Body Flicker Technique Acquired, Second Pillar Starts School

"Shisui-bro, you can pilot a Gundam now?"

Jin's eyes grew even brighter.

The three forms of Susanoo—each one was taller than the last!

And if he could get his hands on Susanoo, plus the Fox's tail...

Wouldn't that be a straight takeoff?

A Fox Susanoo strolling around the battlefield—tell me you're not scared!

Later on, grab Wood Release too, and slap a Great Buddha on that Susanoo Fox!

Even if Madara showed up, he'd have to stand there and dance.

Across the way, the mysterious smile on Shisui's face froze solid.

He had no idea what a Gundam was, but—his new Dojutsu was definitely tall and big!

This little guy, Jin...

Shisui whipped his head around and Looked Towards Uchiha Jin.

His eyes were full of shock and surprise.

He never expected that someone as young as Jin would even know about a mysterious power like Susanoo!

He himself hadn't understood that kind of power until after he awakened his Mangekyo!

"Could it be that you also..."

Suddenly, as if a thought struck him, his whole body trembled violently!

A massive wave surged in his heart.

Mangekyo!

Could Jin have awakened the Mangekyo too?!

Otherwise, how would he know such a secret?

The idea was absurd, but the moment it appeared, it rapidly took over Shisui's mind.

Of course, Jin had no mind to spare for him right now.

After seeing the system notification, he felt like a man who'd entered sage mode.

His inner calm was terrifying.

Until—the information on the trait appeared!

Code
[Defeated Uchiha Shisui. Attempting to copy trait.]
[Copy successful. Congratulations, host has obtained Epic Trait: Phantom Body Flicker Technique (Purple): Uses the Sharingan to create multiple phantoms that attack the opponent alongside the real body. Normal attacks will not dispel them.]

Phantom Body Flicker Technique!

He stared at the trait dropping before his eyes and let out a heavy sigh.

After two years of grinding this boss, he'd finally gotten gold!

To be precise, two and a half years!

Jin had waited six months before Shisui even obtained this trait.

From then on, he tried to communicate and interact every single day.

But the traits he occasionally got were either white or simple green.

In the end, they all got fed to Flying Thunder God.

Not a single one of the traits he wanted.

Even later, when Shisui-bro awakened his Mangekyo, he still couldn't successfully copy it!

He didn't envy Shisui-bro's Mangekyo. Kotoamatsukami was strong, sure, but its cooldown was way too long.

What difference was that from going blind after one use?

No, it was Shisui-bro's Phantom Body Flicker Technique!

With that technique, he wouldn't have to hide Flying Thunder God anymore!

So what if he said his Body Flicker just had a bit more range?

Naruto had turned a single Rasengan into four or five different variations.

Him having a slightly longer range on his Body Flicker was perfectly normal.

Slowly, he couldn't help covering his face and bursting into laughter.

It was so loud that it startled a whole flock of crows into the air.

"Jin? Jin? What are you giggling about?"

Just then, Shisui-bro's concerned voice came from across the way.

He even reached out and felt his forehead with concern. "No fever either. What's with the sudden maniacal laughter?"

"I'm fine, Shisui. It's nothing."

"Yeah?"

"What if one day Itachi and I end up on the opposite side of the village? What would you do?"

Hearing this, Shisui's raised arm froze mid-air.

He looked down at the boy before him, still a head shorter than himself.

Countless thoughts suddenly surged in his mind.

The irreconcilable rift between the Uchiha and the village...

"I won't let anything happen to you or Itachi!"

After a moment's pause, his gaze gradually hardened.

Then, as if something else occurred to him, he added on the spot, "And Sasuke too, of course."

"What a good big brother."

Jin shook his head and spoke up to remind him again.

"Well then—Shisui, you'd better take care of yourself."

"Me? Don't worry. I'll just be staying in the village for the time being."

Shisui waved a hand, clearly not thinking he was unsafe in the Leaf.

But ironically, the village was the most dangerous place of all.

On the battlefield, Shisui's intellect was razor-sharp!

But when it came to politics, he was even more naive than Sasuke.

Thinking this, Jin could only sigh. "I mean, watch out for Danzo."

"That guy might try to gouge your—"

"Alright, alright, relax."

Seeing the serious look on Jin's small face, Shisui laughed and started walking out.

"Come on, today's Sasuke's first day of school. Let's go see the kid off."

"Hopefully he won't pull the same stunt as you and Itachi and send a clone to fool everyone."

With that, he slung an arm around Jin's shoulder and headed toward the village.

Hearing "clone," Jin smiled faintly.

He'd learned that trick from Itachi.

A year ago, after his secret savings kept "mysteriously" shrinking, a fed-up Fugaku decided to send Jin to the Ninja Academy.

Claiming he was old enough.

And then...

Jin followed Itachi's example and sent a clone to school every day.

Not expecting to learn anything—just coasting by.

As for him? He was either lying in the sun... or lying in the sun.

Thinking about Sasuke starting school, another thought surfaced in his mind: "This time, the Konoha 12 should all be gathered, right..."

Since everyone's here, then I might as well—start copying.

A little while later.

On the street in front of the village's Ninja Academy.

A small group walked side by side.

From left to right: Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Jin, and Sasuke.

The four of them lined up from tallest to shortest.

As for their moods, they shifted just as gradually.

Shisui was laughing loudly, Itachi smiled with narrowed eyes, Jin wasn't smiling, and Sasuke—wore a sour face.

The Uchiha F4 was taking shape.

"Sasuke, you're here too!"

Just as he was sulking, a surprised voice rang out from the entrance.

Then, a little orange fox darted in.

He squeezed his way into the line of four.

Grabbing Jin's hand with his left and reluctantly pulling Sasuke's arm with his right.

"Let go of me!"

Sasuke tugged at his hand but couldn't pull it free.

His face instantly darkened.

Especially with so many eyes on him, the tips of his ears started to burn with embarrassment.

How humiliating!

Too humiliating!

Being grabbed by the hand in broad daylight in front of everyone!

And by a guy, no less!

But no matter how he struggled, he couldn't break free.

Instead, the grip only tightened.

"This kid... is he feeling triggered?"

Watching the children all being led by their parents and families, Jin glanced sideways at Naruto.

Beneath the smile in his eyes, a faint trace of loss was hidden.

Was this kid stirred up by the lively scene?

Loneliness itself isn't scary.

But when loneliness steps into a crowd of happiness, it stands out all the more.

Still, it was a good thing that two and a half years ago, under Jin's deliberate influence, Naruto and Sasuke had already gotten to know each other early on.

Thinking this, Jin instinctively reached out and ruffled Naruto's little head, encouraging him:

"Make sure to listen well at school, Naruto. If Sasuke does anything wrong, keep an eye on him for me."

"Don't worry, boss!" Naruto thumped his small chest with a loud slap.

"Who needs him to look after me!" Sasuke's face grew even darker. "I can take care of myself just fine!"

But no one paid his voice any mind.

On the left, Shisui and Itachi smiled as they watched the kids bicker.

In the middle, Jin was busy swiping traits with Naruto...

For a moment, Sasuke grew even more annoyed.

Three minutes later, Jin's vision gradually shifted.

He finally got a clearer look at the traits on Naruto.

[Conversation Target: Uzumaki Naruto.]

[Trait Analysis in progress. Currently Copyable Traits: Talk-no-Jutsu (Black), Child of Destiny (Rainbow), Power of the Nine-Tails (Gold), Chakra Ton (Gold), Ball Affinity (Green), Self-Healing (Blue), Agile (White)]

Nothing seemed different from last time.

Until ten minutes later, when Jin saw the trait he'd copied, he froze in place.