"What irony," Neji murmured, a trace of coldness flashing through his eyes.
"The First Hokage founded Konoha for peace, yet now Konoha has become a chessboard for power struggles. Conflict truly exists everywhere—if not outside, then within!"
Neji recalled the Sage of Six Paths' words about human nature, and his expression grew increasingly grim.
His gaze swept across the Uchiha Clan District. Its lights still burned brightly, unaware that the night of extermination was about to descend.
"The Uchiha Clan thinks highly of itself, yet it does not know it has long been seen as a thorn in the higher-ups' eyes."
"The Senju Clan has declined, the Hyuga Clan is bound by the Caged Bird, and Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane Clan, Mito... These clans rise and fall in the vortex of power, yet no one dares to truly challenge the Hokage's authority."
"And the Hokage... is merely an executor of the will of those above."
Neji sneered, and everything became clearer in his heart.
"The ninja world has never been something that ideals alone can change."
"Hashirama failed. Tobirama failed. The Third, the Fourth... all of them compromised within the balance of power."
"And I—"
His gaze suddenly sharpened, cutting through the night like a blade.
"—will never become a chess piece."
He would become the one moving the pieces!
The destruction of the Uchiha Clan was merely one corner of the Ninja World's darkness.
"Since I cannot change the rules, then I will control them."
"The Sharingan, the Mangekyo Sharingan, the Rinnegan... even the Six Paths Power!"
"Only strength can shatter this rotten balance!"
The night wind swept past, and Neji's figure quietly vanished, as though he had never been there.
—The night of extermination was about to begin.
For several days in a row, Neji altered his appearance and