Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

early morning.

Leaf Village

Uchiha clan.

Madara Uchiha frowned as he looked at the two outfits laid out before him, caught in a difficult choice.

On the left is a set of well-maintained dark red armor, which has been with him for over thirty years, a true old companion through thick and thin.

On the right is an exquisitely crafted indigo-blue tribal garment, with delicate trim at the collar exuding an air of nobility. The materials and design showcase the style of the upper class.

Old wife who has shared hardships vs. sweet young model

"Which outfit should I wear?"

In the past, Madara Uchiha would have chosen the outfit on the left without hesitation, but times have changed, and his status is now very different. His clothing and demeanor represent the face of Konoha.

"Brother, are you sure you don't need to bring a guard?"

Compared to Madara Uchiha, who was struggling with his outfit, Izuna Uchiha was more worried. He was really uneasy about his older brother teaming up with Tobirama Senju, that scheming white-haired guy.

"It's too much trouble, and besides, in recent years..."

Madara Uchiha turned his head, looked at his younger brother whose face was full of worry, gently shook his head, and a faint sadness filled his eyes.

thump—

"It was my mistake."

Seeing Madara Uchiha's hesitant expression, Izuna Uchiha immediately kowtowed to his older brother, his tone full of self-reproach.

Since the founding of Konoha, the population growth rate of the Uchiha clan has inexplicably stagnated, and has even shown a trend of negative population growth.

The reason for this was that in the early days of the village's founding, in order to seize the mission market, the Uchiha clan desperately tried to increase their mission completion rate.

However, things are unpredictable. Although the success rate of the missions has increased, the casualty rate of the tribesmen remains high, and most of them are either dead or alive.

"Every member of the clan is precious. The village was built to protect everyone. Don't put the cart before the horse and use those who should be protected as nourishment for the development of the village."

"Understood, elder brother. I will strengthen supervision and urge the clansmen to cultivate."

Even with such a high casualty rate among their clansmen, the two brothers kept looking for the reasons within themselves, believing that their clansmen were too weak, without suspecting at all that it was someone with ulterior motives who had deliberately caused it.

Little did they know that these "fallen" clansmen were living a blissful life in the Land of Waves, just across the sea, so happy that they forgot all about the world.

"It's decided! This is the one."

After his grief subsided, Madara Uchiha focused his gaze on the clan robe embroidered with a fan on the back, intending to commemorate the clansmen who had sacrificed their lives in the mission.

After dressing, Madara Uchiha picked up the round fan enshrined in the main hall, pondered for a moment, then gently put it down. Instead, he picked up the driver that was somewhat covered in dust.

This thing is much better than a round fan.

"Izuna, after I leave, the family is in your hands. If there's anything, you can discuss it with the elders. If you're short of money, go find your older cousin."

"Brother, you're just going to a meeting, you don't need to give such detailed instructions, do you?"

Following behind him, Izuna scratched his head, looking puzzled, and asked,

"I was just speaking from the heart, but it's about time you took over as the clan leader."

"I don't want it. The position of clan leader belongs to you, brother. It will remain so in the future. Even if it's vacant, we'll wait for you to come back."

The position of Hokage is not for life, so Madara Uchiha will definitely retire one day, and the position of clan head will always be reserved for him.

"Hmph! You think I don't know what you're thinking? You're just after my current position. Don't even think about it. By the time I retire, you'll be holding your great-grandchild."

Madara Uchiha glanced at the impassioned Izuna and snorted disdainfully.

How could he not guess what his younger brother, who grew up following him around, was thinking?

Hehe~

the other side,

Tobirama Senju, dressed in his classic blue armor, was carefully organizing his weapons and equipment when he heard a loud knocking on the long-silent door.

Who is it?

He opened the door with a puzzled look and found his slightly haggard sister-in-law standing there, along with Tsunade, who had just turned ten.

"Sister-in-law, Xiao Gang, you..."

"We've come to see you off."

Senju Momoka, dressed in an elegant kimono, gave a slight bow.

"Thank you for your trouble. It's just a normal meeting, so you don't need to worry."

With his excessively pale face, Tobirama Senju nodded slightly, while Tsunade, standing beside him, impatiently poked her head into the courtyard, looking around as if searching for something.

"Second Grandfather, I heard you have an illegitimate daughter who came to your door. Where is she?"

"???"

Upon hearing this, Tobirama Senju's face twitched slightly, and his fists clenched tightly.

Jing is a good child in every way, except that she talks too much.

"Xiao Gang, if your second grandfather wants to tell you something like this, he will naturally tell you; he won't keep it from you."

Momoka Senju knew Tobirama Senju quite well. She patted Tsunade's little head, which looked like it belonged to Tsunade, and explained softly.

"Thank you for your trouble. I will give the people an explanation after I return from this trip."

"Really? Does that mean I'm going to have a new aunt?"

Tsunade excitedly raised her little fist, looking full of energy.

"Xiao Gang, you're about to graduate from school. I'll arrange a suitable teacher for you."

Seeing his talkative granddaughter, Tobirama Senju decided to fill her schedule with classes after he returned, so she would stay away from him less and not discover his secret.

"Huh? A tonic?"

"Oh, right, there's something else I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

Upon noticing that Senju Momoka, who had been wearing a gloomy expression, had actually revealed a gentle smile, Tobirama was greatly puzzled.

"News just came from the capital of the Land of Fire: Tsunade has a younger brother."

This might be the only good news that Senju Momoka heard after Senju Hashirama disappeared.

"Yes, I do have a younger brother!"

Tsunade, standing to the side, put her hands on her hips and proudly pouted her little nose.

"Really? That's wonderful! Have you chosen a name yet?"

"It's all set up. It's called Rope Tree, and it will be delivered to Konoha in a while."

A rare smile appeared on Tobirama Senju's face, but unfortunately, his older brother would not hear this good news.

"So, I'm leaving Hashirama's matter to you."

Suddenly, Senju Momoka bowed to Senju Tobirama. The intelligent woman had already guessed that the purpose of Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Madara's trip was definitely not just a simple meeting.

There must be two village leaders present at any meeting; even if a daimyo summons them, it won't be like that.

So it must be related to Hashirama Senju.

"Unless I die, I will definitely bring my elder brother back safe and sound."

With a sigh in his heart, Tobirama Senju reached out to help his sister-in-law up. His voice was soft, but his tone was full of determination.

"May you have great success in your military endeavors."

The entrance of the village,

The gates of Konoha remained deserted, with several figures slowly approaching from the east and west, eventually converging together.

"Hey, you guys are late~"

Uchiha Gin, who had been waiting for a long time, yawned and waved to the two groups of people.

There were no villagers lining the streets to see Madara and Uchiha off as they departed. To avoid unnecessary trouble, their journey was kept highly confidential, and only a very few people knew about it.

"Big Cousin"

Seeing Uchiha Gin waiting alone, a hint of warmth appeared on Uchiha Madara's face.

"Big cousin, how come you can get up so early?"

Following behind Madara Uchiha, Izuna looked up at the still-dark sky, speaking as if he had seen a ghost.

"Look at what you're saying. I've never been late for a farewell."

Gin rolled his eyes at his younger cousin who was questioning him, then turned his gaze to the impeccably dressed Madara Uchiha, his eyes filled with admiration.

"You look quite smart. Don't embarrass us Konoha people when you go out!"

"I originally wanted to wear the limited-edition outfit you designed for me, but unfortunately the skinny jeans shrunk a bit."

Uchiha Dazzle nodded, and said with deep regret,

The latest novel is first published here!

He had actually prepared three plans initially, but during the preliminary selection, he eliminated the one he liked best.

No other reason than that I couldn't pull my pants up.

"It's okay, I'll send you another set when I get back."

"Big cousin, mine too."

"Get out of here, you're almost a grandfather, and you're still acting like a young man."

Uchiha Gin waved his hand at Izuna, who was shamelessly trying to get close to him, and rejected the other's request with great disdain.

"Waaaaah"

"Curly Hair, what are you doing here?"

After bidding farewell to his sister-in-law and grandson, Tobirama Senju arrived alone before his three brothers. Seeing Gin Uchiha waiting there, he frowned slightly.

"What else can we do? Of course, we're here to see you off."

Uchiha Gin turned his head, half-closing his eyes as he glanced at Senju Tobirama, whose face was unusually pale, then winked at him subtly.

"The Party Secretary prepared quite well!"

"I will naturally do my best."

Tobirama Senju answered expressionlessly, but the unnatural twitching at the corner of his eye did not escape Gin Uchiha's notice.

"Better safe than sorry, don't be overconfident, as long as you're alive, you can always make a comeback."

"I know."

"ha?"

Listening to the conversation between Uchiha Gin and Senju Tobirama, both Uchiha brothers were completely bewildered.

They simply couldn't understand why Uchiha Gin, who always disliked white-haired Tobirama, would care so much about Senju Tobirama.

"Is it just the two of you going?"

After finishing his conversation with Tobirama Senju, Gin Uchiha curiously looked around but didn't see the guards who had accompanied them.

"Yes, I did not arrange any guards for this trip."

Uchiha shrugged. He was very confident in his own fighting strength, and believed that bringing his subordinates along would only be a burden.

"How can this be? You are the face of Konoha, after all. How can you not have a few henchmen surrounding you? If people from other villages see this, they will think that Konoha has no one to rely on."

"That won't be necessary. Our journey is dangerous; what if we encounter..."

After listening to Uchiha Gin's seemingly reasonable explanation, Uchiha Madara scratched his face in embarrassment. He realized that his trip had indeed lacked a bit of class and didn't fit the Hokage's persona.

Whoosh—

Whizzing--

Just as he hesitated, several figures suddenly appeared from a distance and landed steadily in front of them.

"The Konoha F6 have come to pay their respects!"

Suddenly, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his companions, who hadn't shown themselves for a long time, knelt on one knee, their faces flushed, and shouted towards Madara Uchiha and the others.

"."

The appearance of the six people instantly silenced everyone.

Madara Uchiha looked at the group of guys dressed in brand-new gear, looking like they were about to participate in a performance, with a headache, and gritted his teeth as he questioned them.

"Who sent you? And what's with this F6 thing? Who came up with that lame nickname?"

"Me." *2

Tobirama Senju and Gin Uchiha raised their hands at the same time, and the two looked at each other in surprise, which showed that it was not a pre-arranged plot.

"I invited them here. This meeting is not only to discuss the matter of our eldest brother, but also to let those guys see the strength of Konoha's new generation, so that they don't think we have no successors."

He made two preparations.

If they attend the meeting without incident, but a conflict or friction occurs between the two sides during the meeting,

Those in charge would certainly be too ashamed to take action themselves. In order to avoid escalating the conflict, the younger generation would inevitably have to step in and perform, thus demonstrating their strong martial spirit.

On the other hand, even if they encounter an attack by clones, F6's strength, which far surpasses that of ordinary Jonin, might be of some help.

"I named it F6, is there a problem?"

After Tobirama Senju finished explaining, Gin Uchiha, with his eyes half-closed, stepped forward, smiling as he looked at his older cousin who had questioned his nickname-giving skills.

No, no.

Madara Uchiha, feeling a chill run down his spine from Gin Uchiha's gaze, shrank back.

"That's right, the Fighting 6 is a group specifically here to cheer you on."

Uchiha Gin nodded and then explained the hidden meaning behind the nickname, leaving everyone, including the F6 members involved, completely bewildered.

"Isn't this the Battle Six?! Ugh!"

Danzo, kneeling on the ground, couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out his complaint, startling Kagami and Hiruzen who quickly covered his mouth.

"Little Tuantuan, you talk too much."

Gin Uchiha glared at Danzo for speaking out of turn without considering the situation, then turned and walked up to Madara Uchiha, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly,

"Little cousin, go early and come back early. Don't wander around outside, and don't easily listen to strangers."

"I'm not a child anymore, cousin, you're overthinking it."

Looking at Uchiha Gin who suddenly patted his shoulder, Uchiha Madara replied helplessly, "I'm just going out for a meeting, why is it like a life-or-death separation?"

However, no one present noticed that there was a small "sugar" character on the shoulder of Madara Uchiha's clothes.

"We should get going."

The eight-person team assembled, and Madara Uchiha, who was in charge, waved to Gin Uchiha and Izuna before leading the team away at the end of the road.

"Hey! Little cousin, why do you look so miserable?"

After lowering his waving hand, Uchiha Gin noticed that Izuna beside him was frowning, a stark contrast to his relaxed expression just moments before.

"When my elder brother left, he didn't leave behind a clone, and neither did Tobirama Senju. Now even Kagami, the only one who could help, is gone. Does that mean I have to do all the work?"

My little cousin has become the number one horseman in Konoha! Congratulations!

At the very moment that Uchiha Madara and his group stepped out of the gates of Konoha,

Inside a research institute hidden deep in the mountains, a pair of black eyes shone.

"It's time to go."

As soon as the words were spoken, a dark red portal opened, and in the profound darkness, nine pairs of eyes flashed with a red light simultaneously.

"Initiating recovery." (End of Chapter)