It had been a day since Uchiha Shin, one of the clan's elders, sent a formal summons to Uchiha Kai.
Kai, true to his word, hadn't intended to respond. He already had a good idea of what the elder wanted—recruitment, manipulation, veiled threats. The usual clan politics. If there was room for dialogue, so be it. If not, Kai wasn't above eliminating obstacles. Even if that obstacle was another Uchiha.
He had told Aya Hyuga as much. And since Shin was in such a rush to make contact, Kai was more than willing to "escort" him down a path he wouldn't enjoy.
Strolling calmly through the Uchiha district, Kai was soon intercepted by a clan shinobi—respectful, but clearly wary. Under the ninja's guidance, Kai made his way to a secluded estate deep within the district. This was Kai's first time visiting Shin's personal compound.
The bamboo groves surrounding the residence were lightly dusted with morning frost, and Kai couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the scenery. In his past life—if those fragmented memories meant anything—bamboo symbolized integrity and resilience. It amused him that Shin, a man immersed in clan intrigue, would choose such symbolism.
Still, aesthetics meant nothing here. Kai wasn't here to appreciate landscaping. Politics and power were the only things that mattered.
He was led to the front gate, where he relinquished his ninja sword and a few concealed kunai before being permitted entry. Immediately upon crossing the threshold, he sensed something...off. Traces of chakra flared faintly from nearby rooms—sentries, perhaps? Ambush squads? It didn't matter. The intent was clear: a display of power.
Kai merely smirked.
Inside, Shin was already seated at the head of the hall, flanked by a few other aging Uchiha. Elders, no doubt—figures who once fought on the frontlines but now dealt in words and influence.
"Kai-kun, welcome," Shin said with a warm smile. "It's our first meeting. I've heard much about the young genius of the clan. I had tea prepared—green tea with fresh bamboo leaves from my garden."
Kai's eyes narrowed slightly as he approached. He didn't return the greeting. "I'll pass on the tea," he said bluntly. "Let's get to the point, Elder Shin. Why have you summoned me?"
Shin let out a soft chuckle, but Kai could see through the performance. This was a man who had spilled blood in the wars. Time might dull a blade's edge, but it didn't erase the hand that once wielded it.
"As direct as rumored," Shin said, not offended. "Very well. I suppose small talk is unnecessary between those who see the truth. You have a good relationship with the current patriarch—Uchiha Fugaku. Admirable. But tell me, Kai-kun... are you truly aware of the clan's internal situation?"
Kai tilted his head with mild amusement. "You mean the fractured leadership? A hesitant patriarch? A hawkish faction that wants to confront Konoha head-on... and a pacifist faction hoping for diplomacy? Yes, I've noticed."
"You're sharp." Shin's smile faded slightly. "Then you must know that among the six elders of the clan, four of us are here now. If the patriarch makes an unwise decision... what happens next?"
Kai sighed. "You don't need me to answer that. You act independently of the patriarch already. If you want to challenge his authority or... remove a problem like me, what's stopping you?"
Shin gave a slow nod. "You understand the game well. Which is why I'll be candid."
He leaned forward slightly. "You don't belong in the shadows of Fugaku. Someone with your talents deserves more. Whatever the patriarch has promised you—rank, power, influence—we can offer more. And I'm willing to let certain... incidents slide."
Kai's eyes narrowed. "Incidents?"
"Uchiha Osamu," Shin said flatly. "We both know what happened. But I'm not here to point fingers. In fact, I could even offer you something... interesting in exchange for cooperation."
Kai's pulse didn't spike. His expression didn't shift. But internally, he processed the implications. Either Shin was bluffing, or he genuinely suspected Kai's involvement in Osamu's disappearance. Of course, the timing aligned perfectly: Osamu vanished after tailing Kai one night, following a suspicious conversation. If not for Fugaku's intervention, Kai would've already been interrogated.
But Shin's so-called leniency was anything but generous. It was a warning disguised as a gift.
"I'm listening," Kai said coolly.
"You've awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, haven't you?" Shin asked. "But... did you know that's not the limit of our bloodline?"
Kai kept his face unreadable.
"Oh?" he asked after a beat. "Are you referring to the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
That made Shin blink.
"…So the patriarch has told you," he said, his voice barely masking surprise. "That's unexpected. Fugaku must trust you greatly."
Kai shook his head. "It's not about trust. You don't understand what's really happening."
He leaned forward slightly, matching Shin's energy. "Since you mentioned Osamu... have you considered that Uchiha Yu's disappearance might also be linked to me?"
Shin stiffened, eyes narrowing. The chakra in the room spiked as Kai's own began to stir. His eyes morphed into the signature crimson of the Uchiha—three tomoe swirling with quiet menace.
"And as for the Mangekyō," Kai said with a cold smile, "I've already seen two pairs. One from Uchiha Yong. The other from Uchiha Shuu. Impressive performances… before they were extinguished."
Before Shin could react, a blur of motion erupted from the shadows. A masked shinobi lunged at Kai, sword arcing downward.
But Kai didn't move.
Not yet.