Shisui's Bakudo

Seeing Kenma's slight discomfort, Fugaku hurried over, genuine concern on his face.

"Master might as well keep Shisui's eyes permanently."

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"If there is a mission for Shisui, my eyes are Mangekyō as well, and are qualified to serve as Master's eyes."

As for the clansmen around them, they only had Three Tomoe and were not as exceptional as the Mangekyō, so they were not quite qualified.

Hearing Fugaku's words, Kenma was taken aback.

Qualified...

He was clearly capable of taking away the Uchiha Clan's most important ability, yet why was Fugaku acting as though this were a matter of seniority and rank?

Kenma swept his gaze around and saw that the surrounding Uchiha all wore concerned expressions as well.

Not a single one opposed Fugaku's view.

It truly made Kenma find it difficult to imagine.

If he were an Uchiha, upon hearing that someone could take away his Mangekyō Sharingan, he would definitely eliminate the threat before it could grow.

If he discovered that someone could take away his Zanpakuto's abilities, he would act without hesitation as well.

Yet the choices and concerns of these Uchiha before him were completely different from his own.

Not only were they not afraid or worried, they were worried about him instead?

Could these people truly be utterly loyal to him?

After all, Kenma dared to stand among these Uchiha because he had absolute trump cards that gave him confidence.

First, he possessed immense Spiritual Pressure.

Even everyone present combined did not possess a tenth of his Spiritual Pressure.

Just as Aizen had said, a Shinigami's battle was a battle of Spiritual Pressure. Before such an enormous gap in Spiritual Pressure, no method could prove effective.

Kenma could instead crush them flat with Spiritual Pressure alone.

Second, there was his Zanpakuto's ability.

The oath from back then had not been empty words. If anyone truly dared harbor thoughts of rebellion, his slash would follow the connecting threads and fall upon the rebel, making him die beneath blades and swords in fulfillment of the oath.

It was precisely because of these two safeguards, which gave him an absolute advantage, that he dared to be so bold.

Yet the concern and urgency in these Uchiha's eyes did not seem false.

Moreover, with their proud nature, they disdained pretending altogether.

Had he truly judged them with a petty heart?

Kenma fell silent for a moment.

But that appearance only made the surrounding Uchiha grow increasingly anxious.

Just as they were about to speak over one another, Fugaku swept them with his fierce, killing Sharingan.

Quiet!

Don't disturb Master!

That meaning flowed from the scarlet Mangekyō.

The moment every Uchiha saw it, they fell silent at once, merely looking anxiously at Kenma, who stood surrounded at the center of the crowd.

Fugaku asked worriedly, "Master, are you feeling unwell?"

Kenma raised his head, his gaze passing over each Uchiha one by one. All manner of emotions were reflected in those ominous Sharingan, each one sincere.

He gripped the Zanpakuto at his waist.

The connecting threads also conveyed everyone's true feelings to him in succession.

They...

Were all genuinely worried about him!

Was this the Uchiha Clan's affection... or perhaps their defining trait?

Or was it Stockholm Syndrome?

Kenma could not make sense of it.

If he encountered the Uchiha Clan's situation, even if the other party had truly shown him kindness, he might be deeply grateful for a time.

But he could not spend his entire life serving as someone else's subordinate.

Even if he did not rebel for the moment, he would certainly stab them in the back in the future.

It was not because Kenma thought himself especially unyielding, or believed he possessed the arrogant bearing of an overlord and refused to bow his head.

It was because he understood how filthy, greedy, and jealous his true nature was in the deepest part of his soul.

"I'm fine. I'll adapt soon enough."

As Kenma looked at these Uchiha, his usually expressionless face softened considerably.

Still unconvinced, Fugaku asked, "How about Master switches back to Shisui's eyes? My eyes are Mangekyō too, so they will work as well."

"No need. You still have missions ahead of you. What kind of sense would it make to leave you blind?" Kenma shook his head and refused.

"Yes, Master. This subordinate had not considered it thoroughly."

"Mm. Go carry out your mission."

"Understood."

"Wait."

Watching the Uchiha depart, Kenma suddenly spoke up and stopped them.

Everyone turned around. As Clan Head, Fugaku represented them and asked in confusion, "Master, do you have other instructions?"

"There is one more thing."

Kenma paused, then explained another use of the connection ability of his Zanpakuto, Kiritsugu.

"Silently recite my name in your hearts. You should see a beam of light connecting to your chests."

Though the Uchiha were greatly puzzled by Kenma's words, they still tried as ordered.

They immediately discovered a thread extending from their chests and connecting to the Zanpakuto at Kenma's waist.

"Master, we can indeed see it."

"As long as you can see it." Kenma said, "If you encounter trouble you cannot resolve on your own, use your consciousness to tug on the thread. That way, you can contact me."

"I can temporarily grant you a portion of my Spiritual Pressure for you to use against enemies."

"If that still isn't enough, I can extend my consciousness over and fight in your place. That should allow for considerable strength."

After hearing Kenma's words, the Uchiha exchanged glances. Then Fugaku stepped forward and said, "Master, rest assured. We of the Uchiha Clan are a proud clan. We will never trouble Master."

"If we cannot even complete the missions Master assigns us, and must even borrow Master's strength... making Master go to such lengths, then even if Master does not hold us accountable, we will absolutely punish ourselves severely!"

Fugaku's answer made the Uchiha nod repeatedly, their expressions filled with agreement.

They were the strongest Uchiha Clan in the Ninja World. Even in death, they retained their pride.

Failing a mission was shameful enough. To even borrow their Master's strength—what would that make them?

It would be far too humiliating!

The Uchiha Clan's reaction was almost entirely within Kenma's expectations.

His face returned to its usual nearly rigid and stern blankness as he told them, "This is only a reminder. Whether you use it is up to you."

"Go."

The Uchiha answered with a shout, used Flash Step, and vanished from the rooftop with a whoosh, heading toward the locations Kenma had just designated.

Fugaku led his squad onto the Execution Platform, overlooking the plaza and harbor below.

Seeing that everyone had reached their assigned positions, Shisui nodded to Kenma.

Kenma said, "Shisui, contact them."

"Yes."

Shisui immediately crouched down, tracing the corresponding pattern onto the blue tiles with his fingers while quietly chanting the Kido incantation.

"Heart of the south, eye of the north, fingertip of the west, toe of the east. Gather with the wind, disperse with the rain."

"Bakudo #58, Tracking Feet."

The Kido activated successfully, capturing everyone's Spiritual Pressure. Their locations were all within Shisui's perception.

Without stopping, he used his fingertips to draw undulating lines across both arms, then spread his hands toward the front.

A square frame appeared before him, glowing with a soft radiance that lit Shisui's face pale.

Shisui chanted once more.

"Net of black and white, twenty-two bridges, sixty-six crowns and belts, footprints, distant thunder, sharp peaks, turning earth, nightfall, sea of clouds, azure ranks. Fill the great garden and soar into the heavens."

"Bakudo #77, Tenteikūra!"

As his voice fell, the Kido activated. Shisui's Spiritual Pressure spread out in a web-like search, successfully linking to everyone scattered across the area.

Shisui's voice rang out in everyone's minds.

"Now, activate the barrier!"