Stop Evolving

Chapter 30: Stop Evolving

Rage surged into his brain, his past rationality completely vanishing. Looking at the three small figures in the pool of blood, Shisui felt an unprecedented fury.

"Where's that Kakashi guy? Is he dead? Does he even deserve to be a Jonin instructor?!"

The masked man beside him hadn't left. He had intended to watch Kagami die quietly, but before Kagami could fully succumb, he encountered a formidable enemy instead.

"I thought the first person to witness this scene, besides myself, would be Kakashi. I didn't expect it to be you."

The reason the masked man stayed was to prevent anyone from arriving to save Kagami. After all, with wounds like Kagami's, death was certain without medical attention, but with it, the outcome was uncertain.

The three-tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, finally transforming into a pair of eyes with four blade-like pupils.

It was Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan.

His crimson eyes stared intently at the masked man and the blood-stained sword in his hand.

"No matter who you are, today, you will die!"

A slight ripple passed through the Mangekyo behind the mask.

"Shisui the Body Flicker, fighting me will bring you no benefit."

Shisui's face contorted in ferocity.

"Do you think I want to kill you for some benefit? Today, you will die!"

The masked man fell silent for a moment, then abandoned his plan of watching Kagami die, shaking his head slightly.

"You cannot kill me, Shisui the Body Flicker. I have no intention of fighting you. I'm leaving."

A flash of fire pierced directly through the masked man's body, causing him no harm.

Then, a vortex appeared, quickly whisking the masked man away.

Shortly thereafter, Kakashi arrived. The masked man had cast a genjutsu on Kakashi, causing him to unknowingly take a long detour, hence his late arrival.

Shisui picked up the blood-soaked Kagami from the ground. With his back to Kakashi, he spoke without looking back.

"Kakashi, you are not fit to be a Jonin instructor. Go back to the Anbu."

With that, Shisui disappeared with Kagami.

Kakashi looked at the pool of blood before him, his breathing nearly stopping. Again and again, he was met with intense pain.

Walking forward, Kakashi carefully picked up Saito Daisuke's corpse.

"Shisui is right. I'm not fit to be a Jonin instructor."

Itachi silently emerged from the darkness and picked up Suzuki Genji's body.

"Kakashi, let's go."

Kakashi clearly noticed that the word "senpai" that Itachi used to use for him had quietly disappeared. Although Itachi showed no outward anger, this deliberate distancing was extremely apparent.

Kakashi could say nothing about it, offering a bleak smile.

"Let's go."

The two then vanished.

A short while later, the masked man reappeared at the scene. Looking in the direction of Konoha, he thought silently.

You can't save anyone, Kakashi. Just like Teacher Minato, you can only kill them.

One day later, at the Konoha Hospital.

Kagami slowly opened his eyes, seeing only the ceiling.

He turned his head and saw Shisui sitting there. Kagami pursed his lips and asked, "Shisui-bro, am I still alive?"

Shisui nodded.

"Of course."

"What about Genji and Daisuke?"

"..."

Kagami received no answer, only silence.

After a few seconds, Kagami seemed to understand something. He turned his head back, staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.

"I'm sorry."

Shisui suddenly spoke, his eyes filled with apology.

"Kagami, I failed to keep my promise this time. I said I wouldn't let you awaken those eyes, but..."

Kagami shook his head.

"It's not your fault, Shisui-bro."

Placing his hand around his eyes and feeling them, Kagami finally understood the immense pain required to awaken these eyes.

When he first arrived in this world, Kagami had thought he would make a name for himself in the ninja world with his eyes. But at this moment, all he wanted was for these eyes to remain at one tomoe, truly, please, don't evolve any further.

Please.

Shisui looked at Kagami's hand stroking the area around his eyes and couldn't help but speak with a pained heart.

"It hurts a lot, doesn't it."

Kagami said with a smile that looked like he was crying.

"Ah, Brother Shisui, it hurts so much. These eyes hurt so much, I really, really don't want them..."

Outside the window, Itachi and Kakashi stood like two ghosts, quietly observing the movements inside the room. Neither of them spoke, a deathly silence hanging between them. They had similar experiences and understood very well that while the pain might seem insignificant to others, it was often unbearable for the person experiencing it.

Shisui took Kagami's hand and smiled slightly.

"For the time being, don't be a genin. Don't take any missions. Let me teach you."

Kagami was startled.

"Didn't Brother Shisui say he didn't have time before?"

Shisui interrupted Kagami, smiling dismissively.

"No, I have time now."

He had time? Was that even possible? It was likely Shisui was planning to forcibly carve out time to teach Kagami.

"Okay."

Kagami still agreed. He wasn't a machine; he was human. He couldn't consider everything rationally. At this moment, he truly needed some time to calm down.

Besides, he had another purpose. He wanted to watch Shisui, to keep a close eye on Shisui. Just as Kagami thought, he really didn't want his eyes to evolve.

A moment later, a hospital nurse entered. Shisui disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique. Shisui couldn't be seen by others right now. If Kagami hadn't been in critical condition before, Shisui wouldn't even have met Kakashi.

Evening.

On the opposite bank of a waterfall, Shisui asked Itachi calmly.

"Where is that masked man?"

"His abilities are very special. I can't pinpoint his location accurately, and I don't know how to kill him."

"Is that so..."

Shisui sighed. He knew Itachi well; Itachi was a very rational person. If he said someone couldn't be killed, then it was basically impossible.

"Kagami is too young."

"What are you trying to say, Shisui."

Shisui spoke with a pleading tone.

"Itachi, if, I mean, if something were to happen to me, I hope you will protect Kagami for me. Can you promise me?"

Itachi denied it.

"There are no 'ifs.' Nothing will happen to you."

Shisui's eyes held a hint of sadness.

"Didn't you see him today? Promise me. I'm truly afraid. Afraid that one day, he'll still be too young, and it will take time for him to grow. Until then, someone must protect him."

This time, Itachi was silent for a long while before speaking.

"I will protect him, but not after something happens to you. From today onwards, I will do everything in my power to protect him. I promise you, Shisui. But you must also remember, nothing will happen to you."

Shisui smiled with relief.

"Mm, of course."

Mm... This book might be getting a new cover in the next few days, so pay attention, everyone, don't mistake it. (**)