Chapter 77: The New Patriarch's Decree
Seven days passed. The epic, private battle between Uchiha Tajima and Senju Butsuma reached its conclusion. The news arrived at the Uchiha compound like a tolling bell: both patriarchs had fallen, killing one another in a final, cataclysmic clash.
Had it not been for the fact that both Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama had already ascended to the power level of clan leaders, their respective clans would have been thrown into a catastrophic leadership crisis. As it was, the transition was brutal, but immediate.
"Elder Raizen," a Shadow Guard announced, appearing silently in the courtyard. "The old patriarch's remains have been retrieved. The new patriarch, Lord Madara, has summoned all elders to the conference hall immediately."
"I will be there shortly," Raizen replied. He went inside, donned his formal elder's attire, and made his way to the heart of the clan's power.
The hall was packed. Not only were all the elders present, but every elite jōnin in the clan had been summoned. The atmosphere was thick with tension and grief. In just seven days, Uchiha Madara had been transformed. The change was palpable. A frigid, impenetrable coldness radiated from him, a stark departure from the passionate, if brooding, youth he had been. This coldness was so absolute it even seemed to distance him from his own clansmen.
Once everyone was assembled, Madara spoke, his voice flat and devoid of emotion, cutting through the murmurs.
"Everyone, our desire for peace has not brought stability, but has instead made us targets for calculation and betrayal. Even when we seek to live in peace, there are those who will not allow it. It has always been thus—this world is ultimately decided by power. Therefore, I declare war upon the Senju clan. Tomorrow, we march to the Valley of the End. Prepare for battle."
A senior elder stood, his face etched with concern. "Patriarch, I must counsel caution. In our current state, after such a loss—"
"I will hear no 'buts,'" Madara interrupted, his voice like cracking ice. "The Senju and the Uchiha cannot coexist in this world. Anyone who disagrees may resign their post as elder and be stripped of their status within this clan immediately."
The elder sputtered, his face flushing with anger and indignation. "Hmph! Even the old patriarch would never have addressed his council in such a manner! You—!"
"I do not like to repeat myself," Madara stated, his tone dropping to a deadly whisper. "Those who wish to stay, may stay. But Uchiha Madara's army has no need for cowards."
As he finished speaking, his chakra flared. The air in the room grew heavy, and the unique, sinister pattern of his Mangekyō Sharingan spun to life in his eyes. The oppressive, terrifying power that washed over the assembly silenced all dissent in an instant.
Into this strained silence, Uchiha Raizen rose to his feet.
"Patriarch, I will stand with you," he began, his voice calm and measured. "However, our strategy for this war cannot be the same as before."
A flicker of interest crossed Madara's cold mask. "Elder Raizen. Share your plan."
"We should not engage the Senju directly. Not yet."
A wave of confused murmurs rippled through the room. He had just pledged support, only to immediately contradict the patriarch's declaration?
Madara, however, did not dismiss him. He had fought beside Raizen. He knew the man did not speak without purpose. "If we do not fight the Senju, then who? The Hyūga?"
"The Hyūga have closed their borders. That old fox, Hyūga Tenjin, will not commit to this fight," Raizen explained. "I am not suggesting we attack anyone. I propose we let the wolves hunt, and play the fisherman who reaps the reward."
"Define the wolves and the fisherman," Madara commanded.
"The Kaguya are the wolves. The Uzumaki are the sheep. And the Senju are the tiger we let the wolves tire out."
Madara fell silent, considering.
Raizen pressed his advantage. "I recall there is an iron mine near the Kaguya clan's territory. The one we ceded to them as a reward for diverting the Hyūga during our last conflict with the Senju. It is about a hundred miles from here. We can offer them that mine as an incentive to form a temporary alliance against the Uzumaki clan."
This was too much for the Second Elder, who shot to his feet. "Preposterous! We do not need help to deal with the Uzumaki! We are Uchiha! We are enough! To pay the price of an entire iron mine just to invite those bone-wielding savages is an insult!"
The room erupted into arguments, the strategic proposal clashing violently with Uchiha pride. The first war council of the new era had begun, not with unified resolve, but with fierce debate.