Chapter 157: True Desire
"Hand over the Dragon Vein Crystal. Considering Mr. Kagami, I'll let you live."
Dark purple-black energy slithered across the battlefield like countless serpents, surrounding the area.
Moryō and Sunagakure had cornered Uchiha Shisui.
Moryō grinned, stretching out his fingers.
With a flick of his wrist, a handful of specially marked shuriken scattered across the ground.
He sneered, "I've been tracking you this whole time. I've already removed all the Flying Thunder God marks you left behind."
"Tell me—when something can be easily given to you, why fight for it like us miserable wretches?"
Shisui tightly gripped the crystal, scanning his enemies with furrowed brows.
To prevent anyone from using Reverse Summoning—like how Orochimaru had teleported his reward—Uchiha Kagami had sealed each crystal.
They couldn't be stored in scrolls, nor could they be sent outside.
Shisui wasn't sure whether this was luck or fate.
He had been moving in one direction, aiming to secure a safe place for Ryūsatsu.
And then—he found a crystal.
As the two sides remained locked in a stalemate, a new force entered the battlefield.
SWISH!
A massive serrated blade swung through the air, severing a black-red serpent in half.
A group of figures emerged onto the battlefield.
"Ah, the Uchiha kid."
"Need a hand?"
"Of course, our payment will be that crystal in your hand."
Shisui's expression darkened.
Kirigakure…
What… should I do?
The most logical move would be to throw the crystal away.
Let these two factions fight for it, then escape in the chaos.
But—
He couldn't shake the feeling that this crystal was given to him intentionally.
If he chose to abandon it, what would it mean in his brother's eyes?
What… should I do?
Tap.
A gentle hand rested on his shoulder.
"Shisui, what are you thinking about?"
Ryūsatsu's voice was calm, unshaken.
Shisui shook his head, trying to relax his expression.
"I just… don't know what choice will satisfy my brother."
…
"You're different, Shisui."
Ryūsatsu spoke softly.
"Actually, from the moment Kagami-sama sent us here, I already knew."
"No, I knew long before that."
"I knew my true purpose."
"Enough." Shisui cut her off sharply.
"I never considered you as a last resort."
"You will never use that jutsu!"
Ryūsatsu smiled faintly, shaking her head.
"No, that's not what I meant."
"I mean… why are you hesitating?"
"You are Kagami-sama's brother. No one dares to kill you."
"You could have left me behind. Why did you choose to bring me with you?"
She clasped his hand.
"Kagami-sama never gave you a choice."
"Or rather—no matter what choice you make, he will support you."
"There has never been a 'correct' answer."
"Whether you abandon me or protect me, whether you flee or fight—"
"There is no right or wrong."
"As long as you grow from it."
…
The wind swept through her silver-white hair, her gaze lowered.
A secret burden weighed on her mind—one she had never spoken aloud.
"Truly a love to be envied…"
"Even this world is merely one side of Kagami-sama's scale."
"But you… you are never placed on that scale."
"You are his only exception."
"You are his only family."
"So, Shisui—"
"Stop hesitating. Let your instincts guide you."
"What do you truly desire?"
…
Shisui's clouded eyes slowly became clear.
He remembered—
The first time his brother asked about his dreams.
And his answer…
CLANG!
Shisui tightened his grip on Sode no Shirayuki, a smile breaking across his face.
"I don't have a dream. I only want to protect my brother's dream."
"It doesn't matter if I have no name."
"It doesn't matter if I'm only known as Kagami's brother."
His eyes shone, like a single lantern in a dark alley.
"Haven't I already decided?"
"As long as I can walk the same path as my brother—"
"That's enough for me!"
Shisui's gaze sharpened.
"Ryūsatsu."
"I'm here."
Shisui didn't turn to look at her.
His voice was calm and certain.
"I'm sorry… I can't protect you anymore."
"But don't worry—"
"I will not die."
"I will never give you a chance to use that jutsu."
Shisui raised his chin, scanning the battlefield arrogantly.
"I will complete this trial."
"I will gain the same eyes as my brother."
"And for that—"
"I thank you all."
"You will serve as my fuel."
"Be grateful."
"You will witness the birth of a new Mangekyō Sharingan!"
Without hesitation, he swallowed the crystal whole.
And then—he charged forward!
No Flying Thunder God.
No retreat.
Only absolute determination!
—
"That kid's ocular power already surpasses Madara's three tomoe Sharingan. So why hasn't he awakened Mangekyō?"
Senju Hashirama frowned, glancing at Uchiha Kagami.
The two stood atop a towering bone tree, watching from afar.
"And also—"
"Your Mangekyō… it doesn't seem the same as Madara's Eternal Mangekyō either."
…
"You wouldn't understand."
Kagami responded plainly.
"Some things… must be said by others."
"I already made it clear, but he still couldn't figure it out."
He sighed.
"Get ready."
"For what?" Hashirama asked, confused.
Kagami sighed again, shaking his head.
"Talking to an airhead is exhausting."
"Didn't I tell you to infuse that crystal with Senjutsu chakra?"
"You have a technique that lets you synchronize with your own energy, right?"
"I'm going to push Shisui toward awakening. If he can't handle it, you'll use your chakra to stabilize him."
Hashirama nodded in understanding.
A warm, gentle smile crossed his face.
"You really love Shisui, don't you?"
"You remind me of—"
His words trailed off.
Memories of Madara surfaced.
His expression dimmed.
…
Kagami silently stared into the distance.
"This is as much as I can do for you, Shisui."
"If you truly want to catch up to me—"
"You'll have to rely on your own strength from now on."
—
Meanwhile—
Senju Tobirama frowned, trying to dispel the crystal's seal and send it away.
SWISH!
The Six Paths of Pain appeared, surrounding him.
Noticing the crystal hanging from Nagato's neck, Tobirama's expression darkened.
"I already gave you the Gold and Silver Brothers. You have your own crystal. And yet—"
"You still want to rob us?"
"They were mine to claim, not yours to give."
Nagato's gaze shifted toward Orochimaru.
"Hand over Slashing Release."
"And I'll let you go."
…
Orochimaru's smile widened.
"Then I suppose… we have nothing to discuss."
Two horns slowly emerged from his forehead.
He had been prepared for this moment since the start of the second trial.
Tobirama clapped his hands together.
BAM!
Three coffins rose from the earth.
Each one engraved with a number.
First.
Second.
Third.
He had stolen samples from Cloud Village while taking Gold and Silver's bodies.
Cloud had tried many times to rob Konoha.
And now—
Tobirama had robbed their ancestors.
…
Across the battlefield, clashes erupted once more.
A battle of immense proportions.
And this time—
The final contenders would soon be decided.
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