Eye Technique: Yamata

[Eye Technique: Yamata activated successfully. The host obtained Shikotsumyaku (10% development)]

"Does the bloodline's development level decrease after successfully stealing it..."

Although Shisui's Shikotsumyaku development level from Yamata was only half of Takedake Oyama's 20%, even a heaven-defying skill like this could have some drawbacks and still be within tolerable limits.

Fortunately, using Eye Technique: Yamata had not consumed much of the Mangekyō Sharingan's power in Shisui's right eye. The cost was equivalent to activating Susanoo's initial form once, which was within what Shisui could accept.

After obtaining "Shikotsumyaku," Shisui's system status panel updated again.

[Name: Shisui Uchiha]

[Age: 8]

[Bloodline: Indra Bloodline (65% development) — Mangekyō Sharingan (Susanoo, third form), Shikotsumyaku (10% development)]

[Eye Techniques: Kotoamatsukami (cooldown), Yamata]

[Chakra: S (Kage Level)]

[Chakra Nature: Fire · Proficient (55%), Wind · Ordinary (0%), Earth · Ordinary (10%), Lightning · Ordinary (0%)]

[Skills: Phantom Body Flicker Technique, Multi Shadow Clone, Will of Root 2/3...]

[Items: Divine Artifact · Yata Mirror]

"At my level of Shikotsumyaku, I can only manipulate the bones inside my body and strengthen some of them. I can't even perform the simplest bone projection."

After trying for a long time, Shisui discovered that with only 10% development, Shikotsumyaku's greatest significance was simply the difference between having it and not having it. It did nothing to improve his strength at this stage.

"Unless I can steal more Shikotsumyaku from the Kaguya Clan..."

Though he had an idea, this wasn't the right time for Shisui to rampage through Kirigakure. He still had a purpose for coming here.

Uchiha Madara had already arranged everything.

As Shisui approached the Mizukage Building, an Anbu from Kirigakure wearing a mask appeared before him and said, "The Mizukage has been waiting for you. Please come with me."

Unlike Konoha's masks, the masks worn by Kirigakure's Anbu looked hideous to Shisui.

The white mask had Kirigakure's symbol carved into its forehead, while a long, thin line marked the eyes. The ugliest part was the mouth, which was a patchwork of black. Shisui could only do his best to keep his eyes off the other man's mask.

When I meet Uchiha Madara, I'll make him get Kirigakure's Anbu new masks, Shisui grumbled inwardly.

"The Mizukage's office is just ahead. Please go in alone." The Kirigakure Anbu escort stopped and gestured for Shisui to proceed by himself.

Clearly, Uchiha Madara didn't want anyone else involved in his meeting with Shisui.

When Shisui entered the Mizukage's Office, he found only an old man with long white hair and a baby-faced man with green hair, purple eyes, and a stitch-like scar beneath his left eye.

If nothing unexpected had happened, the two men before him were the masterminds behind everything: Uchiha Madara and the genjutsu-controlled Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.

[The host has successfully met Uchiha Madara. Reward: Fire Nature Proficiency +50%]

[Congratulations, the host's Fire Nature Proficiency has advanced]

[Name: Shisui Uchiha]

[Age: 8]

[Bloodline: Indra Bloodline (65% development) — Mangekyō Sharingan (Susanoo, third form), Shikotsumyaku (10% development)]

[Eye Techniques: Kotoamatsukami (cooldown), Yamata]

[Chakra: S (Kage Level)]

[Chakra Nature: Fire · Mastered (5%), Wind · Ordinary (0%), Earth · Ordinary (10%), Lightning · Ordinary (0%)]

[Skills: Phantom Body Flicker Technique, Multi Shadow Clone, Will of Root 2/3...]

[Items: Divine Artifact · Yata Mirror]

[The host's Fire Nature has reached mastery. The host can now incorporate Fire Release Ninjutsu into techniques of other chakra natures]

The system's notification reminded Shisui of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu." Hiruzen could combine techniques of different natures to create even more powerful compound techniques. Presumably, all five of Hiruzen's chakra natures had reached the level of mastery.

"You're Uchiha Madara?" Though Shisui had heard many stories about Uchiha Madara within the clan, seeing the strongest Uchiha in history for the first time, he didn't find anything particularly remarkable about him.

"I think you've already guessed, haven't you?" Old Madara showed no reaction to Shisui's rudeness. He was also sizing up the outstanding young man before him.

"I'm very curious, Lord Madara. How did you control the Fourth Mizukage?" Shisui asked, though he had already more or less guessed the answer.

"I secretly helped Karatachi Yagura become Isobu's Jinchuriki, then used the power of my Mangekyō to control Yagura himself. That's all." As he spoke, Uchiha Madara revealed the Mangekyō in his eyes.

After I changed the course of Obito and Rin's fates, Karatachi Yagura became the Three-Tails' first Jinchuriki, Shisui thought to himself.

At the same time, Shisui noticed that the pattern of the Mangekyō in Madara's eyes seemed different from the one Madara used during the Fourth Shinobi World War.

"Why does the spiritual energy I sense from your eyes feel at odds with you?" Shisui asked tentatively.

"Perceptive."

Uchiha Madara fixed his gaze on Shisui's right eye and continued, "For some reason, I'm not the original owner of these eyes. If you agree to join my plan, I can give them to you as a gift."

"Why do you have only one Mangekyō?" Even Uchiha Madara, who had lived for nearly a hundred years, had never seen anyone awaken only one eye.

"My left eye was drained of too much power during a battle." Shisui didn't intend to reveal the truth about his situation to Uchiha Madara, but he gave him what seemed like a reasonable explanation.

Old Madara stared directly at Shisui as if trying to see through his words. But before long, Madara stopped dwelling on the matter. Everyone had their secrets, and Madara was confident he could control the course of events.

"Join my plan, and I can also resolve the problem with your left eye." Madara's tone was full of temptation. He believed Shisui, who had just gotten a taste of power, wouldn't be able to refuse.

"All right, I agree. But if anything happens during the plan that threatens my life, I'll abandon it and withdraw immediately." In front of a crafty old fox like Uchiha Madara, any scheming was pointless. Shisui simply stated his bottom line to maximize his own interests.