The new territorial division of the Land of Fire had been finalized.
The Warring States Period had been split into two halves:
The southwest belonged to the Uchiha.
The northeast belonged to the Senju.
Among the three-clan alliance, the Hyuga aligned with the Uchiha, while the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Sarutobi, and Shimura clans fell under the influence of the Senju.
As soon as Izuna secured control over the Hyuga, he immediately ordered them to relocate near Uchiha-controlled territory and vacate Hyuga Castle.
At the same time, he dispatched an elite undercover team to investigate the secrets hidden within Hyuga Castle.
When Izuna and Madara returned home with their forces, the entire Uchiha clan erupted in celebration.
This battle had officially declared Uchiha's dominance in the Warring States Period.
The clan's territory had expanded significantly, surpassing even the Senju in terms of fertile land and strategic locations.
They had also secured a powerful ally—the Hyuga clan.
Despite the cold winter, hundreds of civilians poured out onto the streets, cheering and applauding the victorious Uchiha warriors as they marched home.
However, before any celebratory banquets could be held, there was one solemn duty to perform first.
The first event upon their return was not a victory feast, but a funeral.
Just like after every battle, the fallen warriors were given a proper memorial service.
This time was no different.
Though Uchiha's casualties were minimal, with fewer than 300 deaths in such a large-scale war, each lost life was a devastating blow to their families.
For the grieving parents, widows, and children, it didn't matter if the number was 300 or 3,000—it was still a tragedy.
After the memorial concluded, Izuna and Madara visited the Uchiha Academy.
Hundreds of Uchiha children, no older than eight years old, stood at attention on the academy's snow-covered playground, their eyes burning with admiration.
They had been waiting for this moment—to see their heroes up close.
Madara and Izuna stood before them, flanked by their teachers, families, and clan members who had gathered to witness the event.
Even Mito, Izuna's wife, stood at the edge of the playground, watching quietly.
Despite being a Senju, her status as Izuna's wife ensured that no one dared to say anything against her presence.
As Madara stood before the children, he felt… uncomfortable.
The Shura of the Ninja World, who had faced countless battles and bloodshed, found himself at a loss for words before these innocent children.
If not for Izuna preparing him beforehand, he might have remained completely speechless.
After a brief cough, Madara finally spoke.
"Can you tell me your dream?"
The response was instantaneous and thunderous.
"To become a ninja like you—!!"
The students shouted in unison, their voices filled with determination.
Madara's initial awkwardness faded, replaced by a rare moment of warmth.
But his expression soon grew serious.
"Is that so? However… I don't want you to follow the same path we did."
The students, their families, and even the spectators outside the academy looked at him in confusion.
Madara continued:
"The road we walked was paved with blood. Under our feet lie the corpses of the Senju, the Hyuga, the Shimura, the Sarutobi… and even your own fathers, brothers, and comrades."
"You do not need to take the same path. Your duty is not to kill, but to protect Uchiha."
Then, with a deep breath, he revealed his true belief:
"My dream is to create a ninja clan where all can live in harmony."
As the words left his mouth, Madara's own emotions surged—this had once been his childhood dream.
Then came his final statement:
"Even the Senju."
The entire playground fell silent.
Not just the students, but the entire clan—even those watching from outside—were left stunned by his words.
Madara's last sentence echoed in their minds like an explosion:
"Even the Senju. So don't fight! We must unite with the Senju to build an era where all ninjas can coexist."
A moment later, the silence shattered into chaos.
Ninjas rushed into the school grounds, their voices rising in anger.
"Building a village? With the Senju?! Impossible!"
A young chūnin shook his head in disbelief.
"No! My father and brother were killed by them! Clan leader, if we stop the war now, won't your own father and brothers have died in vain?!"
A jōnin with a deep scar across his face shouted in fury.
"This is our chance! With you and Izuna leading us, we can destroy the Senju and make Uchiha supreme! We must seize this opportunity!"
Another middle-aged ninja roared.
Even the children, confused and innocent, turned to their mothers.
"Mom… if we stop fighting, what happens to Dad?"
A six-year-old boy asked, his small hands clutching his mother's.
His mother covered her mouth, unable to hold back her tears.
The entire clan was in turmoil.
Even Madara, known for his iron will, felt momentarily shaken.
After all, he too had lost his father and four brothers—all to the Senju.
Just as the situation threatened to spiral out of control—
"ENOUGH!!!"
Izuna's thunderous voice boomed across the academy, silencing the entire clan.
For a moment, even the air itself seemed to freeze.
Some who had been weeping instinctively held back their tears, terrified by Izuna's commanding presence.
Izuna stepped forward, standing beside Madara, and lowered his gaze toward the students.
"All students whose fathers died on the battlefield—step forward."
The children hesitated, but one by one, they let go of their mothers' hands and stepped onto the podium.
One… two… three…
In less than five minutes, the entire podium was filled with children—each no older than eight years old.
Izuna looked up, his gaze cold and sharp.
"More than I expected."
Then, he turned back to the remaining children and gave his next order:
"The rest of you—stand on the right side of the podium."
Without hesitation, the twenty remaining children moved.
The contrast was stark—on one side, a crowd of orphans; on the other, a small handful who still had fathers.
Seeing this, even without Izuna's intimidation, many clan members fell silent.
For the first time, they were forced to confront the true cost of war.
Even Madara, though he didn't speak, felt the weight of reality settle upon him.
And so, for the first time, the Uchiha clan stood in silence—questioning the future that lay before them.
End of the Chapter.
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