Inside the Shogun's office, a young Uchiha girl—one of the Imperial Guard—stood at the center of the room, arms extended to either side.
What appeared before Uchiha Anlan and Mikoto, seated across from her, was not her slender figure clad in a crisp red military uniform—
But a sequence of flowing, real-time images.
From Jūzō Biwa secretly meeting Jinin Akebino,
To Akebino reporting to Mei Terumi,
Until Mei turned and returned to the Kirigakure camp—
Only then did the images slowly fade away.
Sweat had already soaked through the girl's clothes.
Her vision darkened in waves—
Yet she still forced herself to maintain the technique.
When her strength finally gave out—
Her arms fell limp.
Her body swayed—
And she collapsed forward.
A pair of gentle hands caught her in time.
Mikoto, worry in her eyes, carefully supported the girl and laid her onto the sofa.
Her fingers brushed away the sweat-damp hair from the girl's forehead.
Her voice was soft, filled with concern.
"Thank you for your hard work, Chiharu."
"Rest now."
"Mikoto-sama… did I… complete the mission…"
Before she could finish—
Chiharu, who had awakened the ability Thousand-Mile Trace after consuming the Blessing Peach, fell into deep unconsciousness from mental exhaustion.
Mikoto checked her condition.
Only then did she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Returning to Anlan's side, she sat down.
"That child… she always pushes herself until she collapses."
Anlan's gaze rested on Chiharu's sleeping figure.
His tone was gentle.
"The Imperial Guard are all sensitive children."
"They've always felt out of place."
"Now that they have a chance… of course they'll try to prove themselves."
He paused slightly.
"When she wakes up, encourage her. Guide her properly."
The Blessing Peach was limited.
And the abilities it granted—
Were comparable in some ways to the Mangekyō Sharingan.
So when choosing recipients—
Anlan did not prioritize the strongest kunoichi.
Infinite City's military strength—
Was already sufficient.
Even in the worst case—
There was still the ultimate trump card—
"Light's Great Orange."
What he needed—
Was not raw power.
But mechanics.
Chiharu—
A quiet girl who loved drawing—
Was one such choice.
Her ability, Thousand-Mile Trace—
Though unable to transmit sound—
Could project real-time images through mediums she had drawn upon.
For intelligence and battlefield awareness—
Its value was irreplaceable.
A piece of intelligence—
Without chakra.
Without anomalies.
Yet priceless—
Just like that map.
Who would casually discard such a thing?
In this war against Kirigakure—
Infinite City had already secured most of the advantage.
"I know," Mikoto replied softly.
She lifted her teacup, taking a sip of warm milk tea.
Her voice carried warmth and quiet emotion.
"These children… after gaining their abilities…"
"They practice relentlessly."
"They want to be better… to go further."
She looked at Anlan.
"I asked them."
"Ever since their families learned they were chosen for the Imperial Guard…"
"They've finally begun to receive encouragement."
"What they've always wanted…"
"Was to be seen."
"To be acknowledged."
Not every parent was fair.
Not every parent was worthy of the title.
Within the Uchiha—
Strength was everything.
Children were expected—
To become powerful shinobi.
Anlan, raised under Setsuna's harsh training—
Understood this deeply.
But reality—
Never bends to will.
Some children—
Could not walk that path.
And so—
They were overlooked.
Between family neglect…
Clan comparison…
And the silent oppression from Konoha—
They became fragile.
Sensitive.
Anlan closed his eyes briefly.
'This… will have to be solved through the Azure Gate.'
More systems.
More paths.
So even those without ninja talent—
Could still find their way.
He stretched lazily—
Then naturally leaned sideways—
Resting his head gently on Mikoto's soft thighs.
Warmth seeped through the fabric.
Comforting.
Mikoto froze for a moment—
Then smiled faintly, a hint of shyness in her eyes.
Her fingers slid into his hair—
Gently combing through.
The room fell silent.
Only moonlight flowed quietly—
Between their breaths.
"It's late," she murmured softly.
"You should sleep."
Anlan didn't answer.
Instead—
He asked,
"Mikoto… do you think anyone in the Defector Army still wants to return to Kirigakure?"
"Return?"
Her tone turned faintly cold.
"Why would they?"
"The Blood Mist…"
"They know it better than anyone."
"It's not just a blade against enemies."
"It's a shackle against their own."
"Even if they return alive…"
"Is that really 'home'?"
Her fingers brushed his forehead.
Her voice softened again.
"Here…"
"Their blades aren't used to kill their comrades."
"They can earn something real."
"Merit."
"Recognition."
"Stability."
"A system."
"One they've never known."
She lowered her gaze.
Looking at him—
Already half asleep.
"A person who has seen light…"
"Would never willingly return to darkness."
"If they still desire to live—not merely survive…"
"They won't turn back."
Through their bond—
She sensed it.
He had already fallen asleep.
A helpless smile appeared on her lips.
She left behind a shadow clone—
Carried Chiharu to the Imperial Guard quarters—
Then, holding Anlan—
Vanished in a flicker.
Night deepened.
Cold.
And soaked in blood.
On a cliffside—
A lone figure stood in shadow.
Shisui Uchiha slowly sheathed his blade.
A pale green current of wind dispersed—
The final echo swallowed by crashing waves.
At his feet—
A Kirigakure jōnin lay dead.
A thin cut across the throat—
Blood spilling—
Then washed away by the sea.
Nearby—
Another shinobi stood frozen—
Caught in illusion.
Red eyes glowed in the dark.
Three tomoe spun.
A blade flashed.
Blood scattered.
Farther away—
A fleeing shinobi leapt toward the rocks below.
Fear drove him forward—
Faster than ever.
Shisui didn't turn.
He simply moved his fingers—
And sliced the air.
His body vanished—
Like ripples on water.
And reappeared ahead.
A single slash.
Silence.
Another body fell.
Shisui landed lightly.
Flicked blood from his blade.
No survivors.
Only wind.
Only death.
Then—
He looked up.
At the approaching presence.
From the darkness—
Jinpachi Munashi emerged.
His face twisted with fury.
"Just one Uchiha brat…"
"And you slaughtered four of my squads?"
Hundreds of Kirigakure shinobi appeared—
From rocks.
From waves.
From shadows.
Encircling him.
Shisui didn't look at them.
His eyes—
Locked only onto Jinpachi.
"Move."
Jinpachi raised his blade—
Explosive tags igniting.
"I'll see just how hard Uchiha bones are!"
Chakra surged.
"Explosion Release—Splatter Dance!"
Explosions erupted—
Engulfing the cliff.
Fire.
Shockwaves.
Destruction.
But when the smoke cleared—
Nothing.
"He's behind you!"
Jinpachi reacted instantly—
Turning—
Blocking—
Dodging—
Clang!!
Wind sliced past him—
Tearing his clothes.
Shisui appeared—
Blade humming.
"Such speed… such range…"
Jinpachi's heart shook.
He unleashed everything.
More explosions.
More destruction.
But within the inferno—
A green blur moved.
Precise.
Efficient.
Untouchable.
Even weaving hand signs mid-movement.
A flicker—
A moment—
A genjutsu.
Jinpachi faltered.
That instant—
Was enough.
Shisui surged forward.
"Second Form—Kohō Kaze!"
Four wind blades tore through the smoke—
Sealing every escape.
Explosion met wind.
Then—
A shadow slipped through.
A blade thrust forward—
Silent.
Deadly.
Jinpachi's expression froze.
Death—
Was already upon him.
He roared—
"Everyone—attack!!"
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