After Araki Taro finished speaking, the expressions of the three Uchiha present differed subtly.
Uchiha Setsuna's face remained as calm and emotionless as ever, giving no hint of what he was thinking.
Uchiha Nami's eyebrows knitted slightly, as if she were carefully analyzing the implications of the Daimyo's words.
Only Uchiha Su showed a clear reaction.
A faint smile slowly appeared on his young face.
"I must say," Uchiha Su began, his tone calm yet appreciative, "Your Excellency the Daimyo has truly given me many surprises today."
Araki Taro returned the smile, though there was still a trace of caution in his eyes.
"I merely stated what I believe to be the truth."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"It is foreseeable that in the future Ninja World, the Uchiha clan will inevitably face severe criticism."
"After all, what you are planning to do is quite bold."
"You intend to enter one of the Five Great Ninja Villages and establish influence there."
He folded his hands together.
"In the eyes of many nations, such an action could easily be interpreted as a threat."
"In fact, it may even trigger a joint crusade from several countries."
The hall grew quiet.
Uchiha Setsuna crossed his arms silently.
Uchiha Nami looked toward Uchiha Su.
But Uchiha Su simply chuckled softly.
"What you say is mostly correct," he replied.
"However, there is one important detail that is wrong."
Araki Taro raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Oh?"
"The various nations," Uchiha Su said calmly, "cannot unite."
His words were confident and decisive.
The truth behind his statement was simple.
The Ninja World was filled with conflict, suspicion, and rivalry.
Even when facing a common threat, cooperation between nations rarely lasted long.
The Five Great Countries had spent decades competing for power, territory, and resources.
Trust between them was almost nonexistent.
Therefore, a true alliance between all nations was nearly impossible.
But there was also another practical reason behind Uchiha Su's plan.
Why had the Uchiha chosen the Land of Water as their destination?
The answer was geography.
The Land of Water was an island nation, separated from the mainland by vast oceans.
Launching a large-scale invasion there would be extremely difficult.
And if only a small force were sent, it would be even easier to repel.
In other words, the Land of Water provided natural defensive advantages.
Araki Taro listened carefully.
Then he nodded slowly.
"Even if the nations cannot unite," he said, "the situation will still be difficult for the Uchiha."
"That is precisely why you need me."
He leaned forward slightly.
"You need someone who can speak on behalf of the Uchiha before the Daimyos of the other nations."
"If I do so, I can prevent the situation from escalating into something irreversible."
His tone was sincere.
For a moment, the room fell silent again.
Then Uchiha Su stood up.
"Very well," he said.
"Your Excellency has successfully persuaded me."
He turned slightly.
"Setsuna."
Without saying a word, Uchiha Setsuna lifted the unconscious Gato and placed him on the ground in front of Araki Taro.
"Gato will be left to Your Excellency's disposal," Uchiha Su said lightly.
"However, aside from this matter, I would also like to discuss some private agreements between us."
Araki Taro smiled immediately.
"That was exactly what I was hoping for."
The Secret Alliance
Time passed quickly.
By the time their negotiations ended, the sun had already begun to set.
The sky outside the palace was painted in shades of orange and purple.
When Uchiha Su finally stepped out of the royal palace, the evening air felt cool and refreshing.
Uchiha Nami was already waiting for him.
As the secretary and assistant to the young clan leader, it was her responsibility to understand every agreement that had been made.
She approached him immediately.
"Young Clan Head," she said respectfully, "what exactly was the alliance you reached with the Daimyo?"
Uchiha Su raised his hand.
"Not many terms," he said casually.
"Only three."
He held up three fingers as they began walking together.
The First Term
"The first is the Port Treaty."
"The Land of Waves will grant the Uchiha clan the right to use a high-quality, ice-free port."
"Furthermore," he continued, "all taxes and revenue collected from that port will be managed entirely by people sent by the Uchiha."
Uchiha Nami quickly recorded the information in her notes.
Such a condition was extremely advantageous.
A private port meant the Uchiha would have direct control over trade, logistics, and transportation.
The Second Term
"The second term is a Mutual Defense Treaty."
Uchiha Su continued walking calmly.
"After we successfully take control of the Hidden Mist Village, if the Land of Waves faces invasion from outside forces…"
"The Uchiha will send ninja to defend the country."
"In short," he said lightly, "we will become their military protector."
Nami nodded.
To a small country like the Land of Waves, such protection was incredibly valuable.
The Third Term
"The final term is the establishment of a Uchiha branch office here."
"We will station several ninja in the Land of Waves."
"They will accept missions and complete commissions on behalf of the clan."
Once she finished writing down the three conditions, Uchiha Nami could not help but look slightly amazed.
"Young Clan Head," she said slowly.
"Once this alliance takes effect, it will essentially mean that the Land of Waves has no defenses against the Uchiha."
"For a sovereign nation to accept such terms… it is quite unbelievable."
Uchiha Su smiled faintly.
"Perhaps that is exactly what the Daimyo needs."
"What do you mean?" Nami asked.
"He needs a powerful military force to ensure his safety."
"And we need someone who can speak on our behalf among the Daimyos of the world."
He shrugged slightly.
"In the end, it is simply a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Return to the Residence
By the time Uchiha Su returned to the residence where the clan was staying, night had already fallen.
To his surprise, he encountered someone waiting outside.
Uchiha Madara.
Madara was already fifty-one years old.
Compared to his younger days, the signs of age had begun to appear.
Although his presence remained powerful and imposing, his body was no longer as youthful as before.
"Uncle," Uchiha Su greeted him politely.
"You returned later than I expected."
Madara did not respond immediately.
His eyes seemed distant, as if his mind were somewhere else.
Only after a moment did he finally speak.
"I went to Naka Shrine."
Uchiha Su's heart tightened instantly.
Naka Shrine.
The sacred place where the Uchiha clan monument was located.
Madara's sudden visit there could only mean one thing.
He had read the ancient stone tablet.
In Uchiha Su's mind, a disturbing possibility appeared.
Had Black Zetsu already begun manipulating events?
Despite the turmoil in his thoughts, his expression remained calm.
"Uncle," he asked gently, "why did you suddenly think of visiting Naka Shrine?"
Madara smiled faintly.
"Because once we leave this place," he said quietly, "I don't know when I will have the chance to return and pay my respects again."
Then his expression became firm.
"Send word to the clan."
"Tomorrow morning, we depart for the Land of Water."
"We will establish a new Uchiha there."
"Yes, Uncle."
Uchiha Su bowed slightly and accepted the order.
Uchiha Su's Thoughts
After informing Uchiha Setsuna of the decision, Uchiha Su returned alone to his room.
The moment he was alone, his mind began racing.
"Even with the changes brought by my transmigrator father…"
"Did Madara still read the clan monument?"
He frowned slightly.
"That shouldn't be possible."
"At this point in time, Black Zetsu should not yet be directly beside Madara."
However, one thing was certain.
Black Zetsu had already modified the Uchiha stone tablet long ago.
That meant the trap had already been set.
According to the future he remembered:
Madara would obtain Hashirama's cells.
His Sharingan would evolve into the Rinnegan.
Then Black Zetsu would appear, pretending to be the incarnation of Madara's will.
Uchiha Su slowly sorted through the fading memories of his previous life.
"What can I do?"
He asked himself quietly.
The answer came quickly.
"Nothing."
"At least for now."
Madara would never easily believe such claims.
Even if he did…
For the sake of his dream, he would still walk down the same path.
Madara, Hashirama, Tobirama—
These legendary figures from the Warring States Period possessed unshakable beliefs.
Once they chose a path, they would follow it without hesitation.
Even if death awaited them.
Uchiha Su sighed softly.
There was very little he could change at this moment.
Still…
He had lived alongside Madara for many years.
Even if Madara were merely a figure from history in his previous life, now he was also someone close to him.
Anyone would develop feelings after spending so much time together.
Even for animals, bonds formed over time.
Uchiha Su took a deep breath.
Then he forced himself to regain his composure.
"Even if I cannot stop Madara now…"
"I still have my own advantages."
"I know the future."
"And when the right moment arrives…"
"I can change everything."
Confidence slowly returned to his eyes.
After all, his current body was only six years old.
Once he took control of the Hidden Mist Village, he would gain the power needed to act independently.
Perhaps even awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Departure
The next morning, the first rays of sunlight illuminated the harbor.
More than two hundred members of the Uchiha clan had gathered at the port.
Two massive passenger ships were waiting quietly at the docks.
The atmosphere among the clan members was complicated.
Excitement.
Confusion.
Worry.
All these emotions mixed together.
At the front of the crowd stood Uchiha Madara.
For a brief moment, he turned his head and looked toward the distant direction of Konoha.
His expression was complex.
Then he raised his hand decisively.
"Board the ships."
His voice was calm yet powerful.
"We will rebuild the Uchiha clan."
There was something almost magical about Madara's words.
The moment he spoke, the hesitation and anxiety among the clan members vanished.
What remained was determination.
After all…
This was the man who had led them through the chaotic Warring States Era.
If anyone could guide the Uchiha toward a new future—
It was him.
And so, without hesitation, the clan members stepped forward.
Together, they boarded the ships.
They were sailing toward an uncertain future.
But they were also racing toward destiny.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)