Year 2 of Konoha.

  A man stepped out of the gates of Konoha Vilge alone.

  bck, his long, flowing hair cascaded down his back. He carried a sickle and a fan, walking towards the golden su. His figure roud, yet tinged with a sense of desotion and loneliness.

  He was Uchiha Madara.

  Three days ago, he had lost the ele for Hokage. Hashirama Senju had won by an overwhelming majority, asding to the position of Hokage.

  Reality was pletely different from what Hashirama had promised. Not only had Madara failed to bee Hokage, but he was also increasingly shunned by the vilgers.

  He had thought that founding Konoha would bring peace, but iy, the rift between the Senju and Uchiha s had not disappeared.

  The streets of the vilge were filled with ughter and joy, but all he could feel was alienation and distance.

  It turned out that everything had been nothing but an illusion.

  From this moment on, he uood that the prejudices in people's hearts were like a mountain. As long as the rift existed, so-called peace would be nothing more than a fleeting illusion.

  If this tihe Uchiha would iably perish in the facade of peace.

  He realized this and called upon the Uchiha to leave with him, but... in the vast territory, not a single member was willing to follow him!

  Now, he had not only lost his brother but also his . He had bee a man who was no longer admired, reized, or needed—someone who was even slightly redundant in both the vilge and the .

  The cold wind blew, and the setting sun cast a lonely glow. His long hair danced in the wind, and in a pce where no one could see, his eyes were filled with loss and sorrow.

  However, at that very moment, a young and urgent voice called out from behind.

  "Madara-sama!"

  Uchiha Madara paused, the bitterness in his eyes quickly hidden, repced by his usual cold and authoritative demeanor.

  He turned around and saw a boy running towards him.

  The boy had delicate features, fair skin, and wore the high-colred attire of the Uchiha. His short bck hair was , and his long eyeshes gave him a gentle appearance. His eyes were as clear as jade, with a deep, ink-like hue.

  His steps were light, ae the distance, he caught up in just a few breaths—a speed that was unusual for someone his age.

  "It's you?" Madara reized him.

  The boy's name was Uchiha Kamihane, and he had bee a ninja at a young age.

  Madara remembered him because, four years ago, Kamihane had been otlefield, fighting the Senju to the end. He was even known by the title "Phantom of Speed."

  "Madara-sama, I'm surprised you still remember me," the boy said sincerely, standing behind Madara. "I am Uchiha Kamihane, and I wish to follow you!"

  "What?!" Madara's heart stirred slightly, his pupils trembling. "You're willing... to leave Konoha with me?"

  Kamihane bowed respectfully, his words ear. "Yes! Uhose foolish members, I am willing to leave with you!"

  Madara's emotions became plex. He scrutinized Kamihane up and down, remaining silent for a long time before finally letting out a cold snort.

  "Hmph, are you here to pity me?"

  Uchiha Madara turned his head away, giving Kamihahe back of his head.

  "Go back. Even though I am no longer your leader, I, Uchiha Madara... do not need anyone's pity!"

  "Pity?" Kamihailted his head in fusion.

  But he quickly noticed that although Madara was verbally dismissing him, his body remained rooted to the spot, not moving an inch.

  So, deep down, you still wao e with you... Kamihane's eyes fshed with uanding.

  Typical Uchiha pride.

  He immediately said, "Madara-sama, I truly want to leave Konoha. Staying here no longer holds any meaning for me."

  "Why?" Madara asked without turning around.

  Hearing this question, Kamihane finally breathed a sigh of relief. When Madara had abruptly told him to leave, he had indeed felt a pang of worry.

  After all, he really... didn't want to go back.

  He was a transmigrator, and a pure o that.

  He had been born five years before the founding of Konoha, during the final years of the Warring States period, when the Senju and Uchiha s were still locked in battle.

  Later, the two s reciled, and Konoha was established. But knowing the future of the Uchiha , how could he not be aware of what was to e?

  Moreover...

  A trace of hatred fshed across Kamihane's youthful face. "The Senju sughtered my parents. They weren't even ninjas; they were just helping injured members... yet the Senju killed them mercilessly!"

  He spoke in a low voice, "This hatred is something I ever let go of, no matter how much time passes."

  Madara nodded. "It seems we share the same pain, but that's not enough reason for me to take you with me. I remember you have a younger brother, don't you?"

  "I do, but that fool has been brainwashed by the Senju. He's pletely devoted to the so-called Will of Fire, fetting all about our hatred, shaking hands with our enemies. How ughable!" Kamihane's face was filled with bitterness, and a hint of ruthlessness fshed in his eyes. "Uchiha Kagami has betrayed me. He is no longer my brother."

  Uchiha Madara's gaze drifted, falling into silence, clearly moved by Kamihane's words.

  Kamihaared at Madara's back. "Since you lost the Hokage ele, I've e to uand that if even you 't bee Hokage, who in the Uchiha stand up for us?"

  "This so-called peace was achieved through our promises, but those pitiful members actually believe Konoha will accept them?"

  "Like Kagami, they've all been softened, like frogs in slowly boiling water. What awaits them is nothing but a slow death!"

  Every word struck a chord, and Madara remained silent, but Kamihane could clearly see that his body was trembling slightly.

  Seeing the timing was right, Kamihane pyed his final card: "Living there, watg those ignorant members, sometimes I even fet who I am. My patieh this foolish ... has pletely run out."

  At this, Uchiha Madara was finally moved.

  He looked up at the sky a out a long sigh.

  Though Kamihane couldn't see his expression, the twilight cast a lonely ae shadow over his figure.

  The boy's resentful and helpless accusations had struck a chord in Madara's heart. He felt a sense of loss, as if they were both kindred spirits adrift in the world.

  Kamihane also khat his words wouldn't gain anyone's approval, but for Madara at this moment, they were devastating.

  "I don't need weak followers," Uchiha Madara said, his tone haughty.

  Kamihane smiled, closing his eyes briefly. When he opehem again, his once bck eyes had turned a deep, blood-red, with three boe spinning around his pupils.

  "Oh? The aura of the Three Tomoe Sharingan..."

  Uchiha Madara finally turned around, showing a hint of i. "No wonder you were able to fight otlefield at such a young age. So your eyes have already developed to this level."

  He crossed his arms. "At this level, you might just have the qualifications to follow me..."

  Kamihane's lips curled slightly, and his luminous pupils glowed red. The three tomoe spun and iwined, rapidly f the intricate pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

  The design resembled a gear or a magic circle, symbolizing a cycle and bahe pattern was exquisite aiful, like a fwless piece of art.

  "You've awakened... the Mangekyō Sharingan!" Madara seemed momentarily stunned, his expression instantly turning serious.

  His voice carried a hint of surprise. Even he couldn't remain calm upon seeing these eyes.

  Because this almost represehe pinnacle of what an Uchiha member could achieve!

  "What exactly... have you been through?"

  In history, only a handful of Uchiha had evolved their Sharingan to the Mangekyō level. Madara himself had only seen two pairs.

  But now, this third pair of Mangekyō Sharingan had appeared on a boy. Although his ocur power was far inferior to Madara's, it was restrained and calm, like still water. He was undoubtedly a promising talent!

  Kamihane's future... was filled with infinite possibilities!

  "Simir circumstances, a resonance of fate, and these Mangekyō Sharingan..." Madara appeared in front of Kamihane in an instant, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "If it's you, perhaps you truly carry out my will!"

  In truth, after Kamihane had expressed his plete disillusio with the Uchiha , Madara had already decided to take him along. But he never expected there would be such a pleasant surprise!

  "A true Uchiha would never submit to a false peace. Only those who awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan see the true nature of the world, for they have experiehe most soul-crushing pain and despair!"

  Madara suppressed his excitement, his gaze fixed ily on Kamihane's eyes. What he was most curious about now was:

  "What is the ability of your Mangekyō?"