Causality Perception

"Shin-getsu, you really don't seem like a nine-year-old child."

Shin-getsu replied, "After last night, I have no way to continue acting like a nine-year-old child."

Shisui looked at him, a flicker of apology crossing his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

Shin-getsu shook his head.

"You don't need to apologize to me, Shisui-senpai."

"If you truly feel sorry, then please try to be a bit more clear-headed."

Shisui was stunned.

Shin-getsu continued, "You are the genius of the clan."

"Many people believe in you."

"Therefore, every choice you make could affect the fate of many others."

"Do not easily decide to sacrifice others."

"Especially in the name of peace."

This statement left Shisui speechless for a long time.

After a while, he said softly, "I will remember that."

Having said this, Shisui turned and left.

When he reached the door, he paused.

"Once your injuries heal, if the clan leader agrees, I can teach you the basics of the Body Flicker Technique."

Shin-getsu's heart stirred.

The Body Flicker Technique.

This was Shisui's signature ability.

Even if it were only the basics, it would be of immense value.

Shin-getsu nodded.

"Thank you, Shisui-senpai."

Shisui smiled.

"Rest well and recover."

The door closed.

Shin-getsu leaned back against the hospital bed, a look of contemplation flashing in his eyes.

Itachi had come.

Shisui had also come.

Fugaku had started to pay attention to him as well.

This meant that after last night's events, he had officially entered the vision of the Uchiha's inner circle.

This was a good thing.

But it also meant that he would be targeted by more people.

Within the clan.

Root.

The Third Hokage.

And perhaps even Obito and Black Zetsu, who were hiding in the shadows.

Of course, at this moment, it was highly unlikely that Obito would notice a nine-year-old Uchiha orphan.

But if he continued to change the plot, he would sooner or later be exposed to the eyes of those true masterminds.

Therefore, he had to be fast.

Faster than the progression of the original plot.

Faster than Danzo could make his move.

Faster than Black Zetsu could notice him.

Shin-getsu looked at the system panel.

[Current Karma Points: 500]
[Sharingan: One-Tomoe (Complete)]
[Karma Points required for Two-Tomoe: 3000]

He was still two thousand five hundred short.

I need to find a way to keep earning Karma Points.

Shingetsu whispered to himself.

Killing enemies was the fastest method.

But he could not act recklessly right now.

Influencing key characters could also earn him Causality Points.

He had already exerted initial influence over Itachi, Sasuke, and Shisui.

Continuing to provoke them in such a short time might not yield the best results.

So, who else was there?

Naruto?

Kakashi?

The Third Hokage?

Danzo?

At the thought of Danzo, Shingetsu's eyes turned cold.

Two Root ninja had died last night; it was impossible for Danzo to have no reaction.

Perhaps even now, Root was already investigating him.

At the same time.

Beneath Konoha.

The Root base.

In a dim stone chamber, candlelight flickered slightly.

Shimura Danzo sat on a stone chair, half his face hidden in the shadows.

Before him, a Root ninja knelt on one knee.

"Lord Danzo."

"The two men sent to the Uchiha compound last night are confirmed dead."

"The bodies have been recovered by the Uchiha."

Danzo's expression darkened.

"Two official ninja, killed by a nine-year-old brat?"

The Root ninja lowered his head.

"Based on the traces at the scene, the target utilized the fire, Explosive Tags, wire strings, and the collapsing environment to execute a counter-kill."

"Additionally, the target awakened the Sharingan during the battle."

Danzo's single eye narrowed slightly.

"The Sharingan..."

The stone chamber fell silent.

A moment later, Danzo spoke slowly.

"Uchiha Shingetsu."

"His parents died in the Nine-Tails Incident, he has no direct relatives, and he was originally just a low-value specimen."

"I didn't expect him to actually awaken it."

The Root ninja asked, "Shall we continue the retrieval?"

Danzo did not answer immediately.

Something had just happened in the Uchiha compound.

If he made another move now, Fugaku would certainly seize the opportunity to escalate the situation.

As for the Third Hokage, he might not allow him to continue provoking the Uchiha at this time.

But to leave him alone?

Impossible.

A nine-year-old who could counter-kill two Root ninja in a desperate situation and awaken the Sharingan was not to be underestimated.

Especially with a bloodline like the Uchiha, which was prone to awakening eyes when provoked.

Today it was One-Tomoe.

What about the future?

Two-Tomoe?

Three-Tomoe?

Or even...

Greed and apprehension flickered in the depths of Danzo's eyes.

Mangekyou.

"Do not move against him for now."

Danzo said coldly.

"Send men to monitor him."

"Find out whether he was merely lucky last night, or if he has been hiding something."

"Additionally, keep a close watch on Uchiha Fugaku and Shisui."

The Root ninja replied in a low voice, "Understood."

Danzo tapped his cane, his voice deep.

"The Uchiha clan has become increasingly restless lately."

"If this seed continues to sprout, it will be very troublesome in the future."

"If necessary..."

He paused, a flash of killing intent crossing his single eye.

"Uproot it early."

The Root ninja bowed his head.

"Understood."

In the shadows, the candlelight flickered gently.

Danzo slowly closed his eyes.

In his view, the Uchiha were the village's greatest source of instability.

The power of the Sharingan should not be in the hands of a group governed by their emotions.

If the Uchiha could not be used by the village.

Then they should be controlled by Root.

Including that brat named Uchiha Shingetsu.

In the hospital room.

Shingetsu suddenly opened his eyes.

The special trait [Causality Perception] trembled slightly.

A cold sensation, as if he were being watched, flashed through his heart.

Shingetsu looked out the window, his gaze gradually deepening.

It had begun.

He knew that Danzo had already taken notice of him.

This was dangerous.

But it was exactly what he wanted.

Because since last night, there was no room for reconciliation between him and Danzo.

Sooner or later, he would personally drag that old thing hiding beneath Konoha out into the light.

And then, he would show the entire ninja world.

Just how rotten the so-called "Shadow of the Hokage" truly was.

Shingetsu slowly closed his eyes.

"Danzo."

"Don't be in such a rush."

"I will settle your debts with you, one by one."

Night fell.

The Uchiha compound, however, did not quiet down as it usually did.

Outside Naka Shrine, torches were lit one after another.

From all corners of the compound, Uchiha clansmen hurried toward the shrine.

Most of them wore dark clan attire, their faces grim, their eyes suppressing flickers of rage.

The events of last night had spread throughout the entire Uchiha clan.

A nine-year-old orphan of the clan had been attacked in the dead of night by unidentified ninjas.

The perpetrators had even intended to take him away as a "specimen."

Those two words had completely ignited the fury of the Uchiha.

What was the most precious thing to the Uchiha?

Their bloodline.

Sharingan.

The term "specimen" made the implication painfully clear.

Someone wanted to use the Uchiha for experiments.

Someone wanted their eyes.

This was no ordinary attack.

It was an insult.

A trampling of their dignity.

And, more than that, a declaration of war against the entire Uchiha clan.

Inside Naka Shrine.

Uchiha Fugaku sat kneeling in the seat of honor, his expression calm.

Yet, those familiar with him knew that the clan head was in a foul mood.

Seated on either side of him were the high-ranking members of the Uchiha clan.

The elites of the Police Force.

Representatives from each branch of the clan.

And several elders of immense prestige.

Uchiha Shisui sat in a position further back.

Uchiha Itachi stood quietly behind Fugaku.

Given his age, he would normally have no right to attend such a clan meeting.

But he was Fugaku's eldest son and the clan's recognized prodigy.

More importantly, he had already joined the Anbu and had direct contact with the upper echelons of Konoha.

That was why Fugaku allowed him to stand there.

On one hand, it was for the sake of experience.

On the other, it was to let him hear the voices of his clansmen with his own ears.