Ran was reading the Naruto Shippuden manga in his hands for the third time.
Every time he reached the Night of the Uchiha Massacre, he couldn't help but sigh.
"If it were me, I'd have flipped the table on Konoha already."
"Three Mangekyō Sharingan, and they still wanted to play by Konoha's rules? Are you kidding me?"
"Is Uchiha Itachi an idiot or what? And Hiruzen Sarutobi—who does that old man think he is?!"
"If I were there, I definitely—"
Before he could finish his thought, a wave of exhaustion washed over him. A powerful suction suddenly erupted from the book in his hands.
In the next instant, Ran was pulled straight into the pages.
When everything settled, only a gently swaying door remained in his home. The book itself had vanished without a trace.
————————————
Ran slowly opened his eyes.
Loud voices rang out around him, filled with tension and agitation.
"Clan Head, it's time to act! Our Uchiha clan has always been loyal to Konoha—but what has Konoha done in return?!"
"They didn't just push us out of the village center. They forced us to move to this forsaken corner! It's obvious they're trying to marginalize the Uchiha!"
"That's right! Clan Head, we've shed blood for Konoha again and again. We don't deserve this treatment!"
"What are you all shouting for? Can't you see Clan Head Fugaku is thinking?"
"Just because we live a bit farther away, that's reason enough to rebel? If Konoha really wanted to suppress us, would they still leave the Military Police Force in Uchiha hands?"
"I think you just want to start a rebellion. Have you thought about what happens to the Uchiha if we fail?"
"Do you want to wipe out the entire clan?!"
The man seated at the head of the room kept his eyes closed, silent and unmoving. No matter how fierce the arguments grew, he showed no intention of intervening.
Ran was completely confused.
Uchiha. Rebellion. Konoha.
The flood of unfamiliar information left his thoughts in chaos.
He lowered his gaze and noticed his hands—covered in standard shinobi tactical gloves.
Suddenly, a torrent of memories surged into his mind.
—
Uchiha Ran.
Second son of Uchiha Fugaku.
Younger brother of Uchiha Itachi.
Older brother of Uchiha Sasuke.
Born into the family of the Uchiha clan head, he had received elite training and education from childhood.
Yet because Itachi's genius shone too brightly, all attention was drawn away from him.
Whenever others saw him, they would say things like,
"Ah, the clan head's son,"
or,
"You're Itachi's little brother, right?"
Almost no one ever called him by name.
Living forever in the shadows of his father and eldest brother, Uchiha Ran gradually faded into obscurity, closing himself off from everyone else.
—
Once the memories finished merging, Ran understood everything.
He had transmigrated.
And the current time… was Konoha Year 55.
Ten days before the Night of the Uchiha Massacre.
Ran—no, Uchiha Ran—finally grasped the gravity of his situation.
But with only the strength of a genin, how could he influence the people here?
How could he make his father, Uchiha Fugaku, listen to him?
In Fugaku's eyes, he could never compare to Itachi.
And even in talent, he was slightly inferior to Sasuke.
A twelve-year-old shinobi who hadn't even awakened the Sharingan yet—just thinking about it made him feel embarrassed.
At that moment, a pleasant voice echoed in his mind.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for awakening the Invincible Powerhouse System."
"Detected that the host's overall ability is too low. Initiating an SSR character draw."
"As an invincible system, the first card cannot be low-tier. Commencing draw."
Everything around Ran froze.
Time itself seemed to stand still.
Before him appeared a massive roulette wheel, spinning slowly, and his heart began to race.
"Holy hell… system bro, you finally showed up? I knew you couldn't stand this garbage plot either!"
"Please spin the wheel immediately. The beginner roulette reward will disappear in ten seconds."
Ran instantly shut his mouth.
He stepped forward, placed his hand on the wheel, and spun it with all his strength.
Swish—swish—swish.
Countless names flashed past his eyes.
After what felt like an eternity, the pointer finally stopped.
Uchiha Madara.
Ran froze.
Uchiha… Madara?!
"Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Uchiha Madara [Founding of Konoha] template."
"Fusion beginning. Please remain conscious at all times. Failure will result in immediate obliteration."
The moment the system finished speaking, an overwhelming torrent of power surged into Ran's body.
Deep-blue chakra flooded him like a raging beast.
Wrapped in that chakra, Ran felt like a lone boat tossed about in an endless ocean.
The sheer pressure made it feel as though his body was about to explode.
"System bro! How much longer?! Is this thing done yet?!" Ran roared in agony.
"5."
"4."
"3."
"2."
"1."
The energy abruptly vanished.
Ran gasped for breath, finally able to relax.
Looking down at his arm, he saw veins bulging beneath his skin.
He clenched his fist—
Boom!
A sharp crack rang out as the air itself burst.
Ran could feel it clearly: with physical strength alone, he could easily shatter stone.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for fully acquiring Uchiha Madara's physical power."
"Now beginning fusion of all combat experience and techniques."
The moment the announcement ended, another soul-rending scream escaped his throat.
Ran clutched his head.
At first, it felt swollen—then it was as if someone were forcibly prying his skull open and cramming knowledge inside, his head throbbing violently.
"5."
"4."
"3."
"2."
"1."
The pain finally subsided, though a heavy pressure still lingered.
Ran shook his head, rubbing his temples.
"System… can we switch to a painless fusion next time? This is brutal."
"Yes. It will require two hundred days. Do you agree?" the system replied coldly.
Ran stiffened.
"My fault, my fault! This is fine—pain is fine! Strength comes first!"
"Hmph."
The system's voice carried a strangely tsundere edge.
"Issuing new task: Refute Uchiha Shisui."
"Note: In this setting, Uchiha Shisui is still alive. Do not nitpick."
"Reward: Unknown."
"Failure penalty: Obliteration."
Ran's expression darkened.
Was this system seriously sick?!
Punishment aside—but obliteration for failure?!
Damn it.
Ran felt deeply wronged, but he didn't dare voice it.
The system sneered.
"I can hear your thoughts. What, dissatisfied?"
"No! Not at all! Completely satisfied! Extremely satisfied, system bro!" Ran answered hastily.
At this point, there was no turning back.
Besides—
Compared to his previous world, this one was far better.