Confrontation

Uchiha Shingen realized it.

Shisui had naturally realized it too. His gaze swept around.

The familiar streets began to twist and warp, gradually revealing their true appearance.

Only then did he realize it.

He wasn't inside the Uchiha compound at all. He was in another old district on the outskirts of Konoha!

A full moon hung high overhead, and the surroundings were deserted and silent.

Only a few crows swept low overhead before settling on a nearby branch, silently watching everything unfold!

"Genjutsu?!"

Shisui was startled.

The Uchiha's Sharingan was naturally skilled at genjutsu—and even better at seeing through it.

Yet the genjutsu cast by their opponent could fool not only Shisui's eyes, but even Uchiha Shingen's, despite his having already activated the Three-Tomoe Sharingan!

In Konoha, only the Kurama Clan could cast genjutsu so convincing that illusion and reality seemed indistinguishable!

Shisui's gaze swept over the Root shinobi in the distance.

A frail figure in a wheelchair, wrapped in bandages, stood out among them at the rear. That was undoubtedly the Kurama Clan shinobi who had made his move tonight.

The Kurama Clan possessed a powerful Kekkei Genkai said to be capable of blurring the line between reality and illusion. But they also suffered from the curse that came with it.

Nearly every Kurama Clan member who awakened the Kekkei Genkai would inevitably develop the bloodline disease. Their lives were short, like fireworks.

In return, they gained genjutsu abilities so powerful they seemed almost absurd—even surpassing the Sharingan!

"Not just that."

Uchiha Shingen shook his head.

He could see a layer deeper than Shisui. Even if simple genjutsu could fool Shisui, it would be hard to deceive his eyes.

The irregularities in the surrounding environment were crystal clear to him. The Chakra flowing faintly through the air was thin, but he could still sense it clearly.

"There should be Barrier Ninjutsu involved too."

"Combined, the two make it difficult even for the Sharingan to see through."

"That insight of yours certainly lives up to the strength you've shown!"

A low, hoarse voice came from the darkness in the distance. Danzo emerged from the shadows, leaning on his cane.

Danzo's gaze swept over the two of them. When he saw Shisui's face, he paused, a trace of reminiscence appearing in his eyes.

"Uchiha Shisui?"

"You do remind me a little of Kagami, both in your character and in your extraordinary talent."

"I wonder how much of his will you've inherited."

Shisui didn't reply. He simply watched Danzo warily.

Even though Danzo had mentioned his ancestor, Shisui clearly hadn't lowered his guard in the slightest.

When Shisui remained silent, Danzo didn't take offense. Instead, he turned his gaze to Uchiha Shingen.

For the first time, a pair of eyes as calm as a still well showed a hint of amazement.

"Thirteen years old, with the combat strength of a Jonin. Your ability to react under pressure is even enough to keep Shisui, the so-called prodigy, on the back foot..."

"Would you be interested in working for me?"

Uchiha Shingen refused without a moment's thought.

"I'm doing pretty well in the Konoha Military Police Force. I'm not planning to switch jobs anytime soon. I appreciate the offer. Can I leave now?"

As a resolute slacker, Uchiha Shingen was very satisfied with his current job.

Good pay, little work, close to home; high status, plenty of authority, little responsibility.

Of the six things that made a job desirable, a squad leader in the Police Force had four. Aside from not having a high enough rank or much authority, the job had almost no downsides.

Besides, the old geezer in front of him didn't look like a good person!

That person in the back was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, and they still dragged him out to work overtime. That was exploitation, plain and simple!

"And you?"

Danzo looked at Shisui again, his tone turning colder.

"I feel the same as Captain Shingen."

Shisui refused as well. Seeing Danzo's grim expression, he continued:

"Even if I weren't in the Police Force, I've received an invitation from Lord Hokage. I'll be joining the Anbu under his direct command."

"I see..."

Danzo's voice was calm, but his lowered eyes had taken on a trace of malice.

He didn't like being rejected, especially not by someone from the Uchiha!

"Then that's a shame."

Danzo's voice turned cold, and a brazenly intense killing intent followed.

A pawn that couldn't be made to serve him had no reason to exist!

Danzo slowly raised his hand.

The Root shinobi around them tensed in an instant, like arrows poised to leave their bows.

At a single gesture, they would tear every enemy before Danzo to pieces.

Shisui immediately broke out in a cold sweat, his expression turning grave.

Unlike Uchiha Shingen, who paid no attention to the outside world, Shisui knew more about the factions within Konoha.

He had expected Danzo to act this way, but he hadn't imagined he would go this far.

This was practically an attempt to ignite the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha!

Uchiha Shingen's expression was just as grave.

Tonight's events had changed far too quickly.

First Shisui had launched a surprise attack, then they'd been surrounded by Root shinobi. Several of those surrounding them had a presence that even he found intimidating.

They had to be veteran Jonin from Konoha!

Even working together, forget about winning—could they even escape safely?

Uchiha Shingen had never imagined things would reach this point in just a few breaths. It almost felt as if one wrong word would get them buried here!

After a moment's thought, Uchiha Shingen was about to give in.

But a strong hand suddenly settled on his shoulder, and Jiraiya's familiar voice rang out.

"Long time no see, Lord Danzo!"

"I can't let you take my pen pal away so easily tonight~"

The killing intent that had been hanging over Uchiha Shingen vanished abruptly.

He turned his head.

Jiraiya had appeared beside him without his noticing.

In the night wind,

Jiraiya's silver hair fluttered like a lion's mane. He hadn't even moved, yet the Root shinobi present had all gone rigid, as if facing some beast about to break out of its cage.

Only then did Uchiha Shingen realize—

This goofy middle-aged man, who had once discussed Imperial Uncle with him, now possessed a presence that surpassed even the current head of the Uchiha Clan, Fugaku Uchiha!

Unbelievable!

Someone like this really existed—someone who could have been a proper shinobi, but had to go and write about Imperial Uncle instead?

The Shinobi World had once again shattered Uchiha Shingen's understanding of how low people could sink.

But right now, he felt only relief.

"Did Hiruzen send you?"

Danzo lowered his hand expressionlessly.

The Root shinobi around them vanished in an instant, slipping back into the night as if they had never been there.

"Is he really that confident he can bring the Uchiha under his control?"

"Oh?"

Jiraiya once again put on his carefree expression and mused:

"We're just pen pals, nothing more!"