"Didn't expect Danzō to have quite a few traits on him."
"It's just… they're a bit too black."
Within the dense forest, Jin couldn't help recalling the traits that had surfaced on Danzō earlier.
[Defeated Shimura Danzō. Attempting to copy traits.]
[Currently copyable traits: Sharingan Collector (Black), Pot Shadow (Black), 5.5th Hokage (Black), Bridge Sealer (Black), Wood Release Cells · Fragment (Blue), Wind Release Mastery (Blue), Root Tongue Curse (Green)…]
So many black traits that Jin had to give a thumbs-up in admiration.
"As expected of the Pot Shadow. This level of darkness—only someone like Obito or Madara could probably compare."
Wasn't that the very definition of standing head and shoulders above the rest?
He shook his head and continued reading.
[Copy successful. Congratulations, Host, on obtaining Rare Trait: Wood Release Cells · Fragment (Blue).
Increases physical energy and balances spiritual energy, but due to immature replication technology, using it consumes lifespan.]
No wonder the trait was incomplete.
Low level, but the side effects were anything but small!
Jin narrowed his eyes and casually kept the trait.
At least for now, this thing could help balance physical and spiritual energy.
In other words—prevent him from ending up like Itachi, coughing everywhere he went.
The man arrives before the sound does.
Those who know understand it's the Sharingan draining him; those who don't would think he's just weak.
With Wood Release cells, physical and spiritual energy could be temporarily stabilized.
As for the lifespan consumption…
Just level the trait up.
Right now it was only blue. If it could reach purple or even gold—
Then there truly would be no worries left.
Thinking this, Jin glanced back in the direction he'd come from and muttered,
"Looks like I'll need to chat with Danzō more often in the future…"
From now on, every moonless, windy night—
Would be Danzō's brick-smacking concerto.
"Faster… faster…"
"Lord Danzō… why… why would you do this…"
"Jin… that guy… really was right…"
"Root, huh? You sure are persistent."
Amid his murmurs, Shisui clutched his eye and unleashed Susanoo with a single eye!
A green-flamed Susanoo erupted around him, towering seven or eight zhang high!
In the dense forest, it was impossibly conspicuous—
And overwhelmingly powerful!
To Root, most of them had no idea what this thing even was.
Faced with a godlike force, they could only struggle desperately.
But Shisui merely swept the Root members aside and continued running forward.
He didn't know where he wanted to go.
Back to the clan?
In his current state, there was no way to hide what had happened from the clan.
Given the current situation, the Uchiha might launch a coup tonight.
Especially with several elders involved—even the clan head might not be able to stop it.
Forget it.
Better go to… the old place.
With that thought, he suddenly retracted Susanoo and turned, sprinting toward the cliff.
That was the place he always went when he felt lost and helpless—
To seek solace for his heart.
But gradually, the pain in his eye intensified.
His thoughts grew heavier.
Faster.
Just a little faster.
Thud.
At a certain moment—
His strength gave out, and he collapsed forward.
But just before hitting the ground, a pair of long hands suddenly reached out.
"Is it…"
Shisui froze, then looked up to see a tear-troughed youth of similar height gazing at him.
"It's you, Itachi… why are you here…"
Itachi shook his head without speaking.
He silently helped his friend sit beneath a tree.
Why was he here?
Lately, every time Jin chatted with him, he would somehow bring up Shisui and Danzō.
So subconsciously, when he saw Shisui head out tonight, he followed.
Unfortunately, he'd been a step too slow.
Taking a deep breath, Itachi suppressed the turmoil in his heart and said in a low voice,
"Shisui, you—"
Before he could finish, his lips were pressed shut.
Two trembling fingers rested against them.
Shisui shook his head.
"Shh. Itachi, listen to me."
"This was done by Lord Danzō. He took my other eye as well."
"But—don't tell the clan. Let them think I died on the battlefield."
As he spoke—
Those two fingers stabbed inward, plucking out an eyeball.
"Don't be sad. Take it. And remember to take care of the village, the clan… and Jin."
"Maybe only if I die can this invisible conflict finally end."
With that, carrying a heart set on death, he turned—
And leapt toward the cliff etched deep in his memory.
"Shisui…"
Itachi stared at the blood-soaked eye in his hand.
Then at his friend, whose body radiated death.
Within his chest, an indescribable emotion began to spread.
Why did it have to be like this?!
Why did such a pure, innocent boy have to become a sacrifice to political strife?!
Why… was it Brother Shisui?!
His mind screamed. His blood wailed.
Even the chakra within his body began to spin wildly.
The next instant—
The three-tomoe Sharingan in his eyes began to rotate at high speed.
Like an old man's electric scooter fueled with premium gas—blazing fast.
Vaguely, the three tomoe stretched and fused together, forming a triangular shuriken-like pattern!
Mangekyō—awakened!
Because the mentor-and-friend Shisui had "died," Itachi awakened the Mangekyō in fury!
Tap. Tap. Tap.
At the same time, a Root member quietly crept up from behind.
Without even looking, Itachi glared—
And black flames burst forth.
Pshhk!
Black fire appeared from nothingness, igniting the ninja instantly.
Before he could even scream, he was burned to ash.
Amaterasu!
"So this… is my new ocular technique, Amaterasu…"
As he watched the Root ninja burn alive, two lines of blood tears slid down Itachi's face.
"You are the first to die by Amaterasu."
"And the last."
Just as his words fell, a frivolous voice suddenly sounded beside him—
Young. Lively. Carefree.
That voice was—
Jin?!
Itachi snapped his head up. The crimson in his pupils faded back to calm.
Standing before him was indeed Uchiha Arata.
And on Jin's back—
Was a very familiar figure.
"Hm? Shisui's here too?"
Itachi was surprised, a suppressed flicker of joy flashing in his eyes.
He hadn't expected Jin to actually save Shisui after the jump.
But then he frowned, hesitating as he spoke,
"However… Brother Shisui didn't want us to save him…"
Jin: ...
His temper exploded instantly.
"Idiot!"
He immediately reached out and jabbed Itachi hard in the forehead, full of disdain.
"He says don't save him and you don't?! If he told you to assassinate the Hokage, would you do that too?!"
Damn it!
No wonder they say the Uchiha are all lunatics.
Even Itachi—the one with the best brain—was a fool half the time!
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