!
"Difficult?"
Shuoye's voice was low and cold, as though speaking to the darkness itself.
"What does your 'difficulty' have to do with me?"
"Or perhaps… your so-called difficulty is precisely why I'm here."
He stopped abruptly and turned.
His gaze was sharp as a blade, cutting straight through Root's layers of disguise.
The captain felt a chill crawl down his spine.
If this Mad Demon truly erupted—
The consequences would be unimaginable.
"I'll give you one chance."
Shuoye smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it.
"Tell Danzō Shimura to come out and meet me."
"Or…"
"Prepare to endure my wrath."
"Uchiha Shuoye! Are you attempting rebellion?!"
The captain swallowed hard.
"We are Root! Danzō-sama has no intention of making you an enemy."
"Unfortunately," Shuoye replied lazily, "I have no interest in listening to your nonsense."
His hand moved slightly.
The wind shifted instantly.
The air grew heavy.
Then—
The captain struck.
A blade flashed toward Shuoye's throat without warning.
But Shuoye had already anticipated it.
He shifted sideways like a phantom.
The blade cleaved only empty air before smashing into the ground—
Stone shattered.
"You really think you can stop me?"
Shuoye's lips curved faintly.
The temperature seemed to drop.
The captain's heart sank.
An overwhelming pressure radiated from Shuoye's body, suffocating him.
Before he could react—
The air behind Shuoye rippled violently.
Killing intent surged forward like a storm.
Shuoye didn't even turn his head.
"Trying to ambush me?"
"How crude."
He leapt lightly, tapping the wall and gliding backward like an arrow.
A second Root jōnin emerged from the shadows, face cold and rigid.
"Tch… he noticed."
He tightened his grip on his weapon.
"Two Root jōnin."
Shuoye smiled faintly.
"You think highly of me."
Good.
The bigger the commotion—
The better.
"Come."
Chakra surged behind him like a rising tide.
The air trembled.
Storm pressure descended.
"Let the world witness this edge."
A blade slid slowly from shadow.
White.
Pristine.
"Shikai."
"Kyōka Suigetsu."
At that same moment—
Within a concealed chamber near the Hokage's office—
Heavy shadows draped the room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Danzō Shimura.
Homura Mitokado.
Koharu Utatane.
The four sat around a table covered in battle reports from the Hidden Cloud Village.
The atmosphere was suffocating.
"The situation is a stalemate," Danzō said coldly.
"If that is the case, let the Uchiha take the field."
"Their strength is sufficient to break it."
The proposal caused immediate tension.
Homura Mitokado frowned.
"Danzō, I understand your urgency. But sending the Uchiha to the front lines is like pouring oil onto fire."
"The rift between the Uchiha and the Hidden Leaf Village cannot be repaired overnight."
"This will only intensify hostility."
Koharu Utatane nodded firmly.
"Exactly. We cannot sacrifice long-term stability for temporary advantage."
"Uchiha Shuoye may be talented, but who can guarantee he can fully restrain the clan's emotions?"
"If things spiral out of control, the consequences will be catastrophic."
Danzō's expression darkened.
"You are too cautious."
"The village stands at a critical juncture. Every force matters."
"The Uchiha possess power capable of shifting the battlefield."
"As for risk—strict monitoring and balance will mitigate it."
"Risk remains risk," Homura replied sharply.
"We cannot entrust the village's fate to uncertainty."
Koharu continued,
"Moreover, sending the Uchiha may alarm other clans."
"They will fear becoming the next expendable force."
"That chain reaction could destabilize the entire Hidden Leaf Village."
Voices rose.
Arguments sharpened.
None yielded.
Outside—
The night deepened.
And in the darkness—
Illusion began to bloom.