Uchiha Shisui's conviction wavered—but he forced himself to push the thought away.
Perhaps he dared not dwell on it any further.
"We can debate the village, war, and justice another time. Today, I'm here about the civilians you killed…"
"And just now, I watched you shatter a thief's legs."
"Your methods are too cruel."
Yoru ignored him, finishing his pancake before eyeing Shisui's untouched portion.
"You eating that?"
"I'm… not hungry."
Yoru snatched it and devoured it in a few bites.
"If you haven't even settled your own thoughts, don't waste my time."
"The reason I entertained your 'justice' debate is because you already asked the real question earlier."
Shisui blinked. "When?"
"Teuchi's old couple."
Shisui stiffened.
He understood.
To Teuchi and his wife, Yoru's brutality was mercy—a permanent solution that kept them safe. They'd be grateful.
But…
"You're right. From their perspective, they'd praise your methods."
"Yet even criminals deserve a chance at redemption—"
Yoru finally smirked—cold, mocking.
"That's the difference between us."
"You side with the wicked."
"I side with the innocent."
Shisui's breath caught as if struck by lightning.
Yoru pressed on.
"On the battlefield, your 'justice' is survival of the fittest."
"In life, you advocate for the guilty."
"Know who else walks that path?"
"Demons."
Shisui's temper flared.
BAM!
He slammed the table, standing abruptly.
"You—a butcher—dare call ME a demon?!"
"Butcher? You've slaughtered ten times as many as I have."
"And while I kill criminals… who exactly have you killed?"
"Can you swear they were all evil?"
Shisui's lips trembled before he collapsed back into his seat.
Yoru polished off Shisui's soup, then stood.
"Old man Teuchi—he's paying."
"Of course, Yoru-sama. Leaving already?"
"Patrol duty."
"Ah, take care! Our door's always open for you…"
A rare flicker of warmth crossed Yoru's face before he exited.
The cook wordlessly held out a hand to Shisui, who paid with a bitter smile.
Outside, Shisui hurried after Yoru, voice low.
"Forget justice… you know how tense things are."
"The village and our clan are on a knife's edge. One misstep, and everything shatters."
"Why can't you rein it in—even slightly? For the Uchiha. For Konoha."
"Do you truly want catastrophe?"
Yoru studied him, then sighed.
"Since you paid for lunch… I'll say one more thing."
"Listen well, Uchiha Shisui."
His words were glacial, deliberate.
"Even if my actions trigger a full-scale rebellion—blood, betrayal, mutual destruction—"
"That 'worst-case scenario' you fear?"
"Compared to the fate already waiting for us…"
"It'd be a mercy."
Shisui's eyes widened. "W-what?!"
"The real ending is far worse. More vicious. More disgusting."
"So trust me—if I can make the Uchiha rebel?"
"It'll be the luckiest day of our clan's existence."
With that, Yoru adjusted his uniform and walked away.
Shisui stood frozen, then shouted after him:
"Uchiha Yoru…!"
"Just how far into the future do those eyes of yours see?!"
Only silence answered.
Shisui's hands shook.
His subordinates, Sekkin and Shiden, exchanged uneasy glances.
What could that man have said… to rattle the strongest Uchiha like this?
...
Yoru didn't like Shisui.
By his logic, Shisui wasn't evil—just stupid.
Revealing his Kotoamatsukami to Hiruzen and Danzō? Suicide.
A genjutsu that rewrites wills? Any ruler would kill to monopolize that power.
Yet Shisui trusted them.
His eventual fate—forced suicide—was the price of that naivety.
Strong didn't mean wise.
"Captain Yoru!"
Two figures sprinted toward him—his subordinates, Uchiha Aoki and Yamakaze.
Yoru's brow furrowed.
"You were ordered to avoid me. Something happened."
They nodded, panting.
"Then move."
He was already running before they could explain.
"Captain, wait! We didn't even—"
"Talk on the way."
If they'd come urgently, it was critical.
Wind roared in his ears as he pushed his speed to the limit.
His men struggled to keep up.
"Captain, this is too sensitive—maybe we should consult the Clan Head first—"
"Speak."
Aoki hesitated, then muttered:
"It's… the Sarutobi clan."
"Sarutobi?"
Ah. That explained their caution.
But so what?