"Not letting the conflict spiral out of control," Xiuren corrected calmly,
"but maintaining the current stalemate."
"We don't escalate things—but we don't show weakness either."
"Let the village believe that, while we're dissatisfied, we're still within controllable limits."
"At the same time, we buy ourselves time—observe in secret, and track down that masked man."
—
The final light of sunset reflected faintly off his glasses.
—
"Sometimes… doing nothing reveals more than reckless action."
"If we rush to take sides—whether radical or conciliatory—"
"We risk becoming pieces on someone else's board…"
"…or worse—expendable pawns."
—
His stance was clear.
—
Do not intervene.
Do not expose.
Do not commit.
—
Preserve strength.
—
Wait.
—
It was cautious.
—
Perhaps even passive.
—
But in this tangled situation—
Where enemies and allies blurred—
—
It was rational.
—
Uchiha Mo watched him silently.
—
His estimation of Xiuren rose once again.
—
Clear mind.
Accurate judgment.
—
But—
—
One fatal flaw.
—
Xiuren didn't understand—
—
Time.
—
If the conflict continued to escalate—
—
It wouldn't create opportunity.
—
It would force a decision.
—
And that decision—
—
Would be made by Uchiha Itachi.
—
A massacre.
—
Total annihilation.
—
And as for the masked man—
—
Xiuren's "hidden mastermind"—
—
He wouldn't even need to act.
—
He would simply be invited in.
—
By Itachi himself.
—
Time—
—
Was never on the Uchiha's side.
—
Mo didn't argue.
—
Instead—
He asked:
—
"And after you find him?"
—
"How do you plan to deal with someone…"
—
"…who can control the Nine-Tails?"
—
Xiuren froze for a moment.
—
Then—
—
His hesitation vanished.
—
Replaced—
—
By pride.
—
Deep.
Instinctive.
—
The three tomoe in his Sharingan spun slowly—
—
A powerful aura spreading outward.
—
"Of course—"
—
"With these eyes."
—
"I've hidden my strength for years…"
—
"But never neglected my training."
—
"My dōjutsu has reached its peak."
—
"In terms of ocular power—"
—
"I'm not inferior to anyone in the clan."
—
"Not even the clan head."
—
His chin lifted slightly.
—
His gaze—
Sharp.
—
"That masked man—"
—
"Whatever method he used to control the Nine-Tails—"
—
"It's just an unknown technique."
—
"In a direct clash of dōjutsu—"
—
"I won't lose."
—
"And now—"
—
"With you as well—"
—
"He cannot defeat us."
—
For that moment—
—
He was no longer the hidden, cautious Xiuren.
—
But an Uchiha—
—
Proud.
—
Absolute.
—
Unyielding.
—
Mo stared at him.
—
Then—
—
Slowly raised his hand.
—
And patted his shoulder.
—
"Heh…"
—
"Xiuren…"
—
"I owe you an apology."
—
"For doubting whether you were a proper Uchiha."
—
"You're not just qualified…"
—
"You're Uchiha to the core."
—
Inside—
—
He was speechless.
—
This guy didn't even know—
—
That beyond the three-tomoe Sharingan—
—
There existed another realm.
—
The Mangekyō.
—
And on the night of the massacre—
—
There would be two.
—
No wonder…
—
He was thinking of fighting Obito head-on.
—
This level of confidence—
—
Was almost admirable.
—
Or suicidal.
—
Xiuren frowned slightly.
—
He couldn't tell—
—
Whether Mo was praising him—
—
Or mocking him.
—
In his mind—
—
His Sharingan was already complete.
—
Perfect.
—
He couldn't understand—
—
Why Mo seemed so unconvinced.
—
"…Forget it."
—
Mo waved it off.
—
"I'll take you to meet someone."
—
"She's the key."
—
"To dealing with the masked man."
—
Xiuren's eyes narrowed.
—
"…Who?"
—
"You'll see."
—
Mo turned.
—
Walking toward the edge of the clan district.
—
Xiuren followed.
—
Still confused.
—
They passed through familiar streets—
—
Until—
—
They stopped.
—
Xiuren froze.
—
"…The Academy?"
—
It was dismissal time.
—
Children streamed out—
—
Laughing.
Running.
—
Parents waiting.
—
"What are we doing here?"
—
Mo didn't answer.
—
His gaze moved through the crowd.
—
Then—
—
Locked.
—
On one figure.
—
A girl.
—
Seven.
—
Perhaps eight.
—
Dark-blue clothes.
—
The Uchiha fan crest—
—
Clear.
—
Her long black hair tied neatly behind her.
—
Her face—
—
Pale.
—
Delicate.
—
Cold.
—
Like a blade not yet drawn.
—
Xiuren recognized her instantly.
—
Uchiha Rin.
—
The clan's greatest prodigy.
—
Top of her class.
—
Even Fugaku had suggested early graduation—
—
Only for her to refuse.
—
And yet—
—
She and Mo—
—
Should have no connection.
—
Completely different worlds.
—
So why—
—
"Mo-nii."
—
A clear voice rang out.
—
The girl ran forward.
—
Her usual coldness—
—
Gone.
—
Her eyes—
—
Bright.
—
Warm.
—
Xiuren was stunned.
—
This prodigy—
—
Known for her distance—
—
Now looked like an ordinary child.
—
Happy.
—
From the moment Mo appeared—
—
She had understood.
—
"Mo-nii…"
—
"We don't have to pretend anymore, right?"
—
She looked up at him.
—
Expectant.
—
Mo smiled.
—
Ruffling her hair.
—
"Mm."
—
"From today on…"
—
"We don't."
—
Her face lit up.
—
Only then—
—
Did she notice Xiuren.
—
Her expression changed instantly.
—
Calm.
—
Composed.
—
"Xiuren-nii."
—
Xiuren adjusted his glasses.
—
Still trying to process.
—
No matter how talented she was—
—
She was still a child.
—
How could she possibly—
—
At that moment—
—
The atmosphere shifted.
—
Subtly.
—
But unmistakably.
—
Parents gathered at the gate.
—
Clan heads among them.
—
And—
—
Uchiha Fugaku.
—
Their gazes—
—
Turned.
—
Toward them.
—
Curious.
—
Probing.
—
A previously unnoticed Uchiha—
—
Standing beside the clan's brightest star.
—
That alone—
—
Was enough.
—
From this moment—
—
Uchiha Mo—
—
Had stepped into the eyes of Konoha.
—
And beside him—
—
Uchiha Xiuren.
—
Mo met those gazes calmly.
—
Unmoved.
—
Shielding Rin slightly behind him—
—
He turned to Xiuren.
—
And smiled.
—
"This—"
—
"Is my answer."
—
A pause.
—
Then—
—
"Fight."
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