Shisui's Choice, Foolish Nisan

"Who would've thought Danzō had quite a few traits on him."

"Just... a bit dark..."

Deep in the dense forest, Jin couldn't help recalling the traits that had surfaced on Danzō moments ago.

[Defeated Shimura Danzō. Attempting to copy traits.]

[Currently copyable traits: Sharingan Collector (Black), Pot Kage (Black), 5.5th Hokage (Black), Bridge Sealer (Black), Wood Release Cells · Remnant (Blue), Wind Release Mastery (Blue), Tongue Curse Eradication (Green)...]

So many black traits—he had to give a thumbs-up in praise:

"As expected of the Pot Kage. This dark, probably only Obito or Madara could compare, right?"

How could this not be a league of his own?

He shook his head and continued reading.

[Copy successful. Congratulations, host, on obtaining the rare trait Wood Release Cells · Remnant (Blue): Increases physical energy, balances spiritual energy, but due to imperfect replication technology, consumes life force when used.]

No wonder this trait was incomplete.

Low rank, and the side effects were anything but small!

Jin narrowed his eyes, unconcerned, and kept the trait.

For now, it seemed capable of maintaining his physical and spiritual energy balance.

In other words, it kept him from ending up like Itachi—coughing everywhere he went.

Arriving before being seen, heard before being known.

Those in the know would blame the Sharingan for draining him; those who didn't would think the guy had a weak constitution.

With Wood Release, his body and spiritual energy could be briefly sustained.

But the life force consumption...

He'd just upgrade the trait.

It was only blue now. If he could raise it to purple or gold!

Then there would truly be no worries.

Thinking this, Jin looked back toward the direction he'd come from and murmured, "Looks like I'll have to find Danzō for a chat more often from now on..."

On future moonless, windy nights, it'd be time for Danzō's brick-and-tune serenade!

"Hurry, hurry!"

"Lord Danzō... why... why is it like this..."

"That Jin guy... was really right..."

"Root?! They're really relentless."

In the midst of murmurs, Shisui covered his eye, a single eye blazing open with Susanoo!

The Susanoo, wreathed in green flames, stood seven or eight zhang tall!

In the dense forest, it stood out starkly.

And it was immensely powerful!

To most of Root, they had no idea what this thing was.

Facing a godlike power, they could only scramble to defend.

But Shisui merely swept aside the Root agents and kept running forward.

He didn't know where he wanted to go.

Back to the clan?

In his current state, he couldn't hide what had happened from his clansmen.

Given the clan's situation, they'd likely launch a coup tonight.

Especially the elders—even the Clan Head might not be able to stop them.

Forget it, he'd go to—the old place.

Thinking this, he suddenly dismissed the Susanoo and turned, running toward the cliff.

That was where he sought solace whenever he felt lost and helpless.

But gradually, his eye grew more painful.

His thoughts grew heavier.

Faster.

Just a little faster.

Thud.

At that moment.

His strength spent, he collapsed straight down.

But just as he was about to hit the ground, a pair of slender hands suddenly reached out.

"Is..."

Shisui froze, then looked up to see a Tear Trough Boy of similar height staring back at him.

"It's Itachi... what are you doing here..."

Itachi shook his head, saying nothing.

He silently helped his friend sit down beneath a tree.

Why had he come here?

Lately, every time Jin refreshed, their talks always touched on Shisui and Danzo.

So instinctively, after seeing Shisui leave tonight, he had followed.

Only, he was a step too slow.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the agitation in his heart, and said in a low voice, "Shisui, you..."

But before he could finish, his lips were pressed shut.

Two frail fingers pressed against them.

Shisui shook his head: "Shh, Itachi, listen to me."

"This was done by Danzo. He took my other eye too."

"But—don't tell the clan. Let them think I died on the battlefield."

As he spoke.

The two fingers he had extended dug straight in, plucking out an eyeball.

"Don't grieve. Take good care of it, and remember to look after the village and the clan, and those two little ones, Jin."

"Maybe only if I die can this invisible conflict end."

With that, filled with the will to die, he turned and leaped off the cliff etched in his memory.

"Shisui..."

Itachi stared at the bloody eyeball in his hand.

Then looked at his friend, steeped in death. Inside his chest, an indescribable emotion began to spread.

Why did it have to be like this!

Why did such an innocent, naive youth have to become a sacrifice to political strife!

Why did it have to be Shisui!

His mind screamed, his blood wailed!

Even the Chakra inside his body began to spin wildly.

The next second, the Three Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes spun rapidly.

Like a souped-up old man's scooter, it whirred at breakneck speed.

Vaguely, the Three Tomoe stretched and fused together, resembling a triangular Shuriken!

Mangekyo, activate!

With the death of Shisui, his mentor and friend, Itachi awakened the Mangekyo in fury!

Tap tap tap.

At the same time, a Root operative appeared behind him, creeping closer.

Without even looking, Itachi glared and unleashed a Black Flame.

Pfft!

Black flames materialized out of thin air, igniting the ninja at terrifying speed.

Before he could even scream, he was burned to ash.

Amaterasu!

"So... this is my new Dojutsu, Amaterasu?"

Itachi watched the Root operative burned alive by Amaterasu, two trails of blood tears slowly trickling from his eyes.

"You will be the first to die under Amaterasu."

"And also the last."

As his words fell, a flippant voice suddenly sounded beside him.

Young, spirited, flippant.

That voice was—Jin?!

Itachi quickly lifted his head, his scarlet pupils calming the moment they rose.

Standing before him was indeed Uchiha Jin.

On his back was a very familiar figure.

"Huh? And Shisui too?"

Itachi was somewhat surprised, a faint glimmer of joy hidden in his eyes.

He hadn't expected Jin to have saved Shisui, who had jumped off the cliff.

Then he furrowed his brow, hesitating over his words before saying, "But... Shisui didn't want us to save him..."

Jin: ...

His temper flared up instantly.

"Foolish!" He immediately reached out and jabbed Itachi's forehead hard, sneering, "He says don't save him, so you don't? He told you to assassinate the Hokage, why didn't you go then!"

Damn it!

No wonder the Uchiha were all a bunch of lunatics.

Even Itachi, supposedly the sharpest of them, was often an idiot too!