Substitute

Uchiha Yū placed a hand on Ōtsutsuki Yunshiki's shoulder. In an instant, the other man's precious energy, like a riverbank collapsing in a flood, was absorbed by Uchiha Yū. His initial hesitation turned to terror once more. Only after watching Ōtsutsuki Yunshiki's mental defenses be shattered did Uchiha Yū feel satisfied. First the stick, then the carrot—only then could he tame him and turn Ōtsutsuki Yunshiki into a puppet in his hands.

The reason he was taking such risks was because of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. Her words had revealed that the Ōtsutsuki Clan would be sending true powerhouses next, perhaps more than just one or two. It might involve many members of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, so Uchiha Yū had to grow stronger as quickly as possible.

By all rights, he should have been satisfied with the war in the Underworld. Unfortunately, time waited for no one. Uchiha Yū needed to expand the scale of the war severalfold to face the coming crisis.

This presented an unavoidable hurdle: Ōtsutsuki Yunshiki, the liaison. From their interactions, Uchiha Yū could infer his character. He was an aristocrat living on the fringes, looked down upon by the edge of his clan, someone content to indulge in comfort.

Not every Ōtsutsuki possessed ambition and strength. These elderly figures had long since passed the age of hot-blooded passion. Now, they only wanted to cling desperately to life.

With certain methods, Uchiha Yū could easily control them and make them obediently obey.

"I hope you do not make the wrong choice, Ōtsutsuki Yunshiki!"

Uchiha Yū crouched down, his Mangekyō Sharingan fixed intently on the other man. Feeling the pressure in Uchiha Yū's gaze, the life-cherishing Ōtsutsuki Yunshiki trembled with fear at his coercion. A feeling of helplessness arose within him, one even more terrifying than facing death.

"No,