*CLANG!*
The impact shattered the ground of the training arena.
*He fell for it, Madara!* Uchiha Gakugyo rejoiced internally. Using the wind clone as a feint, he thrust the kunai in his other hand toward Madara's abdomen. He didn't intend to gut him; drawing blood would be enough to prove his superiority and claim the title of clan head.
But then, Madara's smile became obvious.
An instinctual sense of dread washed over Uchiha Gakugyo.
"Chidori," Madara uttered softly.
*KZZZZZZZZZZT!*
A brilliant flash of silver lightning erupted from Madara's other hand. The electricity thrashed about like a wild beast.
Uchiha Gakugyo's attacking left hand went numb, and the kunai slipped from his unsteady grasp, clattering to the ground.
"It's the jutsu Izuna invented again!"
Many of the Uchiha clan members were stunned. Although the fight was between Madara and Gakugyo, Izuna's presence was so palpable it was impossible to ignore.
Izuna had given Chidori to Madara a few days ago. The move Madara was displaying now was more like Chidori Stream. Of course, it only looked similar. Madara was simply using his immense chakra to let the Chidori's lightning explode outwards, making it resemble Chidori Stream. In truth, using Chidori this way would also injure his own body.
Even so, it was enough.
Seizing the momentary opening Uchiha Gakugyo had revealed, Madara kicked up the fallen kunai like a soccer ball. The blade streaked past Uchiha Gakugyo's face, leaving a bloody gash.
"Fire Release..."
It wasn't over! Even in this situation, Uchiha Gakugyo still tried to form hand seals for a counterattack.
But Madara was faster. After all, though they were both affected by the Chidori, it was his own jutsu. Madara could at least control it enough to minimize his own injuries.
"Lightning Release: Emotion Wave!"
Though it was a lightning jutsu, Madara had actually fused it with Water Release. The paralyzing effect of lightning combined with the obstructive force of water elevated the B-rank jutsu's power to nearly A-rank.
*THUD!*
Before Uchiha Gakugyo could complete his jutsu, the Emotion Wave slammed into his chest armor. The impact of the water and the numbing sensation of the lightning left him momentarily paralyzed.
Madara swung his scythe, pressing the blade against Uchiha Gakugyo's neck.
Feeling the cold steel on his skin, Uchiha Gakugyo sank to one knee and forced out the words, "I... lose..."
As Uchiha Gakugyo's father, the First Elder Uchiha Xingzhi let out a heavy sigh.
Uchiha Kai's voice boomed across the grounds. "A new clan head is born!"
The entire clan erupted in cheers. The power Madara had displayed had won over even those who had initially supported Uchiha Gakugyo.
Izuna couldn't help but smile.
***
Despite personal conflicts, they were all Uchiha. At the end of the day, that meant they were of one mind, unlike the incessant infighting that would plague Konoha after its founding. It was exhausting, yet strangely comforting.
***
And so it was settled. Uchiha Madara would be the new clan head, with Uchiha Izuna as his second-in-command. This was a fact none could change.
After their minor injuries were treated, the high-ranking members returned from the training grounds to the main hall. The succession ceremony was set for an auspicious day one week later. Since it was a time of truce, they could afford a little ceremony.
***
Meanwhile, in the Senju clan's territory, the succession ceremony was already underway.
Senju Yuma stood on the succession platform, with Senju Hashirama to his left in the place of the second-in-command. Hashirama listened to his uncle's oath and the cheers of the clansmen below.
Senju Tobirama, ever the devoted brother, whispered, "Big brother, if you wanted to fight for it, I'm sure it wouldn't have been a problem."
He had no real complaints about Senju Yuma becoming clan head, but as a doting younger brother, he naturally would have preferred to see Hashirama take the position.
Hashirama just smiled at his words and replied softly, "I'm not the type who has to be the leader. Supporting from the side might suit me just fine."
Tobirama knew his brother's personality well. Pushing the matter would only upset him, so he fell silent, his thoughts turning elsewhere. *On the Uchiha side, it should be Uchiha Gakugyo succeeding, with Madara as his second... but why do I get the feeling that Izuna is more dangerous than Madara?*
It was worth remembering that Senju Tobirama was a consummate politician, one whose future political acumen in Konoha would outshine even his formidable strength. If he felt Uchiha Izuna was dangerous, he was undoubtedly correct.
In any case, the new state of affairs for both clans was clear:
Uchiha: Madara as clan head, Izuna as second-in-command.
Senju: Senju Yuma as clan head, Senju Hashirama as second-in-command, with Senju Tobirama's position unchanged (a consequence of his plan's failure, which had cost the Senju).
For the first time in his life, Madara had pulled ahead of Hashirama. The only question was how long that advantage would last.
With the truce providing ample time, the succession ceremony became an elaborate affair. There were auspicious days to choose, a new succession platform to build, fragrant baths to take, ancestors to honor—a mountain of trivialities. And it wasn't just Madara; Izuna, as second-in-command, couldn't escape it either.
After three full days of rituals, they finally reached the last step: the oath. It was much like when Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage, standing atop the Hokage Residence and swearing an oath to the people of Konoha below.
Given Madara's personality, he was completely incapable of such a thing. Izuna couldn't even imagine what the Madara from the original story might have said during his own succession. But now that he was here, it was a trivial matter.
Standing on the succession platform, Madara faced the thousand Uchiha clansmen below, along with a considerable number of non-Uchiha auxiliary personnel responsible for farming and miscellaneous tasks.
He cleared his throat and, reciting the lines Izuna had taught him the previous night, announced in a loud voice, "Today, I, Uchiha Madara, assume the position of clan head. I have only one thing to tell you all—"