were all surprised. Uchiha Fugaku hadn't been clan head for long, and now they were replacing him again. It seemed the Uchiha Clan was in trouble.

Though they were baffled, the clan heads still got up early, dressed formally, and made their way together to the Uchiha Clan Compound, a place few of them usually visited.

After taking their seats in the guest area, Akimichi Choza eyed the bottle of green drink on each table. Curious, he picked one up and gave it a sniff.

"What is this? I've never had it before."

A rich vitality poured from the bottle. Akimichi Choza smacked his lips, then picked it up and drank it all in one go.

"How is it?"

Beside him, Nara Shikaku watched Akimichi Choza's reaction with a knowing look.

Akimichi Choza took a deep breath, his face blissful. "It's better than anything I've ever had. I feel like the hidden injuries from the Three-Color Pill have completely healed."

"Really?"

Nara Shikaku smiled thoughtfully. "Looks like this Uchiha gathering isn't so simple."

Yamanaka Inoichi glanced at Akimichi Choza with concern and asked in a low voice, "Is there something wrong with the drink?"

"Inoichi, you're overthinking it again."

Nara Shikaku gave Yamanaka Inoichi a helpless look and explained, "The Uchiha Clan is too proud to resort to poisoning."

"As soon as I sat down, I noticed the drink had a strong aura of vitality. It must be some kind of precious healing medicine."

"The fact that the Uchiha Clan gave everyone a bottle means they've already figured out how to produce it on a large scale."

"As for what they're planning..."

Nara Shikaku glanced at the Third Hokage seated in the highest place and chuckled. "They'll tell us soon enough. We just need to sit back and enjoy the show. Lord Hokage is here to take the lead, anyway."

Akimichi Choji grabbed fruit from the table and stuffed it into his mouth, unconcerned. His words came out muffled. "It'd be great if the Uchiha Clan gave me a few more bottles. Shikaku, you're so good at medicine. Can you make a copy?"

Nara Shikaku studied the shimmering green drink in his hand for a long while, then shook his head. "It'll be difficult. I'll take the other two bottles home and test them."

From the highest seat in the guest area, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the green drink on the table and smiled as he shook his head. "It seems the Uchiha Clan really has changed."

Beside him, Danzo narrowed his eyes at the green drink, then beckoned to someone behind him. "Kadokawa, try it."

"Yes."

A Root shinobi behind Danzo took the bottle without hesitation and drained it in one go.

"How is it?"

After waiting a moment, Danzo studied Kadokawa's reaction.

Kadokawa looked a little strange, but also seemed relieved. "It feels warm all over. The hidden injuries I sustained are healing."

"Oh..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned thoughtful. He looked at Uchiha Fugaku on the other side and said gravely, "Fugaku has something significant planned this time."

Danzo frowned and carefully sensed the changes in Kadokawa's body with his chakra. "What exactly is the Uchiha Clan up to?"

"We'll know soon."

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned the bottle over in his hand and watched the stage below.

Uchiha Fugaku wore a specially made Uchiha clan outfit, the Uchiha crest emblazoned on its back. Standing on the stage, he addressed the crowd in a clear voice. "Clansmen and guests, you all know the purpose of this gathering. I lack the ability to lead the clan, so after consulting with the elders, I've decided to appoint a younger talent as clan head to lead the Uchiha Clan to strength and prosperity."

"After discussing it with several elders, we've decided that Obito Uchiha has exceptional talent and remarkable insight. He has already awakened our Uchiha Clan's supreme ocular technique—the Mangekyō Sharingan—and has the strength to take the position of clan head."

The Uchiha clansmen below were all astonished. They turned to one another and began murmuring.

"Obito awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!"

"But he's far too young."

"Right, and he hasn't accomplished anything, either."

"What are you talking about? That's the Mangekyō Sharingan, just like Lord Madara had! Obito will definitely lead our Uchiha Clan to prosperity. I support him."

"I'm not saying he isn't strong enough, but can someone his age really do it?"

"I, Uchiha Kenichi, only care about strength. If you don't accept it, why don't you come up here and try?"

"Quiet!"

Uchiha Fugaku frowned at the noisy crowd and raised his voice. "The decision has been made. Now we'll proceed with the handover ceremony."

"Obito, come up."

Uchiha Fugaku looked solemn as he took a uniquely shaped fan from an old wooden box. He gazed deeply at Obito Uchiha as he stepped forward and said gravely, "Swear that you'll lead the Uchiha Clan to prosperity."

Obito's expression was serious. He raised his hand, turned to face the Uchiha clansmen below, and declared, "I swear I will lead the Uchiha Clan to prosperity."

"Good."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded with satisfaction and placed the Uchiha Gunbai firmly in Obito's palm.

"This is a treasured heirloom of the Uchiha Clan, traditionally held by the clan head. Today, I entrust it to you."

Obito nodded and gripped the fan tightly. As he looked at the clansmen below, the pinwheels in his eyes spun rapidly. A towering purple giant made of energy rose from the ground, holding an enormous Uchiha Gunbai in its hand.

Standing at the heart of Susanoo, Obito swept his gaze over the stunned Hokage and clan heads. A gleeful smile curled his lips. He controlled Susanoo to raise the fan and shouted to the Uchiha clansmen, "Uchiha!"

The clansmen below felt Susanoo's immense presence. Their faces flushed with fervor as they joined in the cry.

"Uchiha!"

"Uchiha!"