Chapter 57: Double Mangekyō! The Fateful Battle of the Uchiha
The vast training ground was packed with people. Almost the entire Uchiha Clan was present. No one spoke loudly. Even whispering was done with extreme restraint. Countless gazes converged on the center of the arena. This was an unprecedented event in the Uchiha Clan's history—a public duel that would decide the fate of the entire clan.
"Akira will definitely win!"
"Of course! Only Akira can lead us, the Uchiha, to reclaim everything that rightfully belongs to us!"
"Fugaku... he's too weak; his era should have ended long ago!"
These hushed whispers, though suppressed, still betrayed their excitement, flowing like an undercurrent through the crowd.
Uchiha Fugaku slowly walked out. He was still wearing the black haori with family crests that symbolized his position as Clan Head. Even if he lost, he would lose standing. This was Uchiha Fugaku's last shred of dignity as Clan Head.
Almost at the same moment Fugaku took his position at 1 end of the arena, a more intense stir rippled through the crowd at the other end. Uchiha Akira's figure appeared. His entrance was a stark contrast to Fugaku's somber solemnity. Akira wore simple black combat attire, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his posture as relaxed as if he were strolling in his own backyard.
Uchiha Akira's eyes were calm. He didn't even look at Fugaku across from him immediately, instead slowly sweeping his gaze over the densely packed clan members. Wherever his gaze fell, those young Uchiha Clan members excitedly straightened their chests. Akira's calmness was, in itself, the ultimate form of dominance. This was absolute confidence in his own strength.
...
A thousand meters from the Uchiha Clan Territory, within the dense canopy of an ancient, unnoticed towering tree, several figures wearing pure white animal masks remained motionless. The leading Anbu with a raccoon mask removed his specialized telescope from his eyes and gave an almost imperceptible tactical hand signal to the cat-masked Anbu beside him.
"All targets are in position."
They had only 1 mission: record. Whatever happened, they could only record. This was the only order given by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, after a sleepless night.
On the other side, several Root Ninja received more direct orders from Danzō. "Observe Uchiha Akira, find flaws in his Mangekyō ability, no matter the cost. If Fugaku is defeated, take him away before Uchiha Akira kills him." A Mangekyō Clan Head who had lost his honor was a more valuable tool to Root than a corpse.
...
At the same time, undercurrents surged through various corners of Konoha Village. At the Hyūga Clan's main family estate, Hyūga Hiashi knelt on a meditation cushion, his eyes closed, but the veins on both sides of his forehead twitched slightly.
"Clan Head, according to intelligence from the branch family, the Uchiha's duel is about to begin." A main family elder reported in a low voice, his tone betraying his shock.
"Two Mangekyō…" Hyūga Hiashi softly uttered these words, filled with bitterness.
...
The clan heads of the Ino-Shika-Chō Trio were gathered in the Nara Clan's backyard. Nara Shikaku, a cigarette dangling from his lips, gazed in the direction of the Uchiha Clan Territory, silent for a long time. "This is such a bother." He exhaled a puff of smoke. "No matter who wins, the Uchiha will have an unprecedentedly powerful leader."
Akimichi Chōza, arms crossed, said in a deep voice, "This power will directly challenge the Hokage's authority."
Yamanaka Inoichi's expression was the most solemn. "I tried to sense that area... it's terrifying, like a volcano about to erupt. Shikaku, what should we do?"
Nara Shikaku extinguished his cigarette on the stone table. "Do nothing. Any action now will be seen as taking sides. We… can only wait."
...
In a corner of the crowd, in the most inconspicuous spot, Uchiha Sasuke tightly clutched his brother's hand, his small face filled with great confusion and curiosity. Sasuke looked up at the 2 confronting figures in the arena: one was his usually stern but kind father, and the other was Akira, who often brought him candy and taught him shurikenjutsu.
"Brother…" Sasuke whispered, "Why are Father and Akira fighting?"
Uchiha Itachi's expression was extremely complex. Feeling the warmth of his younger brother's hand in his palm, what could he say? Should he say that his father's stubbornness led to today's situation? Or should he say that Uchiha Akira's dominance would push the clan into an abyss of no return? Itachi couldn't utter a single word. He could only grip his brother's hand tighter.
Time passed, minute by minute. The Dove Faction elder, Uchiha Honoka, tremblingly walked to the center of the arena. He looked around, his gaze sweeping over Fugaku, over Akira, and finally over all the clan members. Honoka took a deep breath, using all his strength to make his voice resonate in everyone's ears.
"This battle will decide the position of the Uchiha Clan Head! The victor shall be the Uchiha's sole leader! The loser shall swear a blood oath to uphold the victor's decisions for life, without any disobedience! This is… the Will of the Uchiha!"
Uchiha Honoka slowly retreated, leaving the entire training ground to the 2 men who would decide the Uchiha's future.
The next moment, without any warning, 3 tomoe appeared in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes, spinning wildly, finally condensing into a complex and eerie cross-shaped pinwheel pattern!
[Buzz!]
A heavy, mountain-like, oppressive ocular power descended with a roar, engulfing the entire training ground!
Mangekyō Sharingan!
Uchiha Akira's Status Panel:
Strength: Kage-level (can contend with veteran Kage-level individuals).
Skills Mastered:
Ninjutsu: Fire Release Ninjutsu (Full Mastery), Lightning Release: Chidori, Lightning Release Chakra Mode (slightly surpasses the Raikage's mastery), Lightning Fire Dragon Breath (S-rank), Lightning Fire Spiraling Sphere (some basic skills hidden).
Taijutsu: Uchiha-style Taijutsu (Mastery).
Genjutsu: Sharingan Genjutsu, Advanced Genjutsu Release, Genjutsu Reversal.
Bloodline Limit: Mangekyō Sharingan.
Dōjutsu: Mangekyō Sharingan (Left Eye: "Time Reversal," Right Eye: "Technique Amplification"). Time Reversal has a preliminary grasp of the mysteries of time, capable of reversing not only oneself but also enemies.
Clan Status: Uchiha Elder (Hawk Faction, de facto power holder, prestige has substantially surpassed the Clan Head).
Clan Strength Value:
Clan Honor Points: 200,000 (some consumed in training clan members, remaining honor points).
Number of Loyal Clan Members: 350+ (combat personnel only).
Overall Clan Strength Assessment: Kage-level.