When eyes awaken… even elites must take them seriously.
"Interesting."
A faint smile appeared on Shisui's lips, clearly pleased with Kai's mastery of the Body Flicker Technique.
Only when his opponent was strong—
did a fight become worth enjoying.
…
At that moment—
Kai had already appeared behind Shisui.
His blunt kunai drove straight toward Shisui's back.
A sharp, precise strike.
…
Clang!
Sparks flew.
Without even turning around, Shisui drew the short sword from his back and blocked the attack effortlessly.
…
Kai's gaze sharpened.
The kunai danced in his hand, his wrist flexing—
and in the next instant, it slashed toward Shisui's neck.
…
Clang!
Blocked again.
…
Kai smirked coldly.
Then—
he fully activated his Ashura's Chakra.
Chakra surged through his meridians like a rushing tide.
…
Shisui was strong.
But—
so was he.
…
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Kunai and blade collided repeatedly, ringing sharply through the training ground.
Kai stopped holding back.
He began weaving ninjutsu into his attacks.
His Fire Release—
came from unpredictable angles.
Even Shisui found himself forced on the defensive.
…
"This kid… hasn't even graduated the academy. How does he have this much combat experience?"
Shisui realized—
if he kept holding back—
he might actually lose ground.
…
So—
he stopped restraining himself.
…
The two clashed like opposing blades—
their movements turning into afterimages.
…
Even Itachi, watching from the sidelines—
was stunned.
…
Shisui—
his idol.
The one he admired most.
…
And yet—
Kai, the same age as him—
was holding his own against Shisui for this long?
That was absurd.
…
For a moment—
Itachi felt like nothing more than a bystander.
Like a background figure.
…
The battle—
intensified.
…
Two tomoe spun into existence in Kai's eyes.
…
Wood Release—
was a trump card.
He wouldn't use it.
But the Sharingan?
That was fair game.
…
With its activation—
his attacks became sharper.
His movements—
more refined.
…
Again and again—
he pushed Shisui into dangerous situations.
…
And Shisui—
was an elite jōnin.
…
"…Two tomoe already?" Shisui was genuinely shocked.
He hadn't known Kai had awakened the Sharingan.
…
Then—
three tomoe spun into Shisui's eyes.
…
Instantly—
his offense surged.
Faster.
Sharper.
More aggressive.
…
The tide began to shift.
From being pressured—
to regaining control.
…
Still—
Shisui didn't use the Mangekyō.
Three tomoe versus two—
was already unfair.
If he went further—
he wouldn't be able to face the clan for a long time.
…
On the sidelines—
Itachi stared, unable to look away.
"When… will I awaken my Sharingan…"
…
The clash continued—
five full minutes.
…
Even with a three-tomoe Sharingan—
Shisui couldn't break through.
Every attack—
was resolved.
Cleanly.
Precisely.
…
Finally—
Shisui leapt back, exiting the battlefield.
He raised his hands in surrender.
…
"That's enough."
"You win."
…
He was older.
More experienced.
And using a stronger Sharingan.
Yet—
he still couldn't defeat Kai.
Continuing would only make things worse.
…
Kai shook his head modestly.
"You held back. I'm not your match."
…
If both went all out—
the outcome…
would be hard to predict.
…
Shisui had Kotoamatsukami.
Kai had Ashura's Chakra—
and Wood Release.
…
Then—
Shisui's expression turned serious.
…
"Kai."
"I formally invite you to join the ANBU."
…
Less than half a year remained before Kai graduated.
But after this fight—
Shisui was certain.
Kai's strength—
was at least elite chūnin level.
With the two-tomoe Sharingan—
he was more than qualified.
…
If he joined ANBU—
it would be a major boost.
With Shisui's recommendation—
Hiruzen would surely approve.
Talents like this—
were always welcome.
…
Kai wasn't surprised.
He had already expected this.
…
Shisui's gaze was steady—
full of anticipation.
…
But Kai didn't answer directly.
Instead, he said,
"Shisui… do you remember what Root did to me and Itachi two years ago?"
…
Shisui's heart sank.
This—
was heading somewhere unpleasant.
…
He sighed softly.
"I remember."
…
Kai continued,
"It's been two years."
"Konoha… Root…"
"Neither has ever apologized."
…
He looked straight at Shisui.
"If you were treated like that—"
"would you join ANBU?"
…
He didn't refuse outright.
He simply stated facts.
From his own experience.
…
Hiruzen—
claimed fairness.
Yet—
had chosen to side with Danzō.
…
If that was the case—
why should Kai follow him?
Because he was Hokage?
Ridiculous.
…
Shisui fell silent.
…
After a long pause, he said slowly,
"The Hokage… carries the burden of the entire village. Every decision requires careful consideration."
…
"But he never considered me."
…
One sentence—
and Shisui had no reply.
…
Kai patted his shoulder and smiled.
"I'm still young. We can talk about this later."
…
A polite refusal.
…
Shisui was kind.
Devoted to the village.
But in the end—
he would be used.
Have his eye taken.
And die for a system that never truly accepted him.
…
Kai couldn't change him.
And if one day—
they stood on opposite sides—
he wouldn't hesitate.
…
"…Alright."
Shisui nodded, a trace of regret in his eyes.
…
A talent like this—
lost to ANBU.
…
Perhaps—
if things had been handled differently back then—
the outcome would be different.
…
Fugaku's residence.
Dinner time.
…
Kai, once again, had come to freeload.
He devoured the food like a storm.
…
"Mikoto's cooking is the best!"
…
Mikoto smiled, covering her mouth, and placed more meat into his bowl.
"You really know how to talk. Slow down—you'll choke."
…
"Thank you, Aunt Mikoto!"
…
Meanwhile—
Itachi and Sasuke exchanged glances.
Speechless.
…
But—
they were used to it.
…
At this point—
all they could do was roll their eyes.
…
After finishing—
Kai set down his chopsticks.
…
"Uncle Fugaku, I ran into Shisui today. We sparred."
…
Fugaku raised a brow.
"And?"
…
"Shisui is very strong."
Kai paused.
Then added—
"But I didn't lose."
…
"…What?"
Fugaku was genuinely shocked.
…
Not losing to Shisui?
…
Then again—
Shisui probably hadn't gone all out.
…
"Shisui is a good child… but those eyes of his may no longer belong to the Uchiha," Fugaku sighed.
…
If only—
he hadn't allowed Shisui to join ANBU.
…
Kai spoke calmly,
"Shisui still cares about the clan. You don't need to worry too much."
…
"…I hope so."
Fugaku exhaled.
…
If the Uchiha had—
Shisui.
Kai.
Itachi.
Three top-tier geniuses—
their future would be very different.
…
Kai said nothing about the ANBU invitation.
There was no need.
For now—
it would remain his secret.
…
Konoha Guesthouse.
Residence of the Hidden Cloud delegation.
…
Toyobi lay on a bed, pale, groaning in pain.
Even though Kai hadn't gone all out—
the kick had been brutal.
…
"Samui. Did ANBU identify who did this?" a towering, muscular man with a thick beard asked.
…
Odai—
leader of the Kumo delegation.
An elite jōnin.
…
Samui nodded.
"We received intel this evening."
"It was an Uchiha."
"Name: Uchiha Kai."
"Still an academy student."
…
"Good."
Odai's eyes turned cold.
…
"If we know who it is—then Kumo's pride won't be trampled without consequence."
…
"Uchiha…"
…
"Just you wait."
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