"Those over 50 years old, step forward."
After Isamu spoke, dozens of elders walked out.
"Those under 16 years old, step forward."
A group of children followed.
"Genin and Chunin, step forward."
Another group moved forward.
Only 40 people remained where they stood—more than half of the original 180 had been filtered out.
Isamu looked at the remaining group and nodded.
"I expected around 30 people. I didn't think there would be 40… including five women. That's beyond my expectations."
"Congratulations. The 40 of you will follow me to the battlefield and fight for the honor of the Uchiha."
Just as he was about to continue, those who had been excluded grew restless.
"Patriarch, I'm not convinced! Why can't we go to the battlefield?"
The Great Elder also stepped forward.
"That's right, Isamu. We may be old, but we're not weak. I want to fight as well."
"Yeah! I'm not afraid of death! I can fight too!" A fifteen-year-old boy stepped forward, his face full of defiance.
Hearing the commotion, Isamu's expression darkened.
"Enough!"
His voice cut through the noise instantly.
"Who is the Patriarch here—me, or you? This is a battlefield, not a game!"
"Leaving you behind is to preserve the final spark of our Martial Faction. I have confidence we can win—but the battlefield is unpredictable."
He paused, his tone turning heavier.
"If I die in battle, there will still be you. But if all of you go and die as well… who will avenge us? Have you thought about that?"
Silence fell.
No one could refute him.
"Hmph. Those heading to the battlefield—prepare yourselves. We leave in ten minutes."
"Yes, Patriarch!"
The 40 chosen members immediately began organizing their belongings.
---
The Great Elder pulled Isamu aside.
"Isamu… will 40 people really be enough? You may be facing tens of thousands of ninja. If needed, take more with you."
Isamu shook his head.
"Quality over quantity. Forty is enough."
He hesitated slightly before continuing.
"If… I truly die in battle, I'll have Zhan bring my eyes back. Give them to whoever needs them."
"And… take good care of Tsunade."
For a moment, a trace of loneliness flickered across his face.
His confidence had dropped—from ninety percent to sixty.
Something about this war didn't feel right.
The Great Elder's eyes reddened.
"Isamu… you…"
"You don't need to feel sad," Isamu said calmly. "I've already prepared myself."
"If I can't become a god through this battle, then I've already accepted my ending."
He looked at the Great Elder seriously.
"Protect the clan. And the things I entrusted to you… can you do it?"
The Great Elder knelt down without hesitation.
"Yes, Patriarch. I swear I will complete everything you entrusted to me."
From this moment on, besides Madara, Isamu became his only faith.
"Good."
Isamu nodded.
"With you here, I can rest easy."
"It's time."
Without another word, he led the 40 members—
and vanished.
---
The Great Elder remained kneeling even after they were gone.
Others quickly came forward to help him up.
"Great Elder… the Patriarch has already left. Why do you look so troubled?"
He sighed deeply.
"…I don't know if I'll ever see them again… Isamu… Zhan…"
Memories of their childhood flashed through his mind.
"Great Elder! Great Elder!"
He was shaken out of his thoughts.
"Right! Gather everyone immediately!"
---
Soon, the remaining 140 clan members assembled again.
Standing atop a table, the Great Elder took out two scrolls.
"Clan Members! The Patriarch and the others are fighting on the front lines. We must never become their burden. Do you understand?"
"YES!"
"Good."
He opened the scrolls—revealing red and blue pills.
"Each of you will take one and keep it hidden in your teeth."
"If we are captured, we will bite down and end our lives. We will never become a weakness for the Patriarch."
"Never become a weakness!"
"Never become a weakness!"
"The red pill is lethal—you will die within two minutes."
"The blue pill allows a chance of survival if treated within a day."
"The elderly will take the red pills. The younger ones will take the blue."
A heavy silence followed.
One by one, they stepped forward—
and accepted their fate.
---
Afterward, the crowd dispersed.
A few elderly members approached the Great Elder.
"Is this really necessary? The Patriarch seemed confident. Aren't we being too cautious?"
The Great Elder sighed.
"I hope I'm overthinking it."
"But if something goes wrong… this is our final safeguard."
---
Meanwhile, in Konoha—
Tsunade woke up from the Genjutsu.
Her expression darkened instantly.
"'Rebuilding houses'? What a joke… those liars!"
She rushed toward the Great Elder's residence.
But when she arrived—
it was empty.
The gate had been broken, the courtyard abandoned.
"…What happened?"
Frowning deeply, she turned and headed for the Hokage Building.
"I'll ask Sensei. He must know what's going on."
A bad feeling settled in her chest.
Something big… was about to happen.