A clash between two Uchiha is often a battle of ocular prowess—and so it was between Uchiha Yuan and Uchiha Fugaku.
When the two arrived at the clearing outside the Naka Shrine and locked eyes, the scenery around them shifted—the illusion world began.
Under a blood-red sky in the genjutsu realm, Yuan and Fugaku faced each other from afar. Yet, they didn't immediately resort to violence.
"Yuan, can you tell me what you plan to do as clan leader of the Uchiha?" Fugaku asked.
"First, I'll become Hokage. Then I'll take control of the Land of Fire and use it and Konoha as a base to unify the entire shinobi world."
Fugaku was stunned—he hadn't expected such grand ambition from Yuan.
"To unify the shinobi world?! Yuan, that's outrageous!"
"It's not ambition—it's necessity. To truly end war and achieve peace, unifying the shinobi world is the only path I see."
"You'd be using one nation—the Land of Fire—to go up against the whole world. Countless lives will be lost," Fugaku said grimly.
"If I'm strong enough—like Uchiha Madara—I alone can suppress the entire shinobi world. Konoha and the Land of Fire will only need to clean up afterward."
Fugaku fell silent. He struggled to comprehend what "strong enough" truly meant.
Could someone really stand against the entire shinobi world alone?
"I understand your vision, Yuan. But I can't support it. So defeat me, and show your strength."
As he finished speaking, the illusion realm shifted.
Yuan found himself bound to a cross, with Fugaku standing before him, driving a kunai into his chest.
But the pain Fugaku suddenly felt… made him realize something was wrong.
Before he knew it, he was the one bound to the cross.
"You…"
"Fugaku, when it comes to ocular power—you can't match me."
With that, Yuan slashed down and decapitated Fugaku. The genjutsu realm shattered.
While they had seemed locked in standoff for a while, only a few seconds had passed in reality.
At that moment, other Uchiha clan members arrived.
They saw the two standing still and understood—it was a genjutsu duel.
Suddenly, Fugaku's face turned pale. The members watching, all elite jōnin or higher, knew the battle was nearing its end.
Fugaku was panting and visibly weakened, while Yuan remained composed.
Uchiha Yuu was surprised—he hadn't expected Yuan to so easily dominate the genjutsu clash despite both having Mangekyo Sharingan. The gap in power was shocking.
Thud— The illusion ended, and Fugaku dropped to one knee, gasping for air. Yuan stood firm, unmoved.
Yuan had won—clearly and decisively.
Fugaku's close aide, Uchiha Yakumi, rushed over: "Clan Leader! Are you all right?"
Fugaku waved him off. "I'm fine. Yuan, let's continue."
He pushed Yakumi aside, and a cage of dark purple ribs formed around him.
His Susanoo took shape, fist clenched, and launched a punch at Yuan.
Yuan didn't dodge. He didn't even summon his own Susanoo.
As the punch neared, lightning flared around Yuan, and a horizontal blade appeared in his hand.
Crack! Thunder rang out.
Fugaku's Susanoo arm was cleanly severed.
The watching clan members were stunned.
The so-called ultimate defense—Susanoo—had been broken!
How could this be possible?
Even Fugaku couldn't believe it.
"Fugaku, your Susanoo is too weak. It's normal that I could break it. Honestly, if you don't use your Mangekyo's unique technique, I wouldn't even need my Susanoo to beat you."
Fugaku said nothing, but he knew it was true.
"Don't want to show me your ocular technique? I'm curious what yours can do," Yuan asked.
Fugaku shook his head and instead poured more chakra into his eyes, evolving his Susanoo into its second stage.
"Uchiha Yuan, show me what your Susanoo can do."
"Heh. Stubborn, aren't you? Fine. I'll indulge you."
A moment later, ghostly blue skeletal armor formed around Yuan.
In a blink, his Susanoo advanced straight to its third stage.
Wielding his horizontal blade, Yuan cleaved straight down.
Fugaku's Susanoo shattered into fragments, and he was sent flying, landing hard on the ground.
This battle of Mangekyo wielders had a clear victor—Uchiha Yuan.
Yuan had successfully claimed the title of Uchiha Clan Leader.
"Second Elder, you know some medical ninjutsu, right? Check on Fugaku," Yuan said, turning to Uchiha Icarus.
"Yes, Clan Leader."
Icarus inspected Fugaku and said, "He's fine. Both mentally and physically exhausted, but he should recover with a few days of rest."
Everyone was relieved to hear Fugaku was all right. After all, he'd led the clan for many years—even if he made mistakes, he had given much.
"From this day forward, I—Uchiha Yuan—am the Clan Leader of the Uchiha. Does anyone have any objections?"
No one spoke.
Yuan had crushed Fugaku, who also had the Mangekyo. His strength was undeniable.
Whether Hawk, Dove, or previous Fugaku supporters, all accepted Yuan as their new leader.
"Since no one has objections, I now officially take the role of Clan Leader.
Fugaku, despite his failures, contributed greatly. As such, the Uchiha Clan will create a new Fourth Elder seat, which Fugaku will fill."
(To Be Continued...)