Position of Young Clan Leader

Madara returned to the Uchiha Clan Grounds with light steps, the faintest hint of a smile still hanging at the corner of his mouth.

Izuna walked out of the training grounds and happened to run right into Madara's smile, which was harder to suppress than an AK's recoil.

He could not help asking curiously, "Big brother, what's got you so happy?"

Only then did Madara realize he had lost his composure, and he quickly reined it in. "Nothing. I just... met an interesting person."

Izuna's eyes widened in surprise. "Someone from outside the clan?"

Madara nodded and said nothing more.

The two walked side by side toward the depths of the clan grounds, and head-on, they ran into Qin Mo, who was studying a scroll in the courtyard.

"Big brother, second brother." Qin Mo looked up and greeted them, keenly noticing Madara's unusual emotional fluctuations.

"Mo, what are you reading?" Izuna leaned over.

Qin Mo swiftly closed the scroll. "Nothing, just some ancient texts."

Then he looked at Madara. "Big brother seems to be in a good mood?"

Madara gave a light cough. "Mm. I ran into an interesting guy outside today."

A trace of understanding flashed through Qin Mo's eyes.

Madara and Hashirama's meeting had gone even more smoothly than he expected.

If things continued like this, Madara's Three-Tomoe Sharingan would evolve any day now.

But when he looked at Izuna, his brows unconsciously furrowed.

Izuna currently only had the One-Tomoe Sharingan. To evolve it to the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, they had to find where Izuna's true bond lay.

But the original work never explained how Izuna's eyes evolved.

Right now, aside from Tajima, the people Izuna was close to were Madara and himself.

Did he have to direct and act out a scene where he was killed?

"Mo, what's wrong?" Izuna noticed Qin Mo spacing out.

Qin Mo came back to himself. "Nothing. I was just thinking... about the Snow Clan."

At those words, Izuna immediately grew alert. "What happened to the Snow Clan?"

Qin Mo said gravely, "News just came from the clan. Recently, the Snow Clan has begun secretly stockpiling supplies, and they've also been contacting the Sarutobi Clan and Shimura Clan in private.

They're probably trying to break free from our Uchiha's control."

Madara asked coldly, "When did this happen?"

"Just these past few days," Qin Mo said in a deep voice. "They clearly believe we're busy dealing with the Kaguya Clan and the Senju Clan, and can't spare the hands to deal with them.

Izuna snorted coldly. "Those ungrateful bastards! If not for our Uchiha's protection, they would have been swallowed up by other ninja clans long ago."

"Now isn't the time to complain." Madara analyzed calmly, "If the Snow Clan truly rebels, there will be a gap in our southwestern defensive line."

Qin Mo continued, "So I'll go see Father in a while and discuss this matter. You two should come with me as well."

A ruthless glint flashed through Izuna's eyes. "Why not let me take people and wipe them out directly!"

"No!" Qin Mo shook his head. "Their Ice Release kekkei genkai is not weak. If we start a war head-on, the losses will be too great.

And the other clans would absolutely love to watch us and the Snow Clan fight each other to the death."

"Then what do you mean?" Izuna frowned.

Madara immediately guessed Qin Mo's thoughts. "Don't tell me you want to absorb the Snow Clan? Just like what you did with the Kaguya Clan?"

Qin Mo revealed a meaningful smile. "Big brother is right. Instead of destroying them, we might as well use them for ourselves.

After all, no one ever complains about having too much cannon fodder. And every Uchiha clansman is priceless in my eyes. For every extra piece of cannon fodder, they face a little less danger."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry and report this to Father!" Izuna excitedly grabbed Madara and Qin Mo, then turned and left.

The three of them quickly passed through the long corridors of the Uchiha Clan Grounds, and the clansmen along the way all bowed and stepped aside.

Qin Mo noticed that many of the clansmen's eyes carried worry for the future.

Clearly, word of the Snow Clan's unusual movements had already spread through the clan.

When they arrived before Tajima's residence, the ninja standing guard immediately dropped to one knee. "Three young masters, the clan leader is currently discussing important matters with several elders."

"Perfect," Madara said in a deep voice. "We have important matters to report in person."

The guard did not dare stop them and quickly let the three inside.

Inside the room, Uchiha Tajima was sitting around a sand table with five elders.

"Father." The three brothers saluted in unison.

Tajima raised his head, his gaze sweeping lightly over the three of them. "You came at the right time. I was just about to send someone to find you."

Qin Mo took a step forward and asked respectfully, "May I ask, Father, is this about the Snow Clan's rebellion?"

Tajima said slowly, "Mo, your judgment that day was correct. The Snow Clan truly harbors the heart of a wolf!"

The first elder, Uchiha Lei Dou, said furiously, "Not only have they colluded with the Sarutobi Clan and Shimura Clan, they have also secretly contacted the Hozuki Clan in the north!"

At those words, Izuna flew into a rage. "Those bastards of the Snow Clan really refuse to behave for even a moment!"

"Father, honored elders," Qin Mo said softly, "our Uchiha Clan Grounds and the Snow Clan's clan grounds are not very far apart. A round trip only takes half a day.

Right now, the Snow Clan must think we can't spare the manpower to deal with them, which is exactly when they're at their most careless.

If we launch a surprise attack on them now, the chances of success are very high.

Speed is paramount in war. In order not to affect our negotiations with the Senju Clan the day after tomorrow,

I ask Father to immediately assign me an elite force of twenty jonin. We will depart in one hour to punish the Snow Clan.

I am confident I can make the Snow Clan submit to the Uchiha from this day forward."

Uchiha Tajima asked, "Tell me your surprise attack plan."

Qin Mo shook his head. "Please forgive your son for being unable to explain in detail for the time being.

But please believe that your son can complete the mission perfectly and return before the negotiations the day after tomorrow."

The second elder, Uchiha Yan Yue, frowned. "Isn't twenty people too few? The Snow Clan has at least two hundred ninja, and no fewer than thirty of them are jonin."

"What matters in war is quality, not quantity," Qin Mo said in a deep voice. "Besides... don't we still have the Kaguya Clan as allies?"

Izuna could not help cutting in. "Father, let me and big brother go with him too!"

Madara also stepped forward. "That's right, Father. If the three of us brothers join hands, we will be invincible..."

Tajima pondered for a moment, and in the end... slowly nodded. "Very well. We'll do as you say."

As he spoke, he took out a token engraved with the Uchiha clan emblem from his robe and handed it to the first elder, Uchiha Lei Dou. "Lei Dou, later, accompany the three of them to select twenty of our most elite jonin. It would be best if they have already awakened the Sharingan."

"Yes!" Lei Dou respectfully accepted the token.

Qin Mo dropped to one knee. "Thank you for your trust, Father."

Just as the three were about to withdraw, Tajima suddenly spoke. "Wait."

The three brothers stopped at the same time.

Tajima's fingers lightly tapped the tabletop, his gaze fixed tightly on Qin Mo. "Mo, your father has a question to ask you."

"Please speak, Father!"

"As for... the position of young clan leader, do you have any thoughts?"

Tajima's voice was measured and unhurried, yet it made the entire council hall fall silent in an instant.

Madara's body visibly stiffened for a moment.

Izuna was also stunned.

The elders exchanged glances with one another.