On the battlefield, an unexpected turn of events caused both sides — Heiyan and the two Tailed Beasts — to retreat simultaneously, once again locking into a stalemate.
"Genichiro, what exactly are you doing?"
Ashina Uzumaki exclaimed in shock and anger, confronting Genichiro furiously.
"I'm sorry, Clan Head. But you're leading us all toward irreversible destruction. As for me, I'm trying to change the fate that leads the Uzumaki clan to extinction."
Genichiro Uzumaki glanced at Ashina Uzumaki and the other Uzumaki clan members behind him, then turned his head and called out to Black Zetsu in the distance:
"Is our agreement still valid? You will keep your word, right?"
"Of course."
Black Zetsu raised his voice to respond. "As long as you help us kill Heiyan, I can arrange for the entire Uzumaki clan to join Kirigakure without another life lost."
"Genichiro, you traitor!" Ashina Uzumaki shouted furiously, trembling with rage.
"Traitor? Hmph."
Upon hearing this, Genichiro let out a scornful laugh and sharply rebutted, "Clan Head, haven't you seen the reality of this war situation yet? Or are you still clinging to unrealistic hopes that Konoha will actually send real reinforcements? That's just self-deception!"
"You..."
Ashina was momentarily speechless, unable to find a rebuttal — because what the other said was simply the truth.
Unless, of course, Heiyan and his companions really counted as the so-called 'main forces' Konoha sent to help them.
After facing off against Ashina, Genichiro turned toward the gathered Uzumaki ninja and raised his voice:
"Fellow clanspeople! From start to finish, the alliance between Konoha and our Uzumaki clan has been nothing but a lie! Their true purpose has always been to obtain our Sealing Techniques and Kushina. After achieving that, they completely abandoned the Uzumaki clan! So then, why should we continue acting as Konoha's bridgehead (the first line of defense) in their wars, sacrificing our lives for them? What we should do is join Kirigakure and seek revenge against Konoha!"
Finally, he pointed at Heiyan and his companions, his voice icy as he declared:
"These three are the so-called 'reinforcements' Konoha pretended to send us. Back then, through a carefully orchestrated operation, they successfully deceived the trust of our clanspeople. Eventually, not only did they take Kushina away, but they followed the Clan Head into the treasure vault and made off with countless scrolls of Sealing Technique. I saw it with my own eyes. Now they've come again pretending to be helpful. But their purpose is nothing more than to squeeze the last bit of value from our Uzumaki clan!"
This statement was a complete reversal of facts, maliciously accusing Heiyan and his companions of ulterior motives.
In fact, Genichiro had long planned to betray the clan, but hadn't anticipated that Heiyan's group would suddenly appear on the battlefield, wreaking havoc and even temporarily turning the tide of battle.
This unexpected turn disrupted his original plan.
Only now, after Fugaku and Hiashi were defeated and Heiyan was about to face the joint attack of the two Kage and two Tailed Beasts, when the overall situation seemed decided, did Genichiro finally make his move.
He didn't think he had done anything wrong.
Everything he had done was for the preservation of the Uzumaki clan. As long as they could survive, what was wrong with surrendering?
Genichiro's influence within the Uzumaki clan was second only to Clan Head Ashina. His fiery words just now struck a powerful chord among the crowd.
Therefore, as soon as he finished speaking, many clan members voiced their agreement.
"Lord Genichiro speaks wisely. We should follow his lead."
"Konoha betrayed us, using the Uzumaki as cannon fodder. We're not foolish enough to fall for that."
"..."
Soon, more than a hundred people—nearly one-third of the Uzumaki ninja—had joined Genichiro Uzumaki's side.
The remaining members still hesitated. On one hand, the threat of extermination loomed before them, and surrender meant survival. But on the other hand, they had all witnessed how Heiyan and his two companions came to their aid in times of crisis, risking their lives desperately to fight for the fate of the Uzumaki clan. How could such gratitude possibly be false?
At that moment, Hiashi Hyuga and Fugaku Uchiha flew to Heiyan's side—the trio was reunited once more.
"Heiyan, what do we do now?" Hiashi and Fugaku asked at the same time.
The trio had originally come to help the Uzumaki defend Uzugakure. But if the entire clan decided to surrender and join Mist, everything they'd done would be for nothing.
"Not yet," Heiyan raised a hand, calmly replying. "Let's hear what Clan Head Ashina Uzumaki has to say first."
As an Uzumaki himself, Heiyan had already done more than enough for this clan. Even his two closest friends were now standing beside him amid mortal danger.
If Ashina Uzumaki let himself be swayed by Genichiro and chose surrender, Heiyan wouldn't say another word. Because at that very moment, the Uzumaki would have forsaken Heiyan and his companions—and instantly become their enemies.
Yet Heiyan knew that even after surrendering, the Uzumaki would fall into the hands of Black Zetsu and Madara Uchiha—there was no way that would end well.
He prepared himself mentally—if Clan Head Ashina Uzumaki announced surrender, he would immediately use the Flying Thunder God Technique to evacuate Fugaku and Hiashi from the battlefield. There would no longer be any reason to keep fighting.
Ashina Uzumaki, his hair turned snow-white with age, looked around solemnly. Watching clan members defect to the enemy one by one, his expression grew increasingly pained.
These traitors had abandoned the honor of the Uzumaki and were stripped of their fighting spirit.
And for those who remained...
In this very moment, Ashina Uzumaki made a decision in his heart.
First, he gazed at Heiyan with pride and affection, then slowly turned to face the more than 300 Uzumaki remaining in the crowd, saying:
"I have two things to tell you—all listen well. First, Heiyan is actually… one of our own Uzumaki."
"What?!"
This shocking revelation sent waves of chaos through the crowd. After all, Heiyan was known as a ninja born in Konoha, and he didn't even have the signature red hair of an Uzumaki.
But since Clan Head Ashina had declared it, there was no doubt it was true.
When they stopped to think...
Wasn't that exactly why Heiyan risked his life repeatedly to protect the clan? Because he truly was one of them?
And so, all the accusations Genichiro had made against Heiyan crumbled away on their own, like a house of cards.
"The second matter, I hereby declare..."
Ashina Uzumaki raised his hand and spoke solemnly and loudly, "From this moment on, Uzumaki Heiyan shall be the next clan head of our clan!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.
"What are you all hesitating for? Didn't you understand what I just said?"
Seeing the stunned expressions on the faces of his clansmen, Ashina's eyebrows immediately furrowed in displeasure as he sternly reprimanded them, "Haven't you yet greeted your new clan head!?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than he turned around, his expression showing reverence and seriousness as he knelt down on one knee toward Heiyan.
The rest of the Uzumaki clan saw this and finally broke free of their stunned silence.
The Uzumaki were taken back at first by Ashina's choice to name Heiyan as their next clan head, but deep down, they didn't mind at all—it felt totally natural.
After all, after everything Heiyan had done for the clan and with strength that was practically invincible—who else could possibly be the next clan head if not this Uzumaki hero?
Originally, Genichiro would have been suitable, but unfortunately this traitor performed a [Self-Destruction].
In the next moment, the entire crowd followed Ashina's example, kneeling on one knee before Heiyan and shouting in unison:
"Greetings, Clan Head!"
At that moment, over three hundred voices rose in unison, their cry rolling like thunder across the hall—a resounding gong striking through the air.
With that single shout of "Greetings, Clan Head!", the will of the Uzumaki people coiled together like an iron chain—and the one now gripping its ends was their new clan leader—
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