Fugaku and Akihito had already headed to the Uchiha dueling grounds, and news of their fight spread like wildfire.
The Uchiha clan was abuzz with discussion.
"Have you heard? 'Flame Oni' Akihito has challenged Clan Head Fugaku."
"Seriously? Akihito would challenge the clan head? That doesn't feel real…"
"It's absolutely true. A lot of people have already gone to the dueling grounds to watch…"
"To dare challenge Clan Head Fugaku—has Akihito developed some new jutsu or something?"
"A clash between the Uchiha's foremost Fire Release master and its greatest ocular expert… this fight is going to be exciting!"
…
Within the Uchiha compound, ninja gathered in small groups, heading toward the arena.
One of the clan's two most renowned prodigies, "Flame Oni" Akihito, challenging the clan head—who would want to miss such a spectacle?
Inside the dueling grounds, debate once again erupted over who was stronger.
"Akihito may be hailed as a once-in-a-century genius, but at his age, defeating Clan Head Fugaku seems a bit of a stretch."
"Indeed. Akihito's Fire Release is unpredictable, but the clan head's ocular prowess is formidable."
"As fellow Uchiha, the Sharingan will determine victory. And with the title 'Wicked Eye,' Clan Head Fugaku clearly has superior eye power."
Listening to the crowd's skepticism, Masato and Tetsuya sneered inwardly.
"Fugaku's eye power is stronger?"
"The Mangekyō Sharingan remains silent and smiling."
"Would Akihito ever act without confidence?"
"What a bunch of short-sighted fools. Akihito will surely lead the Uchiha to reclaim their former glory!"
The two exchanged knowing smiles.
They had absolute faith in the power of Akihito's Mangekyō Sharingan.
According to clan records, awakening the Mangekyō granted access to the so-called "Power of the Gods"—Susanoo.
Once you witnessed it, death was inevitable.
That was no exaggeration.
In an era without absurd cheats, how many ninja could possibly stand against Susanoo?
Even Uchiha Itachi's overwhelming dominance owed much to it.
…
Hokage Tower.
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was in discussion with advisors Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane when an ANBU ninja responsible for monitoring the Uchiha suddenly rushed in, visibly alarmed.
"Lord Hokage!"
"There's trouble with the Uchiha—'Flame Oni' Akihito has challenged Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku!"
Hearing this, Hiruzen and the two advisors froze.
Since the Nine-Tails Incident, the number of ninja assigned to monitor the Uchiha had doubled.
Bluntly speaking, any movement within the clan was under their watch.
They had never heard of any conflict between Akihito and Fugaku.
Akihito suddenly competing for the position of clan head… it made no sense.
They knew Akihito well. He wasn't the type to do something like this.
But if something was happening within the Uchiha, as Konoha's leadership, they couldn't sit idle.
Hiruzen made a swift decision.
"Let's go. We'll see for ourselves."
…
Uchiha Compound.
Dueling Grounds.
Akihito and Fugaku stood facing each other atop the elevated platform.
Below them, a massive crowd of Uchiha ninja had gathered.
Upon hearing the news, nearly every available clan member had come.
This battle would determine the ownership of the clan head's seat—and influence the Uchiha's future.
No one was indifferent.
The dovish faction hoped Fugaku would win and continue leading the clan.
The hawkish faction, dissatisfied with Fugaku, hoped "Flame Oni" Akihito would rise and create a completely new situation.
As one of the clan's rising stars, Uchiha Itachi had arrived with Uchiha Shisui.
"Shisui, do you think Akihito can defeat my father?"
Itachi voiced his doubt.
Shisui pondered for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile.
"Logically speaking, the clan head should have the upper hand. But Akihito… he's not someone you can judge by common sense."
"If he dares to challenge, he must have his own trump card."
"The outcome of this battle… even I can't predict it."
Itachi looked slightly surprised. It was the first time he had seen Shisui uncertain.
Itachi's admiration for Shisui was much like Sasuke's future reverence for his older brother.
To him, Shisui was invincible.
It was a kind of faith.
Shisui smiled and gently patted Itachi's head.
"Though I'm often mentioned alongside Akihito, his strength surpasses mine."
Many things within the Uchiha—like Fire Release and the Sharingan—were passed down through generations.
Shisui had always regarded Akihito as the goal he sought to surpass.
Yet no matter how hard he tried, there remained an insurmountable gulf between them.
He had only just stepped into the threshold of elite jōnin.
Akihito, meanwhile, was already the pinnacle beneath Kage level.
Shisui's talent was extraordinary—but compared to Akihito, there was still a gap.
His mastery of ninjutsu was exquisite; at such a young age, he had even created a Fire Release Chakra Mode that required no hand seals.
Facing Akihito, Shisui could only sigh.
"Even the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama-sama… might not have been much more impressive."
On the dueling stage, neither combatant moved immediately.
"Akihito… you suddenly chose to challenge me. There must be a reason, right?"
Fugaku spoke in a low voice, voicing his confusion.
Though he had accepted the challenge, he still couldn't understand why Akihito had issued it.
From what he knew of Akihito, it certainly wasn't for power.
And to his knowledge, he had never wronged Akihito in any way.
If anything, they had maintained a fairly good private relationship.
Akihito's sudden challenge left Fugaku puzzled.
Akihito replied calmly,
"The Uchiha are facing a life-or-death crisis. I believe you lack the ability to properly guide the clan."
He was speaking the truth.
A dovish leader could not steer the Uchiha out of their encircled predicament.
Fugaku clung to the naïve hope of peaceful coexistence with Konoha's leadership—a dream far too unrealistic.
Having witnessed the cruelty of war, Fugaku harbored a deep obsession with peace.
It was precisely this obsession that prevented him from seeing the true nature of Konoha's higher-ups.
Fugaku let out a self-deprecating laugh.
"So even you have noticed… I, the clan head, truly am failing."
He was not without self-awareness. No one understood the Uchiha's predicament better than he did.
He couldn't defy Konoha's orders.
He couldn't silence dissent within the clan.
If this continued, the Uchiha's future was bleak.
However, Fugaku was not one to concede easily.
"Then let us settle this with a decisive battle."
He assumed a fighting stance.
Akihito showed no hesitation.
"In that case, I won't hold back."
"Please be careful."