"W–What… what just happened?!"
"How did Uchiha Ran win?"
"That just now—was it genjutsu? Why were we affected too?!"
"Wait, what did Ran even do? Was that Body Flicker, or illusion?"
"If it was genjutsu, that's way too refined… a large-scale illusion without relying on the Sharingan? No—there wasn't even a noticeable fluctuation of chakra!"
With Ran's blade resting at Uchiha Taka's throat, the entire hall erupted into chaos.
Only Uchiha Ruka frowned deeply.
She felt nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
She had been on guard the entire time—fully alert against Ran's genjutsu—yet she had still fallen into it without realizing when or how.
No signs. No warning. No sensation at all.
Had Ran's genjutsu really reached such a terrifying level?
Did he already control our senses… silently?
Ruka fell into deep thought.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
As Uchiha Fugaku began applauding, the rest of the clan followed, cheers breaking out one after another.
Thirteen years old.
At just thirteen, Uchiha Ran had defeated an elite jōnin—Uchiha Taka.
No matter the method, the result alone proved his strength.
And genjutsu, after all, was an essential part of a ninja's arsenal.
"Splendid," Taka said with a hearty laugh. "Uchiha Ran, I lost fair and square. I never imagined the younger generation would be this terrifying. Seems I truly can't keep up with the times anymore."
There was no resentment in Taka's heart—only admiration.
He hadn't underestimated Ran.
He hadn't held back.
This was simply a gap in ability.
Perhaps Ran was inferior to him in many areas, but Ran's genjutsu… it was overwhelming.
So overwhelming that Taka never noticed it, never sensed it, never even understood when Ran had cast it—especially without the Sharingan.
The Uchiha respected strength above all else.
Ran might be only thirteen, but power did not lie.
Experience could be accumulated through missions—but raw ability depended on talent and destiny.
Taka knew his own limits.
Unless he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he would never reach the Kage tier.
But Ran was different.
At thirteen, his genjutsu already surpassed what his age should allow.
If he continued steadily, Ran might very well reach Kage level without ever relying on the Mangekyō.
Taka felt no jealousy.
Only pride.
The Uchiha had always wanted to fully integrate into Konoha, yet since joining the village, aside from Lord Madara in the distant past, no one had awakened the Mangekyō. Kage-level power among the clan was nearly nonexistent.
For a clan that called itself Konoha's greatest—
That was their greatest sorrow.
Now, a talent capable of breaking that ceiling had appeared.
Taka was more than willing to support him.
"Uncle Taka, you flatter me," Ran said calmly, sheathing his Zanpakutō. "Everything I do is for the Uchiha's future. I won by luck this time. I'll continue improving in every area."
Uchiha Yashiro was surprised by Taka's defeat, but he wasn't angry.
Compared to losing control over the Special Operations Unit, Ran's strength was far more valuable.
"Uchiha Ran," Yashiro said sternly, "you did well. But remember—retreating endlessly leads nowhere. Don't become like Fugaku, always yielding to the Third Hokage and the village."
"The village has been targeting us. At times like this, we must resist."
"From now on, Taka will assist you. Your priority is simple—survive, and grow."
He shot a glance at Fugaku, who was practically glowing with pride.
Ran nodded lightly.
"Thank you, Elder Yashiro. I've heard your words—but I don't fully agree with either you or Fugaku. I have my own path."
Instead of being annoyed, Yashiro felt oddly relieved.
At least Ran wasn't another Fugaku—someone who yielded without limits.
Yashiro turned and began whispering with Fugaku.
Meanwhile, Ran walked through the crowd toward Ruka, accompanied by waves of praise.
Why?
Because when given two choices—
Stand among a group of sweaty men, getting slapped on the shoulder while listening to whispered praise…
Or stand beside a fair-skinned, soft, fragrant beauty—
Any normal man knew the answer.
So Ran followed his heart.
"Ran, that was incredible," someone said. "You'd never guess your talent from school!"
"Do you have some secret method? How did your strength grow so fast?!"
Pushed along by the crowd, Ran finally reached Ruka.
She raised an eyebrow playfully, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.
Ran immediately knew—
She's about to cause trouble.
"Ran, you're really something," Ruka said teasingly. "Hiding this much strength… last time against Yagura, you definitely weren't going all out, were you? That's not very fair to your teammate."
Ran smiled helplessly.
"Ruka-jie, I didn't hide anything. I already told you—my genjutsu can block and alter the five senses. Without proper precautions, you'd fall into it too."
"Tch. Don't let the flattery get to your head," Ruka said, hooking an arm around his neck. "Hang around these arrogant idiots too long and you'll rot."
She then raised her voice toward Fugaku and Yashiro.
"Clan Head Fugaku, Elder Yashiro—since Ran's confirmed as the Special Operations Unit commander, I'll be taking him with me. If this gathering drags on, the Third Hokage might start asking questions—and that'll only cause Ran trouble."
"Understood," Yashiro replied. "From now on, Ran is the commander. You and Taka will assist him."
Ruka blinked in surprise.
She hadn't expected Yashiro to be so agreeable.
"That's also my intention," Fugaku added. "If the Third Hokage asks about this meeting, you're authorized to report it directly."
He worried that if he didn't say this, Ran and Ruka might hesitate—or worse, say the wrong thing—and only make matters harder for the clan.
And just like that—
Uchiha Ran officially became the commander of the Uchiha Special Operations Unit.
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