"So these are... the descendants of the Uchiha Clan..."
Madara Uchiha murmured in delight.
Madara spoke softly, yet in the next instant, a chill ran through every Uchiha present.
Everyone's breathing quickened in unison.
Suddenly, someone stepped forward. Straining to preserve the dignity of the Uchiha Clan, he walked toward Madara Uchiha, one step at a time.
It was Uchiha Sumi, who had already reached his forties.
"Hello. May I ask... who you are...? My apologies. Your presence is rather overwhelming. The clansmen mean no harm." Uchiha Sumi's voice was calm.
Madara Uchiha's current appearance was reflected in Uchiha Sumi's eyes, which had grown resolute under the weight of his responsibilities.
Looking Madara Uchiha in the eye at close range, Uchiha Sumi felt as though he could hear tens of thousands of evil spirits shrieking in his ears. The sensation was nauseating.
But Uchiha Sumi forcibly swallowed every trace of nausea and fear.
Perhaps it was thanks to this cool rain;
or perhaps it was thanks to the pride befitting the Uchiha Clan.
Showing the fear in his heart would be far too foolish.
Uchiha Sumi had graduated with excellent grades, had been named an outstanding trainee teacher, and had served in the Konoha Military Police Force... He had given much to the Konoha Shinobi Village, not only for the Uchiha Clan, but also for the god in his heart.
Experienced and knowledgeable, Uchiha Sumi had never stopped learning.
Precisely because of that, whenever something unexpected happened, Uchiha Sumi immediately did everything he could to calm himself and assess the situation.
In the Konoha Shinobi Village, many clansmen wore the Uchiha Clan's emblem.
But few wore elaborate garments bearing that emblem.
Anyone with a little common sense knew that certain clothes were not theirs to wear. Some garments were reserved