Konoha's rooftops blurred beneath their feet.
The Third Hokage and the two advisors moved in rapid succession, leaping from building to building.
"Hiruzen," Homura Mitokado called out, brows furrowed, "what exactly is going on?"
"As far as I remember, Uchiha Yusuke and Uchiha Fugaku have always had a good relationship."
Koharu Utatane nodded in agreement, equally puzzled.
This development had come out of nowhere.
Yusuke had always shown respect toward Fugaku. As Vice Captain of the Military Police Force, he could practically be considered Fugaku's right-hand man.
And now he was openly contesting the Clan Head's position?
It made no sense.
Hiruzen remained silent for a moment.
Right-hand man?
Danzo had once been his right-hand man too—and that old fox had coveted the Hokage's seat for decades.
Of course, such thoughts could not be voiced.
His expression grew grave.
"The situation is unclear. We must arrive quickly."
"No matter what, we cannot allow this to disrupt the village's stability."
The two advisors nodded.
At their age, stability was everything.
Danzo, of course, was the exception.
A restless schemer. A man who thrived on turbulence.
Even now, he likely dreamed of becoming Hokage tomorrow, then unifying the shinobi world like Hashirama Senju.
Ambition without restraint.
Overreach without strength.
A defining trait of Shimura Danzo.
Homura hesitated before asking, "Hiruzen… should we intervene and stop the fight?"
Hiruzen's eyes darkened.
He thought of Yusuke's conduct during the Third Shinobi War.
Yusuke was not a man who tolerated injustice. Not someone easily manipulated.
Fugaku, by contrast, was mild. Negotiable.
If Yusuke became Clan Head—
Controlling the Uchiha would become far more difficult.
Between the two, Hiruzen preferred Fugaku.
But the Uchiha were a great clan with their own traditions.
Even as Hokage, he had no formal authority to interfere in their internal succession.
After a moment, Hiruzen spoke calmly.
"The village must remain harmonious. Meaningless conflict should be avoided."
"Move faster. We will put an end to this farce."
He sighed quietly.
Once there had been Uchiha Kagami—his comrade.
Now there were two shining pillars: "Blazing Demon" Yusuke and "Shunshin no Shisui."
And even young Itachi, already showing signs of greatness.
Why did the Uchiha consistently produce such monsters?
Why did the Sarutobi clan not share that fortune?
In Tobirama's era, the Sarutobi had produced two rare all-nature chakra users—Sarutobi Sasuke and Hiruzen himself—securing their rise.
But afterward?
Compared to the Uchiha, they fell short.
If, years from now, the Uchiha possessed three Kage-level powerhouses—
Would they still obediently submit to Konoha's Hokage?
Hiruzen's pace quickened.
The Uchiha changing Clan Heads—
Had to be prevented.
…
Uchiha Dueling Grounds.
The battle had entered a blazing crescendo.
Gasps erupted repeatedly from the audience.
"So this is the power of true prodigies?"
"Yusuke is terrifying!"
"The Clan Head's Sharingan has copied hundreds of techniques—he's no less formidable!"
Even veteran Jōnin watched in awe.
To them, this clash was approaching Hokage-level.
For ordinary shinobi, Kage-level was the pinnacle of existence.
That such a comparison was even whispered proved how far beyond normal standards this duel had climbed.
On the platform, Fugaku observed his opponent's slightly heavier breathing and allowed himself a faint smile.
"Yusuke… it seems I hold a slight advantage."
Yusuke responded not with words—
But with jutsu.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
Dozens of blazing fireballs, each concealing shuriken within, shot toward Fugaku in a deadly spread.
Fugaku abandoned Water Release entirely.
Yes, water countered fire—but his Water Release had been mastered through years of combat and Sharingan-assisted refinement.
The Uchiha excelled at conquering fire with fire.
His hands flew through seals.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
A massive dragon of flame surged forward, swallowing Yusuke's phoenix fire projectiles in one blazing gulp.
The fiery dragon roared toward Yusuke.
Yusuke's mind stirred—
And in the next instant, he entered Fire Release: Chakra Mode.
Counter fire with fire?
That depended on whose fire it was.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The dragon collided directly with Yusuke's body—
And dispersed harmlessly.
Fugaku's expression darkened.
"Fire Release: Chakra Mode…?"
"So you're finally serious."
He drew his blade and closed the distance.
Steel clashed against steel.
This became a duel of pure Uchiha-style kenjutsu.
At first, Fugaku's superior experience pressed Yusuke slightly.
But once Chakra Mode activated, the balance shifted violently.
Yusuke's taijutsu and swordsmanship were already on par with Fugaku's. The only gap had been experience.
Now—
His speed and destructive power had undergone a qualitative leap.
That minor gap vanished.
Fugaku was driven backward, step by step, until he neared the edge of the platform.
At this rate—
He would lose.
Shock rippled through him.
"Yusuke has grown to this extent…?"
"Damn it… I can't hold back anymore!"
Seizing an opening, Fugaku abruptly closed the distance.
His Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun violently.
"Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique!"
A binding genjutsu.
Once caught, the victim would feel their body pierced by stakes, immobilized entirely.
Itachi would one day use this very technique to instantly subdue Orochimaru.
Yusuke's lips curled coldly.
"Genjutsu?"
"You're too naïve."
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