The situation reversed in an instant.
Ran's tachi rested across Uchiha Itachi's shoulder. Itachi's body trembled slightly—had his genjutsu really been seen through?
"You… you saw through my Tsukuyomi?" Itachi asked, his expression grave.
Ran withdrew his blade and gave a faint smile.
"One of my Mangekyō Sharingan's dōjutsu grants immunity to all genjutsu."
Itachi fell silent. Nearby, Uchiha Shisui felt his scalp go numb. If that was true, then with both of his own Mangekyō abilities being genjutsu-based, didn't that mean he stood no chance against Ran?
"So genjutsu is useless against me," Ran said calmly as he looked at Shisui. "Brother Shisui—be careful."
Ran burst forward in an instant, using the Body Flicker as he spun and slashed. Shisui twisted his wrist, barely managing to block the strike.
Clang!
Sparks erupted. Shisui felt his arm go numb. If he hadn't used the techniques of the Intercept Style to disperse nearly thirty percent of Ran's force…
…his tachi might have been knocked straight out of his hand.
How terrifying.
Ran was only ten years old—yet his strength already felt monstrous. Were his muscles already developed to this extent?
"Oh?" Ran's lips curved upward. "Interesting. You're qualified to dance with me."
After fusing with Uchiha Madara's template, Ran's personality had changed in subtle but undeniable ways.
The next strike came down even heavier.
Shisui hurried to redirect the force, but his face turned pale. Blood seeped from the webbing between his fingers.
His legs buckled. Shisui clenched his teeth, one eye shut tight.
This power… I can't keep meeting it head-on!
He took a sharp breath and retreated, chakra surging.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Four or five Shisuis appeared at once, charging Ran simultaneously.
Ran laughed loudly. "Perfect timing!"
He raised his blade and slashed at the first Shisui.
Clang!
The clone's tachi snapped in two, and Ran cut the shadow cleanly in half at the waist.
The clone dispersed instantly.
Ran's eyes gleamed with interest. As expected of Shisui of the Body Flicker, a name as renowned as the Yellow Flash, one that shone brilliantly during the Third Great Ninja War.
This was Shisui's own variant of the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Every clone could be the real body. Every attack was real, executed by Shisui himself.
Illusion and reality acted in perfect coordination.
Shisui's expression remained calm. Losing one clone meant nothing—it didn't affect his overall combat power at all.
Ordinary shadow clones transferred damage back to the user upon dispelling—that was their weakness. But when Shisui's clones vanished, they simply disappeared, leaving the real body untouched.
The remaining three clones advanced together with Shisui, sealing off Ran's escape routes from every direction.
For most people—perhaps even Kage-level shinobi—this would have been inescapable.
But Ran only smiled.
We agreed on sword practice, he thought irritably. And now you're throwing ninjutsu and genjutsu at me?
His patience snapped.
Ran's chakra erupted.
(Secret Scroll: Dispersion)
Boom!
A deep-blue surge of chakra, dense and overwhelming like a crashing tide, blasted outward.
The three clones were instantly torn apart.
Shisui was sent flying—but Itachi flashed behind him and caught him midair, preventing him from crashing down and suffering further injuries.
Shisui struggled to look up at Ran.
"We lost, Ran. From now on… you're the strongest in the Uchiha Clan."
Ran calmly sheathed his sword and clapped his hands together.
"I'm not interested in fame. Alright, I'm warmed up. That's enough."
Then he continued, "Next, I'm going to visit the Hyūga Clan."
"Who's coming with me?"
Shisui stood up at once, his eyes burning.
"I'll go."
He remembered Ran mentioning that if they wanted to investigate the cause of his grandfather's death, they would need the Hyūga Clan's Byakugan.
Itachi opened his mouth, then hesitated. After a long look at Ran, he nodded.
"I still have ANBU missions to complete. You two go ahead."
With that, Itachi vanished from the Uchiha training ground.
Shisui looked at Ran seriously. Ran's lips curved slightly—this outcome suited him perfectly.
The two returned from the training field to the clan grounds and prepared gifts. Courtesy was essential. Ran's father had left a poor impression on Hyūga Hiashi before, so this visit needed sincerity—and supplies—to smooth things over.
---
Meanwhile.
The Hokage's Office.
Uchiha Itachi, dressed in his ANBU uniform, knelt on one knee.
Across from him sat four elders, their expressions solemn as they stared him down.
Danzō Shimura spoke first.
"Uchiha Itachi. Has the Uchiha Clan begun to stir? Is the hawkish faction planning a rebellion?"
Darkness flickered in Danzō's eyes, a faint, nearly imperceptible smile tugging at his lips.
What he truly hoped for was an Uchiha rebellion—preferably one that also killed Hiruzen Sarutobi. That way, he could lead the shinobi forces to suppress the clan himself.
And then—
The position of Fifth Hokage would be his.
Danzō's gaze drifted toward the Hokage hat and ceremonial robes hanging behind Itachi. Desire, longing, and a tangled mix of nostalgia and bitterness filled his eyes.
I wonder, he thought, if Sensei would regret it, seeing how badly Hiruzen has ruined Konoha.
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado both went pale.
They oversaw Konoha's logistics. If war broke out, the consumption of resources would be catastrophic. Rather than supplying the shinobi forces, those materials would be far more profitable if diverted elsewhere.
Their eyes bored into Itachi as they spoke without restraint.
"The Uchiha Clan is evil to the core," Koharu said coldly.
"Always ready to launch a coup at the slightest provocation."
Itachi's expression remained unchanged, but deep inside, a sense of bitterness welled up.
Why… he wondered, is my clan viewed as nothing but a disease?
Seated at the head of the room, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke at last, his face unreadable.
"Itachi," he said slowly, "tell us—what was discussed at yesterday's meeting?"
At this moment, Hiruzen had become a prisoner of power.
In his eyes, anyone who threatened his authority was an enemy.
Even the Uchiha Clan.
And he would eradicate them without mercy.
All for the Will of Fire.
All for Konoha.
All for the villagers.