"If one day I find out that your allegiance lies with Konoha, and you stand against the Uchiha..." His fingertip lightly traced Itachi's cheek, the touch chilling. "You will regret ever coming into this world. Remember, death is never the most terrifying thing; it is merely the most merciful ending in this world."
Uchiha Itachi trembled uncontrollably, cold sweat rolling down his forehead like broken pearls, soaking his small clan robes.
He could clearly sense that the killing intent emanating from Shine was real!
It wasn't the deterrence of an elder towards a Junior, but a genuine, resolute desire to kill him!
That icy aura was like a maggot clinging to bone, drilling into his limbs and bones, making it difficult for him to even breathe.
He wanted to dodge, to cry out, but he was held captive by the oppressive aura from Shine, unable to move. He could only watch helplessly as the demonic man before him carved those cruel words into his heart.
Shine stood up, no longer looking at him, and strode away.
Only when his figure completely disappeared outside the tent did the suffocating pressure slowly dissipate.
Uchiha Itachi collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air, the terror in his eyes lingering. And the phrase "your butt determines your stance," along with that naked killing intent, was branded forever into his young heart.
Inside the tent, Uchiha Fugaku looked in the direction Shine had left, then at his son slumped on the ground, a mix of emotions in his heart.
Anger, frustration, powerlessness, and a hint of secret anticipation — perhaps, this untamed Shine could truly forge a different path for the Uchiha?
Meanwhile, Nara Shikagen stood rooted, his expression grave.
He could feel that the appearance of Uchiha Xia Yin would inevitably disrupt the frontline situation and might even affect the entire Ninja World's power structure.
He must immediately report everything here to Shikaku-sama and Hokage-sama.
Leaving the command post, Uchiha Xia Yin wasted no time, heading directly to the camp where the Uchiha Clan Members were stationed.
The Hokage's order in his hand was merely a facade; his true objective had always been the wavering neutral faction under Fugaku's command — these individuals were not weak, but Fugaku's cowardice made them hesitant on the battlefield. Now was the best time to bring them under his command.
"What is Shine-sama going to do?"
"Judging by this, is he going to pick people directly?"
The Clan Members in the camp discussed animatedly, and the neutral Ninja had complex expressions, their eyes filled with vigilance and hesitation.
They were dissatisfied with Fugaku's inaction on the front lines, yet also wary of Shine's sudden assertiveness.
Shine ignored the whispers around him, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a hawk. With a flick of his finger, he directly called out fifty names, all backbone members of the neutral faction: "From today onwards, you are under my command."
As soon as he finished speaking, a voice of doubt rang out from the crowd: "Shine-sama! We are subordinates of Clan Chief Fugaku. Without the Clan Chief's order, we respectfully cannot obey!"
The speaker was a bearded Jonin named Uchiha Gang, one of the best among the neutral faction, who always prided himself on being "loyal to the Clan Chief."
"Oh? Cannot obey?" Shine raised an eyebrow, slowly walking towards him, his tone calm but laced with bone-chilling coldness. "I thought Uchiha Ninja only recognized strength, not empty titles. It seems I was wrong; you've been with Fugaku for so long that you've forgotten even the most basic rules."
"How dare you! Is the Clan Chief someone you can slander?" Uchiha Gang roared, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan instantly lighting up, and his Chakra surged, clearly intending to fight.
"Noisy." Shine snorted coldly, his figure disappearing like a ghost.
Uchiha Gang only felt a blur before a massive force kicked him in the chest. He flew out like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily against a tent pole, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his Chakra instantly in disarray.
This strike was fast, precise, and ruthless, without any frills, yet it instantly silenced the entire camp.
Everyone's eyes widened, staring at Shine in disbelief — the speed and power in that instant had completely exceeded their understanding of an Elite Jōnin!
"Who else is unconvinced?" Shine clapped the dust from his hands, his gaze sweeping over the remaining neutral Ninja, his tone icy. "Fugaku cannot protect you, and Konoha treats you as expendables. Now I'm giving you a chance to follow a strong one; don't be ungrateful."
"Shine-sama, this is against clan rules!" Another Jonin stepped forward, attempting to use clan rules to suppress him.
"Clan rules?" Shine chuckled lightly, his figure flashing again.
The next second, that Jonin was pinned to the ground by him, his wrist twisted into a grotesque angle, and screams echoed throughout the camp.
"Clan rules that can't even protect Clan Members are better off burned and fed to dogs!"
In just half an hour, four of the most vocal Jonin were beaten until they were crawling on the ground by Shine.
He struck with great precision, each blow landing on non-fatal but extremely painful areas: broken ribs, damaged Meridians, dislocated joints, yet always preserving their lives and combat capabilities.
Uchiha Gang and the other three lay on the ground, covered in injuries, in so much pain that even moving a finger was difficult, almost unable to care for themselves.
"If it weren't for our shared ancestry," Shine looked down at them, his eyes devoid of warmth, "if Fugaku wasn't beyond saving, you would all be cripples right now."
This brutal beating completely subdued all the chosen Clan Members.
The Uchiha Clan was originally a group that believed in the supremacy of strength, straightforward and without pretense.
If you're stronger than me, I'll obey you;
If you can show me a way out, I'll follow you.
Shine's formidable combat power gave them hope of escaping their fate as "expendables";
And the miserable state of the four Jonin also made them understand the consequences of "disobedience."
Without further questioning or hesitation, fifteen Jonin (including the four who were beaten into submission) and thirty-five Chunin stood neatly before Shine, kneeling on one knee: "Greetings, Shine-sama! We are willing to follow your command!"
Their eyes no longer held their previous hesitation and vigilance, only awe and determination.
Shine's assertiveness suited them better than Fugaku's restraint — on this brutal battlefield, only the strong could lead them to survival and win dignity for the Uchiha.
When the news reached the command post, Uchiha Fugaku trembled with rage, yet he had no words to express his bitterness...
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808