Chapter 43: The Future of the Uchiha Is in Your Hands

Keeping Susanoo active for an extended period wasn't good for Yuhara's eyes, but it wasn't as bad as this elder imagined. With the help of Yata no Kagami, Yuhara had greatly reduced the difficulty of using Susanoo. After a month of training, Yuhara realized that this reduced difficulty didn't just apply to activating Susanoo. Even the strain on his eyes was less than expected. However, Susanoo didn't just consume ocular power; it also drained a lot of chakra. Most of this chakra seemed to come from the protective deity of Susanoo that existed in another dimension, which Yuhara accessed through his eyes.

Despite the difficulty and chakra drain, Yuhara's increased chakra reserves and the initial stage of Susanoo made the burden manageable. This conclusion was reached through a month of careful experiments and training, otherwise, Yuhara wouldn't have dared to use it recklessly.

Yuhara deactivated Susanoo and reverted his eyes to normal, silently observing the elder before him. This elder, Uchiha Takeji, held significant influence within the clan. Though Yuhara had no direct connection with him, he found his political stance quite irksome. It was people like Takeji who, after gaining sufficient power, forced the moderate Uchiha Fugaku into rebellion, which led Konoha to decisively act against the Uchiha.

Now, with the elders remaining and Takeji expressing a desire to talk, Yuhara was curious about what they wanted to discuss. Perhaps they were ready to provide the answers he sought.

After Uchiha Ji and the others who had been beaten by Yuhara quietly left the bamboo forest, Takeji finally spoke. "Alright, they're gone. I hope you won't be angry about tonight, Yuhara-kun."

He sighed before continuing, "I've heard from Elder Naoki about your meeting this morning. Fundamentally, I agree with your perspective, but there's something I can't achieve: commanding my followers to abandon their grudges, hatred, and old beliefs. The conflict of beliefs between the two factions has been brewing for countless years, making us all prisoners of our past."

"So, you need me to show them?" Yuhara raised an eyebrow. Though Takeji's words made sense, Yuhara didn't fully trust him. After a moment of thought, he smiled. "And you wanted to see my Mangekyō, didn't you? Your earlier gaze said it all."

"Indeed, I yearn to see the Mangekyō again. It's been a long time since I've seen such eyes." Takeji nodded without hesitation, smiling slightly. "Moreover, fighting them establishes your authority. To be the clan leader, you need everyone's recognition. While Shisui's approval might suffice for Uchiha Itama, it's different here. Even if Shisui is strong, we have little contact with him. My followers, ignorant of the Mangekyō's true power, won't acknowledge it. Your actions will educate them about the Uchiha's ultimate power."

The Uchiha's ultimate power? Yuhara was taken aback. Though the Mangekyō Sharingan was potent, it wasn't the clan's ultimate power. The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, with its limitless strength, surpassed it. Did Takeji not know about this?

Yuhara decided not to dwell on it. What mattered was that he got an answer he wanted. Takeji's mention of making him clan leader indicated recognition or perhaps a compromise. Either way, Yuhara achieved his goal.

"Tell me, what are your demands?" Yuhara asked, taking a deep breath and looking seriously at Takeji. While he had gained some recognition, he didn't believe Takeji would simply comply without conditions.

"I know Uchiha Itama made two requests: Shisui as deputy clan leader and our approval. You agreed to the first, and the second is already met. I have two requests as well. Don't worry, they won't be difficult." Takeji looked at Yuhara seriously before speaking. "First, you must ensure the clan's safety, a duty of the clan leader. Second, you must fulfill all your promises and make the Uchiha great again. These are my only requests. Can you do it?"

Yuhara was stunned. He had anticipated difficult demands but found them straightforward, aligning with his goals. It seemed the Uchiha, though misguided, were genuinely trying to save the clan in their way.

Taking a deep breath, Yuhara nodded. "I agree to your demands. I will do my utmost to achieve these goals, as they are my ultimate objectives."

"Is that so?" Takeji's smile widened. He turned to Uchiha Itama and the elders, who approached together, their expressions serious. They bowed slightly in unison. "Clan leader, the future of the Uchiha is in your hands."