If You Don't Die, How Can I Be at Peace!

No!

Uchiha Shisui's internal alarm bells rang out instantly. Despite sensing no external threat, he felt a bone-chilling malice emanating from the man standing before him.

Uchiha Jin's face wore a grin that looked like a devil's mockery, as if he were eagerly waiting for Shisui to step into a bottomless abyss of purgatory.

But...

Where exactly had things gone wrong?

Uchiha Shisui was certain that under the absolute suppression of his Mangekyo Sharingan, this detestable "leader of the hardliners" before him should have had no possibility of struggle.

Yet, this didn't make sense...

Could Uchiha Jin, who dared to confront the Third Hokage and the Darkness of the Shinobi World head-on, really lack the courage to resist, surrendering so easily right before his eyes?

No!

This was absolutely not the Uchiha Jin that Shisui knew—the "hardline" elder who dared to berate the Hokage's advisor in front of the Hokage and the entire clan, constantly using words like "war" to pressure his opponents.

Such a person would never be so simple. Even with Kotoamatsukami as his trump card, Uchiha Shisui had made full preparations before coming here today.

But this outcome, which felt far too smooth...

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

Uchiha Shisui observed his surroundings cautiously. With the powerful ocular power of his Mangekyo suppressing the man before him, he spoke in a cold, grave tone.

"The power of the Mangekyo is beyond your imagination. No matter what you are planning, I advise you to stop this futile struggle."

"So, it really is 'Kotoamatsukami'..."

Uchiha Jin's tone held a hint of wistfulness, yet he continued to gaze at Uchiha Shisui with a full smile.

"To think this legendary, strongest genjutsu is real—it truly is something to look forward to."

What!

Hearing the word "Kotoamatsukami" from Uchiha Jin's lips, Uchiha Shisui, already tense, felt his heart skip a beat. A sudden, icy sensation made his scalp tingle.

Why?

He had never exposed information about his Mangekyo's ocular technique; he had kept this secret even from the Third Hokage. Yet, Uchiha Jin had accurately named Kotoamatsukami and described its effects...

And despite knowing of Kotoamatsukami's powerful and sinister nature, Uchiha Jin remained so indifferent, as if he didn't care at all about such a soul-manipulating evil technique.

"Why..."

Uchiha Shisui's voice carried a trace of a choke. Despite holding the absolute upper hand, he looked at Uchiha Jin with a pleading expression.

In response.

Uchiha Jin suddenly stood up again, roaring at Uchiha Shisui with a look of fury.

"Why, why, why! If you're going to do it, just do it already! I'm capable of feeling fear too, you know! What if I explain everything and then you lose your nerve?"

Hm.

He had used the most arrogant tone to say the most cowardly thing!

Uchiha Shisui felt that all the absurdity he had experienced in his life combined didn't compare to the ridiculousness of what was happening today.

Yet, Uchiha Shisui fell for it, because as someone bearing the fate of his clan and the village, he was absolutely unwilling to gamble on even the slightest risk.

A long silence followed...

But to the senses of Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Jin, it felt as long as a century.

Finally...

"Forget it!"

Uchiha Jin lay back down on his chair, looking at Uchiha Shisui with a hint of resentment.

"If I had dragged that bunch of cowards to storm the Hokage's office, I could have accepted any outcome. Hah—ptui!"

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

"Sorry, my throat was feeling a bit uncomfortable!"

Under Uchiha Shisui's speechless gaze, Jin continued slowly.

"I originally wanted to use your Kotoamatsukami to provoke them, but it seems I overestimated my own capacity. Being controlled by someone else... I still can't bring myself to accept that."

What!

Uchiha Shisui had been merely confused before, but upon hearing this, everything suddenly clicked. However, the chilling sensation that made his scalp tingle surged back with a vengeance.

"You... you actually..."

Uchiha Shisui stared at Uchiha Jin in disbelief. He reached out with his right hand, pointing shakily at the man. His lips trembled uncontrollably, and he couldn't even form a coherent sentence.

To think he had used himself as bait...

Uchiha Shisui truly could not fathom how there could be someone like Uchiha Jin in this world, willing to sell even his own soul.

Yes!

Under the stimulation of that icy chill, Uchiha Shisui finally calmed down, feeling a lingering fear in his heart as he realized how fortunate he was not to have used Kotoamatsukami on Uchiha Jin.

An elder of the "Jade Shatter Faction," who had once been obsessed with dragging the village down to destruction with him, had suddenly transformed into a "Moderate" who favored the village just like him.

It sounded like a story of the Will of Fire saving a lost lamb, but to the current upper echelons of the Uchiha Clan, this was absolutely unacceptable.

Although the Uchiha Clan was riddled with factions, what truly divided them was not entirely ideology, but the "power" that the Uchiha valued above all else!

It was precisely because of a lack of sufficient power, uncertainty regarding their own strength, and uncertainty about the difficulties of the future that the so-called "Radical Faction" and "Moderate Faction" were born.

Yet, regardless of the faction, their relationship with the current Konoha leadership was essentially hostile.

The interests of the Uchiha were what mattered most!

Under these circumstances, Uchiha Jin, a member of the "Jade Shatter Faction" who usually seemed insignificant, became crucial.

Although the existing Uchiha elders did not like this impulsive fellow, they regarded him as a core combatant in any potential war against Konoha.

At the same time, this "Jade Shatter Faction" member possessed exceptional teaching abilities, capable of continuously forging fresh blood for the Uchiha and increasing the clan's foundational strength.

It was precisely because of this.

That the Uchiha Clan, under the dual pressure of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, had united all factions to protect Uchiha Jin, making him the youngest elder in the history of the Uchiha Clan.

It could be said.

Uchiha Jin was a benchmark!

Once the Hokage faction wanted to make a move against the Uchiha, Uchiha Jin would inevitably be one of the most critical figures.

And with such a "Jade Shatter Faction" member suddenly undergoing a complete change in personality, how could the Uchiha Clan not realize what had happened?

This was no benchmark for the "Jade Shatter Faction" shifting toward peace; this was clearly the final straw that would break the political balance between the Hokage and the Uchiha!

At the thought that he would be the one to personally deliver this final straw, Uchiha Shisui's back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.

"Jin, you are too terrifying!"

The image of a bloody battle between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha flashed instantly through Uchiha Shisui's mind, and his naturally naive face was now covered in dripping sweat.

"Don't say it like that. Didn't I just lose my nerve? Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to react in time. I think I'd better accumulate more power, and then it'll be more certain to openly crush those disgusting guys!"

The overbearing aura on Uchiha Jin's body vanished completely, and he then familiarly draped his arm over Uchiha Shisui's shoulder, speaking with a helpless expression.

"Or you could try to believe in me. As long as you are willing to become my strength, we will surely be able to lead the Uchiha toward a glorious future!"

Slap!

Uchiha Shisui shuddered, hurriedly swatting away Uchiha Jin's right hand and leaping several meters backward. Only after confirming he was at a safe distance did he continue to warn him.

"Jin, I will not collude with you!"

With those words finished.

Shisui's figure vanished instantly, leaving only Uchiha Jin in the room, his expression gradually turning gloomy.

"Talk no Jutsu really does have a special bonus against the Uchiha, but this Art of Great Deception should be avoided as much as possible. I never want to experience that feeling of powerlessness where life and death are out of my own control ever again!"

Uchiha Jin casually wiped the cold sweat from his temple. The soft sunset shone upon his extremely handsome face, yet a chilling murderous intent surged wildly within his heart.

Shisui...

If you do not die, how can I be at ease!