Looking at Shinji's awkward expression, Sasuke was puzzled. "It wasn't? You didn't enhance him in Takamagahara?"
Shinji replied helplessly, "No."
Clearly, Shinji didn't tell Sasuke that the Itachi in Takamagahara was a low-end version, fearing it would be too much for Sasuke to handle.
"How is that possible?!"
Sasuke took a step back, his eyes filled with confusion.
In his view, both were Mangekyo Uchiha, so why was the battle completely one-sided? Whether it was ninjutsu, genjutsu, or taijutsu, he was no match for Itachi.
Shinji glanced at Sasuke and let out a light sigh.
Orochimaru had once harbored the same confusion.
Even among Mangekyo Uchiha, some were simply more formidable.
For example, in the original timeline's Fourth Great Shinobi War, Naruto, who had mastered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, and Killer Bee faced off against Nagato and Itachi, both revived via Edo Tensei.
Nagato nearly took on both Naruto and Bee single-handedly, overwhelming them.
If Itachi hadn't turned against Nagato and sealed him with the Totsuka Blade, the outcome of the Fourth Great Shinobi War might have been different.
And not long before that battle, Sasuke's Taka squad had ambushed Killer Bee, nearly dying at his hands and ultimately being thoroughly outplayed by him.
Using Killer Bee as a reference, it was easy to see just how vast the gap between Sasuke and Itachi was.
Let alone Sasuke—even Shinji, facing Itachi, would need to be on high alert. Unless absolutely necessary, no one would willingly engage in a life-or-death battle with someone like Itachi, who hid countless trump cards.
At that moment, Kakashi, having composed himself, stepped forward and said to Shinji, "Shinji, thank you for your contributions to the village!"
Shinji replied casually, "It's my duty."
His lack of boasting warmed Kakashi's heart. Kakashi said, "If you need rest, I can request the village to postpone the next session."
"No need. With the war looming, every bit of strength we gain increases our chances of survival. Tomorrow at this time, we continue!"
Having marked only nine hundred people, far from his goal, Shinji had no intention of delaying.
Kakashi said gratefully, "The village won't forget your dedication!"
After Kakashi and the dejected Sasuke left, Shinji turned and entered the rest area behind the platform, where he found Mumei looking somewhat downcast.
Shinji asked, "What's wrong?"
Mumei pouted. "Nothing."
"You lost?"
Shinji chuckled.
Mumei's face was full of confusion. "The Uchiha Shisui you created was too strong! How could someone that powerful die?"
Due to being confined by her clan as a "weapon of war," Mumei's combat experience was limited.
But with her Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and the integration of the First Hokage's cells, her foundation was solid. Even with limited combat experience, she was stronger than ninety-nine percent of shinobi in the world.
So Mumei had started with confidence, only to discover that Uchiha Shisui was unbelievably fast. Without her Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, she wouldn't even have been able to track his movements.
Shinji explained, "He was ambushed by Danzo, who stole one of his Mangekyo Sharingan. After escaping, to prevent further escalation of conflict between the clan and the village, he chose to end his life to resolve the tensions."
"Idiot!"
Mumei was annoyed.
She was furious at Danzo's shamelessness and Shisui's weakness.
In her eyes, Shisui was a weak, incompetent fool, just as she had once been.
After fuming for a bit, Mumei still didn't understand. "I've seen Danzo. With Shisui's skills, even an ambush shouldn't have succeeded. I tried ambushing Shisui several times in Takamagahara, and not once did I succeed!"
Shinji sighed, unsure how to explain.
If the Itachi in Takamagahara was a low-end version, the Shisui was an enhanced one.
The Shisui in Takamagahara was free of burdens like the village or clan and unhindered by emotions like trust or conscience. He was simply Shisui, the Uchiha known as "Shunshin" in the shinobi world. So even Mumei struggled against such a version of him.
However, Mumei's raw strength clearly surpassed Shisui's. With more combat experience, the tables would turn.
Leading Mumei, Haku, and Karin down from the platform, Shinji encountered Shion in the passage below, her head lowered in shame.
During the nearly one-hour session in Takamagahara, Shion hadn't mustered the courage to face Moryo, leaving her deeply ashamed and hesitant to face Shinji.
Approaching her, Shinji didn't say much, only gently patting her shoulder.
Shion mumbled, "I'm sorry for letting you down!"
Shinji shook his head. "Facing yourself is the hardest thing, so don't feel guilty. If it were me, I might not have done any better!"
Shion looked up, her expression resolute. "No, if it were you, Shinji, you'd definitely do better!"
Shinji smiled. "Go rest. I'll activate the dojutsu again tomorrow morning. You can try again then!"
"Okay!"
Shion nodded.
…
Elsewhere.
Before noon, over a hundred reports had already poured into the Hokage's office.
Tsunade, along with several advisor elders, gathered in the Hokage's office, reviewing the reports from the Hidden Leaf shinobi who had experienced Takamagahara.
After a long while, they set down the reports, their eyes brimming with joy.
Everything was progressing as expected. For the greater good, Shinji had agreed to open Takamagahara to all Hidden Leaf shinobi, and those who underwent combat training in it reaped the anticipated benefits. Many even mastered ninjutsu they had previously struggled with, significantly boosting their strength.
Tsunade laughed. "Even I can't help but want to try Takamagahara!"
Homura Mitokado immediately objected, "No, you're the Hokage. If something happens to you, the consequences would be unimaginable!"
Koharu Utatane chimed in, "Yes, our understanding of Takamagahara is still limited. You can't take the risk."
The Third Hokage pondered for a moment. "Then let this old man give it a try!"
"Sensei, you?"
Tsunade was surprised, not expecting the Third to want to experience Takamagahara as well.
The Third explained, "There's no real consumption in Takamagahara, so it's the perfect chance for me to try things I wouldn't dare attempt otherwise!"