Shisui felt his convictions waver—but he immediately forced himself to stop thinking further.
Perhaps…
He simply did not dare to go any deeper.
"As for the village, war, and justice, we can discuss those another time," Shisui said, regaining his composure. "I came today because you killed villagers."
"And just now, I personally witnessed you shatter a thief's legs."
"Your methods are excessively harsh."
Chiba ignored him completely, finishing his pancake before glancing at Shisui's untouched portion.
"Are you going to eat that?"
"I… I'm not very hungry."
Chiba reached over, took it, and began eating.
"If you haven't even resolved your own thoughts, don't come to debate me."
"The reason I discussed war and justice with you earlier is because the question you wanted to ask was already answered."
Shisui frowned.
"When?"
"The Teuchi couple."
Shisui's heart jolted.
He understood immediately.
From the perspective of the elderly shopkeepers, Chiba's actions were decisive—removing the threat completely and protecting their lives.
Naturally, they were grateful.
"Perhaps," Shisui admitted slowly, "from their perspective, your actions make sense."
"But those men may still have had the chance to change."
Chiba finally let out a faint, mocking chuckle.
"That is the difference between us."
"You stand in the position of wrongdoers."
"I stand in the position of the innocent."
It felt as though lightning had struck Shisui.
For a moment, he could not speak.
Chiba continued calmly.
"On the battlefield, your justice is survival of the strong."
"In daily life, you stand on the side of criminals."
"Do you know who walks that path?"
"Demons."
Shisui's anger surged.
Bang!
He slammed the table and stood up.
"You executioner—how dare you call me a demon?!"
"Executioner?" Chiba replied calmly.
"You've killed ten times more people than I have."
"And I kill those who harm others."
"What about the people you've killed?"
"Can you guarantee that every one of them deserved it?"
Shisui's lips trembled slightly as he slowly sat back down.
Chiba calmly finished Shisui's pancake.
Then he drank the remaining soup as well.
After eating his fill, he wiped his hands and stood.
"Teuchi-san. He's paying."
"Of course, Captain Chiba," Teuchi said with a smile. "Leaving already?"
"Yes. Patrol continues."
"You're always welcome here."
Chiba gave a rare faint smile and stepped outside.
The old woman extended her hand toward Shisui.
With a bitter smile, he paid.
Outside the shop, Shisui lowered his voice.
"Chiba… even if we put justice aside…"
"You understand the situation."
"The tension between the clan and the village leadership is like a string stretched to the breaking point."
"At such a critical moment, why can't you restrain yourself?"
"For the sake of the Uchiha—and for the sake of the village."
"Do you truly want to trigger a catastrophe beyond redemption?"
Chiba looked at him carefully.
"For the meal…"
"I'll say one more thing."
"Listen carefully, Uchiha Shisui."
"Even if my actions ignite open conflict—rebellion, bloodshed, mutual destruction…"
"The outcome you fear the most…"
"Is ten thousand times better than the one already destined."
Shisui's face went pale.
"What… are you saying?"
"You don't understand?"
"The destined ending is far more cruel, more brutal, and more grotesque than you can imagine."
"So believe me."
"If I trigger open rebellion…"
"For the Uchiha, that would be a blessing."
With that, Chiba adjusted his collar and walked away.
Shisui stood frozen in place.
Finally, he shouted:
"Uchiha Chiba—"
"How far into the future have your eyes seen?!"
Only Chiba's retreating figure answered.
Shisui trembled slightly.
Behind him, Akakin and Shiden approached, looking confused.
What had that man said to shake Shisui-sama so deeply?
…
Chiba did not like Uchiha Shisui.
By his standards, Shisui was not evil.
But he was foolish.
Revealing the existence of Kotoamatsukami to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzo—
That was practically courting death.
Kotoamatsukami could alter a person's will without their awareness.
For any ruler, such power was irresistible.
And no ruler would tolerate it existing outside their control.
Even if the wielder swore absolute loyalty.
Shisui's eventual fate had been born from that naïveté.
Strength alone meant nothing.
Even the strongest could still be foolish.
"Captain Chiba!"
Two figures rushed toward him.
Uchiha Aoki and Uchiha Yamato—his subordinates.
Chiba frowned.
"You were ordered not to report to me this morning."
"Something happened?"
They exchanged glances, breathing hard.
"…Yes."
"Move."
Chiba immediately accelerated.
"Captain—we haven't even told you what happened—"
"Talk while running."
Wind roared past as they sprinted through the streets.
Chiba pushed his speed even further.
Aoki shouted over the rushing wind.
"Captain, this matter is sensitive. Perhaps we should consult the Clan Head first—"
"Speak."
"It's… something happened with the Sarutobi clan."
"Sarutobi…"
Chiba's eyes narrowed slightly.
He understood immediately why they called it sensitive.
But—
So what?