"Great Elder, you were careless. Tsunade has already realized something is wrong."
"That's impossible. She was clearly about to leave—how could she have noticed?" The Great Elder still found it hard to believe.
"Now isn't the time to argue about that." Isamu shook his head. "I'll take Tsunade back first. You should send people to meet the clan members who haven't arrived yet."
With that, Isamu picked Tsunade up and left.
---
He carried her back home and gently laid her on the bed.
Looking at her sleeping face, his expression softened.
"Tsunade… I'm sorry. This time, I have to act on my own will."
"I really did want to live a peaceful life with you… but there are things I have to do."
"…I'm sorry."
He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
After one last look, he turned and left the room.
---
When Isamu returned to the Great Elder's courtyard, all 180 clan members had finally gathered.
"Good… everyone's here."
The Great Elder closed the gates and stepped forward.
"I know all of you are wondering why I called you here and told you to bring your belongings."
"It's not for rebuilding houses."
"It's because… we are leaving Konoha."
---
"Leaving Konoha?!"
"Great Elder, what happened?"
"Why so suddenly?"
"Isn't this too rushed?"
---
Voices erupted across the courtyard.
The Great Elder raised his hand, silencing everyone.
"Listen carefully."
"It's like this—Young Clan Head Isamu led ten clan members and challenged the Four Great Nations…"
He then explained everything in detail.
---
When he finished, the entire courtyard fell into stunned silence.
The adults were shocked.
The elders looked uneasy.
The children simply stared in confusion.
---
Finally, an elderly man stepped forward.
"Great Elder… it's not that we don't trust the Young Clan Head…"
"But challenging the Four—or even Five—Great Nations…"
"Do we really stand a chance?"
---
The Great Elder didn't hesitate.
"Back then, we failed to follow Lord Madara."
"This time… we will not make the same mistake."
"We will follow Young Clan Head Isamu to the very end!"
---
"But… that was Lord Madara…" the old man said hesitantly, glancing at Isamu.
The implication was clear—he didn't believe Isamu could compare.
---
The Great Elder's next words stunned everyone.
"I can state this with full certainty."
"Young Clan Head Isamu… already possesses power that surpasses Lord Madara."
"This time, we will not fail."
---
"Surpass Lord Madara?!"
"Is that true?!"
"The Young Clan Head is that strong?!"
"Then we'll definitely win!"
---
Excitement spread instantly.
No one doubted the Great Elder's words.
---
"Quiet!" the Great Elder shouted again.
"The Young Clan Head and the others can fight."
"But the elderly and children cannot."
"We must not become a burden."
---
He paused, then continued:
"So today, we do two things."
"First—we leave Konoha and go into hiding."
"Second—we select those strong enough to join the battle."
"Anyone willing to fight, step forward!"
---
"I will!"
"Count me in!"
"I want to go!"
---
Everyone surged forward, even some children joining in excitedly.
Seeing this, Isamu felt both moved and conflicted.
---
"Quiet!" the Great Elder roared.
"Let me finish first!"
---
The crowd immediately fell silent again.
His authority was absolute.
---
Then he said something unexpected:
"Everyone… kneel."
---
Without hesitation, all 180 clan members knelt on one knee.
Even the children followed their parents.
---
Isamu frowned slightly, confused.
---
"Isamu… step forward and kneel."
---
Though puzzled, he walked forward and knelt at the very front.
---
The Great Elder's voice rang out clearly:
"In the name of the Uchiha Great Elder…"
"I hereby appoint Uchiha Isamu…"
"As the sole Clan Head of the Uchiha Martial Faction!"
"From this day forward…"
"All of you will obey his orders…"
"Until death—with absolute loyalty!"
---
"Until death—with absolute loyalty!"
"Until death—with absolute loyalty!"
---
The entire courtyard echoed with their voices.
Isamu was stunned.
He hadn't expected this at all.
---
"Uchiha Zhan, bring it out," the Great Elder ordered.
"Understood!"
---
Zhan rushed inside and quickly returned, holding something with both hands.
---
Isamu's eyes narrowed.
"…That is…"
---
It was a set of crimson armor—clearly from the Warring States era.
---
The Great Elder took the armor and spoke solemnly:
"This armor was crafted by our faction… for Lord Madara."
"We had hoped to follow him and have him lead us to glory…"
"But he chose a different path."
---
He stepped forward and placed the armor in Isamu's hands.
---
"Now, I entrust it to you."
"Uchiha Isamu… as Madara's son…"
"Can you lead us to glory?"
"Can you crush our enemies?"
"Can you restore the pride of the Uchiha…"
"And let our name shine across the entire ninja world once more?"
---
Isamu lifted his head, his voice firm and unwavering:
"I can."
"I will lead the clan to glory."
"I will restore our honor."
"And I will make the name of the Uchiha shine across the entire world!"
---
The Great Elder nodded in satisfaction.
"Good."
"Remember those words."
"From today onward… you are the Clan Head."
"You must place the clan above all else."
---
With that, he formally handed over the armor.
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