4 Chapter 3 : Uchiha Ran

"Marvelous!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen beamed with satisfaction upon witnessing Uchiha Ran's speech in the Ninja World Gold List.

With remarkable ninjutsu talent, he was the ideal inheritor of the Will of Fire. At just sixteen years old, he had already achieved Elite Jōnin level strength. Relying on the Flying Thunder God Technique, he could even contend against Kage-level opponents.

He boasted an impressive number of successfully completed missions, boasting an outstanding reputation within the Anbu.

This disciple of his, in every aspect, met his expectations.

However, what pleased him most was Ran's wisdom, comparable to that of the Nara clan, and his innate political foresight.

The words on the Ninja World Gold List were courteous, yet maintained the aura of the first Ninja village without losing its potency. The words were sharp, demonstrating an indomitable spirit. The reference to bloodline limit and the subsequent rewards was particularly shrewd, exuding the essence of the No. 1 Ninja Village.

In a word, it was splendid!

"Eh?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression of approval faded as he glanced at Uchiha Ran's surname in the speech. His eyes widened in disbelief.

Uchiha... The surname is Uchiha?

Was the surname addition to the Gold List hasty and reckless?

Impossible!

...

"Uchiha!"

At the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire, Uchiha Itachi, on an investigative mission, subtly shifted his stance, surprise flickering in his eyes.

"Mr. Itachi, seems like a loose end we didn't catch?" Hoshigaki Kisame quipped with a grin.

"The Uchiha clan isn't like the Hyuga. They don't prohibit intermarriage with outsiders. This individual is probably an unintended remnant," Uchiha Itachi replied coolly.

"Is Mr. Itachi contemplating eliminating him?" Hoshigaki Kisame continued, still grinning.

Uchiha Itachi cast a measured look at him and replied nonchalantly, "Inheriting the jutsu of the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique makes him a challenging target. The organization's existence shouldn't be compromised now. Don't provoke the leader's ire."

"Understood, Mr. Itachi. Can you take him down when the time comes?"

"... Whatever."

As long as the person could be eliminated.

Uchiha Itachi mused to himself, indifferent.

If the Black Flash were so easily vanquished, Kakuzu, who had a voracious appetite for money, would have disposed of Uchiha Ran ages ago in the underground black market. After all, Uchiha Ran's head was valued at three times the worth of Asuma's.

"Uchiha!?"

Somewhere in the Land of Water, Uchiha Obito, who had recently left Kirigakure, stood atop a tree, his masked face betraying a tinge of surprise.

When he had cooperated with Konoha's higher-ups to obliterate the Uchiha clan, it wasn't just his antipathy towards the Uchiha that fueled his actions. He also harbored envy toward the clan's awakening of the Mangekyō.

In the past, he had even plotted against the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, fearing Minato's ability to counteract his space-time jutsu with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

He was willing to eliminate any potential threats to live in a world alongside Rin. And here, he considered smothering this threat in its infancy.

Little did he anticipate that this person would be another Uchiha?

"As expected of a cursed lineage—always engendering complications."

Uchiha Obito's thoughts simmered with frustration.

"Obito, are you considering killing Uchiha Ran?"

The being shrouded within pitcher plants still remained absent from Obito's sight.

"No need to go overboard."

Uchiha Obito didn't turn around.

"His identity's been compromised. Danzo, Orochimaru, even Sarutobi Hiruzen—all don't wish for his continued existence."

With that, a Uzumaki clan member manifested in Uchiha Obito's right eye, and his form began to dissipate.

Just before vanishing completely, an apathetic voice resonated through the woods.

"Contact Nagato to investigate the Gold List, and..."

"Out there, refer to me as Madara!"

...

"Uchiha Ran?"

"Uchiha...survivor?"

"Hahaha, that's rich! Uchiha Ran, huh?"

"Old man, old fox, your scheme's gone awry."

Within Konoha's root secret base, Danzo laughed with fervor.

Never before had he held such fondness for the term 'Uchiha'.

Uchiha Ran possessed incredible talent, rivaling that of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato. He, too, was an orphan of common birth and demonstrated an understanding of the Will of Fire akin to Namikaze Minato.

Initially, Danzo had hoped to integrate him into Root, but Sarutobi Hiruzen beat him to the punch, accepting Ran as a private disciple.

As an old friend, Danzo had quickly grasped Hiruzen's intent.

Inevitably, Uchiha Ran learned medical ninjutsu and joined the Konoha hospital staff. His reputation and contacts burgeoned as he undertook an array of successful missions, escalating his strength.

A year ago, Sarutobi Asuma's unexpected demise prompted Hiruzen to impart all his knowledge to Uchiha Ran, who subsequently mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Within a year, Uchiha Ran became the "Black Flash" of the ninja world, surpassing expectations.

Four months ago, Uchiha Ran, Kakashi Hatake, and Kurenai Yūhi became Genin instructors. Ran instructed pupils hailing from the Ino–Shika–Chō clans, closely allied with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

At present, Uchiha Ran resembled a prominent rendition of Namikaze Minato—a prime candidate for the Fifth Hokage position.

In a few years, as Ran matured, Hiruzen could retire while Ran continued as Hokage. The transition would be smooth, akin to Minato's ascension.

The abacus of schemes meticulously fell into place.

However, Danzo's elation remained dampened. Over the years, he had covertly attempted to eliminate Uchiha Ran to no avail, his powerlessness irking him.

Now, he stood on the precipice of executing the Konoha Crush plan to oust Hiruzen, seizing Hokage temporarily on the premise that Ran was too young. It was a transitory hold, allowing him to subsequently reclaim Hokage when Hiruzen died.

But the Konoha Crush plan bore risks, even now.

Danzo exercised utmost caution.

Unforeseen, a solution landed in his lap.

"Uchiha, unfit for Hokage."

"Sarutobi, once you're gone, Hokage is mine!"

...

"Uchiha."

Orochimaru, concealed as the Fourth Kazekage, could scarcely suppress his fascination, almost sticking out his tongue in self-interest.

He turned to regard Uchiha Ran with longing.

Certainly, he was a more promising vessel than Uchiha Sasuke, wasn't he?

"Uchiha?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's lips twitched, hinting at a question left unvoiced.

In the end, he suppressed the intricate emotions festering within.

At that moment, a figure materialized on the raised platform, anxiety and enthusiasm etched upon its features. "Teacher Ran, are you... from our clan?"

It was Uchiha Sasuke, led to the competition venue by Kakashi.

He had always believed himself the sole Uchiha within the ninja world (Uchiha Itachi's lethal intent shadowed him), and the pivotal role of resurrecting the clan's prestige was solely his burden.

Little did he fathom that his revered teacher, Ran, renowned as the Black Flash throughout the ninja world, hailed from the Uchiha clan—a revelation both astonishing and bewildering!

Could he, Uchiha Sasuke, still claim the honor of his clan?

"The Uchiha clan?"

Uchiha Ran peered at Sasuke, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

He lowered his glasses slightly, unveiling dark irises brimming with chakra. Swiftly, the obsidian eyes transitioned to a brilliant scarlet hue.

Three tomoe—one, two, three—revealed themselves distinctly.

The Uchiha clan's Three Tomoe Sharingan!

*****

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