"I believe Lord Madara's ideals are absolutely correct!"
"As Uchiha, how could we settle for this tiny village of Konoha?"
"The Land of Fire, the entire shinobi world, and even the distant Sea of Stars should all be places where we Uchiha set foot."
Watanabe Ichiro rose and called out loudly, looking every bit the hot-blooded youth swept up by someone else's rhetoric.
The Uchiha clansmen turned to look. Seeing that it was Uchiha Ichiro, their faces filled with contempt, and harsh whispers echoed through the hall.
"It's that rogue ninja's son. No wonder he's so eager to show off."
"Of course he wouldn't think like normal people."
"Letting him move freely within the clan was a mistake."
Madara Uchiha frowned slightly at their reactions.
When he and Uchiha Izuna had led the clan, they had concealed Uchiha Ichiro's background. How had the clansmen found out?
Had someone under me failed to keep his mouth shut? Hah, gossiping is only to be expected from these cowards.
But Madara Uchiha had wrongfully blamed the clansmen. Watanabe Ichiro had spread the information himself.
For one thing, it reduced his interactions with the clan, making it easier to idle with his system. For another, it gave this disguise an innocent, vulnerable persona, creating a pitiable background in which no one trusted him.
Watanabe Ichiro clenched his fists, his frame slight but his gaze unwavering. With his three-tomoe Sharingan active, he met the eyes of the clansmen mocking him, his resolve absolute.
"This is a war for justice. I support Lord Madara!"
He deliberately avoided the words "clan leader." Addressing Madara Uchiha personally made him feel much better.
Hmph, see? How could my great theory have no supporters? It's your own stupidity that keeps you from understanding!
He lifted his chin, and the crowd parted automatically, opening a path straight to Madara Uchiha.
Watanabe Ichiro walked slowly, his presence growing stronger with every step. By the time he reached Madara's side, the Uchiha clansmen's expressions had all changed.
The weaker ones could not help lowering their heads in submission. The stronger ones activated their Sharingan, meeting his gaze rather than conceding.
Madara Uchiha raised his chin slightly in satisfaction, signaling that Watanabe Ichiro could say a little more.
"If you intend to defy Lord Madara's will, there's no reason for you to continue existing."
Having understood Madara Uchiha's meaning, Watanabe Ichiro spoke coldly.
"Ahem." Madara Uchiha couldn't hold back a light cough. There was no need to go that far.
The clansmen below grew even angrier. Madara Uchiha was one thing-they genuinely couldn't beat him. But who did this brat think he was, throwing his weight around under someone else's protection?
"Lord Madara, by defying your will, they have already lost their pride as Uchiha! Shouldn't we deal with-"
"Forget it. We're leaving."
Madara Uchiha cut off his outrageous suggestion. Though the clansmen disagreed with his ideals, they were still bound by blood. They were the people Izuna had asked him to protect. There was no need to kill them all.
He turned, preparing to leave Konoha with the only junior in the clan who had inherited his ideals.
Madara Uchiha already had a plan. First, he would leave Konoha, then attack the great nations one by one, destroying their armies and Daimyo's Mansions until they had no choice but to seek Hashirama's help and bow to Konoha.
I'll play the villain and draw all the world's hatred onto myself. Then Hashirama can openly take over the entire shinobi world through "love and understanding."
As for the clansmen? Hah, you can't explain ice to a summer insect. Let these pleasure-drunk fools rot away in regret, hating themselves for not following me to achieve greatness!
"My lord, where are we going? Are we going to blow up the Hokage Building?"
"Or kill Hashirama Senju and reclaim the Hokage position?"
"I know! You're going to issue a command in the Hokage's name, sweep through the nations, and unite the world. From then on, there will be no daimyo and no borders. The Hokage will be the shinobi world's only Kage, and the Uchiha name will endure for two generations, three generations, and ten thousand more!"
Watanabe Ichiro played the part of an overexcited, hot-blooded Uchiha youth to perfection, chattering away beside Madara Uchiha.
As Madara Uchiha turned to leave, the corner of his mouth twitched. He increasingly felt that this junior was a little too much of a hot-blooded idiot. It was somewhat embarrassing, but the substance of his words stirred something in him.
That's right. Why should I go off and do this alone?
I'm the First Hokage!
If I become Kage again, mobilizing an army to conquer the Four Nations would be perfectly reasonable. I wouldn't have to convince Hashirama Senju at all.
With one wave of my hand, all of Konoha would march with me... Just imagining it feels incredible!
As long as I defeat Hashirama and reclaim the Hokage position, who could stop me then?
It seems my earlier approach went a little astray. Luckily, this young man reminded me.
Still, it's not too late to change course.
His gaze returned to Watanabe Ichiro, studying his somewhat unfamiliar face.
He sifted through everything he knew about Watanabe Ichiro, then nodded in satisfaction.
His background isn't ideal, and he's a little young, but he barely meets the other requirements for leading the Uchiha Clan, especially with his exceptional political views and considerable foresight. Yes, this definitely isn't because he agrees with me.
"From this moment on, Uchiha Ichiro will serve as head of the Uchiha Clan."
After a moment's consideration, Madara Uchiha spoke in a deep voice.
The thunderbolt of an announcement nearly made the clan elders leap to their feet.
"Absolutely not!"
"This goes against the rules!"
"What makes him worthy?"
"Please reconsider, Clan Leader!"
Objections erupted one after another, but Madara Uchiha had made up his mind and no longer paid them any attention. There was only one thought in his head now-
Find Hashirama Senju, defeat him, and reclaim the Hokage position.
He patted Watanabe Ichiro on the shoulder and handed him the Uchiha Gunbai, making his approval plain.
"Go on. Show me that you have the resolve and strength to lead the clan."
Seeing Watanabe Ichiro's eager expression, he recalled what the boy had said earlier and added one final warning.
"Don't go too far. These are the clansmen you're about to lead, after all."
This boy is quite decent. He's just a little too hot-blooded, which makes him seem foolish, and his words are rather extreme.
But overall, he's a good boy with foresight.
Madara Uchiha left the Uchiha District to seek out Hashirama Senju, leaving the stage to Watanabe Ichiro.
If Watanabe Ichiro couldn't even handle what he considered a minor situation like this, then he had no right to follow him.
Watching Madara Uchiha leave, Watanabe Ichiro dropped his feigned fervor, and his cold expression returned.
He stroked the Gunbai in his hand. Its smooth curves felt excellent. Though Madara Uchiha's impromptu address to the clan had been unexpected, he had adapted well and reaped considerable rewards.
Who would've thought Madara Uchiha would be so generous? He even dropped equipment.
With a casual swing, he unleashed Wind Release through the weapon, blasting a huge hole in the Assembly Hall's ceiling.
"As Lord Madara said, I will be taking over as clan leader. Those opposed may stay. Everyone else can leave."
The effortless way he unleashed such a powerful jutsu intimidated most of the Uchiha.
Their clamor died away into silence. The elderly and children who lacked sufficient strength had already begun to leave.
"Those who remain are enemies defying Lord Madara's will, and my enemies as well. For those who don't want me to mistake them for enemies, I'll give you a little time to withdraw. Five-"
The neutral parties began to retreat.
"One."
What the hell? Did someone eat your four, three, and two?
The clansmen who didn't want to get caught in an internal conflict hurried away. A large number even fled directly through the hole Watanabe Ichiro had blasted open, making one wonder whether he had created it with that very purpose in mind.
Having deliberately teased the clansmen, Watanabe Ichiro smiled amiably at those who remained.
Pairs of eyes glowing an ominous red met his gaze.
What a lovely sight. So many Sharingan. If Shimura Danzō saw this, he'd probably drool with envy.
Watanabe Ichiro raised his newly acquired Gunbai. Perfect. I'll use you lot for practice.
Before you continue