How did Xenophon become a leader of the Greek mercenaries after Cunaxa?

Following the Battle of Cunaxa and the subsequent death of Cyrus the Younger, the Greek mercenary army—later known as the Ten Thousand—found itself in a precarious position deep within Persian territory. The situation became critical when the Persians seized and executed the primary Greek generals.1

In the aftermath of this leadership vacuum, Xenophon, who had initially joined the expedition in a private capacity, was selected by the soldiers as one of the new leaders to replace the fallen commanders. His rise to a position of command was driven by his resourcefulness and courage, which were instrumental in guiding the mercenaries through hostile terrain during their famous retreat to the Black Sea.123