At the same moment—
Yusuke's own Three-Tomoe Sharingan began to spin.
"Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change!"
…
On the dueling platform, all motion abruptly stopped.
The only thing left was the two of them staring into each other's eyes.
After a breath of dead silence, a well-informed Uchiha Jōnin finally broke it.
"The outcome is decided—Clan Head Fugaku has won!"
The statement immediately gained agreement.
Fugaku was known as the "Wicked Eye." His mastery of ocular techniques was unquestionable.
If Yusuke had been caught by the Clan Head's genjutsu head-on, then even "Blazing Demon" Yusuke would have no way to break free.
When experts fought, victory could be decided in an instant.
Trapped in genjutsu, Yusuke would be nothing but prey.
Many shook their heads in regret.
"Still… forcing Fugaku-sama to this extent is already incredible."
"If this were pure ninjutsu and taijutsu without Sharingan… Yusuke probably would've won."
Different hearts carried different emotions.
But hearing the whispers, Inabi and Tekka only wore faint, disdainful smiles.
"Yusuke can't break the Clan Head's genjutsu?"
"Don't make us laugh."
…
Inside the mental realm—
Yusuke's body was pinned in place by stakes. He couldn't move an inch.
Fugaku stood before him with arms crossed, smiling like a man who had already won.
"Yusuke… you were careless."
The fight had been dangerous, but in the end, he had protected the dignity of the Clan Head.
Once caught in his Sharingan genjutsu, the duel was over.
"Yusuke. Admit defeat."
"And I'll release you."
Fugaku's expression was relaxed—every inch the victor.
But had Yusuke truly lost?
Of course not.
A smile slowly surfaced at the corner of Yusuke's mouth.
He raised his head and spoke with calm precision, word by word.
"The battle isn't over."
"You shouldn't drop your guard, Clan Head Fugaku."
A chill ran through Fugaku.
Then—
When he snapped back into focus, the stakes that had pinned Yusuke down had shifted.
They were embedded in Fugaku's own body now.
Fugaku's expression changed instantly.
"Th-This is…"
"Genjutsu reversal?"
Disbelief flooded him.
He—Uchiha Fugaku, Clan Head of the Uchiha, the infamous "Wicked Eye"—
Had been caught by a reflected illusion?
How was that possible?
Whether he accepted it or not, the truth was undeniable.
Fugaku struggled fiercely within the mental realm.
"So Yusuke's ocular power is this terrifying…"
"Do I… really have to concede?"
He still had a trump card.
The Mangekyō Sharingan.
He had hidden it all along.
And judging by what had just happened, Yusuke very likely possessed the same power.
In ninjutsu and swordsmanship, Fugaku had already fallen behind.
If they continued and escalated into a true battle of ocular power—Mangekyō against Mangekyō—
How could he guarantee victory?
And more importantly…
What would Konoha's higher-ups think if the Uchiha revealed two hidden Mangekyō?
The suspicion of the Nine-Tails incident still clung to the clan like a curse.
If both sides exposed their full hand—
Wouldn't that be equivalent to handing Konoha leadership the "proof" they craved?
Fugaku's chest tightened.
At last, he made his decision.
The surging ocular power within him dispersed, and he released the struggle.
A weary sigh echoed through his thoughts.
"Maybe… handing the clan to Yusuke early isn't a bad thing."
"If he becomes Clan Head… perhaps the Uchiha will finally see a different future."
Fugaku's body relaxed.
With a thud, he dropped to one knee.
"This battle…"
"I lost."
The sudden twist stunned the spectators into speechless shock.
"W-What just happened?!"
"Wasn't Yusuke caught in the Clan Head's genjutsu?"
"Why is Fugaku-sama the one who lost?!"
Several Jōnin rubbed their eyes as if afraid they'd hallucinated the entire scene.
Inabi and Tekka could barely contain their excitement.
"Yusuke is Yusuke!"
"The Clan Head's seat belongs to you!"
Nearby, Shisui let out a long breath.
"Breaking the Clan Head's genjutsu…"
"Brother Yusuke truly is unfathomable."
His expression was complicated.
When Yusuke had seemed trapped, Shisui had felt—if only for a heartbeat—relief.
As if it proved the gap between them wasn't that vast.
But reality crushed that illusion.
Yusuke's Fire Release was flawless.
His ocular techniques were equally terrifying.
Shisui had once believed he could surpass Yusuke by pushing the Sharingan further and further—
Now he understood.
That road would be long.
And steep.
…
The duel had barely concluded when the Third Hokage arrived with the two advisors.
"Peace above all," Hiruzen said in a steady tone.
"Members of the same clan should not be locked in such conflict."
Fugaku stepped forward and bowed.
"Hokage-sama. The battle is already over."
Hiruzen's heart sank.
Too late.
Still, he forced a gentle smile.
"And the result?"
Fugaku's lips formed a bitter curve.
"I was outmatched."
"Yusuke won."
"As for the position of Uchiha Clan Head—"
Before he could finish, the two advisors cut in sharply.
"Such a major matter—changing clan leadership—and the Uchiha didn't inform Konoha's leadership in advance?"
"Do the Uchiha have no respect for the village's authority?"
Fugaku turned his head away, expression blank.
If they wanted to bark—
Let them bark at someone else.
He was done.
Yusuke stepped forward instead, gaze calm and unyielding.
"By established precedent, when the Uchiha choose their Clan Head, even the Hokage has no authority to interfere."
"Advisor-dono… are you suggesting you intend to break tradition and involve yourselves in Uchiha internal affairs?"
Two simple sentences.
Yet they struck like a blade.
The two advisors stiffened, rendered speechless.
When the First Hokage founded Konoha, he made agreements with the clans—
The village would not interfere in internal clan affairs.
Even two generations of Senju Hokage had never dared break that promise.
How could they, mere advisors, open such a precedent?
If this spread, Konoha's major clans could unite in protest.
The consequences would be unbearable.
Sensing the tension, Hiruzen quickly smoothed things over.
"They're only anxious in the moment."
"They have no intention of interfering with Uchiha affairs."
He turned to Fugaku.
"What is the Uchiha's plan moving forward?"
Fugaku straightened, returning to the role of Clan Head one last time.
"Hokage-sama… I have decided."
"From today onward, I will step down and yield the position…"
"To Yusuke."
The instant his words fell, cheers erupted across the Uchiha crowd.
"Long live Yusuke! Long live the new Clan Head!"
Inabi and Tekka were the loudest voices, leading the surge.
With the clan's will unmistakably set, Yusuke's succession was now inevitable.
Hiruzen's heart was heavy, but his face remained warm.
He offered Yusuke a placid, benevolent smile.
"In that case… the Uchiha's future is in your hands, Yusuke."
Yusuke smiled as well.
"Please rest assured."
"I won't disappoint everyone."
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