Kaleidoscope's Deterrence

The incident at the Police Force intersection was like a stone cast into a calm lake, sending ripples spreading throughout the Uchiha Clan.

Uchiha Ling, with wisdom and methods vastly different from the traditional Uchiha, not only easily resolved a potential crisis of authority but also made the highly anticipated Uchiha Fugaku appear helpless by comparison.

Although the clan remained outwardly calm, discussions regarding which of the two young talents was superior inevitably began to emerge in the shadows.

Uchiha Ling knew well that this brief attention and favor sparked by the incident were fragile; he needed to convert this momentum into a more stable base of support.

The power structure within the clan was deeply intertwined; beyond the faction of Clan Head Uchiha Chishin, the attitudes of several elders holding real power were crucial.

Among them, Elder Uchiha Setsuna—known for his stubborn personality, radical ideology, and extreme distrust of the village's upper echelons—was a key representative of the clan's conservative and hardline factions.

Securing his support, or at the very least, ensuring his neutrality, was vital to Uchiha Ling's plan.

As the night deepened, Uchiha Ling's figure appeared silently outside the courtyard of Elder Uchiha Setsuna's residence.

Without announcing himself, he bypassed the security like a phantom, appeared directly at the door of the elder's study, and knocked softly.

"Who is it?" a low, vigilant voice came from within the study.

"Uchiha Ling, here to pay a visit to Elder Setsuna." Uchiha Ling's voice was calm and ripple-free.

The door was pulled open a crack, revealing Uchiha Setsuna's wrinkled face and eyes as sharp as a hawk's.

Seeing Uchiha Ling outside, a flash of obvious surprise and displeasure crossed his eyes.

Uchiha Ling's recent style of conduct and his connections to the Hokage's faction had left this radical elder with no fondness for him.

"Uchiha Ling? What business do you have at such an hour?" Elder Setsuna made no move to clear the doorway, his tone cold and distant. "If this is about Police Force business, discuss it at headquarters tomorrow."

"It is not official business," Uchiha Ling bowed slightly, his posture neither humble nor arrogant. "It is a matter concerning the future direction of the Uchiha Clan, which I wish to discuss with you in private."

Uchiha Setsuna narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the young man before him.

He keenly sensed that Uchiha Ling tonight seemed different from usual, carrying an indescribable, restrained, and dangerous aura.

After a moment of hesitation, he finally stepped aside to clear the path. "Come in."

The study was decorated in an archaic style, filled with the somber atmosphere unique to ninja clans.

Ancient scrolls and weapons hung on the walls, and the air was permeated with the faint scent of ink and tobacco.

Uchiha Setsuna walked straight to the main seat and sat down; without offering a seat, he spoke directly: "Speak. What matter concerns the future of the clan? This old man is listening."

Uchiha Ling stood in the center of the study, showing no dissatisfaction at the other's slight, and went straight to the point:

"Elder Setsuna, the Ninja World War is imminent, and undercurrents are surging within Konoha.

Our Uchiha Clan stands at the center of the vortex; the path we choose for the future concerns the survival of the entire clan.

In your opinion, should we continue to hole up in the corner of the Police Force, growing increasingly alienated from—or even in conflict with—the village leadership? Or should we actively seek change, integrate into the village, and seize greater influence so that the Uchiha may regain our former glory?"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Setsuna let out a cold snort:

"Hmph! Flowery words! Integrate into the village? Easy to say! The segregation policy left behind by Tobirama Senju is deep-rooted, and the higher-ups are already deeply suspicious of our Uchiha!

To actively integrate is merely to offer a warm face to a cold backside—it is self-humiliation! Only by maintaining the purity and strength of the Uchiha so that they dare not look down on us is the true path!

You walk closely with the likes of Namikaze Minato and Tsunade; do you think you can trade for this so-called 'integration' by fawning over them? How naive!"

Uchiha Setsuna's reaction was within Uchiha Ling's expectations.

Uchiha Ling was not in a hurry to refute him, but continued calmly: "Purity and strength are certainly important, but how long can isolated strength hold up in the face of a true storm?

Are the lessons of the Second Ninja World War not profound enough? We need a leader who can maintain the strength and pride of the Uchiha while flexibly responding to the situation to secure the greatest benefits for the clan."

"A leader?" Uchiha Setsuna keenly caught the word; he leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Uchiha Ling like a torch.

"Uchiha Ling, are you implying something? Do you think the current Clan Head, or perhaps Fugaku, is incapable of this task?" His tone carried a hint of sarcasm and probing.

Uchiha Ling met his gaze and said frankly: "Clan Head Chishin is virtuous and respected, and Fugaku is also talented; both are pillars of the clan.

However, the times are changing, and the way we respond to crises must change as well. I believe the Uchiha needs a leader capable of breaking conventions to lead the clan out of our current predicament."

"Oh?" A cold sneer tugged at the corner of Uchiha Setsuna's mouth.

He said ambiguously, "It is good for a young man to have ambition. But the position of leader cannot be filled by ideas alone. It requires absolute power to command respect and absolute loyalty to the clan. What do you have to offer?"

The conversation had reached the point where the truth was laid bare.

Uchiha Setsuna's attitude was clear: he did not think highly of Uchiha Ling, and at the very least, he would not easily commit himself without seeing chips of sufficient weight.

Uchiha Ling knew that mere verbal debate could not convince this stubborn elder. It was time to show his true hand.

Uchiha Ling slowly raised his head, his black eyes no longer hiding anything, looking calmly at Uchiha Setsuna as his voice dropped, clear and low: "Then, Elder, what kind of power do you think is sufficient to command respect?"

Before the words had even faded, a cold, vast, and oppressive Yin Release chakra began to permeate from Uchiha Ling's body without warning!

At the same time, the pupils in his eyes instantly transformed into a sea of blood!

Uchiha Setsuna was stunned, then his pupils contracted violently! He saw that against the blood-red backdrop, there were no familiar three-tomoe patterns, but rather two unprecedented, infinitely complex patterns containing indescribable laws of power! The left eye resembled a Tree of Life entwined with runes, while the right eye appeared as a majestic, endless Thunder God's Eye!

"This... this is... impossible!"

Uchiha Setsuna stood up abruptly from his seat, his body trembling violently from extreme shock and agitation.

Uchiha Setsuna stared fixedly at Uchiha Ling's eyes, as if trying to brand those patterns into the depths of his own soul.

As an elder of the Uchiha Clan, he knew better than anyone what these eyes meant!

"Man... Mangekyo Sharingan?!" His voice was dry and hoarse, filled with incredulous ecstasy and awe. "You... you have actually awakened the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan?!"