One Uchiha clan member suggested accepting the cursed seal. This way, they wouldn't have to live such a miserable life anymore.
This proposal immediately gained support from several other clan members.
At this moment, another Uchiha member said furiously, "I absolutely disagree! Isn't that no different from becoming a prisoner? Have all of you lost the pride of being an Uchiha? If others want to act like begging dogs, that's their business, but I will never do it!"
The Uchiha who had proposed accepting the cursed seal also got angry. "Then what are we supposed to do? Wait here until we die? What good is pride? We all know clearly why we're still alive now — because our strength is weak and we didn't participate in the coup.
If we had participated, we'd have died just like those other clan members — either at Itachi's hands or at Chinya's hands!
Other clan members accepted the cursed seal and have already gone to live better lives. Why are we still holding on here? Is there any point in continuing?
Maybe Hiruzen Sarutobi will lose patience with us anytime and just send someone to kill us!
Being dead means having nothing. Is it wrong for me to want to live?"
The dissenting Uchiha shouted furiously, "What nonsense are you talking about! Living without dignity is truly meaningless! Are you even still an Uchiha? You're dishonoring the Uchiha name!"
The one supporting the cursed seal sneered, "Still an Uchiha? Back then, our ancestor Madara Uchiha called upon the Uchiha to leave the village with him, but not a single person followed him. They chose to stay in Konoha. If you want to talk about that, we stopped being true Uchihas long ago!
Wanting a better life isn't a crime. If you refuse, you still have no right to criticize our choices. Since we have different opinions, let's vote by raising hands. I want to accept the cursed seal. Who here will go with me?"
The few ninja who had previously agreed immediately raised their hands.
Four Uchiha remained, still visibly uncertain. Three of them were still hesitating.
They all took pride in the name "Uchiha," but no one wanted to keep living this way.
"You should really think carefully. After we accept the cursed seal, maybe the Third will no longer tolerate you and might start eliminating you."
Hearing this, the three hesitant Uchiha members also raised their hands.
Only the one refusing to accept the cursed seal remained.
"Yoshihiko Uchiha, I'll ask you one last time — are you coming with us to accept the cursed seal?"
Furious, Yoshihiko Uchiha declared, "You can forget it! I will never become a dog!"
"Then this is your own decision, nothing to do with us. We did try to convince you, but you refused. Don't blame us for whatever happens afterward!"
As Yoshihiko watched the eight retreating figures of his own clan, he shouted as if making a vow, "I will never regret this! Traitors! You've betrayed the Uchiha!"
Yoshihiko stood there, chest heaving furiously with rage.
In his extreme rage, Yoshihiko Uchiha's Double Tomoe Sharingan evolved into a Triple Tomoe Sharingan.
"You're truly loyal to the Uchiha Clan!"
A sudden voice startled Yoshihiko. "Who?!"
The space before him twisted and Obito Uchiha emerged.
Obito stood with arms crossed, proudly declaring, "I am Madara Uchiha!"
Yoshihiko immediately denied it. "No, impossible! You absolutely cannot be Madara Uchiha! Madara couldn't possibly still be alive today!"
"There's no such thing as possible or impossible—this is reality. Back then, I wasn't killed by Hashirama. I survived, and I am the true victor. As for why I'm still alive today, the Shinobi World holds a vast array of extraordinary jutsu. Finding a technique to extend life was extremely simple for me."
Obito removed his mask, revealing that he had been disguising himself as Madara.
Yoshihiko's eyes slightly widened. "You...you really are Madara?"
Obito gave a slight nod. "There's no reason for me to lie to you. Frankly, your strength pales before mine. Killing you would be just a flick of my wrist. The only reason I'm willing to appear before you is because of your loyalty to the Uchiha name.
When I left the village back then, Hashirama did everything he could to stop me. He promised me I would become The Second Hokage. But I already knew the truth—that after Hashirama's death, the next Hokage would inevitably be Tobirama Senju. And when that happened, the Uchiha Clan would eventually be wiped out.
So, for the sake of the Uchiha Clan, I called on my kin to leave with me. Yet not one of them followed. They were all blinded by Konoha's false peace.
And just as I predicted, after Tobirama became Hokage, he constantly oppressed the Uchiha Clan, until this tragedy occurred.
To me, those Uchiha who didn't choose to follow me back then had already abandoned the Uchiha name—they were nothing more than loyal servants of Konoha (slaves in all but name).
I had completely lost hope in the Uchiha in Konoha. However, I never expected that someone like you still held such deep reverence for the Uchiha name.
Right now, I can tell you've already given up on this clan. Then why remain within this rotten leaf village and among spineless cowards who've forgotten our legacy?
Therefore...Yoshihiko Uchiha, do you wish to follow me?"
Yoshihiko stared at Obito, his eyes gradually blazing with fervor.
Slowly kneeling on the ground before Obito, forehead touching earth, Yoshihiko pleaded, "Lord Madara, I no longer wish to remain here. Everything here fills me with despair. Please grant me new hope—a new future for the Uchiha Clan!"
Obito pulled his mask back on and placed a hand on Yoshihiko's shoulder. "I will give you new hope. Wherever I am, so too shall the Uchiha be—and you will be my right-hand man."
Using Kamui, Obito pulled Yoshihiko into Kamui space.
After sealing Yoshihiko Uchiha into the [Kamui Space], Zetsu emerged from underground and asked in confusion, "Why did you recruit him? Are you planning to let him join the Akatsuki too? His strength isn't enough, right?"
Obito Uchiha gazed at the moon in the sky and replied, "You know Nagato doesn't trust us, and Itachi's suspicious of me being Madara Uchiha. So just in case something gets out of hand later, I need to build up another power base."
"His strength might not be much now," Obito continued, "but all I need is loyalty. Power can come later — he'll grow into it."
As soon as he finished speaking, Obito Uchiha activated Kamui again and vanished from the spot.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>