99. 1v1

The pale old warden stood frozen, his lifeless face showing no reaction to Uchiha Igaku's question. The unease in the elder's heart grew stronger. He tried to control the warden with his remaining eye, and finally, the pale form of Spectre started to move.

Realizing that even with the Mangekyō Sharingan, he could only control the old warden but not communicate with him, a dreadful thought rose in Uchiha Igaku's mind.

"Why won't you speak?! Aren't you supposed to be my will's manifestation?"

Thinking back to how he had "coincidentally" uncovered the truth behind his son's death and everything he'd done after awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan, it seemed as though an invisible hand had been pulling the strings.

A wave of irritation surged in him, and he began questioning the puppet-like Spectre repeatedly.

"Old man, no matter how much you question him, he won't answer. He doesn't have any self-awareness."

Uchiha Gin, who had been quietly observing on the side, finally stepped in, munching on sunflower seeds. He casually reminded the anxious elder.

"Can't you see it by now? That black fellow isn't your will's manifestation at all."

"No! Impossible! Absolutely not!"

Uchiha Igaku's mind was in turmoil. Known for his rationality, he now appeared utterly flustered, unwilling to face the facts despite the evidence before him.

"If I've guessed correctly, the real ability of your Mangekyō Sharingan is to create a shadowy clone. This clone can control shadows, gather intelligence, and even assassinate people. And you can possess this clone to use all of its abilities."

From Igaku's fighting style, Uchiha Gin had deduced most of the abilities of his Mangekyō Sharingan.

The real power of Igaku's Mangekyō Sharingan was similar to the Nara clan's shadow techniques, combined with spatial abilities that allowed the user to travel freely through shadows. Moreover, Igaku could possess this shadowy clone and fight through it.

As for the so-called "conscious manifestation," that was merely the impostor Black Zetsu pretending. The real Spectre was nothing but a mindless combat puppet, incapable of reporting anything.

"So all this time, I've been."

As Uchiha Igaku forcibly accepted the truth, a serious mental breakdown occurred, with black mist visibly rising from his body. Uchiha Gin, sensing the dangerous aura, wisely took a few steps back.

Clenching his teeth, the elder raised his head, glaring at the black-mud-covered Uchiha Tajima and spoke with hatred.

"You, why have you been hiding beside me?"

"Kekeke, why bother explaining to a dying man? Just accept your fate."

A black head emerged from the mud surrounding Uchiha Tajima's body, its eyes filled with mockery. It had no intention of answering Igaku's questions.

"Hey, hey, enough with the bickering! Can't you two just fight it out already?"

Watching the former master and servant turn on each other, Uchiha Gin, eager to enjoy the show, couldn't help but fan the flames.

Fight! Fight!

After all, with his numerous healing methods, getting the prosthetic limb for his uncle to stretch out a bit wouldn't be bad either.

"Annoying brat, worry about yourself first!"

The black head turned towards the carefree Uchiha Gin and, with a cruel smile, thought that this kid, with his ability to use Asura's power, would grow into a significant threat in the future.

He must be eliminated. I'll never sleep soundly while he's alive.

"Heh."

"Spectre, go get him!"

Like a Pokémon master, Uchiha Yao waved his hand, commanding the real Spectre. The gray warden slipped into the shadows, controlling a mass of dark energy that surged toward Uchiha Tajima.

"I was planning to give you a swift death, but since you're intent on seeking it, I won't hold back anymore."

Seeing the dark shadow coming, the Black Zetsu showed no fear, shaking his head with disdain and speaking as though the elder was beneath him.

"Ahhhh!"

Just as the gray warden was about to strike down Uchiha Tajima and Black Zetsu controlling him, Uchiha Igaku suddenly clutched his head, screaming in agony, as though in extreme pain.

Seeing Igaku's strange behavior, Uchiha Gin tactfully retreated even further, as his sensory abilities clearly detected overwhelming malice directed at him from Igaku.

Seriously, does this guy know any moves other than mind control? Was there anyone present who hadn't been controlled by him?

Sigh.

Uchiha Gin sighed, watching as black energy surged from Igaku's eyes. He dusted off his hands after finishing his snack.

It seemed that a fight with the elder was inevitable.

With that thought, Uchiha Gin reached to his waist, pulling out a peculiar kunai he had recently used. He blew the dust off it and said calmly,

"Let's wrap this up quickly. I've got soup cooking at home."

??? The girl behind him had a puzzled look on her face.

"Gin, who's cooking soup at your house?"

Unable to contain her curiosity, the cloaked girl leaned closer to ask.

"."

What a strange question, thought Gin.

"Come back and have some too. It's fish soup—very fresh and sweet."

Unable to explain further, Gin promised the girl that they would share the soup later.

Looking up at the sky, Gin turned to the eager girl and said,

"Help me hold off my uncle, but don't hurt him. I'll handle Igaku first."

Happily complying with his request, the girl prepared to engage the possessed Uchiha Tajima but was stopped by Gin.

"Here, wear this. I don't want you running out of chakra."

He handed her a blue vortex-shaped pendant from his pouch.

The [Blue Power Amulet] increased chakra reserves, accelerated chakra recovery, and had a chance to trigger a second skill cast (limited to one time).

The cool sensation of the pendant calmed her as she put it on, her mind wandering.

He gave me a token of love? Does this mean I'm the most important person to him?

"Achoo!!"

At a barbecue restaurant in the Uchiha compound, Senju Itama, who was devouring grilled meat, suddenly sneezed hard.

"Why do I feel like there's a chill down my spine?"

He wiped his nose, confused, and turned to the purple-haired girl next to him.

"Maybe someone's thinking about you?"

She replied casually, enjoying her meal.

"Eh, whatever. Time to eat well while that guy is on a mission. I wonder if that curly-haired ape will bring me back a souvenir."

Meanwhile, the girl wearing the Blue Power Amulet felt like she was walking on air. Grinning, she appeared in front of the controlled Uchiha Tajima.

"Gin told me to keep you busy, so don't run around."

Her tone suddenly became serious as she gazed at the mud-covered Tajima with her big, watery eyes.

"Kekeke, do you really think a weakling like you, who couldn't even beat Uchiha Gin, can challenge me?"

The black head laughed, mocking the seemingly delicate girl.

"I may not be good with words, but I know a thing or two about fighting."

-

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