Madara's Wavering, Wood Release: Hands of the Buddha!

The appearance of these powerful figures did not throw the clan grounds into chaos.

The Temple disciples responsible for guarding the area quickly formed up.

Following their usual drills, the ordinary clansmen retreated in an orderly manner into the protective grand formation. The Alchemy Workshop, Forbidden Technique Division, and all training grounds were also sealed off in the shortest possible time.

Madara Uchiha stood within Susanoo, taking everything in.

His perception continued to spread deeper into the clan grounds.

On the wide, clean streets, children were escorted into safe zones by their clansmen. Newly built residences stretched in vast clusters, while training grounds, apothecaries, schools, and shops all operated in orderly fashion.

Beyond the Inner Court, Myriad City remained prosperous.

Though the hired stewards, accountants, and merchants did not know what had happened, they swiftly closed their shops and evacuated customers under the Uchiha's direction.

The entire clan was like a precisely functioning war machine.

It flourished in peacetime, yet could immediately shift into battle readiness when enemies appeared.

What Madara found even harder to ignore were the expressions on the clansmen's faces.

Happiness.

Pride.

And a heartfelt sense of belonging.

A young clansman shielded his wife as they retreated into the formation, without the slightest trace of resentment on his face.

"You take the child inside first."

"What about you?"

"I'm an Outer Court guard. Of course I have to stay and maintain order."

"But that person outside is very strong."

The young clansman glanced toward the mountain gate at the towering Susanoo. Rather than fear it, he straightened his back.

"So what if he's strong?"

"This is the Uchiha."

"The Inner Court has the clan head, the Temple, and so many elders."

"No one can destroy our home."

Not far away, several youths who had just finished training