Chapter 265 : Small Test???

"It's him! It's the Uzumaki clan head!"

"He's so young, but I've heard he's incredibly strong."

"I didn't expect him to show up in person. His presence is truly imposing!"

"He probably didn't... hear what we said earlier..."

The Uchiha clan members lowered their voices and whispered among themselves.

As Kazuhiko approached, even though it was their first encounter with him, everyone instantly recognized this legendary figure in the ninja world.

They fell silent, no longer daring to utter a word. All eyes were fixed on the central figure as soon as he appeared.

They had to admit, the young man before them inspired awe.

Just watching him walk, they couldn't help but feel the power emanating from him.

Their hearts, which had been pounding moments ago, quieted down.

One by one, they turned into obedient students facing their teacher, standing there with hands clasped behind their backs.

Deeply afraid that their previous words had reached his ears, though they couldn't quite explain why they were afraid.

But facing Kazuhiko, they felt a natural intimidation and were instinctively afraid of his wrath.

They feared his displeasure, afraid they'd be crushed by his overwhelming presence in the next moment.

Like prey watched by predators, they dared not move, fearing they'd be swallowed whole in an instant.

Seeing the silence among them, Kazuhiko knew he had succeeded in instilling fear upon his arrival. 

However, Kurogane had been through this before and had grown accustomed to it. His demeanor remained steady amidst the shock of the others.

Compared to his stunned comrades, Kurogane had developed a certain resilience.

Kazuhiko noticed Kurogane's progress and nodded in approval. He was pleased with Kurogane's resilience.

"Good."

After uttering these words, Kazuhiko suppressed the Reiatsu releasing from his body, allowing them to gasp for air like a fish out of water.

Upon hearing Kazuhiko's commendation, Kurogane's face lit up with joy.

"Summon everyone here," he ordered.

"Yes!"

Without singling out individuals, Kurogane gestured to the gasping figures around him, prompting them to swiftly make their way downstairs from their lodgings.

He grabbed an iron rod from nearby and struck it against an iron stake, producing a resonant clang, clang, clang.

"Assemble! Gather downstairs, everyone!" he announced.

In an instant, several formerly quiet rooms sprang to life with activity.

Soon, other members of the Uchiha clan poured out into the corridor, their eyes directed towards the source of the commotion.

They glanced at the white-robed figure standing at the center of the training ground.

A mere glance was enough to reveal his identity; like a beacon in the darkness of night, he stood out unmistakably as the renowned Uzumaki clan head.

"It's the Uzumaki clan head! Hurry!"

"Let's go!"

With that, the crowd swiftly descended, and within minutes, the Uchiha clan members had assembled. Kazuhiko recognized several familiar faces among them.

Among those was Uchiha Fugaku, the son of Uchiha Ryūshō and the future leader of the Uchiha clan who he had met before at Uchiha clan territory in Konoha.

Kazuhiko was aware of Uchiha Fugaku's impending arrival. All members of the Uchiha clan were registered, but access to their registration documents was restricted to high-ranking officials.

Having perused their files previously, Kazuhiko was somewhat surprised to see Uchiha Fugaku's name.

Not only was he the sole heir of the Uchiha clan, but his own talents were also commendable. It was inconceivable that his eventual awakening of the Mangekyō Sharingan would remain unnoticed for years, as was the case in the original narrative.

Uchiha Ryūshō, Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Itachi, and Uchiha Sasuke—all of them, following in the footsteps of their ancestors, eventually unlocked the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Even within the Uchiha clan, renowned for its prodigious talent, his lineage undoubtedly stood at the apex.

Kazuhiko couldn't help but be moved by Uchiha Ryūshō's sincerity, a rare display of concession. Without prior discussion, he voluntarily dispatched his son to Land of Red—a gesture laden with unspoken intentions.

In Kazuhiko's estimation, this act was a symbol of goodwill from the Uchiha clan, signaling their decision to sever diplomatic ties with Konoha, a move eagerly anticipated by many.

"It appears that the Uchiha are prepared to heavily invest in the Land of Red... Could it be that they see the Land of Red as a second Konoha? Are they so confident in the Land of Red's potential? Or perhaps, are they so confident in me?" 

For a brief moment, Kazuhiko couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

Despite his internal contentment, Kazuhiko's countenance remained unchanged.

He surveyed Uchiha Fugaku, who remained expressionless, along with the rest of the Uchiha delegation.

"Your Majesty, the twenty-five members of the Uchiha clan have arrived."

"Very well."

With that, Kurogane promptly led the delegation forward.

Under the penetrating gaze of Kazuhiko, a palpable tension enveloped the room once more, signaling the commencement of the trial.

"Here we go again!"

The former Uchiha members lamented inwardly...

Yet, there was no room for complaints. They threw themselves wholeheartedly into combatting this invisible coercion, leaving no time for contemplation.

After a grueling ordeal, beads of sweat adorned every brow, even that of Kurogane.

It was only then that Kazuhiko released the pressure he had exerted. In the next instant, the twenty-five Uchiha were reduced to four.

Among them stood Kurogane, Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Hayato, and a young Uchiha boy.

Kazuhiko turned his gaze towards the remaining boy. "What is your name?"

"Your Majesty, I am Uchiha Tetsuya."

Nodding thoughtfully, Kazuhiko surveyed the fallen figures around him, his brow furrowing. "I am deeply disappointed in all of you."

*****

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