Thus, ten days before the Night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre, the Uchiha's discussion over whether to rise up and seize power from Konoha came to a rather perfunctory end.
Still, there was a significant gain.
For the first time in six years since the Nine-Tails' Attack, the Uchiha Clan had reunited as one—leaving only a handful of outliers.
Uchiha Zongyi: "..."
Uchiha Shisui: "..."
Uchiha Itachi: "..."
After the meeting concluded, although Uchiha Fugaku, the Clan Head, left first, none of the Uchiha ninja present moved. Instead, every gaze turned toward Uchiha Ran.
Fugaku halted mid-step and looked back at the assembled clansmen. His expression was complicated as he cast a deep, meaningful glance at Ran.
Ran cleared his throat.
"It's getting late. Everyone, go back and rest," he said calmly.
"I, Uchiha Ran, swear here and now—my attitude toward Konoha's upper echelons will never be soft. I will never compromise. And I will never surrender."
"Yes!"
The response echoed thunderously—ten thousand voices as one.
In the next instant, the gathered ninja dissolved into streaks of black shadows, vanishing from the Clan Meeting Hall.
Fugaku also turned to leave, his figure looking oddly lonely. Ran hesitated, almost calling out to him—but he stopped himself.
Now was not the time to show weakness.
Because Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Zongyi were still there.
Ran looked at the three with a faint smile.
"What? You're not leaving yet?"
He turned around, long hair fluttering as mockery filled his eyes, as though the three of them were nothing more than ants.
"Ran, when did you obtain such terrifying strength?" Shisui asked, clearly puzzled.
He had frequently visited Fugaku's home while spending time with Itachi and had greeted Ran many times before. Back then, Ran had been like a shadow—quiet, timid, only nodding politely whenever spoken to.
He never imagined he'd misjudged him this badly.
Ran's chakra… was likely even greater than the Hokage's.
"Just now," Ran replied with a smile.
Shisui's lips twitched. Who are you fooling?
Still, since it was Ran's secret, pressing further wouldn't be appropriate.
Only Itachi frowned, his expression dark.
"Ran, if you don't want to say it, then don't. Why mock Shisui-san?"
"Believe whatever you want," Ran shrugged indifferently.
Veins bulged on Itachi's forehead. He felt an overwhelming urge to teach this arrogant little brother a lesson—one that would show him how to treat his elder properly.
This time, Shisui didn't stop him. He was also curious about just how strong Ran truly was.
---
Ding!
Congratulations to the host for completing the mission: Rebut Uchiha Shisui.
Completion Rating: SSS
Reward: Skill – Indomitable Body (Incomplete)
Effect: Reduces damage by 10% per hit received, stacking up to 100%.
[Because of the host's fear of death, the system has rewarded a damage-reduction skill.]
Ran's eyes lit up.
A conceptual, god-tier skill.
The corners of his mouth curled upward as an idea formed in his mind.
A bug.
A very exploitable bug.
He casually raised his middle finger at Itachi.
Itachi froze. He didn't understand the gesture—but he knew damn well it wasn't anything good.
"Ran, I challenge you!" Itachi said coldly, preparing to form the Seal of Confrontation.
Ran waved his hand dismissively.
Contempt flashed through Itachi's eyes. So he's all bark and no bite? Cowering the moment things turn serious?
Shisui, however, felt something was off and quietly observed Ran's next move.
"Itachi," Ran said evenly, "don't you think a training ground would be more appropriate than here? This is where the clan holds meetings. It wouldn't be good if something got damaged."
Itachi paused, then nodded.
"That's reasonable. I'll wait for you at Training Ground Seven."
With that, his body dissolved into a swarm of crows and vanished.
If Ran were still only a genin, that sight might have startled him. But now—after merging with the Uchiha Madara (Founder of Konoha) Template—this so-called Crow Clone Technique was nothing more than a parlor trick.
When chakra reached a certain level, and with a powerful pair of Mangekyō Sharingan, the essence of all ninjutsu could be seen through.
Shisui didn't leave. He watched Ran closely.
Ran gave him a thumbs-up—and in the blink of an eye, vanished.
Shisui's face turned pale.
In less than the time it took to blink, Ran had completely disappeared from his perception.
Recovering quickly, knowing the destination, Shisui used the Shadow Clone Technique and rushed toward Training Ground Seven.
---
When Shisui arrived, Itachi was already there, smiling faintly.
"Shisui-san, why don't you act as referee?" Itachi suggested.
Shisui glanced at Ran and nodded.
"Alright."
Then he looked directly at Ran.
"Ran, rest assured. I'll oversee this battle with absolute impartiality—staking the honor of the Uchiha Clan itself."
Ran nodded. That promise carried weight.
Seeing this, Shisui raised his hand.
"Three. Two. One. Begin!"
The corners of Ran's mouth curled upward.
Then—
He punched himself in the chest ten times.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump…
Itachi stared in confusion.
Is something wrong with his head?
Why is he hitting himself before the fight even starts?
Ding!
Damage reduction: 10%… 20%… 30%…
100%.
The system notification rang out.
Ran's grin widened.
Preparations complete.
Now—let's fight.
Though Itachi didn't understand Ran's behavior, one principle was sacred to all ninja—
Strike first.
Itachi drew his long blade and pointed it at Ran.
"My foolish otōto… today I'll teach you this—awakening the Mangekyō alone isn't enough. Ocular power means nothing without real battle experience."
He burst forward, instantly closing the distance, and raised his tachi to slash down.
Ran didn't dodge.
He didn't block.
He simply stood there.
Itachi's pupils shrank. He tried to pull back at the last moment—but it was too late. He could only withdraw half his strength.
The blade came crashing down toward Ran's shoulder.
"Damn it! Are you stupid?! Move!" Itachi roared. He wanted to discipline his brother—not kill him!
Ran only smiled.
The instant the blade struck—
Clink!
Sparks exploded in all directions.