November, Year 32 of Konoha.
Due to the Uchiha clan, one of Konoha's noble families, launching a coup, the Uchiha clan head could not bear to see Konoha suffer from internal strife. He personally executed the entire Uchiha clan and, in remorse, committed suicide before the Hokage, begging for forgiveness on behalf of the Uchiha clan.
The Hokage, moved by the Uchiha clan's long-standing contributions to Konoha, honored the clan head's dying wish by posthumously declaring him a hero of Konoha. At the same time, the Uchiha clan's lands were reclaimed by the village, to be fairly distributed to ninja who had contributed to Konoha or civilians living in hardship.
Instantly, the village was filled with joy, anti-war sentiments diminished, and the Hokage received widespread praise...
Kind, gentle, and approachable—such was the reputation of Konoha's shadow.
That same month, Konoha extended invitations to the other four major ninja villages for a Five Kage Summit, with the goal of discussing the future of the shinobi world and guiding it toward true peace.
The meeting was tentatively scheduled to be held in the Land of Rain. However, due to the Uchiha incident, the Hokage could not leave the village to attend. Instead, his disciple, Orochimaru, would represent him.
...
Uzumaki Jun read the morning's Shinobi World Daily, a newspaper published by the Uzumaki Country Press. It consisted of two main sections: the Shinobi World Report and the Uzumaki Country National Report.
The Shinobi World Report covered major events in the shinobi world, including updates on the five great nations and their hidden villages. The Uzumaki Country National Report focused on domestic developments, policies, and future changes.
"Truly impressive!" Uzumaki Jun clicked his tongue as he read the news from Konoha, sighing in admiration. "As expected of the longest-serving Hokage in Konoha's history."
It wasn't just because there was a professional scapegoat in the village—the man clearly had his own methods.
"I wonder how the Uchiha clan will react when they see this," Uzumaki Jun murmured, shaking his head. "This grudge... is huge."
"Five Kage Summit." Uzumaki Jun stared at the words on the newspaper, muttering to himself. "Looks like we need to prepare."
Otherwise...
How would Uzumaki Country sell weapons?
After all, the Minister of Finance was still in the Land of Rain promoting weapon sales!
"I wonder how big of an order Kakuzu can secure," Uzumaki Jun mused, narrowing his eyes. "Probably a sizable one."
But Uzumaki Country still lacked manpower, especially ninja. It was a severe shortage.
Some departments were even digging into their own budgets to offer high salaries for recruitment.
"Manpower... Manpower..." Uzumaki Jun sighed helplessly. "Looks like I'll have to sneak out and recruit people again during the next ninja war."
...
Some time had passed, and the Uchiha clan had mostly settled into life in Uzumaki Country. Just as Lord Jun had promised, they faced no discrimination or threats. Combined with the money they had brought with them, the Uchiha clan was living relatively well.
"I should probably rein in those kids," Uchiha Fugaku muttered to himself, shaking his head. "Otherwise, trouble might break out."
Because of the Uchiha clan's great calamity, almost all the survivors had awakened their Sharingan. Uchiha Fugaku believed that in the future, the Uchiha clan would grow strong again—perhaps even stronger than the Senju clan, who were still hauling bricks.
"What idiots, leaving without taking a single coin," Uchiha Fugaku sneered. Recently, while on patrol, he had run into Konoha's former elite jonin and current Uzumaki Country construction worker, Senju Shukuma.
"Over a dozen kids."
"How exhausting!" Uchiha Fugaku narrowed his eyes, feeling an inexplicable urge to laugh. This time...
The Uchiha clan had won.
However, because so many of the children had awakened their Sharingan, they had become somewhat arrogant and unruly. As the clan head, Fugaku had been called to the Uzumaki Country Elementary School several times to meet with teachers...
Uzumaki Country had strict rules about respecting teachers.
So Uchiha Fugaku couldn't argue. After all, he was still a young man, unmarried, and yet he was already being treated as a parent.
What could he even say?
Somehow, word of this had reached Senju Shukuma, who had recently taken to mocking him about it.
"If nothing else works, I'll just have to beat them," Uchiha Fugaku sighed. "Otherwise, I'll be running to the school nonstop."
In the end, they had kept the Uchiha name rather than changing it.
This was because of the Sharingan's unique nature—it would activate under strong emotions, making it impossible to hide for long. Lord Jun had thus not demanded they change their surname, only advising them to be careful.
"Officer Fugaku, you're up early?"
Before he knew it, Uchiha Fugaku had wandered near the farmland. A man in his sixties waved cheerfully at him. "Want some breakfast?"
"No, I still have duties," Uchiha Fugaku replied stiffly, forcing a smile. "I've already eaten. You go ahead."
He still wasn't used to smiling.
At first, the civilians of Uzumaki Country had thought his cold demeanor meant he was unfriendly. But after spending time with him, they realized he was just a bit expressionless—otherwise, he was a good person.
"Alright, then. Take care." The old man wasn't bothered and remained cheerful. "At least have some water."
He then had his grandson pour a cup of water for Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha Fugaku thought for a moment before nodding at the chubby boy. "Thank you."
He drank the water in one gulp and left.
As he turned away, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.
"Just as the chief said..."
"Uzumaki Country is..."
"Different."
...
"The higher your chakra intensity, the faster your speed and the greater your strength," Madara said calmly from his stone seat, watching Shijō punch in the distance. "So it's not enough. Still not enough."
"Increase your chakra output."
Hearing Madara's words, Shijō gritted his teeth and forced more chakra through his body, enduring the pain as he shouted, "Ah!"
Then, he continued striking the tree in front of him.
"Good. That's the maximum chakra you can handle right now," Madara nodded. "If a taijutsu specialist wants to grow stronger, they must endure ten, a hundred times more pain than other ninja. If you think it's too much, just give up."
"Being a ninja..."
"Isn't easy."
"I won't give up!" Shijō yelled, putting more force into his punches until—
Crack!
The tree, as thick as a bowl, snapped in half.
"Rest," Madara said indifferently, though he was satisfied. "You're still too weak."
Shijō collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. "Thank you, old man."
Madara scoffed but said nothing.
"By the way, old man, if you're so strong in taijutsu, why not become a teacher at the academy?" Shijō asked, unfazed. After spending time together, though he still didn't know the old man's name, he knew he was a kind person beneath the cold exterior.
"Uzumaki Country is really short on taijutsu instructors," Shijō muttered. "Right now, they only teach basic taijutsu."
"Teacher?" Madara frowned slightly. "So, someone who teaches taijutsu."
Recently, it had been Tobi earning money to support them. As a man who had once fought the God of Shinobi to a standstill, Madara couldn't help but feel ashamed. Even though Tobi was just a tool he had created...
A strong man had his pride.
So...
"Perhaps it's time to find a job," Madara murmured.