The objection came from a middle-aged ninja around thirty-five to forty years old, Uchiha Kong, the commander of the northwestern border defense. He was slightly younger than Uchiha Sen and Gakugyo but possessed peak jonin strength and was a member of the high council.
"Experience is important, but what matters more right now is strength. Everyone saw Young Master Izuna's performance last time, and his coordination with Young Master Madara was perfect," Uchiha Zuoxiu couldn't help but interject. "With Young Master Madara as clan head and Young Master Izuna as vice-chief, the two of them together can lead the Uchiha to new heights of glory."
"Your argument only proves that Young Master Izuna is well-suited to be vice-chief. Whether Young Master Madara should be clan head is still debatable..."
As the argument threatened to escalate, the Third Elder, Uchiha Kai, suddenly roared, "Enough! This is the highest council of the Uchiha clan!"
The hall fell silent in an instant. Compared to the other elders, Uchiha Kai was usually more affable. When a person like that suddenly lost his temper, it was all the more intimidating.
The First Elder, Uchiha Xingzhi, spoke in a measured tone. "Third Elder, do you have an opinion?"
Uchiha Kai stood up. "In the Mount Congyun campaign, everyone witnessed the brilliance of Izuna's strategy. He not only secured our most important garrison at Taihang Mountain Road but also bought us time to recover. I believe no one has any objection to him becoming the vice-chief."
No one objected to Izuna taking the position of vice-chief. In some respects, the vice-chief could be defined as the strategist in a war, a role best filled by the most intelligent person. There was no argument there.
"Then the answer is simple. The question is whether Gakugyo or Madara becomes clan head," Uchiha Kai continued forcefully. "Age has its advantages, but youth has its strengths as well."
"Doesn't that simplify things? What the Uchiha need now is a capable leader, not just a wise one."
At this point, even a fool could understand Uchiha Kai's meaning. *If that's the case, then let them fight.* Whoever wins becomes the clan head. Both the experienced faction and the youth faction could list endless advantages for their candidate. So, they would use the simplest method: the strong ascend, and the defeated fall silent.
*The Uchiha might have their share of internal strife,* Izuna thought to himself, *but at least it's much better than Konoha under the Third Hokage.* While there were personal interests and power struggles, everyone's ultimate goal was the continuation of the clan. It wasn't like Konoha under Sarutobi Hiruzen, where figures like Danzo plotted countless times for the position of Hokage, even holding back the full strength of Root during Pain's catastrophic attack on the village. That wasn't just infighting; it was a full-blown coup.
"The Second Elder speaks wisely," Izuna finally said. As the de facto next vice-chief, his words immediately captured everyone's attention. "I don't wish to speak from a personal standpoint, but this is the best way."
With Uchiha Kai and Izuna having spoken, Madara, the future Asura of the ninja world, finally clenched his fists, stood up, and declared, "Then let the entire clan bear witness."
The aura of the Asura of the ninja world was finally unleashed!
*Are they really going to fight?!*
Everyone was shocked—the three elders, the high council, and the many Uchiha jonin below.
At Uchiha Gakugyo's age, he had likely reached his peak, but he was in a ninja's prime. Madara, on the other hand, was young and still had room to grow. If they had to guess, most would bet on Uchiha Gakugyo to win.
Uchiha Kai had originally been neutral, but Izuna's recent performance had swayed him slightly. Still, he wasn't entirely confident Madara could defeat Uchiha Gakugyo.
Apart from Izuna, only Uchiha Sen had this confidence. He had witnessed the power of Izuna's Mangekyo Sharingan. If Madara possessed a similar power...
"Gakugyo, what do you think?" Uchiha Kai turned to Uchiha Gakugyo.
Uchiha Gakugyo's desire for the clan head position wasn't as crazed as Danzo's for the Hokage seat, but that didn't mean he didn't want it.
"Since the elders and the future vice-chief have spoken, it would be difficult for me to refuse," Uchiha Gakugyo replied with a practiced, formal air.
The First Elder, careful not to show favoritism toward his son, maintained a neutral expression. "Then, the selection battle for clan head will be held in the martial arts arena. Prepare the barrier. Neither side is to inflict serious injury. Regardless of who wins or loses, you both bear the heavy responsibility of the Uchiha's future."
***
At the Uchiha training grounds, word that Uchiha Gakugyo and Uchiha Madara would decide the next clan head by combat spread like wildfire, throwing the clan into an uproar.
After the barrier ninja set up a protective seal to prevent any accidents, every clan member who wasn't occupied with urgent matters flocked to watch.
"Who do you think will win?" a group of Chunin and Genin who had rushed over whispered behind Izuna.
"Lord Gakugyo."
"Lord Gakugyo."
"It's... got to be Lord Gakugyo."
More than ninety percent of the people gave the same answer.
"I think so too. With Young Master Madara's talent, he should surpass Lord Gakugyo in five years, but right now... he's just a bit short."
"But I heard Young Master Izuna has been confirmed as the next vice-chief. That's great news."
"With Lord Izuna's strategy and strength, it's only natural."
***
Hearing the discussions behind him, Izuna remained silent, thinking, *That's only if he doesn't use his Mangekyo.*
In the Warring States Period, only the brothers Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan. Although the condition was said to be the pain of "killing one's closest relative" or "experiencing the death of one's closest relative," there was likely another condition: the innate talent of the Sharingan user. Otherwise, why, among all the Uchiha who had witnessed the deaths of their loved ones during this era, did only Izuna and Madara awaken it?
From the original story, Senju Tobirama claimed to have seen the technique "Kagutsuchi." It was now clear that he had seen it from Izuna. What Madara's Mangekyo abilities were, however, remained a mystery.
This battle was the perfect opportunity. Madara would surely use his Mangekyo's power, and Izuna would see it for himself.
In the center of the training grounds, Madara and Uchiha Gakugyo faced each other. The former held his gunbai fan and scythe, the latter a tachi.
"Begin!" the First Elder, Uchiha Xingzhi, shouted, waving his hand.
In the next instant, both their eyes transformed, revealing the three-tomoe Sharingan. At the same time, they vanished from their spots, reappearing as black blurs more than ten meters in the air.
*CLANG!*
The sharp sound of weapons colliding rang out, accompanied by a shower of sparks.
*CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!*