"…"
The gray-white jailer stood stiffly, lifeless as ever in the face of Uchiha Yao's questioning. A creeping unease grew in Yao's chest as he tried to exert his Mangekyō, and only then did the gray figure begin to move.
But no matter how he strained, he could only control the jailer, not communicate with it. A very bad realization took root in Yao's mind.
"Why don't you answer?! Aren't you my will made flesh?!"
Memories of how he'd "coincidentally" discovered the truth about his son's death, how his Mangekyō had awakened, how everything since then seemed manipulated by unseen hands… all of it resurfaced, making his heart pound in turmoil.
"Old man… you can ask all you want, but it won't answer you,"
Off to the side, Gin had been munching sunflower seeds and finally strolled over, seeing the cracks in Yao's composure. He quipped lazily,
"Come on, even now you don't see it? That black slime has nothing to do with your will at all."
"No… impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Yao's face contorted, the normally sharp and rational man now looking utterly shaken. The truth, plain as day, was something he couldn't face.
"If my guess is right, your Mangekyō's true power is to create a shadowy clone — one you can remotely control, slipping through darkness to spy, assassinate, and even let you 'possess' it to fight through its body."
Gin coolly broke it all down, piecing it together from Yao's fighting style just now.
The "willful" black mud? Just the great filial son pretending all along. The real Wangliang was nothing more than a mindless battle puppet — incapable of tattling.
"So I've been manipulated by that thing this whole time…"
Yao's expression darkened. Black mist visibly coiled off his body now, making Gin instinctively take a step back.
Clenching his teeth, Yao raised his head to glare at the blackened Tajima.
"You… why did you hide at my side all these years?"
"Heh heh… and what good would an explanation do for a dying man? Just accept your fate."
A blackened face emerged from Tajima's body, grinning wickedly, full of scorn.
"Oi, oi — are you two just gonna keep arguing? Can we get on with the fight already?"
Gin tossed aside the last of his seed shells and fanned the flames, eager to see how this betrayal would end.
Come on, fight already! He had plenty of healing techniques if anyone lost a limb or two anyway.
"Nosy brat… maybe you should worry about yourself first!"
The black face swiveled toward Gin now, wearing a vicious grin. This kid's strange powers — using even Asura's abilities — made him a future threat that couldn't be ignored.
"Heh."
"Wangliang… it's your turn!"
Yao raised his hand like a Pokémon trainer sending out his strongest card. The gray jailer slipped into the ground, dark shadows streaking straight for the blackened Tajima.
"I was going to give you a clean death. But since you insist on playing stupid…"
But the blackened Tajima didn't flinch at all, only shaking his head with faint contempt.
"AAAAAGH!!!"
Just as the gray jailer's strike was about to connect, Yao clutched his head and let out a scream, staggering and roaring in pain.
Gin clicked his tongue and backed off even further. His sensory radar was screaming with the tidal wave of malice radiating off Yao now.
Man, this geezer sure loved his mind-control tricks. Who here hasn't been brainwashed by him at least once?
"Sigh…"
Gin dusted his hands and muttered. Looked like this showdown couldn't be avoided anymore.
From his belt, he drew out that odd kunai he'd used not long ago. He blew on the blade as if clearing dust, and said calmly,
"Let's finish this quick. I've still got soup on the stove at home."
…?
The girl at his back blinked at him, tilting her head.
"Gin, who's making soup at your house?"
"…big sis, your priorities are really something."
"Don't worry. You'll have some too — fish soup, nice and sweet."
Unable to explain himself, Gin could only promise her a bowl later.
Then he glanced at the sky and turned to her seriously.
"You go stall my uncle. Don't hurt him. I'll handle this old man and join you."
The girl nodded at his order, ready to move. But Gin called her back and tossed her a swirling blue pendant.
"Wear this. Don't wanna see you burn yourself out."
She caught it, feeling a cool, oceanic chakra radiating from it.
Blue Seal: increases chakra pool, speeds recovery, and may trigger an extra skill cast (once).
Her cheeks flushed and her thoughts started spinning.
Gin… giving me a keepsake… so I really am the most important to him.
"Achoo!"
Back in the clan's barbecue shop, little Itama sneezed mid-bite.
"Ne, sister… I'm not sick, right? Why does my back feel so cold?"
Rubbing his nose in confusion, he glanced at the purple-haired girl beside him.
"Maybe… someone's thinking of you," she murmured with a sly smile.
"Whatever. Might as well enjoy myself while that gorilla's off on some mission… maybe he'll bring me a souvenir."
Meanwhile, the girl now wearing the Blue Seal floated over to intercept the blackened Tajima.
"Gin asked me to keep you here. So don't run."
Her eyes sharpened, her tone suddenly stern despite her soft face.
"Kehehe… you? The weakling who couldn't even handle Gin? Don't make me laugh."
The black face sneered from Tajima's body.
"You may not believe it… but I know a thing or two about throwing hands."
(End of Chapter)
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