Yatsushiro Uchiha was beaten.
Because of his words and deeds at the clan meeting, although he appeared to submit to Duan, in truth he sought only to use him.
He had tried to provoke conflict between Duan and Shisui, then pushed Duan to seize Fugaku's power as patriarch and ignite the coup the radicals long desired.
But his schemes had long since been seen through.
So Duan had left Yatsushiro broken and carried on a stretcher, ensuring he would reflect in a hospital bed for ten days at least.
At this moment—
Yatsushiro lay limp, his eyes locked on Duan, filled only with terror.
Uchiha Setsuna, watching, felt cold sweat run down his back.
He understood clearly: the only reason Duan had spared him the same fate was because he was old, his body frail, and already close to the grave. That mercy was not kindness—only disdain.
That was the truth.
After a while—
The Uchiha who had fallen to the ground, dangled from trees, or floundered in the river, all climbed back with shame, their gazes drawn inevitably to Duan.
He stood motionless, statue-like.
His vast frame gleamed under the moonlight, muscles carved in harsh shadow. Behind him loomed "The World," silent and regal, and above them both hung the pale moon, climbing high.
Man, Stand, and Moon—aligned as one.
At that moment, Duan seemed a god under the moonlight.
The clan felt awe. But also, confusion.
Why had he suddenly laughed like a madman and then struck down his kin?
The answer was simple.
Because he looked down on them.
He scanned the fifty-odd faces and said slowly:
"The Uchiha of today are too weak. You cling to groups, attach yourselves to the strong, but never rely on yourselves. When your strength satisfies me, only then will we discuss something like a coup."
Uchiha—weak?
No one else in the ninja world would dare speak such words. Yet from Duan's lips, they sounded undeniable.
After all, this man had crushed two kaleidoscopes and the clan's elite in an instant. Against him, even proud Uchiha seemed like helpless children.
The clan's faces twisted in many ways—shame, anger, thought.
"Duan…"
Shisui stared at his back, astonished.
He had not expected Duan's actions would smother the flames of the coup, inadvertently aiding the mission entrusted to him by the Third Hokage.
This Duan seemed… different from the lunatic Itachi had described.
Fugaku frowned, weighing his brother-in-law's words.
Did Duan secretly approve of the coup but deem the time unripe, believing Uchiha still lacked strength? Or had he no intention of supporting it at all, using this excuse to suppress those eager for rebellion?
He thought it over, then leaned toward the latter. His brother-in-law had always leaned moderate.
Setsuna, however, suddenly lit up. He muttered to Inabi and Tekka beside him:
"I see! We must prepare for war—train harder. Only then can our coup succeed with fewer casualties."
Hearing this, the radicals' spirits flared once more.
Each faction twisted Duan's words to fit their own desires. None understood his true thoughts.
Except one.
Itachi.
The boy trembled as he stared at his uncle, his heart sinking.
He knew Duan's meaning: he despised the clan's weakness. He wanted them stronger—not to protect themselves, but to clash head-on with Konoha, to burn together and revel in the flames.
As Jue himself had once whispered—Duan had no loyalty to clan or village. He only wished to see the world burn.
But Itachi could not voice this. No one would believe him now.
At that moment, Inabi could not hold back his curiosity:
"Duan, you flung us all away in an instant… how did you do it?"
Before Duan could reply, Fugaku snapped:
"Inabi! A ninja does not pry into another's techniques. Even among kin."
But Duan merely waved it off, smiling faintly.
"No matter. My move is called Shinra Tensei. I release an immense repelling force from my body, scattering all enemies. It is my invincible kaleidoscope ability."
Smash Varudo? No—let them think it was Shinra Tensei.
Better to mislead them with a plausible lie than risk them discovering the truth of stopped time.
And it worked.
"Control… repulsion?"
The clan shuddered. Then admiration spread. The name itself—Shinra Tensei—radiated divine power.
Fugaku and Shisui exchanged heavy looks.
Each kaleidoscope bore unique techniques. If Duan's truly was this power to repel all things…
The invisible hand of God. Terrifying.
Unbidden, both men compared it to their own eyes.
Fugaku found himself wondering: why had Shisui not used his pupil technique against Duan? Was it, like his own, unsuited for direct combat?
Shisui meanwhile kept silent. His Kotoamatsukami must never be revealed. A genjutsu that could alter thoughts themselves—too fearsome to be known.
Just as the clan buzzed over Duan's supposed Shinra Tensei—
He suddenly lifted his head, eyes fixed on the trees ahead.
"After watching for so long… don't you think it's time to come down?"
The Uchiha stiffened.
What? Someone had been watching them?
In truth, when Duan had stopped time, his perception had sharpened. In that still world, he had clearly noticed Kakashi hidden among the branches.
The man's stealth was skilled—but not beyond him.
"Someone?!"
Gasps erupted as more than fifty Sharingan snapped toward the treeline. Crimson tomoe spun in unison, scouring the shadows.
Shame flooded them. They had been so absorbed in the duel between Duan and Shisui that they had neglected their surroundings. Now, realizing an outsider had witnessed everything… their pride burned.
Kakashi, under the simultaneous weight of dozens of Sharingan—three pairs of kaleidoscope among them—felt his skin crawl, every hair on end. A chill shot from his feet to his skull.
Run?
Impossible. Not under this many eyes.
"…Troublesome."
Kakashi exhaled, resigned. He released his concealment, and leapt down from the tree.
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