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A gentle rain descended on the Uchiha compound, soaking the stone paths and sending a faint mist across the courtyard.
Uchiha Tajima stood under the veranda, hands behind his back as he watched the rain. He smiled with satisfaction. "Grandpa, it looks like my second son will be born before autumn."
Manji sat close by—entertaining baby Madara in his arms. When Tajima spoke, he looked up.
"Tajima, it's best to do things in moderation. People say that more children bring more blessings, but we're living in a time of war. Some decisions require more careful thought."
Manji kept his warning vague.
In the original story, Madara had four younger brothers, all of whom died in battle. Manji could protect them if he wanted, but Madara was Indra's reincarnation. Changing the fate of those close to him could have consequences even Manji couldn't foresee.
He loved Madara like a grandson, but that affection was always tied to the boy's role in the Thousand-Year Pact.
And if Tajima kept having sons, what then? Would they all be born only to die for Madara's growth?
Were they supposed to become fuel for his Sharingan?
Manji wasn't about to let that happen.
Tajima's face changed. After thinking for a moment, he nodded. "You're right. Two children are enough."
He held out his hand, letting a raindrop collect in his palm. He looked more relieved than disappointed.
Tajima's greatest strength was that he listened. He was no longer the man remembered by history. If this Tajima found out that Madara was friends with Senju Hashirama, he might just ignore it rather than go after the Senju boy.
"Take care of yourself, and you might live to see your grandchildren fill this compound." Manji smiled.
Tajima's eyes brightened. "Grandpa, now that you mention it... You haven't changed in decades. You've lived longer than anyone I know. Do you have a secret?"
For as long as Tajima could remember, Manji had always looked the same. Time seemed to pass him by, and Tajima had wondered about it for years.
Manji gave him a mysterious smile and beckoned him closer. "Come here. I'll tell you, but no one else can hear."
Tajima's eyes sparkled. He leaned in right away.
Manji lowered his voice and uttered a few words in his ear.
"..." Tajima froze.
Then his face flushed red.
"Grandpa... is that really true?"
"When have I ever lied to you?" Manji said, nodding seriously.
Tajima's face grew tense before he let out a long, defeated sigh. "Then I guess that path is closed to me. Who would have thought the secret is to stay... untouched for your whole life."
So that was Manji's secret to longevity—lifelong celibacy.
Unfortunately, Tajima was already married and expecting his second child.
Was Uchiha Tajima still a virgin?
Of course not. That ship had sailed long ago.
"Never mind. Thanks for telling me, Grandpa." Tajima rubbed his brow, regretting a chance he'd lost years ago.
Manji hid his amusement. He had no plans to share the real truth. Though the part about him still being a virgin was entirely accurate.
"Have you picked a name for your second son?" Manji asked, steering the conversation away.
Tajima smiled. "I was hoping you'd name him. I wouldn't choose without hearing what you think."
Manji considered it for a moment. "How about Izuna?"
"Uchiha Izuna..."
Tajima repeated, his face brightening. He clapped his hands. "THAT'S A GREAT NAME!"
Manji gave him a faint smile.
"Grandpa, there's one more thing I want to ask you." Tajima's face turned serious, and his voice grew hesitant.
"We're family. You don't have to talk to me like I'm a stranger."
Tajima took a deep breath and lowered his head. "I'm still young—and most of the clan elders only know how to keep what we already have. They can't lead the Uchiha into the future."
"I'm asking you to come out of retirement and help me rebuild the clan."
"Others might not see what you can do, but I do. You see further than anyone in the Uchiha, and your judgment has never failed us. If you stay in the compound and lead the clan from here, I can lead our forces outside. Together, we can make the Uchiha greater than any clan before us."
"..." Manji looked at him in silence, his thoughts hidden behind a calm gaze.
After a long pause, he stood up with his cane.
"Very well. I'll come out of retirement once more." Manji's voice carried authority.
Tajima's entire body shook. Excitement broke through his composure, and even his voice trembled.
"The future of the Uchiha has never looked brighter!!"
..............
In Shinobi Year 827, Uchiha Izuna was born within the Uchiha compound.
That same year, Manji formally assumed the position of First Elder, taking charge of the clan's internal affairs and becoming the central authority responsible for guiding its future.
Manji had accumulated more than a thousand years of experience in leadership. Once he took office, it didn't take much effort to bring order to the Uchiha's internal structure.
He organized everything, from training resources for the young, to the compound's defenses, supplies, and wartime logistics. Every part of the clan now followed a clear system.
His decisions were steady, fair, and hard to argue with. Soon, everyone in the clan, from regular families to senior commanders, saw him as the pillar holding the Uchiha together.
Five years passed.
During that time, Manji remained within the clan and strengthened its internal structure, while Tajima handled foreign affairs and led the Uchiha on the battlefield.
One governed from within. The other fought beyond the compound.
The partnership suited them.
Training became more organized, resources went to those who needed them, and old divisions in the clan started to fade. The Uchiha grew stronger each year, and for the first time in generations, the compound felt less like a fortress and more like the center of a rising power.
..............
One day, Tajima rushed into Manji's courtyard.
"Grandpa! I want to build a village!"
Tajima walked forward, unable to hide his excitement. "You once told me the shinobi clans were united long ago. I want to bring every clan in the Land of Fire together under one banner!"
Manji stared at him for a moment, surprised. Then his eyes lit up with interest.
He had expected Hashirama and Madara to grow up and start the village era themselves. He had planned to watch them transform the Shinobi world when the time was right.
But now, history was moving ahead of schedule.
Manji had interfered too often and changed too much for the old path to remain intact. The Uchiha now possessed the strength to attempt unification—and Tajima was not the kind of leader who would be content to guard what his predecessors left behind.
Manji nodded. "Good. I support your idea. Tell me how you plan to do it."
Ambition shone in Tajima's eyes.
"One word—WAR."
He punched his fist into his palm. "Any clan that wants to stand with us is welcome. Anyone who refuses gets crushed. With the Uchiha's current strength, taking over every shinobi clan in the Land of Fire wouldn't be hard."
"Wrong!"
Manji interrupted him before he could go on.
Tajima's excitement faded.
"Conquest through force alone will leave us surrounded by enemies," Manji said. "If we threaten every clan, they'll forget their differences and unite against us."
He leaned on his cane and looked Tajima in the eye.
"If you want to unite the Land of Fire, don't start by making everyone afraid of the Uchiha."
"Win their hearts." Manji's smile grew wider.
"Then unite the world."
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