Uchiha Ran stepped forward.
Nara Shikaku, quick to react, raised his voice. "Everyone—play the music! Welcome the Uchiha back!"
At once, the Ino–Shika–Cho ninja began beating drums and gongs in celebration. Ran paused briefly, then looked ahead to see Nara Shikaku and Hyuga Hiashi standing at the front, both smiling broadly.
As for the ANBU, they were in complete disarray.
After everything that had happened today, only a small portion still supported Hiruzen Sarutobi. After all, he was technically still the Third Hokage, and they clung to the faint hope that there might yet be a reversal.
The majority, however, had fallen under Kakashi Hatake's command.
These people saw things clearly. Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer hold the Hokage position, and Ran's identity was too sensitive—he had no intention of absorbing the ANBU. By following Kakashi, they remained neutral.
They wouldn't gain merit for backing the next ruler, but they also wouldn't offend anyone. No matter how things ended, they would be safe.
No one was foolish enough to gamble their lives and families on a single political choice. Power struggles were never that simple.
"Welcome the Uchiha back to the center of Konoha!" Hyuga Hiashi was the first to step forward and salute.
Nara Shikaku said nothing.
He was smart. He had already made a grand show by bringing so many people. If he continued flattering them openly, not only might Ran dislike it, but other ninja clans would label the Nara as opportunistic fence-sitters.
For the sake of his clan's reputation, he knew when to stop.
Ran laughed softly, stepped forward, and gave Hyuga Hiashi a firm hug.
Hyuga Hiashi's lips curled upward. He shot Nara Shikaku a provocative glance, as if to say: Can you do this?
Look—Ran's first hug was for him.
Nara Shikaku didn't mind at all. He simply watched with a smile.
After releasing Hiashi, Ran turned to Shikaku and extended his hand. "Clan Head Nara, thank you for helping with the Uchiha's relocation. With such a display, I'm truly honored."
Shikaku shook his hand. "You're too polite. The Uchiha were founding pillars of Konoha. Together with the Senju, you built this village. Without you, where would Konoha be today?"
Those words came from the heart.
If not for the long-term suppression by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzo, Shikaku would have gladly befriended a clan as strong and reliable as the Uchiha.
Other clans slandered and feared the Uchiha out of jealousy and insecurity. To Shikaku, that was nothing but hypocrisy.
With Uchiha strength and Nara strategy, why would stabilizing the world be difficult?
Ran appreciated Shikaku's way with words. When he praised someone, it felt natural, like a spring breeze.
Ran smiled. "Then—where is our original clan compound?"
The moment he spoke, the smiles on both Shikaku and Hiashi vanished, replaced by awkward expressions.
Seeing this, Ran's smile faded. "What? Don't tell me someone occupied it after we left."
"That compound was personally designated by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. Who dares commit such an act and disgrace the ancestors?"
His voice turned cold.
Shikaku hesitated, then sighed. "Ran… after the Uchiha moved out, the land was divided up by Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado."
"That's true," Hyuga Hiashi said grimly. "Those two former Hokage advisors were shameless and greedy. Using Hiruzen's authority, they embezzled who knows how much. Most clans know this, even if they don't say it."
Shikaku carefully watched Ran's expression.
He wanted to know—was this man truly different, or just another Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Uchiha Itachi remained expressionless. He had known this for a long time. While serving under Hiruzen, he had often been suppressed by those two old relics.
If not for fear of enraging the clan, he would have exposed it long ago.
Now, hearing their names, his fists clenched.
Uchiha Shisui's expression darkened as well. His grandfather was still buried in the cemetery within the old compound, yet those two contemporaries had seized the land without hesitation.
Uchiha Fugaku's face was complicated, but the bulging veins on his forehead revealed his anger.
The surrounding Uchiha clan members activated their Sharingan one after another, blood-red eyes fixed on Ran.
Ran laughed.
"In that case, Shikaku—lead the way. I want to see exactly which trash dared to play king of the mountain while the tiger was gone."
As he spoke, his Mangekyo Sharingan activated.
In an instant, an icy, violent, yet tightly restrained chakra swept over everyone present.
The Ino–Shika–Cho ninja turned pale, swallowing hard as they looked at Ran in fear.
Hyuga Hiashi, however, focused on the Mangekyo Sharingan itself. A power that existed only in legends—truly terrifying.
Shikaku's lips curved upward.
He wasn't afraid.
He was excited.
Perhaps Konoha was about to welcome a ruler capable of restoring its former glory.
The ninja world itself might soon change—and he would be standing at the center of it.
Shikaku took a deep breath. "Please follow me, Lord Ran. I'll lead the way."
With that, he strode forward, guiding the Uchiha toward their former clan compound.
Ran raised a hand. "Leave the luggage here. Fifty people stay behind to guard it. Everyone else—come with me."
He then took out the Uchiha flame fan and strapped it to his back.
Some of the clan elders had seen this silhouette when they were young. Back then, that figure had departed in sorrow.
Now, Ran's back gradually overlapped with that memory.
Several elders burst into tears.
When the younger members asked why, the elders recounted the past—ending with a single sentence.
"Lord Ran's back is exactly the same as that man's."
"I knew the Second and Third Young Masters looked familiar… they're the reincarnations of Lord Uchiha Madara and Lord Uchiha Izuna!"
The old man grew more excited as he spoke, even preparing to kneel before Ran.
"Lord Madara and Lord Izuna couldn't bear to see the Uchiha reduced to this state—so they were reborn as the clan leader's sons!"
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