The Prelude to the Third Great Ninja War Begins
The moment news reached him that Iwagakure had launched a surprise attack on Sunagakure, Uchiha Ran knew it—the curtain had officially risen on the Third Great Ninja War.
As for why Konoha would inevitably be dragged into it afterward… that, for now, was still unclear.
But Ran had a strong feeling that this war's eventual spread to Konoha probably had something to do with their beloved Danzo-sama.
Honestly, no matter what the blame was, letting Danzo carry the pot first was never wrong.
Knock, knock.
"Is Lord Ran home?" a voice called from outside.
"Oh—Inabi? Long time no see," Ran replied cheerfully. "Handing the Public Relations Division over to you really was the right call. Lately, it feels like the villagers' hostility toward the Uchiha clan has noticeably eased."
"Hai. It's all thanks to Lord Ran's guidance," Uchiha Inabi said respectfully—though there was a faint hint of dissatisfaction in his tone. "It's just a shame that Lord Ran himself has been slacking lately and completely stepped away from the department."
Hearing that, Ran immediately apologized, explaining that he'd entered a crucial phase of strength improvement and had been busy with blade meditation.
And this time, he truly wasn't lying.
A Zanpakutō was an essential weapon of the Shinigami—a blade tied directly to its wielder's soul, each one possessing its own unique abilities and form.
From the very moment he transmigrated into this world, Ran had known why he had been granted a Zanpakutō.
It was mercy—mercy from that great being.
Ran firmly believed that if his Zanpakutō continued to evolve within the shinobi world, it would eventually shatter the limits of the Shinigami themselves, allowing him to reach the Soul Society and grant the Soul King true liberation.
He's just too kind…Ran nearly felt like crying at the thought. He silently vowed that once he achieved enough power, he would absolutely help the Soul King find release.
Returning to the matter at hand—
Blade meditation referred to a state where the wielder, through their connection to the Zanpakutō, achieved unity of mind and soul, allowing for transcendent slashing techniques and power.
At its core, blade meditation meant focusing one's spirit, merging the power of the soul with the blade itself—using spiritual force to amplify the weapon's speed and might, unleashing peerless strikes.
A Zanpakutō user could fuse their will completely with the blade, entering a realm beyond the physical and condensing overwhelming cutting power.
And that was only the most basic function.
In truth, ever since his Zanpakutō had awakened into Shikai, Ran found himself relying far more on the ability known as "Floating Life, Dreamlike Illusion."
It was simply too compatible.
So compatible that using it felt less like a technique and more like instinct—like a fish returning to water.
"Inabi," Ran suddenly called out.
"Yes, Lord Ran?"
"You can put clan propaganda on hold. Let the civilian members handle it," Ran said calmly. "Your top priority now is improving your strength. The ninja world… has already begun to stir."
"Lord Ran, what do you mean—?"
Seeing the confusion on Inabi's face, Ran sighed, then asked instead,"Inabi, I heard you have a younger brother?"
"Haha—yes," Inabi replied, a little embarrassed. "Iron Fire is way too lively. He's basically the little tyrant of the family."
Despite the complaint, the pride on his face was unmistakable.
The Uchiha clan—every single one of them was a devoted little-brother fanatic.
"Then don't die," Ran said bluntly. "This war won't let Konoha sit safely on the sidelines. Sooner or later, we'll be dragged in. And I don't want a day to come when your brother Iron Fire comes crying to me, asking where his big brother went."
Ran understood all too well—
On the ninja continent, the Land of Fire and Konohagakure had always been the most eye-catching targets in everyone's eyes.
Located at the very center of the continent, they possessed unparalleled advantages: the best land, the largest population, the most prosperous economy—and the strongest military force.
Once a Great Ninja War erupted, conflicts between villages would only intensify.
No matter what sparked this war, the final outcome was almost inevitable.
Konoha would become the most tempting piece of fat meat in the eyes of every other village.
If all the other nations were bleeding themselves dry in battle while the militarily strongest Konoha continued to grow peacefully, it would inevitably draw united hostility.
The Land of Fire was powerful.Konoha was even more terrifying.
In the first two Great Ninja Wars, Konoha had displayed overwhelming combat power and unity, forcing every other village to look on with envy—and jealousy.
Ran estimated that it wouldn't take long before Konoha, standing at the crossroads of this war, became the target of a joint assault.
After hearing Ran's analysis, even a veteran propagandist like Inabi grasped the gravity of the situation.
Konoha might look calm on the surface—but the reality was far from optimistic.
Suddenly, Inabi exclaimed, "Ah—this is bad! I was so caught up reminiscing that I forgot to deliver the clan head's message! The clan head said we're meeting this afternoon at Naka Shrine. It's probably related to exactly what you just said!"
"Then why are you still standing here talking?" Ran shot him an annoyed look.
This kid… is his brain filled with nothing but 'otōto' or what?Ugh—disgusting.
By the time Ran and Inabi arrived at Naka Shrine, they were almost the last ones there.
On one side stood Uchiha Fugaku, representing the Clan Head faction, with Uchiha Ryūka beside him.
Opposite them was Uchiha Yashiro, leading the Elders faction, flanked by Uchiha Chiyoda and Uchiha Masamune.
Finally, standing alone was Uchiha Kaede, representing the Neutral faction.
"You're here, Uchiha Inabi. Come over here," Yashiro called out the moment he spotted him.
Ran glanced around, surprised to see such a small clan divided into three separate factions.But due to his relationship with Uchiha Mikoto, Ran still walked over to Fugaku and Ryūka, greeting them politely.
He couldn't help thinking—
This tiny Uchiha clan really gathered a whole collection of 'hidden dragons and crouching phoenixes.'Historically speaking, Fugaku, Yashiro, and even Inabi… none of them truly made the cut.
Inabi hesitated when he saw Ran head toward Fugaku, and when Yashiro called out to him. He really wanted to follow Ran—but Yashiro was his clan uncle. In the end, he obediently went to stand by Yashiro's side.
Yashiro nodded in satisfaction, his eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced toward Fugaku.
"A bunch of worms," Ran thought coldly."At a time like this, they're still fighting among themselves. Looks like Brother Fugaku really isn't up to the task—how is he supposed to lead the Uchiha with people like this?"
Watching the scene unfold, Ran made a quiet decision—
When the time is right… I'll have to thoroughly reform this entire Uchiha clan.