Outside the Hokage's office, an Anbu silently pulled out his wallet.
"I told you Lord Third wouldn't stand a chance. He really did lose in just three moves!" Another Anbu acting as the betting agent happily collected the cash.
Shocking! Konoha's Anbu caught doing something like this during work hours!
Shen, who had obtained two major scoops, quietly put his camera back inside the pendant around his neck.
He believed these two pieces of incriminating evidence would definitely secure his position among Konoha's upper ranks—not necessarily guaranteeing to skyrocket his rank overnight, but certainly ensuring peace of mind.
As a transmigrant who knew the original plot well, it was only natural for him to be aware of the quirks and weaknesses of recurring characters.
Defeating the Third Hokage within three moves was indeed quite absurd.
It's just unfortunate that he couldn't use the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu; otherwise, he'd have killed the opponent instantly through massive blood loss, making this compromising material even more impressive.
"Perhaps Jiraiya's perverted nature is inherited from the old man Third," Shen concluded while quickly heading toward the Nama River.
He still had a date later that day.
At the Naka Shrine, the Uchiha were holding their monthly gathering.
Uchiha Kazushi presented documents detailing new products from the commercial district and agreements regarding trade with allied nations for several elders to review.
"Good. The Uchiha should maintain such a stance, whether in times of war or peace." An elder with one grayish-white eye nodded in approval at the clan's changes over recent years.
Back when Izuna left the village, it was precisely because of his strong advocacy that the decision to build the commercial street and open up to Konoha externally was made—he had actually put in a lot of effort behind the scenes.
That grayish-white eye was lost in his struggle to become clan head, when he used [Izanagi]—an ultimate kinjutsu that distorts reality.
Fortunately, the scale of the civil war within the Uchiha remained limited to battles among several capable candidates for clan leadership.
After killing the last rival, a woman appeared before him—another Uchiha survivor from the Warring States era, once the final holder of complete Mangekyō vision.
She was Chiyuki Uchiha, whose eyes had nearly lost all ocular power, requiring glasses just to make out basic shapes.
With only one Mangekyō left, using Izanagi again would mean forfeiting his eligibility to compete for the position of clan leader.
"Why didn't you kill me?"
"The hatred surrounding the Uchiha has grown too much. I don't want hatred to become synonymous with our clan."
Chiyuki's words awakened the elder.
To kill fellow clansmen over the title of clan leader, paying with his very eyesight—was it really worth it?
A clan head exists to protect its members, not to create hatred among them.
"Starting today, I shall be 'Cocoon' of the Uchiha!" As he watched Chiyuki gradually walk away, he changed his name to Cocoon.
He subsequently withdrew from the competition for leadership, instead promoting the strongest young member of the clan at the time—Uchiha Kazushi.
However, merely becoming "Cocoon" couldn't change people's hearts. If he used [Izanami], what difference would that make from his previous use of [Izanagi]?
Therefore, he had no choice but to rally the Pacifist faction who were friendly toward Konoha, in order to counter the conservative and stubborn War faction.
After a long wait, finally eight years ago, a glimmer of hope emerged.
Shen Uchiha, the well-liked second young master within the clan, boldly proposed a project capable of changing the current situation of the Uchiha, and would also stop the clan from hating Konoha.
Today's gathering at Naka Shrine Pass Technique, aside from the usual routine reports, would also be his final meeting as elder of the Uchiha Clan—Uchiha Cocoon.
A man over sixty years old, Cocoon decided to let go and entrust everything to the younger generation, silently watching from behind as the Uchiha either prospered or declined.
As soon as Shen stepped into the Naka Shrine Pass Technique, all the clan members' eyes focused on him.
"He's finally here?" Cocoon, who was about to retire, looked at him with hopeful and gentle eyes.
Shen had wondered why his grandfather asked him to come to the meeting today.
But when he saw that, other than Cocoon, the rest of the clan all wore expressions of sadness and reluctance, he immediately realized something might have happened to this aging elder.
"Grandpa Cocoon, how many days do you have left?"
"Just today."
Feeling a bit low, Shen noticed the old man still smiling gently, and suddenly realized his own eyes were getting a little teary.
"Hmm?" The Uchiha couple noticed his abnormality.
Kazushi, barely holding back his laughter, placed his hand on Shen's shoulder and comforted him, "All good things must come to an end... but kid, you're the one who told me this phrase first, so today I'm just giving it back to you."
"Grandpa Cocoon, is it really today?" Looking dispirited, Shen wanted to confirm the truthfulness of this news once again.
Covering her mouth while trying not to laugh, Aiko quickly blinked at Cocoon several times, clearly signaling him to play along with her son's performance.
Cocoon, secretly chuckling inwardly, instantly changed his expression from happy to solemn. "Shen, ninja are still humans, and someday we all must take our final bow."
Then he gently patted Shen's head and rubbed it softly. "My experiences through these years have just been repeated failures and learning from them. Don't make the same mistakes I did, okay?"
Head bowed, Shen sniffled softly and said, "I understand, Grandpa Cocoon."
A trace of smugness flashed across Cocoon's face. "Shen, do you know why I changed my name to Cocoon?"
Shen raised his head, gazing affectionately with slightly moist eyes at this elderly man who, in his mind, was about to pass away. "Is it because Grandpa wants to break free from the cocoon like a butterfly?"
"No, not breaking out of the cocoon. Rather, Grandpa himself will become the cocoon, nurturing the butterfly of the Uchiha Clan."
Cocoon's words, spoken like a dying wish, caused an unprecedented impact deep inside Shen.
Not becoming a butterfly himself, but instead transforming into the cocoon.
These twelve words carved themselves deeply into his mind.
"I understand, Grandpa Cocoon."
In Shen's moist eyes burned an immense determination. "From now on, I, Shen Uchiha, will be the butterfly of the Uchiha Clan!"
"Good." This time, Cocoon truly wasn't hiding his laughter anymore.
The whole Uchiha Clan agreed—their second young master was gifted with incredible talent, yet he kept wasting it all on schemes.
We need to make a *big* move!
It doesn't need to be a battle as fierce as Madara vs. Hashirama, but at the very least, the name Uchiha must once again shake the entire ninja world.
Relying solely on commerce will only breed jealousy over what the Uchiha have.
After living more than sixty years, Cocoon would be a fool to let such a golden opportunity slip away.
Kazushi gave a subtle thumbs-up while Aiko wore a proud smile—both deeply satisfied with how things were going.
All the Uchiha present vowed to bury the truth forever, hoping Shen would never uncover it.
Thus, sighing in mild frustration, Cocoon could only come up with an excuse to send Shen away: "Shen, Grandpa suddenly wants hot pot. Could you bring some back for me?"
"You're in perfect health, sir! I'll bring it right away!"
The sorrowful look on Cocoon's face made it impossible for Shen to refuse what he believed was a dying man's final request.
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