UCHIHA: THE ATTACK ON KONOHA

"There's a new squad leader today. Any idea who it is?" A young Uchiha, lounging against a tree, asked lazily.

Another Uchiha, seated cross-legged on the ground, smirked. "We know him—used to play together when we were kids."

"My mother told me it's Aunt Lan's son—the one who graduated early. Uchiha Yang," a boy with a ninja sword added.

"Oh, him? The prodigy everyone talks about?"

"I thought he was the youngest to become a Chūnin?"

"Is he really fit to lead a squadron already? Leadership isn't just about strength."

"Tch, I heard he got the position by giving the patriarch some rare ninjutsu."

"My uncle said he got his hands on a jutsu from his grandfather and used it to pull some strings," another muttered.

A group of five or six chattered, speculating as more shinobi arrived. Soon, it was time to gather. From a distance, three figures approached.

The leading figure was none other than Uchiha Yang, followed closely by Uchiha En and Uchiha Retsu—two well-known squad leaders. Their respective defense zones had always been adjacent, and their teams had a long-standing bond.

Without needing introductions, the gathered Uchiha recognized them. Those who were informed had already spread the word.

Uchiha Yang raised a hand, signaling to his two old teammates. Understanding immediately, they commanded their squads to form up.

Four team positions had been left vacant, and among the assembled shinobi, four figures instinctively took a leading stance.

Yang smiled slightly. "I'm Uchiha Yang. I just returned from training outside the village. I know what some of you are thinking—yes, I became a Chūnin and a squad leader under... special circumstances. Some say I exchanged ninjutsu for my position. They're not wrong. My grandfather's legacy played a role."

Murmurs spread through the crowd. Some looked on with skepticism, others with barely concealed resentment.

A Uchiha gripping a ninja blade chuckled.

Yang continued, "I understand your doubts. This is the Uchiha clan. Strength dictates leadership. Words won't convince you." He raised a single finger.

"Anyone here—yes, anyone—who can defeat me can take my position. No politics, no complaints. If you win, the title is yours."

He pulled a scroll from behind his back.

"This is the appointment document. The name of the squad captain is still blank. Whoever wins gets to write their name." He handed the scroll to Uchiha Retsu.

He smirked. "We are Uchiha. The strongest should lead. Now, let's settle this the proper way."

Yang stepped forward, closing his eyes briefly as he took his stance. He didn't have time to win their trust gradually—he would assert his dominance the Uchiha way.

A young man stepped forward. "I'm Uchiha Cha. I've heard of you. You're strong. But you've never served in a squad, and you weren't even in Konoha for the last few years. Now you come back and expect to lead? No one will accept that."

He smirked. "But I'll admit—challenging you like this is a good move. At least you understand how things work in our clan. Let's begin."

Both performed the Seal of Confrontation, then Cha rushed forward.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire!"

Small fireballs shot toward Yang in rapid succession.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!" Yang responded quickly, raising a barrier of stone.

The moment the fireballs dispersed, he countered—

"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire!"

Cha quickly reacted. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

As he was about to follow up with a Shuriken Jutsu, a voice echoed from behind—

"Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Jutsu."

Before he could react, hands emerged from the ground, dragging him under.

Uchiha Retsu stepped forward. "Winner: Uchiha Yang."

Cha's teammates helped him up. He dusted himself off, nodded respectfully, and moved to stand behind Yang—though still keeping some distance. His stance showed clear acknowledgment.

Another Uchiha stepped forward. He held a ninja sword. "I'm Uchiha Hualuo, but my friends call me Dahua. Just so you know—if I lose, don't go telling my mom and getting her to complain to Aunt Lan."

With a smirk, he performed the Seal of Confrontation.

He instantly threw three shuriken, forming a tactical pattern as they spiraled toward Yang.

Then, drawing his sword, he launched a relentless offensive. "Uchiha-Style Kenjutsu: Flame Step."

His sword seemed to ignite as he blurred forward. "Uchiha-Style Kenjutsu: Blitz Strike!"

Yang countered with a swift draw. "One-Sword Style: Sky Rend."

His single, precise slash deflected the shuriken mid-air, interrupted Hualuo's technique, and closed the distance in an instant. The tip of his sword stopped just shy of Hualuo's throat.

The wind from the strike tousled Hualuo's hair. The match was over.

Hualuo sighed, sheathing his sword. "No wonder… Mom always said your grandfather trained you himself. No one our age can match your swordsmanship."

He smiled and stepped forward. "Our mothers are friends. Let's be brothers too. I'll keep challenging you."

Yang smirked. "Then come over often. Training alone isn't as useful as sparring. Techniques are static—only battle refines them."

Hualuo muttered, "So that's what I've been missing…"

He grinned. "I'll be bothering you a lot then." He stepped back to join Cha.

Then, a muscular Uchiha stepped forward. "I'm Uchiha Hoshino. Unlike them, I don't rely on swords. The true power of the Uchiha clan isn't kenjutsu. Let me show you what a real duel looks like."

He activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan. His eyes gleamed red.

With a Shadow Clone Jutsu, three clones formed, each launching shuriken from different angles.

Yang chuckled. Sharingan and Genjutsu, huh?

He dashed backward. "One-Sword Style: Swallow Dance."

In a blur, his blade carved through the first two clones.

But then—

Poof!

The third "clone" was a transformed shuriken, now hurtling toward him.

Hoshino smirked. "Got you."

But Yang barely looked. "Using the Transformation Jutsu before combat? Clever."

He sidestepped and slashed—"One-Sword Style: Flame Arc."

The final shuriken was sliced in two, revealing Hoshino mid-air.

Yang was already in front of him.

Hoshino's Sharingan spun in shock.

Yang smirked. "You're open."

A flick of his sword sent Hoshino crashing to the ground.

Silence.

Yang turned to the hesitant clan members. "Anyone else?"

The remaining doubters exchanged glances.

Yang cracked his neck. "From now on, I'll take on two challengers at a time. If I win, I'll fight three until there's no one left."

The Uchiha clan thrived on strength. And today, Yang would prove he was the strongest among them.