Uchiha Patriarch !

Elder Genji, leaning on his cane, walked onto the street. Although Sougen had said it would be fine to just dismiss the shadow clone, the elderly man preferred to take his time and walk out the door himself. Using a shadow clone in this situation already felt disrespectful, and dismissing it without saying goodbye would seem even ruder. 

This time, both Yagura and Elder Genji didn't stay long after returning the Byakugan and finalizing the general terms of the alliance. They also briefly discussed the issue of dealing with the mysterious figure. After handling business, they exchanged a few polite words before taking their leave. 

"Elder Genji?" 

Yagura turned to look at the elder beside him. 

"He's impressive." 

Elder Genji's response was somewhat cryptic. 

Yagura was taken aback but soon realized that Elder Genji had come along not just to return the Byakugan in person but also to assess Uchiha Sougen with his own eyes. Tentatively, Yagura asked, "Elder Genji, what did you notice about the Uchiha clan leader?" 

He asked this in a low voice, instinctively lowering his volume. 

"As I've said before, it's best to maintain good relations with Konoha. Don't provoke them lightly. Our priority now is to recover and rebuild," Elder Genji didn't elaborate. He didn't have any special visual powers or sensory techniques. He relied on the wisdom gained from a long life to assess people. 

He hadn't seen anything particularly remarkable in Uchiha Sougen. 

To be precise, Elder Genji hadn't uncovered any secrets about him. However, he did notice a deep, unspoken confidence in Sougen's eyes, the kind of powerful self-assurance he had only seen before in the eyes of the First Mizukage, Hakuren, and the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. 

Unfortunately, after Hakuren suffered a crushing defeat at Madara Uchiha's hands, Elder Genji never saw that light in Hakuren's eyes again—not even until his death. 

Even Madara himself didn't have that gleam anymore. 

Perhaps, like Hakuren encountering Madara, Madara had met his match in the form of Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage. 

"I'm not sure how powerful the Uchiha clan leader is. Lord Mizukage, you likely understand his strength better than I do. But from what I can tell, he doesn't see us as a threat. Not just the two of us, but the entire Hidden Mist Village doesn't even register in his eyes." 

Elder Genji, leaning on his cane, slowly walked down the street. 

Yagura followed beside him, listening to the elder's sigh. 

"Don't feel ashamed. Being underestimated doesn't feel good, of course. I remember how furious Hakuren and I were when Madara treated us like nobodies. But after Madara sent us running with our tails between our legs, we learned a valuable lesson: surviving is more important than momentary pride." 

Fearing that Yagura might do something reckless, Elder Genji sternly warned both Yagura and the young prodigies accompanying them, like Mangetsu Hozuki and Kisame Hoshigaki. He especially focused on those like Mangetsu, who were talented but hadn't experienced many defeats. They were the most unstable elements, unlike the Fourth Mizukage, who had learned from past hardships. 

However... 

Neither Mangetsu nor the others made a sound. 

They would have to be crazy to provoke Uchiha Sougen again. They had already experienced the terror of his power firsthand. With a casual flick of his fan, Sougen had sent Mangetsu, Kisame, and Zabuza Momochi flying. Zabuza was still recovering from his injuries, and it would be another month or two before he could fully heal and regain his full mobility. 

"Remember, we're shinobi. The ability to endure is what qualifies someone to be called a shinobi. Bowing your head to someone like Uchiha Sougen isn't shameful at all. Because in the future, if he doesn't meet an untimely end, the entire shinobi world may end up bowing before him." 

"Elder Genji, aren't you being a bit too pessimistic?" 

There's no denying the recklessness of youth. Even after suffering a loss at Sougen's hands, Mangetsu still harbored a hint of defiance. He acknowledged Sougen's superior strength but found it hard to believe that the entire shinobi world would one day submit to him. That kind of description seemed far-fetched. 

"Haven't you suffered enough, Mangetsu?" 

Yagura could only shake his head in exasperation. 

"Once I fully master my clan's secret techniques, I won't lose so easily next time," Mangetsu held onto hope. The Hozuki clan's secret techniques were formidable. After all, the Second Mizukage had relied on them to fight the Second Tsuchikage, who wielded the devastating Dust Release, in numerous battles. Their final confrontation ended in mutual destruction. 

"It won't be that easy." 

Elder Genji sighed. 

He was well-acquainted with the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, not just through reputation but from personal experience on the battlefield. The sheer destructive power of the Dust Release was something he would never forget. However, what many younger shinobi didn't know was that the Second Tsuchikage had once been soundly defeated by Madara Uchiha. 

And then there was Hakuren, who had also fallen to Madara. 

The fearsome reputation of the Uchiha clan was undeniable. 

"Don't think I'm lying to you. In Sougen, I see a shadow of his ancestor, Madara Uchiha. But strangely, there's something else... something reminiscent of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju." 

Elder Genji hesitated for a moment before sharing his thoughts. 

"Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha?" Yagura scratched his head, wanting to ask, "Are you joking, Elder Genji?" The combination of Hashirama and Madara? What kind of terrifying combination is that? "Elder Genji, you must be joking." 

"Just make sure not to provoke Konoha." 

Elder Genji didn't go into further detail because he couldn't fully explain what was more of a gut feeling. 

The truth was that Elder Genji had spoken from his heart. In Sougen, he saw the same confidence and strength that had radiated from Hashirama Senju. However, deep within Sougen's eyes, there was a coldness and cruelty that Hashirama never possessed—traits inherited from the Uchiha clan. 

The combination of these two qualities... 

Was enough to make anyone's skin crawl. 

If Hashirama, who was both strong and gentle, could inspire a sense of reassurance even in his enemies, Sougen possessed a similar strength but none of that kindness. Instead, he embodied the cold ruthlessness that the Uchiha were known for.