"Lord Madara Uchiha? Of course Lord Madara Uchiha surpassed kage level. He was a super kage level powerhouse, renowned alongside the First Lord Hokage, Hashirama Senju." Reminiscence and pride filled the grand elder's eyes.
"A super kage level powerhouse?"
"Yes. Someone who surpasses kage level and can easily overwhelm kage level fighters is a super kage level powerhouse. Even in our Uchiha Clan's history, you could count them on one hand."
Hearing the grand elder praise Madara Uchiha so highly, Qiu Shan Uchiha pointed at himself.
"What about me? I've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan too. Could I reach Lord Madara Uchiha's heights?"
At Qiu Shan Uchiha's words, the grand elder seemed to return from his memories. He looked at Qiu Shan's Mangekyō Sharingan again, and a gratified smile appeared on his usually stern face as he nodded.
"You certainly will, Qiu Shan. You're still young. Lord Madara Uchiha hadn't even awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan at your age. As long as you work hard, you'll become the next Madara Uchiha, or even surpass him."
Qiu Shan Uchiha knew that with the system's help, surpassing Madara Uchiha was only a matter of time. Still, the grand elder's encouragement moved him in a way he couldn't quite describe.
Sitting beside the table, Grand Elder Uchiha Ling seemed to remember something. His expression shifted several times before turning stern again, and even his tone became exceedingly serious.
"Qiu Shan Uchiha!"
Seeing the grand elder's expression, Qiu Shan Uchiha knew this was something important and didn't dare respond casually. He immediately straightened, his own expression turning serious. "Yes! What are your instructions, Grand Elder?"
The grand elder straightened his posture. "I, Uchiha Ling, pledge to you in my capacity as the Uchiha grand elder that, from this day forward, as long as you do not betray the Uchiha Clan, I will support you with everything I have and do everything in my power to help you become the Uchiha clan head." His tone was solemn, every word deliberate.
Qiu Shan Uchiha was stunned by the grand elder's words. I haven't even used Kotoamatsukami yet! Why is the grand elder acting like this?
Seeing Qiu Shan Uchiha's astonishment, the corners of the grand elder's mouth lifted into a faint smile.
"Qiu Shan, you still underestimate our Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan. Do you know how precious it is? It isn't merely a symbol of strength, proof that you have the potential to become a powerful fighter. It also symbolizes the purity of our Uchiha Clan's bloodline. A clansman who awakens the Mangekyō Sharingan demonstrates not only his talent and potential, but also that he possesses the purest blood of our Uchiha Clan.
"So any clansman who can awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan has the potential to contend for the position of clan head. He is a leader destined to guide our people toward glory."
The grand elder's words genuinely surprised Qiu Shan Uchiha. Though he had read the original story, Uchiha Itachi had brought someone along and slaughtered the Uchiha Clan back then, so he knew nothing about these matters. It made sense, though. After all, the Uchiha Clan descended from the Sage of Six Paths. Having weathered so many years of trials and upheaval, how could they not have passed something down?
Qiu Shan Uchiha took a moment to digest the grand elder's words. Seeing the expectant look in his eyes, an idea struck him.
"Grand Elder, what if I have a request? Could you fulfill it?"
The grand elder laughed heartily and answered without hesitation.
"You mean reining in the clansmen and reducing their conflicts with the village? I would do that even if you didn't ask."
Seeing the confusion in Qiu Shan Uchiha's eyes, the grand elder explained.
"Things are different now. You've just awakened your Mangekyō Sharingan, and your strength will enter a period of explosive growth. Besides, the Mangekyō Sharingan isn't as simple as you think. It doesn't merely increase your chakra reserves, powers of observation, and so on. Most importantly, each Mangekyō Sharingan nurtures a Dōjutsu. Compared with ninjutsu, these Dōjutsu are either far more powerful or possess strange, unpredictable abilities. The strongest can even involve space and time. Without a powerful kekkei genkai, there is simply no answer to such techniques."
"Of course, the Mangekyō's Dōjutsu only ensure that you hold the advantage when fighting kage-level opponents. The final step is to develop the Mangekyō Sharingan's divine power—Susanoo."
At this point, Qiu Shan Uchiha saw fervor fill the grand elder's face, as though Susanoo were the faith he had devoted his entire life to.
The grand elder looked at Qiu Shan Uchiha.
"Susanoo is our Uchiha's ultimate Mangekyō Dōjutsu. Back then, Lord Madara developed his Susanoo to its miraculous fourth stage. Only then could he contend with Hashirama Senju, the man known as the God of Shinobi."
"So these next few years will be a period of explosive growth for you. In a few years, when you can use your Dōjutsu proficiently and have developed Susanoo to its limits, no one in all of Konoha will be able to stand against you. That will be the time for our Uchiha Clan to turn our fortunes around."
Hearing the grand elder's words, Qiu Shan Uchiha felt inwardly embarrassed. He hadn't expected the grand elder to have such high expectations of him. It seemed he would have to put in more effort and develop and master Susanoo as quickly as possible. Only then could his strength make a qualitative leap. You want to fight me? One wrong word and I'll bring out a Gundam. Tell me that doesn't scare you.
Seeing the grand elder's attitude, Qiu Shan Uchiha finally felt reassured. He had unexpectedly won over Grand Elder Uchiha Ling. Not only had he gained his support, he had also saved a use of Kotoamatsukami.
Now he could pay Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku a visit. As the head of the Uchiha Clan and the father of Uchiha Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha, he must have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan too. Qiu Shan would have to be extremely careful.
Judging by things now, however, Fugaku probably hadn't told the grand elder that he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. Otherwise, the grand elder would have supported him long ago rather than opposing him.
After bidding the grand elder farewell, Qiu Shan Uchiha headed straight for the center of the Uchiha District. As clan head, Uchiha Fugaku naturally lived in the central residence, which was also the largest.
The Uchiha Clan's compound wasn't particularly large, and Qiu Shan Uchiha reached the clan head's residence in no time. Having spent rather a long while at the grand elder's home, he arrived at his destination-the clan head's courtyard-at a fairly late hour. There were no lights left burning inside. It seemed Uchiha Fugaku had already gone to bed.
I'm still awake. How can you be asleep?! Qiu Shan Uchiha silently grumbled.
Vaulting over the gate with practiced ease, Qiu Shan Uchiha stood in the courtyard and spoke in a low voice.
"Lord Clan Head, Qiu Shan Uchiha requests an audience. The matter is urgent, so please forgive the intrusion."
Qiu Shan Uchiha's performance began.
Before you continue