"Let me start with a question," said Uchiha Itachi. "Take Uchiha Madara, Kagami, Shitori, Shisui, Obito, and myself. Think about our personalities — do you see a common thread among us?"
"My brother..." murmured Uchiha Izuna, then continued, "Personally, I believe Madara was kind and compassionate. He loved his family and clan deeply. Everything he pursued — even his battle for justice — was for the sake of creating peace."
Madara gave a subtle nod. That was indeed true.
"Uchiha Kagami embodied the Will of Fire more than anyone. He dedicated his entire life to Konoha and was one of the rare Uchiha to earn the Second Hokage's trust. He held deep love for both the village and the clan. He was gentle," said Shisui, glancing at Kagami.
"Shitori was the same," Kagami added sincerely. "A calm and righteous woman, an elite of our clan. She had the heart to sacrifice herself for the peace of the Uchiha. We should all learn from her."
"Shisui, too — confident, cheerful, sincere, and compassionate. A descendant of Kagami, he worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between the Uchiha and the village," said Fugaku.
"By now," Itachi continued, "you should all realize the one trait that connects us: love."
"Madara loved peace, his clan, and most of all, his brother."
"Kagami loved Konoha."
"Shitori loved her people."
"Shisui loved both the village and our clan."
"My father and I also share that love — for our family and our people."
"And it's precisely this love that allowed each of us to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan." Itachi's eyes swept across the room as he spoke.
The clan members listened closely.
"After years of reflection," he continued, "I've come to understand that we, the Uchiha, are a clan born with immense capacity for love. But when that love is suppressed, when we lose the ones we cherish, it turns into overwhelming hatred. And when that happens, it triggers a special chakra reaction that flows through the visual nerves, transforming our eyes. That's what we call 'awakening.'"
He paused, letting the words settle, then continued:
"Our Sharingan is synchronized with the heart. We Uchiha are emotionally sensitive — and when we lose those we love, or suffer emotional devastation, our hatred fuels our strength. In other words, the greater our love, the stronger our ocular power."
'The deeper the love, the deeper the hatred' — that's what it truly means."
"No wonder I became so much stronger after my brother died..." one Uchiha murmured.
"No wonder... I awakened the Mangekyō when I saw Rin die," whispered Obito from the shadows. "So that's what it was…"
Madara looked at Itachi with deep approval. This child truly understands.
"The clan will be safe in his hands," said Uchiha Tajima with admiration. "We have a worthy successor at last."
"Exactly," Izuna agreed. "If love is the key to awakening and evolving the Sharingan, then our clan's power will only continue to grow. We'll soon return to our peak."
"Thank you, Itachi," said Hachidai, Inaho, and Tekka, bowing deeply. "Thank you for showing us the way forward."
"Thank you!" the rest of the Uchiha chorused, kneeling before Itachi in heartfelt respect.
The evolution of the Sharingan had always been a mystery. For Itachi to lay it all out so clearly — they were truly grateful.
"Please, everyone, stand," Itachi said. "What I'm about to say next is even more important. Be mentally prepared. If word of this gets out, our clan could face complete annihilation. So this must be kept absolutely secret."
He activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, scanning the crowd with solemn eyes.
"If anyone leaks what Itachi is about to say," Fugaku declared, his own Mangekyō flaring, "even if they flee to the ends of the earth, I will kill them myself."
His killing intent, paired with his crimson gaze, sent a chill through the room. He wasn't bluffing.
"I agree with the clan head," Hachidai added fiercely. "Anyone who leaks this… the Uchiha will not forgive them."
"Same here," Inaho and Tekka echoed.
"Then here it is." Itachi looked around the room and began slowly:"Our Uchiha Clan is descended from Indra, the eldest son of the Sage of Six Paths. The Senju and Uzumaki Clans descend from the younger son, Asura."
"We inherited the Sage's 'eyes' — the power of chakra and spiritual energy. That's why we possess the Sharingan — a visual power unique in the ninja world."
He gestured to his own Mangekyō.
The clan's eyes followed.So we are descendants of the Sage of Six Paths… no wonder the Sharingan is so powerful…
The eerie brilliance of Itachi's scarlet eyes and the complex pattern within mesmerized the crowd.This is our Mangekyō — the eyes of a Sage.
"Meanwhile, the Senju and Uzumaki inherited the Sage's 'body' — tremendous life force and physical energy."
"After Konoha was founded, the Senju allowed their members to intermarry with other clans to build alliances. Over time, their bloodline became diluted. Today, few even carry the Senju name."
"My mother, Mikoto, and Izumi's father both descend — distantly — from Senju branch families, though the blood is thin."
"You mean... that's why you and Izumi awakened your Mangekyō and three-tomoe Sharingan so young?" Hachidai asked.
"Exactly," Itachi said. "A union of Uchiha and Senju blood — chakra and life force — may cause what's called a reversion trait. But this is just a theory. It needs to be tested."
"That's why I suggest our unmarried members consider marrying those from Senju lineage."
"Many of the Senju branch families have married into major clans — the Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, Aburame, Inuzuka, Kurama, and others. Marrying them doesn't dishonor your bloodline."
"On the contrary — these marriages will strengthen bonds between clans and turn them into allies. They can serve as bridges between us and the rest of Konoha."
"As the saying goes, even the strongest man needs allies. More friends means more paths forward. For the future prosperity of our clan — I ask this of all of you." Itachi bowed deeply.
Half-truth, half-performance. Let's see how Madara and Obito take it.
Honestly, that was Oscar-worthy. If this speech doesn't win them over, nothing will, Itachi thought to himself.
Madara's heart skipped a beat. He knows… he already understands that secret? This child… the Uchiha truly have a future in his hands.
Still… Itachi is young. He only sees marriage as a way to preserve bloodlines. But I, Madara, seek to reshape the world itself. Our goals are different.
Obito had similar thoughts. He knew his own strength came from merging Hashirama's cells. Itachi already sees the big picture… Impressive. But I don't want a thriving clan. I want a world with Rin.
"You're too modest, Itachi," said Hachidai warmly. "As clan head, you don't need to ask us. We'll do it."
"Right. It's all for the clan," added Inaho and Tekka. "From now on, our wives will come from Senju branches — count on it!"
For the sake of the Uchiha, they were willing to do anything.
At that moment, they fully accepted Itachi as their leader.
"Now then," Itachi said. "Let's talk about the true direction our clan must take moving forward."
"What? That wasn't it?" someone asked, surprised.
"Wait… does he mean there's something even deeper?" The crowd tensed and sat upright.
"Itachi-sama, please go on. We're ready," they said in unison.
"You all know that not long ago, Hizashi Hyūga — the younger brother of Hiashi — sacrificed himself, right?" said Itachi.