At those words, a wave of muffled gasps rose through the hall.
Surpass Madara Uchiha!
He was the Asura who had stood alongside Hashirama in the Warring States Era.
He was a terrifying figure who had unlocked the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, wielded the Complete Body Susanoo, and ultimately even awakened the Rinnegan.
Yet now, Ren was saying that Shisui and Itachi's potential had already surpassed Madara's.
Shisui clenched his hands and remained silent for a long time.
Itachi's expression stayed calm, but the turmoil in his chest would not fully settle either.
They both understood that this was no mere compliment.
This was a genuine path to a higher level.
"Of course."
Ren looked at the two of them.
"Potential doesn't guarantee a breakthrough."
"The transcendent realm isn't something you can enter by piling on potions, nor is powerful ocular prowess enough."
"Talent, resources, opportunity, and strength of character-you need them all."
"But the two of you truly do have the best chance in the clan of reaching the transcendent realm."
Shisui spoke solemnly. "Clan Leader, I won't let the clan's efforts to nurture me go to waste."
Itachi lowered his head as well.
"I'll keep cultivating."
Ren nodded, then turned to Fugaku and the captains of the Thirteen Squads.
"Fugaku, and the captains of the Uchiha War Thirteen Squads, it's not as though you have no chance either."
"You're still relatively young. Your bloodlines have been refined by potions, and your physical foundations are far stronger than before."
"If you can take your cultivation methods to a higher level in the future and obtain enough resources and opportunities, you'll have some hope of breaking into the transcendent realm."
The thirteen squad captains perked up.
In the past, they had thought that reaching the Kage-level peak meant they were already