"Heh..." Uchiha Chen chuckled twice, then lowered his head and looked at his shoes. Nodding in satisfaction, he said, "My shoes are so clean. Make sure you clean them just as well next time!"
Not long afterward, Uchiha Chen's figure slowly appeared in an empty corner outside the Uchiha Clan's longhouse. According to his original plan, he should have appeared directly inside, but he'd unexpectedly discovered that Uchiha Itachi had returned—and had brought Shisui Uchiha along for a visit.
To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, Uchiha Chen decided to change his plan. He would appear somewhere nearby, then enter through the front door.
With a swish, the door opened. The three people inside heard the sound and turned toward the entrance.
Uchiha Fugaku was speaking with Uchiha Itachi and Shisui Uchiha, his expression stern.
When he heard the door open and saw Uchiha Chen enter, Uchiha Fugaku greeted him along with Uchiha Itachi. Then he introduced Uchiha Chen to Shisui Uchiha. "Shisui, this is Uchiha Chen, Mikoto's younger brother. He's staying with us for the time being. Chen, this is Shisui Uchiha, Itachi's good friend. Since you've happened to meet, you should get to know each other."
At his words, the two exchanged a glance and paused for a moment. Then Shisui Uchiha was the first to look away. He lowered his head and bowed slightly to me. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Senior Chen. I'm Shisui Uchiha."
As he bowed, I quickly stepped forward, stopping him and helping him back up. At the same time, a trace of admiration showed in my eyes.
"So you're Shisui! I've heard about you before. They say you're a highly acclaimed genius in the clan."
Hearing my words, Shisui Uchiha couldn't help but pause. He wondered in surprise when his reputation had become so widespread. But he didn't dwell on it, assuming Uchiha Chen had simply heard something about him somewhere and was offering a casual compliment.
He replied modestly, "You're too kind. Someone who became a Jonin at sixteen is the real genius. Compared with you, I still have a lot to learn and improve."
As he spoke, the admiration in my eyes deepened. The four of us sat together and chatted.
Before long, as the evening grew late, Shisui Uchiha suddenly announced that he had to leave. "Clan leader, Senior Chen, Itachi, it's getting late. I should be heading home." He stood and said his goodbyes. Uchiha Itachi personally walked him to the door.
After Uchiha Itachi had seen Shisui out, Fugaku and I exchanged a glance. In that instant, I clearly saw the change in my own eyes reflected in his pupils. My expression, which had been full of admiration, had gradually shifted to wariness and desire. The change left Fugaku confused, but I didn't explain.
"Master, what happened to you? Why are you making such a strange face?"
Looking at him, I didn't respond. I simply closed my eyes and slowly savored the sudden stirring I'd felt moments earlier.
Yes. At the very instant I'd met Shisui Uchiha's gaze, I'd felt my Sharingan throb wildly in its socket. I knew what it meant: my eyes were desperately yearning for the ocular power that best matched them.
Before I'd crossed over, the only Kotoamatsukami I could have obtained was Shisui Uchiha's.
Once Shisui Uchiha awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan, all I'd have to do was transplant it into myself. I could obtain the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan with ease, without relying on the system.
Shisui Uchiha had surely sensed something by now, too. But the question was: had he awakened those eyes yet?
At the thought, Uchiha Chen gradually calmed the greed rising deep within him, then slowly opened his eyes.
There wasn't a trace of greed left in his gaze. In its place was his usual gentleness. Yet his voice was colder and more ruthless than ever.
"Fugaku, Shisui has the potential to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan. From now on, assign him some dangerous missions within the clan. Do it without arousing his suspicions. Use them to push him into awakening his eyes, so his Mangekyo can become nourishment for me."
Fugaku nodded gravely. I knew he understood what I meant.
A moment later, I heard Mikoto and Itachi talking outside. Their voices drew closer until they reached the door, where they told us dinner was ready.
At the call, the two of us, who had been sitting silently, stood up and straightened our clothes. Then we headed to the table, pretending nothing was amiss.
As soon as I entered, I saw Itachi staring blankly at Izumi, apparently wondering why she was here.
Mikoto said, "Itachi, you know Izumi. She was hurt today. I found her unconscious by the roadside and brought her home. There's no one else in her family, so she'll need to stay with us for a while. Don't just stand there—say hello."
Itachi looked at the person in front of him and hesitated before giving her a stiff greeting.
He was confused. He didn't understand why his mother had been bringing strangers home these past two days. Yesterday it was Uchiha Chen, and today it was Uchiha Izumi. Two people had joined their household in just two days. Who knew how many more might come?
At the thought, his gaze grew even more puzzled.
Already seated, Uchiha Chen noticed the confusion and bewilderment in Itachi's eyes. It seemed he'd already guessed what Itachi was wondering, but he only snickered to himself and pretended not to notice.
Once everyone had taken their seats, Uchiha Chen cast a teasing glance at Fugaku and Itachi across the table, while enjoying the soft feel of Mikoto and Izumi beside him.
The delicate fragrance of the two women mingled with the rich aroma of the food, making Uchiha Chen's appetite grow.
Once everyone began eating in silence, the atmosphere grew rather heavy. Each person quietly ate their food, and only the occasional clink of utensils broke the silence.
Meanwhile, Shisui Uchiha, whom Uchiha Itachi had walked out, made his way along the dimly lit road in silence. His steps were uneasy.
After a long while, he suddenly stopped. One hand rose involuntarily to his eyes. He closed them and quietly reflected on everything that had happened at the clan leader's house.
Just moments ago, when he'd met Senior Chen's gaze, a powerful impulse had surged through him. The Three-Tomoe in his eyes had nearly burst forth against his will.
He didn't understand why, but he had a vague sense that it had something to do with Senior Chen.
Thinking back to the unmistakable admiration Uchiha Chen had shown him, Shisui Uchiha shook his head and temporarily buried these thoughts. Surely someone who admired him so much wouldn't do him any harm, would he?
Shisui Uchiha opened his eyes and shook his head, easily dispelling all his unease.
Then he took a deep breath and continued on his way home.
But he didn't notice the eyes silently watching him from behind, like a venomous snake with its jaws wide open, waiting for him to walk right into its trap...