Seeing that Shinji was unwilling to speak, Sasuke didn't press further. Or rather, he had no standing to question Shinji, who had rebuilt the Hidden Leaf Police Force, about mission details.
Shinji kept his head down, focused on the files.
Sasuke hesitated for a moment before saying, "The Police Force is still short on manpower, right? I can join!"
As one of the last two Uchiha in the village, he felt a duty to contribute to rebuilding the Hidden Leaf Police Force!
Even if it meant working under Shinji.
Shinji glanced up at Sasuke and smiled. "Fine by me. I can give you the role of squad leader and allow you to recruit a team."
"Alright!" Sasuke nodded, then asked, "What else do you need me to do?"
Shinji replied, "Nothing more."
Sasuke couldn't help but blurt out, "Shinji, do you think that just because I've lost my dojutsu, I'm useless? Actually, I—"
Shinji raised a hand to cut him off. "The Police Force is still just a framework. There's really nothing to do yet. Don't overthink it."
"I—"
Sasuke, helpless, turned and left.
Watching Sasuke's retreating figure, Shinji thought to himself, This guy can't stay still for a moment! Good thing I only restored half his dojutsu. Otherwise, who knows what trouble he'd stir up!
Being overly emotional was a flaw Sasuke still couldn't shake.
If Shinji hadn't interrupted just now, Sasuke might've blurted out that he'd regained half his dojutsu. With the possibility of the village monitoring the Police Force building, such a slip could've caused unnecessary trouble.
Right now, Shinji was at a critical juncture in his plan for Takamagahara. He couldn't afford for a loose-lipped Sasuke to derail it.
…
The next day.
The uproar over rebuilding the Hidden Leaf Police Force hadn't even settled when another bombshell rocked the entire Hidden Leaf Village.
The Hokage Tower announced Shinji's Mangekyo Sharingan dojutsu, Takamagahara, and permitted all Hidden Leaf shinobi to enter it for training.
Upon hearing this, the villagers were initially shocked!
Publicly revealing a Mangekyo Sharingan dojutsu and allowing everyone to participate was unprecedented in Hidden Leaf history.
As they learned more about Takamagahara, people began to grasp how extraordinary it was and why the village's leadership had made such a decision.
Soon after, bold Hidden Leaf shinobi followed the village's instructions and gathered at the largest assembly hall to meet the master of Takamagahara, Uchiha Shinji!
On the platform at the assembly hall.
Shinji leaned on the railing with one hand, gazing down at the densely packed Hidden Leaf shinobi who had voluntarily gathered, filling nearly the entire hall.
Kakashi, standing nearby with a grim expression, murmured, "Isn't this crowd a bit too large?"
Shinji shook his head. "Doesn't matter!"
What a joke. After all this effort, wasn't this the moment he'd been waiting for? Shinji would never pass up the chance for Mumei to effortlessly mark hundreds of Hidden Leaf shinobi with Yachihoko!
Inside the hall.
"Is Takamagahara really that incredible?"
"It's a Mangekyo Sharingan dojutsu, after all!"
"I heard Uchiha Shinji got so strong because of this dojutsu. Otherwise, how could a twelve- or thirteen-year-old kid defeat Akatsuki members multiple times?"
"This is gonna be something to look forward to!"
The gathered Hidden Leaf shinobi buzzed with nervous anticipation.
For many of them, a Mangekyo Sharingan dojutsu was something distant, something they might never have encountered in their lifetime without this opportunity.
Sasuke was among the crowd, his expression complex as he listened to the chatter around him.
Upon learning about Takamagahara, he, like the others, had a moment of realization, understanding why Shinji had become so powerful.
But rushing to the assembly hall, he was stunned by the sheer number of people.
As a true Mangekyo Uchiha, he knew all too well how taxing a Mangekyo-level dojutsu was on one's dojutsu power. Even if Shinji's Takamagahara consumed less, it couldn't possibly withstand such a massive drain.
"No, I have to stop Shinji!"
With that thought, Sasuke pushed through the crowd toward the platform.
At the passage leading to the platform, Sasuke spotted his peers gathered there.
Like him, they were curious about Shinji's Takamagahara but were equally shocked by the scene in the hall.
Ino complained, "This crowd is way too big, isn't it?"
Shikamaru nodded slightly. "Yeah, I don't know what the village was thinking, arranging so many people at once. It's completely unreasonable!"
Shion added, "Shinji's dojutsu power can't handle this kind of strain. He'll end up like Sasuke before long!"
Realizing she'd mentioned Sasuke, who had just arrived at the passage, Shion awkwardly hurried to say, "Sasuke, you've got to talk some sense into Shinji! You'll have more sway than any of us!"
"…"
Sasuke gave her a speechless look but nodded.
Pushing past his peers, Sasuke reached the staircase leading to the platform.
At the entrance, Haku and Karin stood guard.
Seeing Sasuke approach, Haku said with concern, "Sasuke, please talk to Shinji! Even if he's using his dojutsu, this is too reckless!"
To protect his identity as the Lampbearer, Shinji still hadn't fully revealed himself to Haku and Karin.
Even those closest to him thought using a Mangekyo dojutsu on such a large scale was far too reckless.
"I understand!"
Sasuke nodded firmly and ascended the stairs to the platform.
On the platform.
With only two minutes left until the first large-scale activation of his dojutsu, Shinji waited silently.
Kakashi, standing nearby, wore an apologetic expression.
In the room behind Shinji, Mumei, masked and poised, was ready to act. Only she knew the true purpose behind the massive plan Shinji had set in motion!
Tap tap tap
With hurried footsteps, Sasuke arrived on the platform.
Seeing Shinji, he shouted, "Shinji, are you insane? Using a Mangekyo dojutsu on this many people—your eyes will go blind!"
Caught off guard by Sasuke's arrival, Shinji paused briefly before responding with a serious expression. "Didn't you ask me yesterday how I did it? I can tell you now—this is the answer!"
With that, Shinji didn't bother waiting the last few seconds. He activated Takamagahara ahead of schedule, pulling everyone in the hall into the world of Takamagahara!