At the same moment—
Uchiha Yusuke's own Three-Tomoe Sharingan began to spin.
"Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Turn!"
…
On the dueling grounds.
All movement abruptly came to a halt.
Only the two stood there, eyes locked on each other.
At that moment, a well-informed Uchiha jōnin was the first to break the silence.
"The outcome is decided—Clan Head Fugaku has won!"
As soon as those words were spoken, many immediately nodded in agreement.
Uchiha Fugaku was known as "Wicked-Eyed." His mastery of ocular techniques was beyond question.
Once caught head-on by the clan head's genjutsu, even "Flame Demon" Uchiha Yusuke would likely be unable to break free.
When experts clashed, victory or defeat could be decided in an instant.
With Yusuke trapped in genjutsu, the rest would be nothing more than slaughter.
Many shook their heads, sighing in regret for Yusuke.
"To force Clan Head Fugaku this far, Yusuke is already incredible."
"If neither side used the Sharingan, Yusuke would've definitely won."
Some rejoiced, others despaired—Uchiha shinobi held mixed emotions.
Listening to the murmurs around them, Inabi and Tekka curled their lips in faint disdain.
"Yusuke, who's awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, can't break the clan head's genjutsu?"
"Don't make me laugh."
…
In the spiritual world.
Uchiha Yusuke's body was pinned in place by massive stakes, completely unable to move.
Uchiha Fugaku stood before him with arms crossed, a relaxed smile on his face.
"Yusuke… you were careless."
Though it had been risky, he had successfully upheld the dignity of the clan head.
Once struck by his Sharingan genjutsu, the battle was already over.
"Yusuke, concede."
"I'll release you from the binding afterward."
Fugaku's expression was easy, the bearing of a victor.
But had Yusuke really lost?
Of course not.
A sudden smile appeared at the corner of Yusuke's mouth. He raised his head and spoke slowly, clearly:
"The battle isn't over yet. You really shouldn't have lowered your guard, Clan Head Fugaku."
Fugaku suddenly sensed danger.
When he regained awareness—
The stakes that had been pinning Yusuke were now embedded in his own body.
Uchiha Fugaku's expression changed drastically.
"Th-this is…"
"Genjutsu… reflection?"
Disbelief flooded his eyes.
He—Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head, the famed "Wicked-Eyed"—had been caught in a reflected genjutsu?
How was that possible?!
Whether he believed it or not, the reality before him was undeniable.
Fugaku struggled wildly in his mind.
"I never imagined Yusuke's ocular power had reached such a terrifying level!"
"Do I really… have to concede here?"
As for trump cards, Fugaku still had one—his Mangekyō Sharingan.
But judging from the situation, Yusuke likely possessed the same power.
He had already lost in ninjutsu and swordsmanship.
If they continued by clashing ocular power—both wielding the Mangekyō—how could he be certain of victory?
More importantly…
If two hidden Mangekyō Sharingan were exposed at once, what would Konoha's higher-ups think?
The suspicion surrounding the Nine-Tails Incident had never truly been cleared from the Uchiha.
If the fight continued and both sides revealed everything—
Wouldn't that be tantamount to openly admitting guilt to Konoha's leadership?
At that thought, Fugaku abruptly dispersed the surging ocular power within his eyes.
He let out a weary sigh, murmuring inwardly,
"Perhaps… handing the Uchiha over to Yusuke ahead of time isn't such a bad thing."
"If he becomes clan head, maybe he can bring the clan an entirely different future."
Fugaku's body went slack.
With a dull thud, he dropped to one knee.
"This battle… I have lost."
The sudden turn of events left the spectators utterly stunned.
"W-what's going on?"
"Wasn't Yusuke already caught in the clan head's genjutsu?"
"Why is Clan Head Fugaku the one who lost?"
Many Uchiha jōnin rubbed their eyes at the same time, afraid they were seeing things.
Inabi and Tekka could barely contain the excitement surging in their hearts.
"As expected of Yusuke!"
"The position of Uchiha clan head belongs to no one else!"
Uchiha Shisui let out a long sigh as well.
"To break even the clan head's genjutsu…"
"Yusuke-niisan's strength really is unfathomable."
Shisui looked at Yusuke with a complicated expression.
When Yusuke had appeared to be caught in genjutsu earlier, Shisui had actually felt a flicker of happiness—
Because it suggested the gap between them might not be that vast.
But reality proved otherwise.
Not only was Yusuke's Fire Release flawless, his ocular techniques were equally sublime.
Shisui had once thought of surpassing Yusuke by continuously developing his Sharingan.
Now it seemed…
That path was just as long and distant.
Just as the battle concluded, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, arrived with the two Konoha advisors.
"Harmony should always come first."
"Members of the same clan should not be engaged in such conflict."
Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward and bowed.
"Hokage-sama, the battle has already ended."
Hiruzen's heart sank.
"Did I still arrive too late?"
He forced a smile and asked,
"What was the result?"
A bitter smile appeared at Fugaku's lips.
"Fugaku was outmatched. Yusuke won that battle."
"As for the position of Uchiha clan head—"
Before Fugaku could finish, the two advisors cut in sharply.
"Why did the Uchiha not notify us in advance of such a major matter as changing clan heads?"
"Does the Uchiha clan hold no regard for Konoha's leadership at all?"
Hearing this, Fugaku turned his head away outright.
"Konoha's higher-ups are hard to serve?"
"Sorry—that's Yusuke's problem now."
"Why are you barking at me?"
With Fugaku choosing to completely disengage, Yusuke had no choice but to step forward.
"By tradition, even the Hokage has no authority to interfere in the Uchiha clan's selection of its leader, correct?"
"Or do the honored advisors intend to break precedent and meddle in Uchiha internal affairs?"
With just those two sentences, Yusuke left the two advisors utterly speechless.
When the First Hokage founded Konoha, he had made an agreement with the clans—
The village would never interfere in internal clan matters.
If even two generations of Senju Hokage had never dared cross that line, how could they?
If this matter spread, Konoha's major clans might jointly protest.
Even as high-level advisors, they would never be able to bear the consequences.
Sensing the tension, the Third Hokage hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over.
"They were only momentarily anxious. They had no intention of interfering in Uchiha affairs."
"What are the Uchiha's plans going forward?"
Hearing this, Fugaku straightened up once more.
"Hokage-sama, I have already decided—"
"From today onward, I will step down and pass the position of clan head to Yusuke."
The moment those words fell, thunderous cheers erupted among the Uchiha.
"Long live Yusuke! Long live the new clan head!"
Naturally, this was Inabi and Tekka leading the chant.
With public support overwhelming, Yusuke's ascension as the new clan head was now a done deal.
Though Hiruzen was unwilling in his heart, he could only wear a benevolent smile and offer words of reassurance.
"Then the future of the Uchiha… is in your hands, Yusuke."
A smile appeared on Uchiha Yusuke's face as well.
"Please rest assured. I won't let anyone down."
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