At the same moment—
Uchiha Akihito's Three-Tomoe Sharingan began to spin as well.
"Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change!"
On the dueling platform, all movement abruptly ceased.
The two stood frozen, eyes locked.
A well-informed Uchiha jōnin was the first to break the silence.
"The outcome is decided. Clan Head Fugaku has won."
His words were quickly met with agreement.
Fugaku was known as the "Wicked Eye." His mastery of ocular techniques was beyond question.
Having been caught head-on in the clan head's genjutsu, even "Flame Oni" Akihito would likely be unable to break free.
When experts clashed, victory or defeat could be decided in an instant.
With Akihito trapped in genjutsu, he would now be at the mercy of his opponent.
Many shook their heads in regret.
"To push Clan Head Fugaku this far—Akihito is already remarkable."
"If the Sharingan hadn't been used, the winner probably would've been Akihito."
Different emotions stirred among the clan members.
Hearing the whispers, Masato and Tetsuya merely curled their lips in faint disdain.
"Akihito, who has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, can't break the clan head's genjutsu?"
"What a joke."
Within the spiritual world.
Akihito's body was pinned in place by massive stakes, completely immobilized.
Fugaku stood before him with arms folded, smiling.
"Akihito, you were careless."
Though it had been dangerous, he had successfully defended the dignity of the clan head.
Once caught in his Sharingan's genjutsu, the battle was over.
"Akihito, admit defeat."
"I'll release you from the paralysis."
Fugaku's expression was relaxed, the posture of a victor.
But had Akihito truly lost?
Of course not.
A faint smile appeared on Akihito's lips.
He slowly raised his head.
"The battle isn't over yet."
"You shouldn't lower your guard so quickly, Clan Head Fugaku."
A sudden sense of danger surged through Fugaku.
By the time he realized what was happening—
The stakes that had pinned Akihito were now piercing his own body.
Fugaku's expression changed drastically.
"Th-this is…"
"Genjutsu reflection?!"
Disbelief filled his eyes.
He—the Uchiha clan head, the famed "Wicked Eye" Fugaku—had fallen victim to a reflected genjutsu?
Impossible.
Yet reality stood before him.
Fugaku struggled internally.
"I never expected Akihito's ocular power to be this terrifying!"
"Am I… to admit defeat?"
As for trump cards—Fugaku still possessed one: the Mangekyō Sharingan.
From the looks of it, Akihito likely had awakened the same power.
In ninjutsu and swordsmanship, he had already lost.
If they continued to compete in ocular power, and both wielded the Mangekyō—
How could he guarantee victory?
And if two pairs of hidden Mangekyō Sharingan were exposed simultaneously, how would Konoha's higher-ups react?
The suspicion surrounding the Nine-Tails Incident had never truly been cleared.
If they continued and both revealed their full strength—
Wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting guilt?
With that thought, Fugaku abruptly suppressed the surging ocular power within him.
He let out a weary sigh.
"Perhaps handing the Uchiha over to Akihito ahead of time… isn't such a bad thing."
"If he becomes clan head, maybe he truly can lead the clan toward a different future."
His body relaxed.
Thud.
Fugaku dropped to one knee.
"This battle… I have lost."
The sudden turn stunned the watching ninja.
"Wh-what just happened?"
"Wasn't Akihito caught in the clan head's genjutsu?"
"Why is Clan Head Fugaku the one who lost?!"
Many jōnin rubbed their eyes, fearing they were hallucinating.
Masato and Tetsuya could barely contain their excitement.
"As expected of Akihito!"
"The position of clan head belongs to you!"
Uchiha Shisui let out a long sigh.
"To break even the clan head's genjutsu…"
"Akihito's strength truly is unfathomable."
His gaze toward Akihito was complicated.
When Akihito had appeared trapped earlier, Shisui had felt a faint sense of relief.
It would have meant the gap between them wasn't so vast.
But reality proved otherwise.
Akihito's Fire Release was flawless—and his ocular techniques equally profound.
Shisui had once hoped to surpass him by further developing his Sharingan.
Now it seemed…
That road, too, was long and distant.
Just as the battle ended, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, arrived with the two advisors.
"Harmony is paramount."
"There should be no such strife among clansmen."
Fugaku stepped forward and bowed.
"Lord Hokage, the battle has concluded."
Hiruzen's heart sank.
We're too late.
He forced a smile.
"And the result?"
Fugaku gave a bitter smile.
"I was outmatched."
"Akihito won the battle."
"As for the position of Uchiha clan head—"
Before he could finish, the two advisors interrupted sharply.
"A matter as significant as replacing the clan head—why was Konoha not informed in advance?"
"Does the Uchiha clan not respect the village's leadership?"
Fugaku turned his head aside.
Difficult higher-ups?
Sorry—that's Akihito's problem now.
Why are you barking at me?
Having mentally checked out, Fugaku left the response to Akihito.
Akihito stepped forward calmly.
"According to longstanding custom, the selection of the Uchiha clan head is an internal matter."
"Even the Hokage has no authority to interfere."
"Advisors… are you intending to break tradition and meddle in Uchiha affairs?"
With just a few sentences, Akihito left the two advisors speechless.
When the First Hokage founded Konoha, agreements had been made with the clans: internal clan matters would not be interfered with.
If even two generations of Senju Hokage had not dared violate that principle—
How could they?
If word spread, the major clans of Konoha might unite in protest.
Even as senior advisors, they could not bear such consequences.
Seeing the tension rise, Hiruzen immediately smoothed things over.
"They spoke out of urgency. There is no intention to interfere in Uchiha internal affairs."
"What arrangements will the Uchiha make next?"
Fugaku promptly resumed his composure.
"Lord Hokage, I have decided…"
"To step down as clan head as of today."
"The position will be passed to Akihito."
The moment his words fell, cheers erupted among the Uchiha.
"Long live Akihito! Long live the new clan head!"
Naturally, Masato and Tetsuya were leading the chant.
With the clan's support overwhelming, Akihito's ascension was now irreversible.
Though unwilling, Hiruzen could only maintain a benevolent smile.
"In that case, the future of the Uchiha rests in your hands, Akihito."
Akihito returned the smile.
"Please rest assured."
"I will not disappoint anyone."