"Will you choose to sink… or to rise?"
"Today, there must be an answer."
Shuoye's voice was calm, yet it swept across the hall like a killing wind in the night.
The air tightened instantly, trembling as though anticipating the eruption of overwhelming power.
"Are you threatening me?!"
Fugaku's expression darkened. He finally realized that Shuoye's resolve was far stronger than he had imagined.
The Uchiha clansmen instinctively stepped back, unease spreading through the crowd.
"This is my choice."
"And the last opportunity I grant you, Fugaku."
In that instant, something ignited within Shuoye's eyes.
An immense, invisible aura burst outward, crashing down like a tidal wave. The oppressive force made several clan members gasp for breath.
"Choose, Fugaku."
Shuoye stepped closer.
His voice was like a whisper from the abyss.
"Step down on your own… or let me help you."
His cold gaze swept across the chamber.
The tension solidified, freezing every corner of the hall.
Then, with a soft cough, Shuoye spoke again—low, resolute.
"Take your positions."
"Those who support me, stand to the left."
"Those who do not, to the right."
Silence.
Time itself seemed suspended.
Without hesitation, Uchiha Xuanjing strode to Shuoye's side, followed by several trusted allies, declaring their allegiance through action.
The rest exchanged uneasy glances.
Fear.
Doubt.
Conflict twisted within their hearts.
Slowly—
One by one—
Several stepped toward the left.
Then more followed.
In the end, the majority stood behind Shuoye.
Only the elders remained unmoving, their silence as heavy as a mountain pressing down upon the chamber.
The Great Elder frowned, emotion flickering in his aged eyes.
Shisui Uchiha hesitated, clearly torn, as if he wished to move toward Shuoye.
At that moment, Fugaku's gaze sharpened like a blade and locked onto Shisui.
If Shisui declared support now—
Fugaku would lose all standing.
He stepped forward, voice steady but firm.
"If you want the position of Clan Leader—prove it."
Shuoye's lips curved slightly.
"Good."
"That is the bearing the Uchiha should possess."
He did not argue further.
The faint smile vanished.
And in the blink of an eye—
He disappeared like a gust of wind.
Gasps erupted throughout the hall.
His figure blurred, splitting into countless shadows before dissolving into nothingness.
"A Shadow Clone…?"
The Great Elder's heart jolted.
Shuoye had attended the entire assembly with a Shadow Clone—
And none of them had noticed.
Uchiha Tekka scoffed coldly.
"To use such tricks in this setting… disgraceful."
"Fugaku will win."
Confidence began shifting back toward Fugaku.
Not long after, the clan gathered at the training grounds.
"According to Uchiha law," the Great Elder announced from the raised platform, "Shuoye has gained the support of over half the clan."
"He is qualified to challenge for the position of Clan Leader."
Taking a deep breath, he declared:
"The succession duel—begins now!"
Shuoye and Fugaku stood facing one another.
All eyes fixed upon them.
Everyone understood—
This battle would determine the Uchiha's future.
A sharp bell rang.
The duel commenced.
Fugaku wasted no time.
His pupils contracted.
The three-tomoe Sharingan spun to life within his eyes, radiating a suffocating presence.
Hand seals formed swiftly.
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
A blazing dragon roared forth, tearing toward Shuoye with destructive fury.
Murmurs filled the crowd.
"Clan Leader Fugaku's experience is unmatched."
"Shuoye is still too young. He's already lost the initiative."
"This will end quickly."
But facing the roaring inferno—
Shuoye merely chuckled.
No panic.
No hesitation.
His own three-tomoe Sharingan spun into motion.
Yet unlike Fugaku's—
There was a deeper calm within his gaze.
His hands formed seals.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique."
A massive torrent descended like a collapsing sea, crashing head-on into the blazing dragon.
Water and fire collided violently.
Steam exploded outward, whipping up powerful gusts of wind that scattered dust and leaves across the field.
The spectators gasped.
The flames were swallowed.
Neutralized effortlessly.
Fugaku's heart trembled.
His Fire Release had been dismantled in an instant.
"As expected of you," he muttered inwardly.
His expression hardened.
"I cannot afford carelessness."
"Come, Shuoye."
"Show me your true strength."
He knew.
Shuoye's greatest weapon was not ninjutsu—
But taijutsu.
And he could not allow even the slightest opening.