You mean… you also believe the current plight of our clan has something to do with me?"
"Yes, please forgive me, Grand Elder. I feel the relationship between our clan and the village has become too strained. If this continues unchecked, conflict is bound to erupt sooner or later."
The Grand Elder let out two short, hollow laughs, void of humor, and changed the subject instead:
"Arata, do you know how Konoha was founded?"
"Grand Elder, I know a little. Originally, the village was created through the alliance of the Senju and Uchiha clans.
Later, the Hyuga, Yamanaka, Shimura, and others joined, and Konoha gradually took the form we know today."
The Grand Elder's gaze softened slightly as he looked at Arata, a long sigh escaping his lips.
"You're impressive. Few young people these days still remember the true history of our village."
"I simply have a curiosity for the past, so I've learned a bit more than most," Arata replied modestly.
The Grand Elder didn't respond to that, but continued in a deeper tone:
"Long ago, our Uchiha ancestor, Uchiha Madara, joined hands with Senju Hashirama, the leader of the Senju clan, to establish Konoha. Hashirama originally wished for Madara to become the First Hokage.
For reasons still uncertain, Madara refused, and Hashirama took the position instead.
Later, disagreements grew, and Madara and Hashirama fought at the Valley of the End.
Madara was defeated and believed to have died by Hashirama's hand. Not long after, Hashirama himself also passed away."
"Hashirama's younger brother, Tobirama, succeeded him as the Second Hokage," the Grand Elder went on, his voice heavy with old resentment.
"Tobirama blamed Madara for Hashirama's early death and carried deep distrust toward our clan.
Remember, Arata—Konoha was founded by both the Senju and Uchiha. Without us, there would be no village.
Yet, look at the line of Hokage.....every one of them carried the Senju's legacy or their ideology.
The Uchiha have received no acknowledgment, only suspicion."
At this point, the Grand Elder's anger flared. His voice rose as emotion surged.
"So, you believe the Uchiha should rule Konoha?" Arata asked carefully.
The elder sighed heavily, the fire in his eyes dimming into weary sorrow.
"I know such a thing is impossible now, but the bitterness cannot be erased.
Look at today's world… even a smaller clan like the Yamanaka holds the Hokage seat. Tell me, does that not sting?"
He slammed his hand against the table; the teacup rattled, spilling drops onto the wooden surface.
Seeing the Grand Elder's anger, Arata could only smile helplessly. Logic could not overcome emotion. Only one final path remained.
When the elder finally calmed, Arata spoke again.
"Grand Elder, I did not come merely to advise you. My Sharingan has shown unusual signs lately.
As a senior of the Uchiha, you understand these matters better than anyone, so I came seeking your guidance."
At Arata's words, the Grand Elder put down his cup and looked at him with renewed focus.
Arata activated his Sharingan, slowly channeling chakra into his eyes.
The three tomoe began spinning faster and faster, until they twisted and reshaped into a four-pointed shuriken pattern....identical to Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan.
The Grand Elder froze. Shock, excitement, and disbelief flashed across his face all at once. His hand clenched tightly around the teacup as he whispered, trembling:
"Finally… finally, the Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan has appeared again…"
Tears glimmered in his aged eyes.
Arata had originally planned to use Kotoamatsukami on the Grand Elder immediately, but seeing such genuine emotion, he hesitated.
The elder's feelings were raw, real.....and perhaps deserved to be heard before being influenced.
After a long silence, Uchiha Ryo managed a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Old… old fool. Crying like a child. Arata, forgive me."
Arata asked softly, "Grand Elder, why such emotion? Is it only because of my Sharingan's evolution?"
Ryo shook his head slowly. "Your eyes are not just an unusual case...they've evolved. What you possess is the Mangekyō Sharingan. Do you understand what that means?"
Arata, though aware from his secret research, politely shook his head.
"Don't blame yourself," Ryo said. "Our clan hasn't seen the Mangekyō in many decades. Ever since our ancestor Madara, few have even known its true nature.
The elders stopped speaking of it long ago."
"So… Madara's strength came partly from the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
The Grand Elder nodded. "Yes, in part. The Mangekyō grants unique and powerful techniques....abilities that can warp reality itself.
But remember, Madara's power wasn't only from the eyes.....it came from who he was.
His mastery of chakra, ninjutsu, and battlefield instinct were beyond imagination."
"Still," Arata pressed, "the Mangekyō must be an incredibly powerful kekkei genkai.
Anyone who awakens it and trains long enough should reach at least Elite Jōnin level strength, right?"
The Grand Elder nodded. "Indeed. With the Mangekyō, a skilled Uchiha can easily stand among Elite Jōnin or ANBU operatives.
Given time and mastery, they can rise even further...to what we call true Kage-level strength."
"And Lord Madara?" Arata asked with curiosity. "How strong was he compared to that level?"
The Grand Elder's eyes glowed with reverence. "Lord Madara Uchiha was beyond even ordinary Kage.
He was a legendary warrior.....one of the very few in history whose power rivaled that of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
In today's terms, he stood at the absolute pinnacle of Kage-level strength."
"The pinnacle of Kage-level…" Arata murmured softly.
"Yes," Ryo said firmly. "That is the realm of legends.....where a single shinobi can stand equal to multiple Kage at once.
In the history of our Uchiha clan, such figures are exceedingly rare."
Hearing the Grand Elder praise Madara so highly, Arata smiled faintly and pointed at himself.
"And me? I've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan as well. Does that mean I can reach Lord Madara's level one day?"
The Grand Elder gazed at him with both pride and gravity.
"Awakening the Mangekyō gives you the potential to become a top-tier shinobi, perhaps even to touch the Kage-level realm if your will, training, and experience match your eyes.
But remember...Madara was not just powerful because of his Sharingan.
He was Madara Uchiha, a man who stood at the summit of the shinobi world.
You have inherited his light… but the path to his height is one only you can climb."
Read more Advance chapter here
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