The Decision and the Awakening
> "Otherwise, if we allow him to grow, we'll be in real danger."
"Hiruzen, hesitation breeds disaster. If you don't strike when you should, you'll regret it."
"Even if it's risky, the threat is tolerable—for now. But it won't remain that way."
"We must eliminate this danger before it takes root."
Danzo's words cut through the office like cold steel.
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent, pipe smoke curling around his weary face.
Of course, he understood Danzo's logic—perhaps better than anyone.
He'd seen what unchecked Uchiha power could do: Madara's rebellion, Obito's betrayal, even the embers of resentment that never quite died out after each war.
And yet…
He was Hokage.
The Hokage must act with righteousness—at least in appearance.
He couldn't rule through fear, not openly.
Once his moral authority cracked, Konoha's faith in him would crumble—and so would his power.
He drew in a long breath.
> "Danzo, you will do nothing."
"I'll say it once more—leave this matter to me."
Danzo's single eye widened, disbelief flashing across his face.
He had come here with no ulterior motive—at least, not this time.
He wasn't trying to undermine Hiruzen for his own gain.
He genuinely saw Uchiha Jin as a threat—a new Madara waiting to rise.
And yet, even now, Hiruzen refused.
Danzo's expression hardened into something dark and cold.
> "You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
The Hokage's gaze sharpened.
> "Danzo, I am the Hokage."
The words landed like a hammer.
Whatever friendship or camaraderie they once had as comrades from the same academy—it meant nothing here.
Danzo, the shadow that did what Hiruzen could not, was still just that: a shadow.
And shadows obeyed the light.
When Danzo stormed out, the office returned to heavy silence.
Hiruzen exhaled softly and called out:
> "ANBU."
A masked figure flickered into existence, kneeling on one knee.
"Lord Hokage."
> "Notify Elder Koharu to lead a diplomatic team to the Kirigakure frontlines for negotiation."
"Also—once the Mist front stabilizes, have Nara Shikaku assume overall command. The Uchiha can withdraw from active combat."
The ANBU nodded silently, but Hiruzen wasn't finished.
> "Issue a special commendation: Genin Uchiha Jin, for eliminating members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, is hereby promoted to Special Jōnin."
"Uchiha Shisui—promoted to Jōnin for exceptional performance."
"Nara Kazama and Hyūga Aya—promotion to Chūnin."
"Their squad is to return to Konoha for rest and reassignment."
The ANBU vanished in a blur of leaves.
Hiruzen stared at the paperwork before him for a long while.
For the first time that day, he looked… uncertain.
---
Three Days Later — Whirlpool Country Camp
Uchiha Jin lay sprawled lazily across a cot inside the field barracks, eyes half-lidded, the flicker of candlelight reflecting faintly off the red tomoe spinning within.
He looked calm—but his mind was far from it.
Status panel, open.
A faint pulse of chakra rippled through him.
---
Host: Uchiha Jin
Chakra: 5013
(For reference: Adult Hatake Kakashi = 1000)
Fire Release (Master): 131/500
Lightning Release (Basic): 32/100
Taijutsu (Master): 12/500
Yin Release (Advanced): 17/300
Sharingan: Three Tomoe [Upgradeable]
Skills: Clone Technique, Body Flicker, Substitution, Great Fireball, Phoenix Fire, Flame Bullet, Great Fire Annihilation, Storm Dance
Overall Evaluation: Peak Elite Jōnin — half-step to Kage-level
---
[Ding! Congratulations, Host.]
[Due to prolonged "strategic inactivity," Yin Release has advanced to the next stage.]
[Would you like to evolve your Sharingan?]
Jin smirked.
> "Upgrade."
The moment the word left his lips, chakra surged violently.
His eyes snapped open—three tomoe spinning faster and faster until their rotation blurred into a single black wheel.
Power flooded in from the void, a torrent of pure Yin chakra.
Then—
Crack.
The wheel split apart, reforming into a hexagonal pattern—two interlocking tomoe curving into the shape of a yin-yang seal, framed by a luminous prismatic design.
Mangekyō Sharingan.
The room vibrated with unseen pressure.
Even the candles bent toward him, flickering wildly.
Information poured into his mind.
---
Left Eye: "None" — Tears the soul.
Right Eye: "Void" — Tears the flesh.
Fusion (Dual Activation): "Heaven's Dominion" — The user's words become law within a localized space. Reality itself bends to command.
---
Jin's breath hitched.
The abilities were absurd—godlike.
Obito's Kamui could distort space, yes—but this?
The left eye could obliterate a soul directly, while the right disintegrated the physical vessel.
Together, they could reshape the battlefield with a mere command.
If he could withstand the chakra cost…
he could rival gods.
Control the heavens, the description had said.
With one word, make the world obey.
Jin chuckled under his breath.
> "Heh. Even gods must get tired of watching mortals struggle."
But he knew better than to be arrogant.
Power like this came with a price.
The Mangekyō burned bright—but it burned fast.
Even now, he could feel the strain on his optic nerves, a dull ache radiating behind his temples.
Without restraint, the power would devour him.
As he sat up, the tent flap rustled.
"Jin, are you awake?"
Shisui stepped in, followed by Aya and Kazama, their faces bright with relief.
Jin's lips curved slightly.
> "Yeah," he said, his Mangekyō fading back to black. "Just woke up."
Shisui grinned. "Good. Because you just got promoted."
Jin raised a brow. "Oh?"
Kazama smirked. "Special Jōnin. Direct order from the Hokage."
Aya crossed her arms with a proud smile. "And the rest of us got Chūnin. So you better treat us to ramen when we get back to Konoha."
Jin chuckled softly. "Ramen, huh? Sure… if we make it back in one piece."
But deep down, as his gaze drifted toward the faint mist outside the tent, he knew—
the real battle was only just beginning.