Shisui Uchiha pondered for a moment before asking, confusion evident in his eyes.
"State our stance."
Shuoye smiled faintly, confidence radiating from his voice.
"We must demonstrate the Uchiha's transformation. Sheathe the blade when necessary—but never forget to draw it."
Under the shifting light and shadow, Shuoye's expression was resolute.
His gaze seemed to pierce through appearances, reaching into the depths of every heart present.
The Great Elder nodded slowly.
Within his heart, he admitted—
This young man was both steady and decisive.
Perhaps Shuoye truly could carve out a path of survival for the Uchiha.
"Shuoye, what is your next move?" the Great Elder asked, anticipation flickering in his tone.
"You'll know soon enough."
A confident smile curved Shuoye's lips.
"Xuanjing. Come with me to the training chamber."
The gathered clan members exchanged puzzled looks.
The Hidden Leaf Village could react at any moment.
If Shuoye failed to produce a clear plan, the Uchiha would be placed in a dangerously passive position.
And yet—
He was heading into training?
Was he improvising at the last second?
No one dared question him.
They could only wait.
Three quarters of an hour later—
The training chamber doors burst open.
All eyes snapped toward the entrance.
Uchiha Xuanjing stepped out slowly.
Fine beads of sweat covered his face.
A faint yet unmistakable pressure emanated from him.
His eyes shimmered with shock and disbelief.
"What happened?"
Voices overlapped, desperate to know what had occurred inside.
Shuoye raised a hand.
Silence fell instantly.
"My next step," he said calmly, "rests upon Uchiha Xuanjing."
Confusion deepened.
Then—
"Shisui. Fight him."
The words fell like a thunderclap.
"With me?"
Shisui blinked in surprise.
Within the Uchiha clan, Shisui was renowned as a top-tier combatant.
Though Xuanjing possessed undeniable potential—
Facing Shisui was practically synonymous with defeat.
Shisui frowned slightly, yet stepped forward.
If Shuoye had arranged this, there was purpose behind it.
Meanwhile, Xuanjing strode forward with unwavering resolve.
"Shisui-sama. Please."
"Very well."
Shisui nodded.
The next instant—
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
Flames burst forth simultaneously.
The air twisted under intense heat as the twin Fire Release techniques collided midair, evenly matched.
Clang!
Kunai struck with a metallic roar like thunder.
Their figures crossed in blinding flashes.
Blades clashed.
Footwork shifted.
Attacks flowed in rapid succession.
Shisui's brow tightened.
He knew Xuanjing's level.
And yet—
His strike had been blocked.
"Shisui-sama… watch carefully!"
Suddenly, Xuanjing's voice sharpened.
In that instant, his fist darkened—
A deep, pitch-black sheen enveloped it.
Power coiled within.
Shisui's pupils contracted violently.
His kunai was blown from his grip in a single strike.
Xuanjing surged forward—
Delivering a heavy punch straight toward Shisui's face.
Shisui reacted instantly, twisting aside.
Even so—
The shockwave grazed his shoulder with a dull impact.
The entire room froze.
Xuanjing had pressured Shisui—
Even accounting for restraint.
The Great Elder stared, stunned.
"What… is this power?"
Excitement and disbelief surged among the clan.
Hope ignited.
"What are you staring at?"
Shuoye's calm voice cut through the silence.
"What Xuanjing demonstrated is a cultivation method I practice."
"It is called Armament Haki."
"And it will become the foundation of the Uchiha's next era."
His words fell like a stone cast into still water—
Ripples spreading outward.
But he did not stop there.
"However—this power will not be granted freely."
He straightened slightly.
"I will establish an organization named 'Edge.'"
"Only the strongest, the most talented, the most worthy Uchiha may swear allegiance and join."
Fugaku's brows furrowed.
He leaned toward the Great Elder, whispering anxiously.
"If Shuoye controls 'Edge,' does that not place the entire clan under his sole authority? What remains for us then?"
The Great Elder's eyes were complex.
He shook his head subtly.
"We chose him."
"Then we must trust him."
"And besides… do you truly believe we can stop him?"
He glanced at the surrounding clan members—
Their gazes burned with admiration.
Devotion.
Momentum had already shifted.
There was no turning back.