That's right—during this era, Konoha had not yet been established. The title of Hokage didn't exist yet, so naturally there was no official concept of Hokage-level power.
Instead, people used the term Kage-level to describe a similar level of strength—power that stood above Jonin.
The classification for Jonin was also far more detailed than in later generations. It was divided into three tiers: Ordinary Jonin, Elite Jonin, and Quasi-Kage level.
If compared to characters from later times, an Ordinary Jonin would be roughly equivalent to someone like Kurenai Yuhi or Asuma Sarutobi.
Elite Jonin were comparable to Kakashi Hatake or Might Guy during the Land of Waves arc.
As for Quasi-Kage level, it represented the very limit of Jonin strength and could even rival the gatekeepers of Kage-level power in later eras. Examples included the Four-Tails Naruto in his rampaging state, Sasuke right after awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan, and Deidara.
The classification for Kage-level experts themselves was also simple and crude. They were divided into Ordinary Kage-level and Elite Kage-level.
Typical examples of Ordinary Kage-level in later generations would include Konan, Mei Terumi, and Danzo Shimura. In the current era, most clan heads of small and medium-sized families were at this level, as well as many elders from major clans.
Elite Kage-level corresponded to figures like the Third Hokage and the Sannin. In this era, even massive clans like the Senju and Uchiha only possessed two or three individuals at this level. Most other large clans typically had only their clan head reaching this tier.
Uchiha Zhuo had just been thinking about the Peak Patriarch Level.
This level was considered the limit of a ninja's strength—something comparable to a humanoid Tailed Beast.
According to clan records, no one in the Ninja World had reached this level for decades.
In later generations, figures like Nagato and Perfect Jinchuriki would fall into this category. In the current era, people like Senju Tobirama and the various future First-generation Kage would likely reach this level once they matured.
At present, Uchiha Tajima and Senju Butsuma were regarded as being infinitely close to the Peak Patriarch Level—but still slightly short.
Anything beyond that belonged to the Legendary Level.
Those recorded at that level were legendary figures in history—such as the Uchiha ancestor Indra and the Senju ancestor Ashura.
Rumor had it that even the strongest Tailed Beast, the Nine-Tails, had been treated like a toy in the hands of those two.
Of course, these rankings were only rough strength tiers used by ninjas during the Warring States Period.
However, Uchiha Kure, who knew the original story, understood that the gap between Peak Patriarch Level and Indra or Ashura was far greater than people imagined.
Those two brothers were truly Six Paths-level experts.
Between the Peak Patriarch Level and Six Paths-level, at least two more tiers could exist: the level of Sengoku-era Madara and Hashirama, and the level of Rinnegan Madara.
As for anything above Six Paths-level, even the original story described it too vaguely to provide meaningful comparison.
Logically speaking, Kaguya should have been stronger than the Six Paths brothers, who themselves were stronger than the Indra–Ashura lineage.
Yet the Sage of Six Paths' performance later in the story was astonishing. Simply by sharing his power with Sasuke and Naruto, he enabled them to seal Kaguya again.
Because of that, it was difficult to determine whether Otsutsuki Hamura at full power was stronger than Otsutsuki Kaguya.
But these were things far beyond what he needed to worry about right now.
At present, the highest level within his sight was the Peak Patriarch Level.
As for anything approaching Super Kage-level…
Kure shifted his gaze toward Taki in the Training Grounds.
From what he could see, the key still depended on Taki's cooperation.
Aside from natural monsters like Senju Hashirama, most people who reached such heights either relied on Tailed Beasts or awakened the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Uchiha Kure understood that surviving in this era required a ruthless heart.
Even so, he still couldn't bring himself to raise a child solely as a tool to replace his own eyes.
He decided to wait and see.
After all, it wasn't even certain whether Taki could escape the fate he met in the original story and survive until the era when Madara and Hashirama grew up.
Not to mention whether Taki could awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.
And even if he did awaken it, he would have to die while leaving behind a complete body—or at least a pair of intact eyes.
This wasn't just a question of probability. It was far too distant a matter for someone like Uchiha Kure, who hadn't even become a Jonin yet.
For now, it was better to simply observe the situation over the next few years.
Of course…
If everything he had just imagined truly came to pass, then he wouldn't refuse the "gift" his brother might leave behind.
"Elder Zhuo, the Hyuga Clan's delegation has arrived."
A ninja suddenly appeared behind Uchiha Zhuo, dressed entirely in black and kneeling on one knee.
He made no effort to lower his voice, clearly unconcerned that Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Kure were nearby listening.
After seeing Elder Zhuo stand and walk toward the meeting hall alongside the Anbu ninja, Madara glanced at Kure.
"Let's go take a look."
Kure nodded, and the two quickly followed behind them.
The clan elder walking ahead glanced back but didn't stop them. Instead, he slightly quickened his pace, almost as if he had intentionally slowed earlier to wait for them.
"This time, the Hyuga Clan has sent a diplomatic delegation to request an alliance," Uchiha Zhuo explained as they walked.
"Normally, matters like this require both the Clan Head and the Great Elder to be present. However, because the fighting on the front lines is intense, Clan Head Tajima has left me in charge."
"You two are the eldest sons of the Clan Head and the Great Elder. By tradition, you are allowed to speak on their behalf."
He hesitated briefly before adding,
"I went to the training field earlier specifically to find you."
In truth, the elder's actions carried considerable risk.
If he had openly invited Kure and Madara, it would clearly violate protocol.
Although their words could represent their fathers on certain occasions, they were still only six-year-old children. Officially inviting them to participate in alliance negotiations between great clans would be inappropriate.
However, if the two children followed out of curiosity, then their status technically allowed them to take part in the decision-making.
Heh.
What a sly old fox.
Uchiha Kure silently cursed inwardly.
The man had clearly guided them here on purpose.
Most likely, he feared the alliance terms might anger other elders later. If things went wrong, he didn't want to bear the blame alone—so he brought the two of them along to share the responsibility.
Madara, on the other hand, seemed completely unaware of Uchiha Zhuo's intentions.
His expression remained calm.
Of course, it was also possible that he had already seen through the scheme and simply didn't care.
Given Madara's personality, that was entirely possible.
Kure could only sigh internally as he continued walking.
Opportunities to participate in major clan decisions were extremely rare.
This was practically a chance delivered straight to his doorstep—and also a valuable opportunity to learn more about the other great clans of this era.
Soon, the four of them arrived at the meeting hall.
There were only a few people inside.
Besides an Uchiha member responsible for receiving guests, there were only three visitors from the Hyuga Clan.
And it was immediately obvious who they were.
After all, the Byakugan was impossible to miss.
The Hyuga diplomatic delegation consisted of two adult ninjas—and a girl about the same age as Kure.
Kure stared at the girl for a moment, surprised.
"Hyuga Hanabi?"