Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

Did they misunderstand?

Madara Uchiha?

Why bring up this name that has been buried in the past?

Akimichi Torifu stood rooted to the spot, staring at Uchiha Sogen standing in the doorway. He felt a dizzying sensation; the phantom from his memory and the real person before him were inexplicably overlapping. The blood-red layered armor, the jet-black battle suit resembling the robes of a Shinigami, the large, bandaged sword Samehada strapped to his back…

"call!"

"My eyesight is failing with age, that's exactly what I'm like!"

Akimichi Torifu took a deep breath.

No matter how similar it was to the phantom in his memory, it was ultimately not the same person. Upon closer inspection, the Sogen in front of him was quite different from the arrogant Uchiha Madara in his memory. First of all, his hair was not as long, and Samehada was not the Uchiha fan. Also, Sogen's features were not as cold and hard as Uchiha Madara's; they were more gentle and handsome.

He shook his head, trying to dispel the sudden phantom that had appeared in his mind.

"Lord Hokage, are you alright?"

Hiashi Hyuga asked with a hint of worry.

"It's nothing, no need to worry, just a minor ailment of an elderly person." Akimichi Torifu didn't explain anything. The young people like Hyuga Hiashi and Aburame Shiki had never seen Uchiha Madara, so they naturally couldn't understand the awe and fear that their generation had for Uchiha Madara.

When I was young,

He had the privilege of following Madara Uchiha alongside his clan elders to fight against foreign enemies, and that godlike power left an indelible mark on his heart.

"Sōken-kun, I never expected you to be interested in things from the past!"

Akimichi Torifu stretched out his large hand without even bending over, using his right hand, which had grown larger after the partial multiplication surgery, to pick up the chair that had been overturned, while his left hand dragged the table back to its original position. After everything was put back in place, it looked as if nothing had happened.

"This is tradition!"

Zongxian raised his hand and tapped the armor plating on his chest, causing the armor plates to clang and rattle.

Although such armor has considerable defensive capabilities, its excessive weight and the fact that it makes noise when walking have led to the gradual disappearance of layered armor, which was once popular during the Warring States period, from the ninja world in recent decades.

Modern ninjas are seeking lighter and quieter equipment.

To this end, they sacrificed the defensive capabilities of iron armor, prioritizing stealth and mobility to the fullest extent.

"The elders of the clan prepared it for me, and it was really hard to refuse them when I saw their expectant eyes," Zong Xian explained, explaining why he was wearing such a retro-style armor.

There was another reason he didn't say.

That is, Zongxian himself also quite likes this set of layered armor. Compared to the dark green vest, he definitely prefers this set of traditional-style crimson layered armor. Moreover, his [Knights Don't Die Bare Hands] can also add D-rank Noble Phantasm defense to this set of layered armor.

It's both stylish and practical, so there's no reason not to wear this instead of that green vest.

As for whether the elders are reminiscing about Uchiha Madara, the former, former, former clan head!

That doesn't matter at all.

The important thing is that he is now the head of the Uchiha clan. Sooner or later, he will use his power to completely replace the influence left by the previous head of the clan, Uchiha Madara. The old man who has been remembered in history should go to the Pure Land to sleep, instead of fighting for the center position on the stage of future generations.

There's a limit to how much one can rely on their age and seniority; this is no longer the era of old fogies!

"I see!"

Upon hearing Zongxian's explanation, Akimichi Torifu nodded slightly and said nothing more.

What kind of equipment Uchiha Sogen likes is his own private matter, and it's none of the business of outsiders to interfere. Although seeing Uchiha Sogen dressed like this does make him feel a little strange, what is the Uchiha clan trying to do?

Immediately,

He chuckled to himself inwardly.

I'm just a substitute Hokage, there's no need for me to worry about so much.

Once the war with the Mist Ninja is over and Jiraiya and Tsunade are found... he will be about to step down and hand over the reins. Furthermore, even if it's just for the sake of the clan, there's no need for him to cause any unpleasantness with the Uchiha.

"That's enough chit-chat!"

Akimichi Torifu straightened up, his gaze sharpening, and picked up the document he had already reviewed on the table. "This is a message I received this morning. Last night, Kirigakure appeared on the east coast and attacked a patrol squad. The war... has begun!"

war,

it has started.

Upon hearing this, Hiashi Hyuga and the others turned solemn, sensing an overwhelming pressure.

Even if they were very confident of defeating the Mist Ninja, the pressure of war would not disappear. Anything could happen on the ever-changing battlefield. While it is not a good omen to think this way, there are indeed many battles in history that seemed to be sure to be won but ended in a crushing defeat!

War is a black box full of uncertainties.

Until the box is actually opened, no one knows what the outcome will be.

At this time-

"In that case, may I set off?" Zongxian was eager to try, and the murderous smile on his face made Akimichi Torifu's eyes twitch uncontrollably. How could this damned smile overlap with the phantom in his memory? Are all the Uchiha clan members the same?

Do you really like war that much?

"Clan Chief Uchiha, I wish you victory in this battle. I will be waiting in the village for your good news soon."

Akimichi Torifu stood up again and solemnly handed over the entire war between the Eastern Front and the Mist Ninja. He handed the prepared appointment letter to Nara Shikaku, who then presented it to Sogen. With this document, Sogen was the rightful supreme commander of the Eastern Front!

"Victory is assured! Lord Hokage, please wait patiently!"

Zongxian accepted the appointment letter, his smile growing even brighter, and the murderous intent in his eyes becoming increasingly intense.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Half an hour later, with the order of the supreme commander Uchiha Munen, the army, which had been preparing for several days, set off and headed towards the eastern coastal area of ​​the Land of Fire. This was a huge army with a total number of nearly 4,000 people. Not only were all the available troops in Konoha drawn away, but 1,500 clansmen were also drawn from six clans, including Sarutobi and Shimura.

Of course, this is definitely not Konoha's last remaining assets.

Konoha has a very deep pocket!

If one were to be ruthless enough to squeeze money from the Uchiha, Hyuga, Aburamezuka, and Ino-Shika-Cho clans, it wouldn't be difficult to assemble an army of over five thousand men.

However, unless it is truly a last resort, even the Hokage would not dare to make such a decision lightly.

"Zongxian, don't be careless! Kirigakure is one of the five great ninja villages. This time, you not only have to worry about your own life, but also the lives of thousands of people are all on your shoulders."

Outside the main gate of Konoha Village

Uchiha Genji and the elders were seeing off their young clan leader.

"Clan Chief Zongxian! Go to the battlefield and cut off a few more heads of Mist Ninja! Let those fools who've been brainwashed by the sea remember how powerful the Uchiha are." Elder Huowan's personality was as direct as ever.

"The dead Mist Ninja are the best enemies!" These words were spoken by the only female elder, Uchiha An.

"Take good care of Chihaya!"

Elder Long Si gave his instructions.

"Shisui hasn't been in good spirits lately, clan leader. I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye on him on the battlefield." Elder Uchiha Shun said with a worried expression, concerned about Shisui's condition.

"You're very good!"

With everyone else having said their piece, when it was Elder Uchiha Kōhei's turn, he found himself speechless and could only sincerely praise Sōgen.

"I will return with victory! Grandpa, and all the elders, please rest assured and wait at home for my good news!"

Zongxian said with a smile. His calm and unhurried attitude made Uchiha Fujika, who was originally a little uneasy, breathe a sigh of relief and finally let go of the small hand that was clutching the hem of Zongxian's clothes.

Hearing his grandson's boastful words, Uchiha Genji shook his head helplessly. To be honest, he wasn't really worried about the safety of his grandson, who had already surpassed him. In comparison, he was more concerned about the safety of his five-year-old granddaughter.

The old man glanced at the short Uchiha Fujika and felt a pang of sympathy.

"Zongxian, Tenghua, she..."

"Five years old is not a little kid."

Zongxian smiled and interrupted the words that Grandpa Uchiha Genji hadn't said, "Grandpa, you also took me to the battlefield for sightseeing and inspiration when I was five years old. You can't be biased towards one of us!"

Uchiha Genji glared at Sogen with annoyance. What did he mean by favoritism? He was just worried about his granddaughter, but he also realized that there seemed to be no room for negotiation. Sogen was determined to take Fujika to the battlefield for some training.

He abandoned the idea of ​​leaving his granddaughter behind, his wandering gaze sweeping over the little girl sitting in a wheelchair not far away, and asked, "It's one thing for Fujika to go, but why bring Yakumo along too? Is she alright? Just the journey alone will be tough, won't it?"

This time,

Not only the clan's elite were heading to the eastern front, but also the two little ones, Kurama Yakumo and Uchiha Fujika.

As Sogen's disciple, Kurama Yakumo has been living in Sogen's house these days. Uchiha Masafumi and Uchiha Saki have already taken in another daughter in their household. Even Uchiha Genji is quite fond of this little girl who is outstanding in genjutsu, and has repeatedly marveled at the power of the Kurama clan's bloodline limit!

"This is a rare opportunity. If we miss this battle with the Mist Ninja, who knows when we'll have another chance to witness the true nature of war. The village is too comfortable inside. It will be good for them to realize the cruelty of this world sooner."

Zongxian looked up at Konoha Village, which was surrounded by high walls, and the smile on his face disappeared.

This world is not gentle at all!

The peaceful and prosperous life in Konoha is just an isolated case that is difficult to replicate. Even the most prosperous Land of Fire is far from being a peaceful world. Just by going to the mission department and seeing the endless requests to eliminate thieves and bandits, one can glimpse a corner of the true face of this world.

Zongxian himself struggled to crawl out of a pile of dead bodies, and his repeated experiences of walking on the edge of life and death eroded all his innocence.

Everything he experienced made him deeply realize that

It's not an easy thing to survive well in this cruel world.

[Chapter 88 Secret Technique: Super Beast Imitation Painting]

The Land of Fire and the Land of Water are not actually adjacent. The islands of the Land of Water are quite far from the coastline of the Land of Fire. The two countries are separated by a vast public sea. However, current technology and the fighting style of ninjas mean that war will mainly be fought on land.

While ninjas may possess the ability to cross water on foot, the problem is that it consumes chakra, and ordinary ninjas are unwilling to waste chakra on such matters.

Even when naval battles occasionally break out, they are mostly concentrated in the coastal areas, and very few battles occur in the open sea. The wars between the Mist Ninja and the Leaf Ninja have always revolved around the long coastline of the Land of Fire.

The Mist Ninja are usually the attackers, while the Leaf Village is the counter-attacker.

Even if Obito Uchiha is standing behind the Mist Ninja this time, it will not change the situation that has always existed.

The unique terrain and national conditions of the two countries determined this mode of warfare.

"boom!"

The explosive tags detonated in the mountains and forests.

The smoke rising into the air indicated one thing: ninjas were fighting here.

"This won't do. There are too many Kirigakure ninja. If this continues, we'll be worn down sooner or later." The middle-aged man, panting heavily, threw another kunai with an explosive tag attached to it behind him. Just as he finished speaking, another explosion rang out.

"Captain, what should we do?"

The young subordinate could not hide his unease and anxiety; his face was deathly pale.