Succubus Uchiha

As the village gradually took shape, other ninja clans began arriving one after another.

The streets changed from muddy paths into neat stone roads, while houses rose one after another. Training grounds, warehouses, rudimentary hospitals... Though still crude, it had begun to look like a real village. For the first time, this land that had once known only slaughter and hatred carried the breath of life.

As Uchiha's strategist, Uchiha Yan knew perfectly well why the Uchiha had fallen so quickly in the original story—at the root of it, they had no friends in the village. That old fox Senju Tobirama had been wary of the Uchiha from the very beginning. Then came the Nine-Tails' attack, along with the clan's arrogance and isolation, pushing the Uchiha step by step into the abyss.

Now, while that old ghost Senju Tobirama was still stuck in a wheelchair and unable to move freely, he had to seize the time to pave the way for the Uchiha—make as many friends as possible, and as few enemies as possible.

These past few days, Uchiha Yan had been run off his feet. He received several waves of ninja clans in succession—the Shimura Clan, the Sarutobi Clan, and the three Boar-Deer-Butterfly clans. The Shimura Clan and Sarutobi Clan in particular were not major clans yet, but Uchiha Yan decided to take Shimura Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen as disciples, so that old ghost Senju Tobirama could have a taste of being targeted.

As for the three Boar-Deer-Butterfly clans—the Yamanaka Clan, Akimichi Clan, and Nara Clan—they had always been staunch allies. The Nara Clan in particular possessed the greatest minds in the ninja world. Uchiha Yan did not beat around the bush and made his stance clear. "Konoha belongs to all ninja clans. It is not the Konoha of the Uchiha alone, nor is it the Konoha of the Senju alone. As long as every clan sincerely cooperates and lets go of past grudges, the Uchiha will never mistreat its allies."

The Hyuga Clan had yet to arrive. However, according to reports from the scouts, the Hyuga Clan's leader—Hyuga Tennin—had already set out with the clan's elite. They would reach the village within the next few days.

Uchiha Yan placed particular importance on the Hyuga Clan. The Byakugan, Sharingan, and Rinnegan were known as the three great ocular techniques, and the Hyuga Clan was a force to be reckoned with in the ninja world. If the Uchiha could form an alliance with the Hyuga, their position in the village would become even more secure—the Hyuga Clan had been known as one of Konoha's great clans in the original story.

Half a month later.

Nearly every notable ninja clan in the Land of Fire had arrived. More than a dozen clans, large and small, gathered at the Senju and Uchiha camp—no, it should now be called Konoha Village. The central square was packed with people, and the banners of every clan snapped sharply in the wind.

Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Izuna, Uchiha Yan, Senju Hashirama, and Senju Tobirama stood side by side atop the platform in the square, looking down upon the crowd below. The five of them were Konoha Village's core decision-makers at present, controlling all of the village's key departments. They were the "Five Elders" who had founded the village.

Uchiha Madara stood in the center. Today, he wore a brand-new white ceremonial robe, specially commissioned by Uchiha Yan.

The title "Hokage" had also been proposed by Uchiha Yan.

When they had discussed what to name the village, everyone had thrown out suggestions. Some proposed "Uchiha Village" or "Senju Village," while others suggested "Village of a Hundred Ninja." But Uchiha Yan directly recited a line Sarutobi Hiruzen often said in the original story: "Where the leaves dance, the fire burns on," giving Senju Tobirama a little shock.

Thus, the village was named Konoha Village. And its leader would be called the Hokage.

The moment Senju Hashirama heard it, his eyes lit up. "Good! That's a great name! Konoha... Hokage..."

At that moment, countless eyes beneath the platform were fixed on the five people above.

There was awe, curiosity, unease, and anticipation. The heads of these ninja clans had brought their entire families to seek refuge here, placing their fates in the hands of this newly born village. They did not know what the future held, but they knew one thing—if they did not join, they would only be swallowed up.

Uchiha Yan took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"I have a dream."

Uchiha Yan began to speak. His voice was not loud, but strengthened by chakra, it carried clearly into every ear present.

The square immediately fell silent.

"Life is the most precious thing a person possesses. Each person has only one life. A person should live their life in such a way that, when recalling the past, they feel no regret for wasting their years, nor shame for having accomplished nothing; so that, when death comes, they can proudly say—"

There was an almost stirring force in Uchiha Yan's voice. "I devoted my entire life and all my energy to the greatest and most magnificent cause in the world—to fighting for the liberation and peace of the ninja world."

He paused for a moment, then suddenly swept his arm up. "Fight! Fight!"

When the final word fell, the square was silent for two seconds.

Then the prearranged "hype squad" took the lead in applauding.

They were several young Uchiha ninja Uchiha Yan had arranged beforehand, scattered throughout the crowd. The moment they heard the third "Fight," they immediately began clapping with all their might and cheering.

But soon, they were no longer needed.

More and more people in the crowd were swept up by the emotion. Which of these ninja clans had not struggled through the Warring States Era, surviving with their lives on the line? More than anyone, they longed for peace. More than anyone, they hated endless war.

Uchiha Yan's words were like a spark igniting the fire that had been buried in their hearts for far too long.

Applause surged like waves, each swell higher than the last, one after another.

The applause continued for a long time.

One minute, two minutes, five minutes...

Senju Tobirama's face turned livid, and the corner of his mouth twitched faintly. He saw through it at once—the timing of those people's applause was far too synchronized, their expressions far too deliberate. They were clearly shills arranged in advance by Uchiha Yan!

Shameless beyond belief! Tobirama cursed viciously in his heart.

But... but.

He had to admit that the speech was truly well written.

Tobirama gritted his teeth and forcibly suppressed the urge to applaud.

The applause lasted a full ten minutes before gradually dying down at Uchiha Yan's signal.

"Next, Konoha's First Hokage—Uchiha Madara—will conduct the village's foundation-laying ceremony."

Uchiha Yan stepped aside, gave a slight bow, and gestured for him to proceed.

Uchiha Madara strode forward to the center of the platform. His ceremonial robe snapped in the wind.

Everyone below followed him with their eyes.

Madara crouched down and personally planted a tender sapling in the prepared mound of earth on the platform.

Then Senju Hashirama stepped forward.

Hashirama took out a water flask and slowly poured water over the sapling's roots.

The tiny sapling began to grow at a visible speed—its roots burrowed into the soil, its trunk shot upward, its branches stretched in every direction, and tender green leaves unfurled one by one. In the blink of an eye, a towering tree stood upon the platform.

Wood Release: Tree Planting—this display was both a ceremony and a warning. In the gentlest possible manner, Senju Hashirama showed everyone what the power of the "God of Shinobi" truly meant.

Uchiha Madara rose to his feet, turned to face the crowd below the stage, his expression solemn.

"I swear this oath," Madara began.

The crowd below instantly fell silent.

"I am willing to build this village with all of you, casting aside the old grudges between our clans and abandoning needless campaigns of war and slaughter. I will protect the village and its people with my life, carry on the Will of Fire, and shelter the old and young so they may live in peace."

Uchiha Yan had specially prepared these vows for Uchiha Madara.

Uchiha Yan stepped back half a pace, turned sideways toward the crowd below, and began leading everyone in reciting the oath.

"May we cast aside the grudges of generations and put an end to war and strife!"

The crowd shouted in unison, "Put an end to war and strife!"

"Let us build the village together and protect all living beings within this land!"

The crowd replied, "Protect all living beings within this land!"

"Uphold the Will of Fire, and swear to protect it unto death in this life!"

The crowd answered, "Swear to protect it unto death in this life!"

Uchiha Yan took a deep breath and shouted the final line, "Devote our entire lives to peace, without resentment or regret!"

"NO—RESENTMENT—NO—REGRET—!"

Senju Tobirama watched Uchiha Yan with a complicated expression—this evil Uchiha was far too skilled at stirring people's hearts.

Thus, Konoha's founding ceremony came to a perfect close.