Uchiha Shingen halted mid-step. Before he could speak, Setsuna Uchiha casually tossed him a scroll.
The scroll was entirely black. Other than being somewhat heavier than ordinary scrolls, there was nothing special about it, but Setsuna Uchiha's expression was grave.
"Looks like Konoha's higher-ups still decided to send you into danger."
When Setsuna Uchiha had spoken to Fugaku last night, he had already guessed what decision Fugaku would make.
After all, for the current Uchiha Patriarch, who was determined to ease the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha, there was no better time than this to offer a token of allegiance.
Yet Uchiha Shingen appearing here today with his expression unchanged likewise showed that Konoha's higher-ups had not altered their original decision.
Or rather.
Konoha's higher-ups had no choice but to rely on Uchiha Shingen's strength in these Joint Chunin Ninja Exams.
Uchiha Shingen looked at the scroll in his hand, confused.
"This is..."
"A secret Uchiha ocular technique."
Setsuna Uchiha explained.
"A technique capable of changing fate."
"These Chunin Ninja Exams won't be that simple. A monster that vanished decades ago has reappeared."
Setsuna Uchiha raised a hand and pointed at Uchiha Shingen, his expression incomparably solemn. The ocular power of his Sharingan even leaked out uncontrollably.
"It's coming for you."
"If you encounter danger, run immediately."
"Keeping your life is what matters most."
"You're my only disciple. I don't want you dying in these Chunin Ninja Exams."
As soon as the words fell.
Without waiting for Uchiha Shingen to respond, Setsuna Uchiha pushed his wheelchair away on his own, quickly vanishing into the crowd.
Even his back looked somewhat stooped now, lacking all of his usual air when he sparred wits and courage with Uchiha Shingen.
"That old man..."
Uchiha Shingen stood there in a daze, his expression