Early the next morning, news spread through Konoha like wildfire:
Uchiha Leon had been promoted to Elite Jōnin.
Not Jōnin.
Elite Jōnin.
That distinction mattered.
Originally, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had only asked Uchiha Shisui to test whether Leon qualified for Jōnin… and, more importantly, whether he'd been keeping up with chakra training and ninjutsu at all.
But the "test" turned into a public disaster.
They didn't just fight—they shattered parts of the First and Second Hokage's stone faces on Hokage Rock. Shisui even revealed the legendary Susanoo.
And Leon?
He fought the entire time with pure taijutsu.
At that point, if Hiruzen tried to downplay it, people would talk. So he did the only thing that wouldn't look petty on the surface:
He let Leon skip ahead.
Elite Jōnin.
A promotion that sounded generous… while quietly twisting the knife.
Because an Uchiha who "doesn't rely on ninjutsu," who "doesn't even use his eyes," rising through taijutsu alone—was a subtle insult to every Sharingan user in the clan.
A compliment with barbs.
The Village Reacts
The village reacted instantly.
The streets buzzed.
"An Elite Jōnin at eleven…?"
"That's more monstrous than Kakashi."
"Wasn't he… quiet for years?"
"He wasn't quiet. He was just hiding."
For ordinary civilians, the first emotion was simple fear.
The second was relief—and excitement.
The Third Great Ninja War had just ended in Konoha's favor. Now the village had another once-in-a-generation monster on its side. To most people, it felt like the future was finally turning bright.
But the major clans didn't celebrate.
They tasted the politics under the headline.
" Uchiha Leon… an Elite Jōnin who specializes in taijutsu?"
Among the bloodline clans, the reaction was closer to a bitter sigh than awe.
Because anyone with eyes could see it:
The brief "unity" of wartime was fading.
And the cold struggle between the Uchiha and Konoha's leadership was starting to surface again.
Hyūga Clan Compound
Inside the Hyūga main house, Hiashi Hyūga sat with a heavy expression.
"The Uchiha produced another freak… and he's a taijutsu specialist."
He sounded almost exhausted.
"When will the Hyūga produce a talent like that?"
It wasn't envy.
It was frustration.
Hiashi had always believed the Hyūga were every bit the Uchiha's equal.
Reality disagreed.
Shisui had already risen to fame.
And now Leon—eleven years old, already Elite Jōnin.
Comparisons like that didn't just sting.
They bruised.
Across from him, Hizashi Hyūga—head of the branch family—shook his head.
"Brother… he's 'only' an Elite Jōnin who focuses on taijutsu. He hasn't shown the Sharingan. It's not as terrifying as it sounds."
Hiashi exhaled.
"Even taijutsu at that level is still power."
Hizashi's eyes narrowed slightly, as if seeing the wider board.
"Still… the more high-profile the Uchiha become, the easier it is for the rest of us to breathe."
He paused, then said it plainly:
"Konoha's leadership doesn't like clans that grow too strong."
Hiashi's gaze sharpened.
"An Uchiha who isn't 'using his eyes' is the kind the village prefers."
"And Hiruzen pushing Leon up this quickly…" Hiashi murmured. "That may not be a blessing for the Uchiha at all."
Hizashi gave a small, humorless laugh.
"Exactly. We watch. We don't move."
Hiashi nodded, then his expression softened—just a little.
"By the way… how's the baby?"
Hizashi's face warmed despite himself.
"He's healthy."
A beat.
"My wife gave birth a few days ago. We named him Neji Hyūga."
Hiashi smiled like a man already planning the future.
"In a few days, I'll come see him."
Then he added, almost casually:
"As the future head of the branch family, I hope Neji grows into someone who can shoulder the duty of protecting the main house."
Hizashi's smile faded at the edges.
He bowed his head anyway.
"...Of course."
Because that was the tragedy of the branch family:
The moment Neji was born, his fate was already written.
Root Base
Deep underground, in a dimly lit room that felt more like a tomb than an office, Orochimaru smiled.
It wasn't warm.
It was curious.
"Interesting… truly interesting. The Uchiha produced an Elite Jōnin who specializes in taijutsu."
He turned his snake-like eyes toward the man beside him.
"Danzō… what do you think of this Uchiha Leon?"
Danzō Shimura didn't hesitate.
"Nothing special."
His tone carried that familiar contempt.
"Don't you see? Hiruzen is praising him to death."
Then Danzō's mouth curled.
"An Uchiha with the Sharingan who refuses to develop ninjutsu and chakra control—he's already gone down the wrong path."
He spoke like a man passing judgment from a throne.
"A waste."
Orochimaru's lips twitched.
"Sensei is still terrifying, even now."
"If Leon gets pushed this high…" Orochimaru mused, "the Uchiha won't stay quiet."
"They won't," Danzō said, voice steady. "And we don't need to touch them yet."
His eyes hardened.
"Because one day I'll wipe out the Uchiha."
He said it like he was discussing the weather.
"And when that day comes, you'll help me transplant their eyes."
Orochimaru shrugged, tongue flicking briefly over his lips.
"No problem."
Then, as if it were the most normal thing in the world, he added:
"I feel like doing human experiments again."
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