The moment the two agreed to the duel, the Naka Shrine erupted into noisy discussion.
"Wasn't Uchiha Ran just a fresh graduate from the Academy? Why is he competing with Lord Taka?"
"They're not even on the same level, are they? Ran is a ninja—how can he compare to Uncle Taka?"
"Sigh… Fugaku really has lost his head as clan head. If he had no one, why force Ran to step up?"
"I know that kid. Ran was taken in by Orochimaru as a disciple—he's an odd one among the Uchiha. You could say he's part of the Third Hokage's direct line."
"I also heard he went on an S-rank mission with Namikaze Minato. You really can't underestimate him."
Listening to the voices around him, Uchiha Taka finally gained a clearer picture of who Uchiha Ran was.
Orochimaru's student… worked with Namikaze Minato…
So the kid does have some ability.
With that thought, Taka spoke up.
"Ran-kun, how about conceding? There's no need to get seriously injured over political struggles. For the safety of the clan, a reliable adult like your Uncle Taka is clearly more suitable to lead the Special Operations Unit."
Ran calmly drew the blade at his waist as he replied.
"Uncle Taka, you might not know this—but the most terrifying people in Konoha aren't chūnin, or jōnin, and certainly not the Hokage."
"They're ninja."
"…What are you talking about?"
Between Ran's conclusion and that effortlessly smooth draw of his sword, Taka was left full of question marks. He decided the kid's thinking must be a little… off.
This is Fugaku's fault, Taka thought. He's pushed the child too hard.
At the same time, Taka resolved to give Ran a proper lesson—one that would pull him away from Fugaku's weakness and guide him toward Yashiro's camp.
"Hmph. Don't worry, kid. I'll be gentle."
The two stood facing each other.
There was no seal of confrontation—
the Uchiha clan didn't bother with such formalities.
Taka fixed his gaze on Ran, cold light flashing in his eyes. No matter who his opponent was, he never truly held back.
As a traditional Uchiha with nearly fifty years of experience, his mastery of the Sharingan and Fire Release had long reached its peak.
He intended to show his full strength and give this so-called new Uchiha genius a lesson he would never forget.
Ran, gripping his blade, looked at Taka with a faintly strange expression.
He could feel it.
Fleeting Life, Dreamlike Illusion had already placed everyone present under hypnosis.
It was terrifyingly powerful.
This Zanpakutō had already surpassed Ran's understanding—
and yet, this wasn't even its complete Shikai form.
Seeing Ran remain motionless, Taka chose to strike first.
He inhaled sharply and formed seals at high speed.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Technique!"
A torrent of blazing flames erupted, roaring toward Ran like a raging fire dragon.
Ran reacted calmly. The Great Fire Dragon wasn't particularly fast—he sidestepped lightly, Sharingan spinning open as he avoided the attack with ease.
But Taka had anticipated this.
Mid-cast, he redirected the flames toward a tree behind Ran.
The tree was instantly engulfed, burning violently and producing thick, choking smoke.
Smoke far more irritating than standard mist—
far better suited to counter the Sharingan.
Ran looked genuinely surprised.
He hadn't expected Taka's combat awareness to be this sharp—to exploit the environment so quickly.
This uncle fights better than Yagura, Ran admitted inwardly.
"Fine… let's play, old man."
Taka didn't pause.
He pressed forward relentlessly.
To him, power was forged through countless battles, not empty confidence.
Standing up for Fugaku without the strength to back it up would only get oneself—and others—killed.
This fight, in his eyes, was a lesson.
Better to bleed in a spar than die on the battlefield.
That was Taka's form of mercy toward his clansman.
Swordplay.
Fire Release.
Taijutsu.
Taka attacked in a relentless storm.
The onlookers could clearly see Ran being pushed back, forced into defense again and again. Every time Ran tried to counter, Taka shifted his angle, cutting off the opportunity.
Ran couldn't bring out his full strength at all.
"This is the difference experience makes," the Uchiha murmured among themselves.
"Give it up. You have no chance," Taka said coldly.
Another Great Fire Dragon roared toward Ran.
Fugaku frowned.
Something feels off, he thought.
The fight looks fierce… but it's wrong somehow.
Ran dodged, but this time he was half a step too slow.
The flames grazed past him, scorching his clothes and leaving a blackened burn.
Taka pressed the advantage.
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Release Song!"
Boom—boom—boom!
Explosions tore into the ground, dust and smoke billowing as craters formed one after another.
When the dust slowly settled, Taka stood calmly in place, as if nothing had happened.
"Cough… cough…"
A sound came from one of the craters.
"Oh?" Taka frowned slightly. "He dodged?"
He knew the speed and power of that attack well. Ran should have been clipped by it.
Suddenly—
A flash of silver light burst out from the smoke.
A blade thrust forward.
Taka's pupils shrank.
His hands flew into seals.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
A blue chakra-water barrier rose in front of him.
Clang!
Ran's blade struck the barrier, sending ripples across its surface.
"That was close—now I just—"
Before Taka could finish forming his next seal, his expression froze.
The Ran in front of him—
slowly faded away.
At the same instant, cold steel touched his neck.
A sword rested there.
Silently.
Decisively.
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