You Won't Die-How Could I Ever Feel at Ease?!

No!

Uchiha Shisui's instincts immediately screamed that something was wrong. He hadn't sensed any threat, yet now he could feel a bone-chilling malice coming from the person in front of him.

Uchiha Jin's face wore a devilish grin, as if he were eagerly waiting for Shisui to step into an abyss from which there was no return.

But...

What had gone wrong?

Uchiha Shisui was certain that, under the absolute power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, the detestable "Jade Shatter leader" before him had no chance of resisting.

But that made no sense...

Uchiha Jin had dared to stand up to the Third Hokage and the Darkness of the Ninja World, yet he didn't even have the courage to resist. He had simply surrendered right before Shisui's eyes?

No!

This wasn't the Uchiha Jin Shisui knew—the "Jade Shatter" elder who had dared to berate the Hokage Assistant in front of the Hokage and his clan, and who was always throwing around words like "war" to intimidate his opponents.

A man like that wouldn't be so simple. Even with Kotoamatsukami as his trump card, Uchiha Shisui had come fully prepared.

And yet this result had come far too easily...

"Jin, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Uchiha Shisui warily studied his surroundings, using the full might of his Mangekyō to suppress the man before him. His expression grave, he spoke in a cold voice.

"You can't imagine the power of the Mangekyō. Whatever you're planning, I advise you not to make any futile attempts to resist."

"So it's Kotoamatsukami..."

Uchiha Jin's voice held a trace of wistfulness, but he still looked at Shisui with a broad smile.

"The legendary most powerful genjutsu... I've been looking forward to seeing it."

What?!

Hearing the words "Kotoamatsukami" from Uchiha Jin's mouth made Shisui's already tense heart seize. A sudden chill washed over him, raising goose bumps across his scalp.

Why?

He had never revealed any information about his Mangekyō technique. He had kept it secret even from the Third Hokage. Yet Uchiha Jin had named Kotoamatsukami and described its effects with pinpoint accuracy...

And despite knowing the immense, sinister power of Kotoamatsukami, Jin remained so calm, as though he didn't care in the least about a forbidden ocular technique that could manipulate people's minds.

"Why...?"

Shisui's voice caught in his throat. Though he held the overwhelming advantage, he looked at Uchiha Jin with an imploring expression.

In response,

Uchiha Jin abruptly sprang to his feet again and roared at Shisui in a furious voice.

"Why does there have to be a reason for everything? If you're going to do it, then hurry up! I get scared too, you know! What if I explain myself and then you lose your nerve?!"

Mm.

He said the most cowardly thing in the most arrogant tone!

Shisui felt that everything absurd he had experienced in his life couldn't compare to what was happening today.

And yet Shisui really did fall for it. With the fate of his clan and village resting on his shoulders, he absolutely wasn't willing to gamble on even the slightest risk.

After a long silence...

But to Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Jin, it felt as though an entire century had passed.

Finally...

"Forget it!"

Uchiha Jin slumped helplessly back into his chair and shot Shisui a reproachful glance.

"If I'd led that bunch of cowards in a charge on the Hokage Building, I could've accepted whatever happened in the end. Hah—ptoo!"

As he spoke, Uchiha Jin spat hard in the direction of the Naka Shrine.

"Sorry, my throat's a little uncomfortable!"

Under Shisui's speechless gaze, Jin continued calmly,

"I'd originally planned to use your Kotoamatsukami to provoke them, but I guess I overestimated how much I could stomach. Being controlled by someone else is still a bit hard to accept."

What?!

Uchiha Shisui had been confused before, but now Jin's words suddenly made everything clear. Yet that scalp-prickling chill came rushing back once more.

"You... You actually..."

Uchiha Shisui stared at Uchiha Jin in disbelief, pointing at him with a trembling right hand. His lips quivered uncontrollably, and he could barely get the words out.

He had actually used himself as bait...

Shisui couldn't believe there was anyone in the world like Uchiha Jin, someone willing to sell even his own soul.

That was right!

The bone-chilling threat had jolted Shisui back to his senses. He shuddered at the thought of what could have happened if he had used Kotoamatsukami on Uchiha Jin.

An elder of the "Jade Shatter Faction," who wanted to perish alongside the village, had suddenly turned into a "Moderate Faction" supporter who sought peace with it, just like Shisui.

It sounded like a story about the Will of Fire saving a lost lamb. But to the Uchiha Clan's current leadership, this was something they could never accept.

Though the Uchiha Clan was divided into many factions, their differences weren't purely ideological. What truly mattered most to the clan was "power"!

It was because they lacked sufficient power, because they were uncertain of their own strength and what difficulties the future might bring, that the so-called "Radical Faction" and "Moderate Faction" had emerged.

Yet regardless of faction, they were fundamentally at odds with Konoha's current leadership.

The Uchiha's interests came first!

Under these circumstances, Uchiha Jin—the seemingly unimportant "Jade Shatter" elder—was crucial.

The existing Uchiha elders might dislike his impulsive nature, but they also regarded him as a core combatant in a war against Konoha.

At the same time, this "Jade Shatter" elder was an exceptionally gifted teacher. He could continually forge new talent for the Uchiha and strengthen the clan's foundation.

That was precisely why

the Uchiha Clan's factions had united to protect Uchiha Jin under the combined pressure of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō, and made him the youngest elder in the clan's history.

You could say

Uchiha Jin was a symbol!

If the Hokage faction ever tried to move against the Uchiha, Jin would inevitably be one of the key figures.

And if such a "Jade Shatter" suddenly changed his personality, how could the Uchiha Clan not realize what had happened?

This wasn't a symbol of the "Jade Shatter Faction" turning toward peace. It was the final straw that would shatter the political balance between the Hokage and the Uchiha!

And when Shisui realized that he would be the one to deliver that final straw, his back instantly soaked with sweat.

"Jin, you're terrifying!"

Images of a bloody war between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha flashed through Shisui's mind. Sweat streamed down his naturally blank face.

"Don't say that. I chickened out too, didn't I? Otherwise, you wouldn't have caught on in time. I think I'll build up my strength some more, then openly crush those disgusting bastards. That seems like a surer bet!"

All the forcefulness in Uchiha Jin had vanished. He casually draped an arm over Shisui's shoulder and spoke with a helpless expression.

"Or you could try trusting me. If you're willing to become my strength, we can lead the Uchiha to a glorious future!"

Smack!

Shisui shuddered and hurriedly knocked Jin's right hand away. He leaped several meters back, and only after making sure they were at a safe distance did he warn him,

"Jin, I won't join you in your schemes!"

With that,

Shisui vanished in an instant, leaving only Uchiha Jin in the room, his expression gradually darkening.

"Talk no Jutsu really does have a special effect on the Uchiha. But I should avoid using the Art of Great Deception like that if I can. I never want to experience that helpless feeling of not being in control of my own life again!"

Uchiha Jin casually wiped the cold sweat from his temples. The muted sunset shone across his exceptionally handsome face, while a bone-chilling murderous intent roiled wildly within him.

Shisui...

You won't die—how could I ever feel at ease?!