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Clang!
Juzo plunged his Kubikiribocho into the ground, blocking the path of the approaching group.
"Who are you?"
"Get out of the way!"
The group clearly had no idea how terrifying the two figures before them were, shouting rudely.
"These people claim to want stability for their ninja village, but in truth, they're worried their village's influence over their nation is weakening. So, they secretly undermine other countries' strength to bolster their own. But these military actions can't be discovered by other nations, which is why Akatsuki gets hired," Juzo said, as if explaining to Kagaya while mocking the group.
"The more peaceful the world seems, the more work we get. We take any commission, no matter the details."
The group, hearing the mocking tone in Juzo's voice and words like "commission" and "work," realized the two before them were hired ninja sent to kill the person they were escorting.
They drew their blades in unison. "Assassins!"
Blue chakra flared along the hilts of their weapons, revealing they were ninja as well.
But they didn't know the two they faced were far beyond their ability to handle.
Snake–Ram–Monkey–Boar–Horse–Tiger.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
No one saw when Kagaya formed the seals—at least, not the group of escort ninja.
A massive fireball roared toward them. They could only rely on their chakra-infused blades to barely deflect the jutsu.
But as the fireball dissipated, they didn't get a moment to breathe. Instead, they were met with the Kubikiribocho.
One swing, and two ninja fell dead instantly. The remaining escorts raised their blades, trying to seize the chance to attack Juzo, but what awaited them were several razor-sharp kunai.
They couldn't dodge. The kunai struck their throats, killing them instantly.
Three-tomoe Sharingan!
The last ninja fell under Kagaya's genjutsu, and with a casual toss of a kunai, Kagaya ended his life.
Juzo leaped high, cleaving the sedan in half with a single stroke.
"I don't know who was in that sedan, and I don't need to," Juzo said, his meaning clear: this was just a job, nothing more. He was only responsible for carrying it out.
"Hmm..." Kagaya glance at the blood seeping from the wrecked sedan. He nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
From start to finish, they never knew who was in the sedan—man or woman, tall or short. It didn't matter. That was the kind of organization Akatsuki was: complete the mission, nothing else.
That was the lesson Juzo wanted to impart to Kagaya.
---
That night, Kagaya and Juzo found a random inn to rest at.
Kagaya lay on the bed and closed his eyes.
But instead of falling into a deep sleep as expected, the moment he closed his eyes, he saw a starry sky.
The sky was silent, vast.
[Mission: Escape the Night of the Clan Massacre and Survive!]
[Completed]
[Unlocked: Bonds]
[Unlocked: Events]
"What is this…?" Kagaya murmured. (T/N: I completely forgot about this...)
Staring at the familiar starry expanse, he realized it was his system, long dormant.
"Go to hell!" Kagaya shouted, his voice filled not with joy at the system's reappearance but with searing anger. "Where were you when my parents died? Where were you when Shisui died? Showing up now—what's the point?"
[Please calm down. This system lacks the ability to directly intervene in external events. Your actions are beyond this system's control, as are the deaths of those around you.]
"So what use are you?" Kagaya snapped, but he soon calmed down. He couldn't blame his misfortunes on others. In the end, those tragedies were the result of his own lack of strength, not the system's fault.
[Bonds]
The word appeared in the starry sky before fading away.
Then, a star at the center of the sky lit up with Kagaya's face. A radiant golden line extended from it, connecting to another star, which bore the grayscale image of Uchiha Shisui.
The two stars were linked by the shining golden line, beneath which two lines of text appeared, like a description.
[A brotherly bond transcending blood. That intense pain will stand in for the elder brother, forever protecting the younger.]
[Mangekyō Sharingan abilities will be enhanced.]
"What is this…?" Kagaya murmured, gazing at the two stars. He seemed to understand something. The other stars were too small to discern, but these two, with their clear faces, stood out vividly.
[The Bond System collects and records your bonds. Particularly strong bonds will either enhance or weaken you.]
The system answered Kagaya's question.
Next, a blood-red line extended from Kagaya's star, connecting to another star bearing Uchiha Itachi's face.
Beneath the crimson line, more words appeared.
[Two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan in the darkness, comrades bearing a tragic fate as they move forward.]
[Susanoo's weapons will be enhanced.]
Then, a pitch-black line stretched out, connecting to a star with Danzo Shimura's face.
[The vengeance for parents and brothers birthed the Mangekyō Sharingan. This hatred is irreconcilable, this grudge must be settled!]
[Until this vengeance is resolved, the Mangekyō Sharingan cannot evolve.]
Two more golden lines appeared, connecting to grayscale images of Uchiha Takayuki and Uchiha Yuko.
[Live well! That is their only wish.]
[Their strength was limited, unable to aid you in power, but they gave you the most important thing: live on, don't give up! No matter what, for their sake, live a brilliant life!]
A gray line extended, connecting to the Third Hokage's face.
[A Hokage you've long lost faith in. When you meet again, will you strike with lethal intent or let it pass with a smile?]
[No effect.]
Finally, a faintly dark line connected to Obito's face.
[Two souls fallen into darkness, no longer yearning for light. Will you cooperate or become enemies?]
[No effect.]