???
"W-What… what just happened?!"
"Why did Uchiha Ran win?! Was that genjutsu just now? Why were we affected too?"
"Wait—what exactly did Ran do? Was that Body Flicker, or genjutsu?"
"If it was genjutsu, that's way too refined… casting a wide-area illusion without relying on the Sharingan? No—I didn't even sense any chakra fluctuation!"
As everyone stared at the scene before them—Uchiha Ran's blade resting calmly against Uchiha Tahi's neck—the shrine erupted into chaotic discussion.
Among the crowd, Uchiha Ruka frowned deeply.
Nothing… I felt absolutely nothing.
She hadn't sensed the slightest abnormality. Even though she'd been on guard against Ran's genjutsu the entire time, she'd still fallen into it without realizing it.
When did it happen? How?
Had Ran's genjutsu truly reached a level where it could silently dominate everyone's perception?
Ruka fell into deep thought.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
As Uchiha Fugaku began applauding, the rest of the clan followed, cheers breaking out across the grounds.
Thirteen years old.
At just thirteen, Uchiha Ran had defeated Uchiha Tahi—an elite jōnin.
Regardless of the method, this alone proved Ran's strength.
And genjutsu, after all, was a core pillar of a ninja's power.
"Subarashii…" Tahi said with a hearty laugh, his expression relaxed and sincere. "Uchiha Ran, I concede completely. To think the younger generation has already reached this level—looks like I really can't keep up with the times anymore."
There was not the slightest hint of resentment in his heart.
He hadn't underestimated Ran. He hadn't held back.
This was simply a difference in ability.
Perhaps Ran was inferior to him in raw strength, stamina, or experience—but Ran's genjutsu was terrifyingly strong. So strong that Tahi hadn't noticed it at all. He didn't even know when Ran had cast it, or how he'd managed to do so without activating the Sharingan.
The Uchiha respected strength.
Age meant nothing in the face of true power.
Mission experience could be accumulated with time—but strength, beyond hard work, also depended on talent.
Tahi knew his own limits well. Unless he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he would never reach Kage-level power.
But Ran was different.
Only thirteen years old, yet his genjutsu already surpassed what his age should allow. If he continued steadily on this path, Ran might one day reach Kage level without relying on the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Tahi felt no jealousy—only pride.
For the Uchiha.
Ever since joining Konoha, aside from Lord Madara in the earliest days, the clan had produced almost no Mangekyō users… and virtually no Kage-level shinobi.
For a clan that called itself the strongest in the village, this was the Uchiha's greatest sorrow.
And now, a talent capable of breaking that ceiling had finally appeared.
As an elder of the clan, Tahi felt it was his duty to support him.
"Uncle Tahi, you're too kind," Ran said calmly, sheathing his zanpakutō. "Everything I did was for the Uchiha's future. I won by luck, and I still have a long way to go in every aspect."
Uchiha Yashiro was surprised that Tahi had lost—but he wasn't angry.
Compared to losing control over the Special Operations Unit, Ran's displayed strength was far more important.
"Uchiha Ran," Yashiro said solemnly, "you did well. But remember—blind compromise leads nowhere. Don't become like Uchiha Fugaku, endlessly yielding to the Third Hokage and the village."
"The village has always targeted us. At times like this, we must fight back."
"From now on, Tahi will assist you fully. Your most important task is to stay alive—and continue growing."
He shot a glance at the still-smiling Fugaku as he spoke.
Ran met his gaze calmly.
"Thank you for the advice, Elder Yashiro. I'll remember your words. That said—I don't agree entirely with either your views or Fugaku-sama's. I have my own path."
Hearing that Ran's stance differed from both himself and Fugaku, Yashiro felt no annoyance—only relief.
At the very least, this proved Ran wasn't the kind of man who would retreat endlessly like Fugaku.
With that, Yashiro turned back to Fugaku and began speaking with him in hushed tones.
Meanwhile, amid the waves of praise and admiration, Uchiha Ran made his way toward Uchiha Ruka.
Why?
Well, imagine you had two choices.
One was standing in the middle of a group of sweaty men, surrounded by the smell of sweat, getting slapped on the shoulder and pulled into whispered conversations.
The other was standing beside a fair-skinned, soft, fragrant girl.
If you were a normal man, which would you choose?
Naturally, Ran followed his heart and headed straight for Ruka.
"Ran, you're amazing! You could never tell at the Academy that you had this kind of talent!"
"Ran, what's your secret?! How did you get so strong so fast?!"
Pushing through the chorus of praise, Ran finally reached Ruka's side.
Seeing him approach, Ruka raised an eyebrow playfully, a mischievous smile curling at her lips.
The moment Ran saw that expression on her usually cool face, he knew—
She's about to start something…
"Ran~ you're really something," Ruka teased. "Hiding it this deep? You didn't even go all out when you fought Yakura last time, did you? That's not very honest—keeping secrets from your teammate~"
Ran sighed inwardly.
He knew Ruka meant no harm—she was just teasing.
"Ruka-nee, I didn't hide anything," he replied seriously. "I told you before—my genjutsu can seal and alter the five senses. If you weren't on guard, you'd fall into it too."
"Tch, brat," Ruka snorted, hooking an arm around Ran's neck. "Stop listening to all this praise. Hang around self-important idiots too long and your brain will rot."
Then she raised her voice toward Fugaku and Yashiro.
"Clan Head Fugaku, Elder Yashiro—since it's been decided that Ran is the captain of the Special Operations Unit, I'll take him with me first. If this gathering goes on too long and the Third Hokage finds out, it'll just cause Ran unnecessary trouble."
"Understood," Yashiro said. "From now on, Ran is the captain. You and Tahi are to assist him fully—clear?"
Hearing that, Ruka shot Yashiro a surprised look. She hadn't expected him to be so agreeable.
"Elder Yashiro's words reflect my will as well," Fugaku added quickly. "Ruka, you may go. If the Third Hokage asks about this gathering, you're permitted to report the situation truthfully."
He spoke up deliberately—afraid that if he didn't, Ran and Ruka might hesitate or stumble when questioned, only causing more trouble for the Uchiha.
And so, beneath the night sky of Naka Shrine, a new chapter for the Uchiha quietly began.