[Host detected using strength to subdue the Hawk Faction, forcing the Dove Faction to compromise, and obtaining the position of captain of the Konoha Military Police Force. System reward: Indra Bloodline development +5%]
As Shisui savored the delicious hairtail Mikoto had steamed at Fugaku's home, he received a message from the system and couldn't help feeling delighted.
With the system reward taking effect, the concentration of the Indra Bloodline within Shisui continued to rise, and the eye power in his eyes grew at a furious rate.
[Indra Bloodline development: 61%, 62%... 65%]
Once the strengthening of his bloodline was complete, Shisui opened his eyes again. A wave of bloodline-born pressure swept over the Fugaku family before vanishing without a trace.
It barely registered with Itachi and Mikoto. Only Fugaku watched Shisui, whose expression remained unchanged, with a meaningful look.
[Name: Shisui Uchiha] [Age: 8] [Bloodline: Indra Bloodline (65% developed) -- Mangekyō Sharingan (Susanoo, third form)] [Eye Techniques: Kotoamatsukami (cooldown), Yamata] [Chakra: S (Kage Level)] [Chakra Natures: Fire · Proficient (55%), Wind · Basic (0%), Earth · Basic (10%), Lightning · Basic (0%)] [Skills: Phantom Body Flicker Technique, Multi Shadow Clone, Will of Root 3/3... (only core techniques will be listed from now on)] [Items: Sacred Artifact · Yata Mirror]
Shisui could tell that the eye power he'd expended with his Mangekyō in the earlier battle against Root had been greatly replenished as his Indra Bloodline development increased.
The eye power in his right eye had barely suffered any loss. Only his left eye, which had used Kotoamatsukami, was still recovering from its cooldown.
This discovery gave Shisui hope of attaining the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. Since he had no direct blood relatives left in the world, he would have to rely on the system's various abilities to obtain it.
[Plunderable target detected: Fugaku Uchiha, Indra Bloodline development 60%, Mangekyō Sharingan (Susanoo not awakened)] [Activating Eye Technique: Yamata can plunder the target's bloodline and all their eye power, and grant the target's Mangekyō eye technique (ability can only be activated after the target has been completely subdued)]
The eye technique that had lain dormant in his right eye all this time had finally awakened completely.
"After plundering someone, I can obtain their bloodline and eye power... Does that mean I can awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan by plundering other Mangekyō users...?"
If his right eye "devoured" Fugaku, then even if it couldn't awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, perhaps the Kotoamatsukami in his right eye would come off cooldown. Then he could use Kotoamatsukami to control Itachi...
The temptation was strong, but Shisui still managed to suppress the hunger coming from his right eye.
Having lived another life, he sought more than freedom from the fate of his previous life. He also wanted the warmth he'd never experienced before.
"Captain, Sister Mikoto, thank you for the meal. I'll be going now."
After dinner, Shisui said goodbye to Fugaku and Mikoto.
He'd been through a lot that day and needed some time alone to process his newfound strength.
"Shisui, I'll come find you tomorrow morning."
Itachi had wanted to go home with Shisui, but he couldn't resist his mother Mikoto's concerned gaze, so he stayed with his parents.
"All right. See you tomorrow, Itachi."
Shisui kept walking until he was far away. When he looked back, he saw three figures—two large and one small—standing beneath the lights at the entrance to the Fugaku home, watching him go.
In that moment, Shisui gained another person he wanted to protect.
The following day, on the top floor of the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters, only Shisui, Itachi, and Inabi were in the room marked Captain's Office.
"Captain Shisui, I, Inabi Uchiha, pledge my loyalty to you."
As soon as he took over the captain's authority, Shisui used the Will of Root on Inabi, who had been reassigned as deputy captain of the Military Police Force.
It wasn't that Shisui distrusted Fugaku and Inabi. He simply believed it was wise to guard against the unexpected.
As Shisui's first foothold in this world, the Konoha Military Police Force had to be made into an impenetrable stronghold.
Once the skill took effect, Shisui sensed tendrils branching off from his spiritual energy. They entered Inabi's brain through his eyes, mouth, nose, and ears. In an instant, Shisui had established a connection to Inabi's mind and could completely control his thoughts without him noticing.
"What an overbearing ability." Even Shisui, who possessed an eye technique like Kotoamatsukami, couldn't help but marvel. He could now understand why Danzō had enjoyed using it so much.
If the Will of Root could be used on anyone other than subordinates Shisui had already subdued, Kotoamatsukami would be utterly unnecessary.
"Starting today, the Military Police Force will add a deputy captain position, to be held by Itachi. Make his training your highest priority." Shisui gave his first order as captain to Inabi, who was kneeling before him.
"Shisui, I haven't had any experience with the Military Police Force's work yet. Let me start out as an ordinary member."
Itachi was delighted that Shisui thought so highly of him. But he didn't want his brother's faith in him to make him botch the job. Even at his young age, Itachi already had his own way of thinking.
"Our Itachi's grown up, hasn't he? Since you've made up your mind, we'll do it your way." Shisui fondly ruffled Itachi's hair. As long as it didn't affect the bigger picture, he was happy to respect his well-behaved little brother's wishes.
"Thank you, Shisui." The little boy beamed as he enjoyed Shisui's affection.
Then Shisui turned to Inabi and said, "Get up first and tell me how the Military Police Force reforms are going."
"Captain Shisui, since we opened recruitment to the entire village and offered some of our ninjutsu as an incentive, we've recruited more than thirty people from the village. However, they're all civilian ninja. The various clans, even minor ones like the Shiranui Clan, are still taking a wait-and-see approach." Inabi spoke with a rueful expression.
"Although the Fourth Hokage lifted the restrictions on our clan, we still have to work hard to earn the other clans' recognition and support." Shisui knew the Uchiha's current predicament couldn't be changed overnight.
In his previous life, one reason the Uchiha had been wiped out was that they'd already alienated everyone in the village. After the massacre, not a single clan spoke up for them. That said it all.
Faced with such circumstances, Shisui didn't have a good solution just yet.
He was still waiting for the right opportunity to break the Uchiha Clan's diplomatic deadlock. For now, he would let things play out a little longer.
"Understood. Take Itachi with you and find him a suitable position." Shisui hadn't explicitly explained what he intended, but through the Will of Root, he had already conveyed his thoughts to Inabi.
He wanted Itachi assigned to Civilian Ninja Squad One. It would give Itachi a better chance to gradually win people over and unite them into a force of his own.
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