Early the next morning, every shinobi within the Uchiha ranks had taken leave at the same time.
They quietly gathered near a forest bordering a canyon at Konoha's edge, while the clan's security force had long since begun their preparations.
Everything that was to happen today would remain strictly confidential—no outsiders were allowed near, and nothing would be revealed until it was all over.
Uchiha Takechi, Uchiha Sō, and the other elders were already waiting. Their eyes were closed, their faces calm.
But truthfully, none of them felt calm inside—because they all knew Uchiha Fugaku also possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Not just Fugaku—even Uchiha Itachi had awakened those eyes. The elders could only sigh. What was with this cursed family line?
They didn't dare call Fugaku or Itachi "geniuses"—"monsters" felt more appropriate for that father and son.
One was indecisive and spineless, the other had no intention of understanding the clan's evolution and was stubborn to the extreme.
It was hard to believe they were related, let alone that both of them had awakened the Mangekyō. If that's not monstrous, what is?
Based on the intel, neither of them had told the other about their eyes. Fugaku hadn't informed Itachi, and Itachi never tried to speak with his father.
Their mutual silence was baffling—did these two have no intention of communicating at all?
Even after Fugaku locked himself away, refusing to see anyone, Itachi—his own son—never once tried to visit.
Instead, he spent all his time with his little brother and did absolutely nothing else.
And now Fugaku stood on the brink of a decisive battle, one that would determine the next clan head—and pit two Mangekyō users against each other.
On top of that, the elders knew Itachi had been meeting with Konoha's top brass.
Yet neither of them had done anything. Truly absurd. Truly beyond belief.
"But even if they are strange, at least they're not coordinating with each other. If both of their Mangekyō were aligned against Yuhara and Shisui, things would've been a nightmare."
Sometimes, when someone's personality was a bit warped, it was hard to say whether that was a blessing or a curse.
At least for those pushing for change, it wasn't a bad thing. It meant they didn't have to worry about too many variables.
The morning sun continued to rise—it was a beautiful day.
Bathed in the warm light, Yuhara and Shisui approached slowly.
Not far from them, Uchiha Fugaku walked alone toward the same location.
His shadow stretched long in the sunlight. He looked solitary, almost desolate—but the aura around him was resolute.
Soon, the three of them stood in the center of the forest, while the members of their respective factions quietly gathered behind them.
In terms of numbers, Yuhara's side had the clear advantage—but numbers meant little here. What mattered was the clash between Yuhara and Fugaku.
"Clan Head Fugaku, it's been a while," Yuhara nodded. "You look a bit worn down. That's not how one should appear before a battle."
"Thanks for your concern, Yuhara," Fugaku shook his head politely but firmly. "I'm fine. I may look worse for wear, but I know my own condition—I have no issues."
Yuhara nodded. He hadn't said that out of concern—he was just playing his part. If Fugaku was in poor shape, all the better for him.
He wasn't about to throw away any advantage. He was a shinobi, and shinobi achieve their goals by any means necessary.
"I understand, Clan Head Fugaku."
Yuhara turned toward Uchiha Sō, Takechi, and the other elders. Fugaku also shifted his gaze to them.
After a brief whispered discussion, Uchiha Sō stepped forward. His eyes swept across the gathered crowd before he raised his voice.
"Today, we are gathered here in response to the clan meeting's impeachment motion from one month ago.
Fugaku, regardless of this duel's outcome, you will lose your title as clan head. Do you have any objections?"
"None." Fugaku shook his head calmly. He had known this outcome from the beginning. In truth, the moment that meeting ended, his position was already gone.
"Yuhara," Uchiha Sō turned to him, "If you win this battle, you will become the new clan head of the Uchiha.
But if you lose, you will not be granted the position. However, you will retain your status as a candidate and may continue to participate in clan affairs.
Do you have any objections?"
"None." Yuhara shook his head. Of course he could hear the bias in Uchiha Sō's words—they were clearly leaning in his favor.
It was obvious they feared Fugaku's power, but they also knew they had already burned that bridge. There was no going back.
Meanwhile, Yuhara had the Mangekyō and Shisui's backing. If they suddenly turned around and supported Fugaku, Yuhara wouldn't take that lightly.
Bluntly put, they were stuck between a rock and a hard place. All they could do now was support Yuhara to the end.
And truthfully, they had already been won over. Even if Yuhara lost today, they would still follow his lead.
Yuhara accepted their terms without hesitation—but he couldn't help feeling a bit amused. Did these old men really think he had a high chance of losing?
He wasn't blind—Fugaku was definitely strong. His Mangekyō abilities were still a mystery.
But Fugaku didn't know what Yuhara's Mangekyō could do either.
And on top of that, Yuhara had system-given power.
Most importantly, his Mangekyō could even enhance that power.
Fugaku quietly shook his head too, indicating no objections, and began walking toward the cliff below.
Yuhara nodded to the elders and followed after him.
After all, this was a battle between two Mangekyō-level Uchiha. No one knew how destructive it might be. Better to be cautious.
As he walked behind Fugaku, Yuhara could feel the adrenaline start to rise.
He knew it—
He had finally reached the final step.