Chapitre 177: **Chapter 177: Lone Wolf, Wolf King**
The mission given to the Uchiha clan was clear: eliminate all Kirigakure ninjas who had infiltrated the Land of Fire. Leading his team of Uchiha jounin and chuunin, Uchiha Tani initially found success in the mission. The Kirigakure forces, whether seasoned jounin or mid-level chuunin, fell swiftly under the overwhelming strength of the Uchiha. In fact, some of the Kirigakure ninjas surrendered outright when faced with the relentless Uchiha assault.
Within a week, the Kirigakure forces were in retreat, with over twenty captured. The Uchiha warriors began to anticipate returning to the village, bringing their captives as proof of their accomplishment. However, this victory was not what it seemed. The Kirigakure's defeat was a ruse—a lure to draw the Uchiha deeper into enemy territory. Before realizing it, Tani had led his team past the borders of the Land of Fire, into the abandoned Land of Whirlpools, where they fell into a well-prepared ambush.
Surrounded by Kirigakure's forces, Uchiha Tani made a fateful decision. To ensure the safety of his fellow Uchiha, he chose to stay behind and fight to the end. With his Mangekyou Sharingan and the first form of Susanoo, he stood alone against hundreds. Shisui and a few others were evacuated, while Tani and the remaining Uchiha jounin held the line. The battle lasted five days, but ultimately, all six, including Tani, perished.
Konoha ninjas, who arrived later, brought back the bodies of the fallen. Kirigakure, though successful in their ambush, paid a steep price in casualties at the hands of the Uchiha.
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"Shisui, was it that you couldn't bear to let go?" Reiki asked gently, seeing the tears in Shisui's eyes.
"Not letting go? No, it's anger!" Shisui replied, his voice filled with frustration. "I hate how weak I am! Why couldn't I be as strong as those who came before me? And why… why did the village delay its support? We reported the situation and requested backup six days in advance."
Shisui's Sharingan flared with fury, the three magatama spinning in his eyes.
"A three-tomoe Sharingan?" Reiki's eyes widened. Shisui had awakened a new level of power in such a short time, proof of the Uchiha's resilience. In every battle, they grew stronger through their hardships.
"Let's go back," Reiki said, standing up. "I'll give you some treatment to help with what comes next." He extended a hand, and Shisui, though clearly shaken, accepted it.
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Back at the Senju Courtyard, Reiki examined Shisui.
"There's nothing serious physically," Reiki assured him. "With rest, you'll recover."
"Shisui, about the Uchiha clan…" Tsunade began, her voice heavy with concern.
"I understand," Shisui interrupted, sensing her meaning. Seeing Shisui's state, Tsunade refrained from saying more. Talking too much now might only make things worse. She trusted that Reiki, a friend close to Shisui's age, might be the best one to talk with him.
"Reiki, have a good talk with Shisui," she said, then left.
Once Tsunade was gone, Reiki placed his hand on Shisui, healing not only his injuries but the hidden scars that lingered within his soul. Reiki could sense the toll that unlocking the Mangekyou had taken, feeling an energy within Shisui that had started to erode his spirit.
After over an hour of quiet conversation and healing, Shisui's demeanor calmed.
"Shisui, do you understand why?" Reiki asked, his tone low and serious. "The Uchiha were fighting on the frontlines, yet support came so slowly. Doesn't that seem… a bit too convenient?"
"Convenient?" Shisui's eyes flared. "Are you saying it wasn't just a delay… but intentional?"
Reiki's voice was calm but steady. "The Uchiha are too strong. Uchiha Tani was also competing in the race for Hokage. You know why the village would act like this."
Reiki lay back, sighing. He understood how the world of shinobi worked: knowledge without power was a painful burden. If he were powerful enough, he would eliminate those old schemers without hesitation. Order would be maintained not by fear, but by unwavering strength.
"Reiki, maybe… maybe if you'd been on the mission…" Shisui began, then fell silent, realizing it wasn't fair to place the blame on Reiki. His words had come from a place of desperation, not reason.
"I know what you're feeling, Shisui. You're a compassionate person, but the village and the shinobi world can't operate on kindness alone," Reiki explained. "Right now, your kindness is only going to bring you pain."
Shisui's gaze shifted to the ground. "I understand. I'm glad I have you as a friend, Reiki. My faults… they make me human. But I won't give up. I'll keep pushing forward."
Shisui stood, his aura radiating a renewed resolve. Under the moonlight, Reiki saw not just a lone wolf, but the potential of a wolf king.
"Come on, Shisui. Right now, your clan needs someone strong to lead them, someone like you," Reiki said with a supportive smile.
With Shisui's return, Reiki now had a valid reason to visit the Uchiha clan. He hoped his presence could help heal their wounds, bringing them some measure of hope in the days to come.
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