"Shisui, can you use a Gundam now?"
Jin's eyes lit up even more.
Susanoo had three forms, each one taller than the last!
And if he could get Susanoo, then add the fox tails...
Wouldn't he be able to take off straight into the sky?
A fox Susanoo roaming all over the battlefield—just tell me, wouldn't that scare you?
Later, he could get Wood Release too, then Susanoo Fox could wear the Great Buddha!
Even Madara would have to stand there and dance.
Across from him, Shisui's mysterious smile froze.
Though he didn't know what a Gundam was, his new Dojutsu was certainly tall and huge, wasn't it?
That little Jin...
Shisui abruptly turned and looked at Uchiha Jin.
His eyes were full of shock and surprise.
He never expected that Jin, despite being so young, would know about a mysterious power like Susanoo!
Shisui himself hadn't learned of this mysterious power until after he awakened the Mangekyo!
"Could it be that you also..."
Suddenly, it was as if he'd thought of something. His whole body trembled!
A storm surged through his heart.
Mangekyo!
Could Jin have awakened the Mangekyo too?!!
Otherwise, how would he know such a secret?
The idea was utterly absurd, but as soon as it appeared, it quickly took over Shisui's mind.
Of course, Jin had no time to pay him any attention now.
After seeing the system notification, he was like a man who'd entered sage mode.
His heart was terrifyingly calm.
Until—the information on the trait appeared!
[Defeated Uchiha Shisui. Attempting to copy trait.] [Copy successful. Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the Epic Trait Phantom Body Flicker Technique (Purple): Uses the Sharingan to create multiple phantoms that attack the opponent alongside the user. They will not disappear when hit by ordinary attacks.]
Phantom Body Flicker Technique!
Looking at the trait that had dropped before his eyes, Jin let out a heavy sigh of relief.
After grinding this boss for two years, he'd finally gotten a gold drop!
To be precise, two and a half years!
Jin had waited six months for Shisui to get this trait.
From then on, he'd tried to talk and build a rapport with him every day.
But the traits he occasionally got were either white or plain green.
He'd fed them all to Flying Thunder God in the end.
He hadn't gotten a single trait he wanted.
Even later, after Shisui awakened the Mangekyo, Jin still couldn't copy it!
He wasn't jealous of Shisui's Mangekyo. Kotoamatsukami was powerful, sure, but its cooldown was just too long.
How was that any different from going blind after using it once?
But Shisui's Phantom Body Flicker Technique!
With this technique, he wouldn't have to keep hiding Flying Thunder God anymore!
He could just say his Body Flicker Technique had a longer range—so what?
Naruto had come up with four or five different ways to use a single Rasengan.
It was only natural for his Body Flicker Technique to have a longer range.
Gradually, he couldn't help covering his face and laughing out loud.
The noise was so loud that a flock of crows took flight.
"Jin? Jin? What are you grinning about?"
Just then, Shisui's concerned voice came from across the way.
He even thoughtfully felt Jin's forehead. "You don't have a fever. Why'd you suddenly start laughing like that?"
"I'm fine. It's just, Shisui..."
"Hmm?"
"If one day Itachi and I ended up on the other side from the village, what would you do?"
At those words, Shisui's raised arm froze in place.
He looked at the little boy standing before him, a head shorter than he was.
All kinds of thoughts suddenly bubbled up in his heart.
The Uchiha and the village reaching a point of no return...
"I won't let anything happen to you or Itachi!"
After a moment's thought, his eyes gradually grew resolute.
Then, as if he'd just remembered something, he added, "Of course, that includes Sasuke too."
"You really are a good big brother."
Jin shook his head and reminded him again,
"Then, Shisui, make sure you protect yourself."
"Me? Don't worry. I'm only going to stay in the village for a while."
Shisui waved a hand, clearly not thinking that he'd be safe in the Leaf.
But the village was precisely where the most danger lay.
On the battlefield, Shisui had a brilliant mind!
But when it came to politics, he was even more naive than Sasuke.
Thinking of that, Jin could only sigh. "I mean, watch out for Danzo."
"That guy might rip out your—"
"Relax, relax. Don't worry."
Seeing how earnest the little boy looked, Shisui laughed and headed outside.
"Come on. Today's Sasuke's first day of school. Let's go see him off."
"I hope he doesn't do what you and Itachi did and send a clone to school."
As he spoke, he slung an arm around Jin's shoulder and headed toward the village.
At the mention of clones, Jin smiled.
He'd learned that from One-vs-Seven.
A year ago, after his secret stash had once again "mysteriously" dwindled, Fugaku couldn't take it anymore and decided to send Jin to the Ninja Academy.
His official reason was that Jin was old enough.
And then...
Jin followed One-vs-Seven's example and sent a clone to school every day.
He wasn't trying to learn anything, just—slack off.
As for him, he was either lying down and sunbathing, or... lying facedown and sunbathing.
Thinking of Sasuke starting school, another thought popped into his mind. "This time, the Konoha 12 should finally be all together..."
Now that everyone's here, I can finally—start copying.
Not long after.
On the street outside the Ninja Academy in the village,
a group of people walked side by side.
From left to right were Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Jin, and Sasuke.
They stood in order from tallest to shortest.
Their expressions changed just as gradually.
Shisui was laughing, Itachi was smiling with narrowed eyes, Jin wasn't smiling, and Sasuke—was scowling.
The Uchiha F4 were beginning to take shape.
"Sasuke, you came too."
Just as he was feeling smug, a delighted voice came from the entrance.
Then, an orange little fox darted over.
He squeezed right into the group of four.
He took Jin's hand with his left and linked arms with Sasuke, who clearly didn't want him to.
"Let go of me!"
Sasuke tugged at his arm, but couldn't pull free.
His face instantly darkened.
Especially when he noticed all the eyes around them. His ears grew faintly warm.
How embarrassing!
So embarrassing!
Being linked arms with someone in public!
And by a boy, at that!
Unfortunately, after a couple of tugs, he still couldn't get free.
If anything, the grip only tightened.
"Did this kid... get upset by all this?"
Seeing the children around them holding their parents' or family members' hands, Jin leaned slightly to look at Naruto.
Though his eyes were smiling, a trace of sadness was hidden in them.
Had this lively scene upset the boy?
Loneliness itself wasn't scary.
But when loneliness found itself among a crowd of happy people, it stood out like a sore thumb.
Still, fortunately, two and a half years ago,
with Jin's deliberate influence, Naruto and Sasuke had gotten to know each other early.
Thinking of this, Jin instinctively reached out and ruffled the famous little boy's hair, offering encouragement.
"Make sure you listen and behave at school, Naruto. If Sasuke gets up to anything, keep an eye on him."
"Don't worry, boss!" Naruto thumped his little chest.
"Who needs him to watch me?!" Sasuke's face darkened further. "I can take care of myself just fine!"
Unfortunately, no one paid him any attention.
Shisui and Itachi on the left smiled as they watched the little ones bicker.
In the middle, Jin was busy farming traits with Naruto...
For a while, Sasuke grew even more annoyed.
Three minutes later, Jin's view gradually changed.
At last, he could see some of the traits Naruto carried.
[Conversation target: Uzumaki Naruto.] [Analyzing traits. 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)]
There didn't seem to be much difference from last time.
Then, ten minutes later, Jin abruptly froze as he looked at the trait he'd copied.
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