Hearing Shikamaru's words, Konoha's new generation of Jonin didn't quite grasp the situation.
"He's just a young ninja, isn't he? Is he really supposed to be that formidable?"
"Even though he's an Uchiha, he doesn't look that special. His chakra signature isn't particularly powerful, is it?"
"This guy is a genius?"
Shisui felt a bit embarrassed by Shikamaru's assessment.
"Genius is too strong a word!" he deflected. "I'm just an ordinary ninja."
"Ordinary?" Shikamaru sounded exasperated. As the Hokage's advisor, one of the first things he'd done upon taking the role was to review every piece of recorded intelligence Konoha possessed. Even if he couldn't examine everything in meticulous detail, he needed to have a general grasp, enough to recall crucial information when needed. He had paid particular attention to the files concerning the Uchiha clan, perhaps because of Sasuke.
After all, Sasuke's power was simply staggering. Shikamaru had even spent time contemplating hypothetical scenarios – how to deal with Sasuke, whether there was any chance of victory should conflict arise. Understanding the Uchiha was, therefore, an essential part of his preparation.
"You're being too modest," Shikamaru stated, looking directly at Shisui. "If you had lived until now, you might have become a powerful ninja, perhaps not much weaker than Sasuke himself!"
To be compared to Sasuke was exceptionally high praise. Everyone turned to look at Shisui with newfound astonishment.
"A genius ninja possessing the strongest genjutsu in the shinobi world!" Shikamaru continued. "Your Kotoamatsukami, the ultimate genjutsu... your ability is simply heaven-defying!"
"Being able to directly alter someone's consciousness through genjutsu – such an ability is unique in the entire shinobi world!"
Though, Shikamaru amended his thought, it wasn't entirely unique anymore. He glanced briefly at Sasuke.
Konoha's intelligence indicated that Sasuke, under orders from the Fifth Hokage, had eliminated the rogue ninja Danzo Shimura. At the time, Danzo possessed one of Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan. It was precisely because of this eye that Danzo could not be underestimated. That Sharingan was Shisui's eye.
After the battle, Danzo's body vanished, and it seemed the Sharingan, holder of the strongest known ocular technique, had fallen into Sasuke's hands. Considering the terrifying power Sasuke later demonstrated with his Rinnegan – the 'Shinmeirei', capable of stripping abilities from others and granting them – it was almost certain that Sasuke had long since mastered Kotoamatsukami as well.
"Altering someone's consciousness?"
"That kind of power is insane!"
"Is this the Uchiha clan?"
"No wonder Shikamaru-san called him another Uchiha genius!"
"Are all Uchiha this strong?"
Hearing the murmurs among the Jonin, Shikamaru sighed. "Of course, not every Uchiha is this powerful! Only a select few can be called geniuses." He paused, adding gravely, "However, Uchiha geniuses tend to be terrifyingly strong!"
The reason was simple: the inherent advantage granted by their bloodline.
"Shisui Uchiha..." Naruto murmured, looking between the newcomer and Sasuke. He couldn't help but think what a tragic loss Shisui's early death had been for the ninja world. Still, his appearance now, at this specific time, was undoubtedly a boon for Konoha.
"Shisui," Naruto said, his tone serious, "Sasuke should have already explained the situation to you on your way here."
Shisui nodded solemnly. He hadn't imagined the future would descend into such chaos. Yet, if not for this turmoil, he never would have had the chance to see the Uchiha clan of a later era. It felt like a long-held wish finally fulfilled. The clan and the village had finally found a way to coexist. That alone set his mind at ease. Though their numbers were greatly diminished, the Uchiha bloodline endured, and that was enough. They didn't need to be a massive clan to thrive.
"Shisui," Naruto continued, his invitation sincere and earnest, "Konoha desperately needs shinobi like you to help us navigate this chaotic era! I hope you'll lend us your strength!"
Naruto's direct appeal, filled with genuine conviction, left Shisui momentarily stunned. So this was the current Hokage? He gave off a surprisingly good feeling.
"As a shinobi of Konoha, regardless of the era," Shisui replied firmly, "I will never refuse the Hokage's command!"
Naruto smiled, satisfied with the answer. The others nearby relaxed, smiles appearing on their faces too. It seemed that in every generation, there were those who inherited the Will of Fire. In that instant, the Sage of Six Paths seemed to understand the significance of humanity controlling its own destiny. Though conflict was constant and opinions could never be fully unified, there would always be individuals willing to give their all without reservation, sacrificing themselves for others, striving to build an ideal world.
Just as Naruto was beginning to brief Shisui further, his words abruptly stopped.
Almost instantaneously, Naruto sensed a sudden surge – countless new chakra signatures appearing within Konoha. They weren't overwhelmingly powerful individually, but their sheer number, materializing all at once, was alarming. It wasn't just him and Sasuke; even the other ninja present felt the sudden shift.
An ANBU operative appeared in a flash. "Hokage-sama, report!" the masked ninja stated urgently. "Due to the temporal disturbance, a large number of shinobi from other eras have suddenly appeared! They all seem to belong to the same clan!"
Further explanation was unnecessary. Naruto could already see it for himself.
Below the Hokage Tower, numerous figures were leaping onto rooftops, disoriented, scanning their surroundings. From their vantage point, Naruto and the others could see dozens of ninja frantically trying to get their bearings amidst the chaos. The emblem emblazoned on the backs of their clothing was unmistakable: the red and white fan of the Uchiha clan!
"Sasuke..." Naruto turned to his friend, who was already frowning deeply.
"The chaos... it's intensifying?" Sasuke muttered. The existing temporal mess was bad enough, but now it was escalating, affecting so many individuals at once. The situation was rapidly deteriorating. Stranger still was the fact that only members of the Uchiha clan seemed to be affected by this wave.
Among the newly arrived Uchiha, Sasuke's eyes locked onto a familiar face.
"Uchiha... Obito!"
Hearing Sasuke utter the name, Shikamaru immediately snapped his gaze in the direction Sasuke was looking. Indeed, it was Obito Uchiha.
Obito. Shisui recognized the name. He was part of Minato Namikaze's team, after all. How could he not know of him? But... the man seemed surprisingly different from how Shisui remembered. Obito hadn't been considered particularly talented within the clan back then, had he? His skills weren't exceptional; perhaps being assigned to Minato's team was precisely because his talent was considered average.
"My god! Are all of those Uchiha?"
"Did the Uchiha clan really have this many members back then?"
"There are even more of them than the Hyuga clan!"
"The Uchiha were once one of Konoha's great clans!"
As the Jonin exclaimed in shock, Shikamaru's eyes suddenly widened in alarm.
"This is bad!" he warned sharply. "Naruto!"
"The chaos is escalating, bringing entire clans across time... I suspect this isn't just happening in Konoha... the Uchiha..."
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