[Uchiha Clan Grounds]
A fine drizzle fell in a steady patter, dampening the bluestone in the courtyard and raising a thin, misty layer of moisture.
Uchiha Tajima stood under the corridor with his hands behind his back, gazing at the endless strands of rain.
A faint smile curled at his lips as he spoke, "Grandfather, if you ask me, before autumn arrives this year, my second son will be born."
Arisu, who was teasing the swaddled Uchiha Madara nearby, lifted his eyes at the words.
"Tajima, everything needs moderation. Among common folk, having many children is seen as a blessing, but you and I live in an age of war. Some matters still need to be considered carefully.", Arisu said slowly.
His words were spoken in a veiled way.
In the original story, Madara had three younger brothers, all of whom perished in the flames of war.
It wasn't that Arisu was unwilling to protect these children, but he knew well that Madara was Indra's reincarnation. Rashly altering the fate of his close kin could bring about unknown consequences.
He treated Madara like his own grandson, but that closeness was ultimately mixed with considerations regarding Indra's reincarnation.
If there were more younger brothers, would they end up becoming sacrifices for Madara to awaken his Sharingan?
Used as materials to open his eyes, was that it?
Arisu absolutely did not want to see such an outcome.
Uchiha Tajima's expression shifted slightly. After a moment of thought, he nodded slowly. "Grandfather is right. Having two children is already more than enough for me."
Tajima reached out and caught a falling raindrop, his tone carrying a trace more ease.
Tajima's greatest strength was that he listened to advice.
Things were no longer the same as in the original.
If it were the current Tajima seeing a bond between Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, he would simply turn a blind eye, not go so far as to wipe them out.
Arisu let out a light chuckle. "Focus more on your health and longevity. In the future, you'll naturally live to see your descendants thrive."
Tajima's eyes lit up immediately, and he quickly asked, "Grandfather, your appearance hasn't changed in decades, and your lifespan is so long. Could it be that you have some secret method?"
From as far back as he could remember, his grandfather had always looked like this, as if time had never left any marks on him. Doubt had long filled his heart.
Arisu smiled faintly and didn't reveal the truth of his longevity. Instead, he beckoned mysteriously. "Tajima, come closer. I'll only tell you."
A sharp glint flashed in Tajima's eyes as he immediately leaned in.
Lowering his voice, Arisu whispered a few words.
After hearing it, Tajima froze for a moment. His face instantly flushed red as he looked at Arisu in shock. "Grandfather, is that really true?!"
Arisu nodded meaningfully. "When have I ever lied to you?"
Tajima's expression stiffened, then he let out a helpless sigh. "Sigh, if that's the case, I'm afraid I have no chance of learning this method in this lifetime. To think I'd have to keep observing…"
He looked at Arisu with amazement.
The secret to longevity his grandfather told him was to remain a lifelong virgin.
But he had already married and built a family. Naturally, that path was no longer possible for him.
Was Uchiha Tajima still pure?
Come on, don't make him laugh. That ship had long sailed.
"Forget it. Thank you, Grandfather, for telling me."
Tajima rubbed his brow, hiding the regret in his heart.
Arisu smiled. Of course, he wouldn't tell Tajima the truth.
Though it was true that he himself was still a virgin.
"By the way, have you decided on a name for your second son?", Arisu changed the topic.
Tajima quickly smiled. "That matter will have to trouble you to decide, Grandfather. Your grandson wouldn't dare choose on his own."
Arisu didn't refuse. After a brief moment of thought, he spoke slowly. "How about Izuna? Uchiha Izuna."
"Izuna…" Tajima repeated it once, and his eyes immediately brightened. He clapped his hands in praise. "A good name! Truly a good name!"
Arisu stroked his beard lightly, a faint smile rippling in his eyes.
"Grandfather, there's one more thing I'd like to ask for your approval."
Tajima's expression gradually turned serious, and his tone carried a trace of hesitation.
"You and I are grandfather and grandson. There's no need to be so reserved.", Arisu said calmly.
Tajima took a deep breath, bowed, and spoke with utmost sincerity. "Your grandson's qualifications are still shallow, and most of the clan elders are conservative types."
"They can't shoulder the greater responsibility. I humbly ask Grandfather to come out and help me revitalize the Uchiha together!"
"Others may not know your abilities, but I know them clearly."
"You hold vast strategies in your mind, unmatched in wisdom. From within the tent, you can already decide the future situation!"
"If Grandfather oversees the clan and manages the rear, while I lead the troops to fight outside, our Uchiha clan will surely create an unprecedented grand hegemony!"
Arisu's gaze was deep, silent. No one could see through the thoughts in his heart.
After a long while, he slowly propped himself up with his cane and stood.
"Since you ask so earnestly, then this old man will step out once.", The steady voice fell.
Uchiha Tajima's whole body trembled. He couldn't hide his excitement, and even his voice shook. "The Uchiha clan's future is bright!" (trembling voice)
———
Year 827 of the Ninja Calendar, Uchiha Izuna was born within the Uchiha clan grounds.
That same year, Arisu officially took over the position of the Uchiha Great Elder, becoming the core authority who controlled internal affairs and determined the clan's foundation.
Arisu had already accumulated over a thousand years of governance experience.
After taking the position, with just a few small measures, he brought the Uchiha clan's internal affairs into perfect order.
From small matters like the allocation of ninjutsu resources among clan members, to major issues like defensive arrangements of the clan grounds and the operation of logistical reserves, he arranged everything flawlessly.
In just a short time, through his steady and fair conduct and impeccable decisions, he became a pillar respected by everyone in the clan, held in the highest esteem.
In the blink of an eye, five years passed.
During these five years, Arisu stayed within the clan, stabilizing its foundation and carefully managing internal affairs.
Clan head Uchiha Tajima, on the other hand, took charge of external matters, charging across battlefields in constant warfare.
The two worked in tandem, complementing each other perfectly.
Within the clan, the Uchiha trained in an orderly manner, hearts united. The clan's strength rose steadily, and the entire group showed a thriving, prosperous new outlook.
On this day, Uchiha Tajima hurried into Arisu's courtyard.
"Grandfather! I want to build a village!", Uchiha Tajima spoke loudly.
Arisu lifted his eyes to look at him.
Tajima stepped forward, his tone growing more passionate. "You used to tell me that the ninja world was once unified. Now I want to gather all the ninja clans within the Land of Fire and bring them under one rule!"
Hearing Tajima's ambitious words, Arisu was momentarily stunned. Then a hint of interest flashed through his deep eyes.
He had originally planned to wait for Hashirama and Madara to grow up and let them lead the wave of village-building in the ninja world.
He hadn't expected that now, he and Tajima could take the lead and personally complete this crucial step that would reshape the structure of the ninja world.
There was no helping it. He had already made too many changes.
The Uchiha now had the capital to unify.
And Uchiha Tajima was not a ruler content with maintaining the status quo.
After a brief moment of thought,
Arisu nodded firmly and replied in a resolute tone, "Good. I fully agree. Tell me, how do you plan to do it?"
With Arisu's full approval, Uchiha Tajima's eyes instantly ignited with blazing fighting spirit.
He blurted out, "One word! Fight! Those who follow us prosper, those who oppose us perish! With the Uchiha's current strength, sweeping through all the ninja clans in the Land of Fire is absolutely not difficult!"
"Wrong!"
Arisu immediately cut him off in a deep voice. He shook his head and slowly stated his core view, "Blind killing will only make countless enemies and force all clans to unite against us."
"My suggestion is to win people's hearts and unify the world!"