Murakumo Kurama gazed at those magnificent and mysterious eyes, his expression one of rapture as he couldn't help exclaiming, "What beautiful eyes!"
The Mangekyo Sharingan might represent bloodshed and misfortune to others. But for him—a man obsessed with the ultimate secrets of genjutsu—it was an absolutely sacred and pure treasure.
Shisui exclaimed in surprise, "You think it's beautiful?"
This was the first time he had ever seen someone express admiration, longing, and reverence toward the Sharingan rather than loathing, jealousy, or fear.
Murakumo Kurama replied solemnly, "Of course it is. There may be nothing more beautiful in this entire world."
"Why? Do you even understand what it costs to awaken it?"
Shisui said sorrowfully, "It awakens only at the expense of a dear friend's life!"
Murakumo Kurama looked at Shisui strangely and asked, "Did you personally have to kill your closest friend for these eyes?"
Shisui shook his head. Of course not.
Murakumo Kurama responded curiously, "Then isn't that a good thing? Now you possess the power to prevent tragedy during the next crisis."
Upon hearing this, Shisui's pupils shrank slightly. He had never considered such a perspective before. Murakumo Kurama's words turned everything upside down for him.
Previously influenced by villagers' opinions, though he never believed the Sharingan itself was a cursed eye, he still harbored a vague sense of foreboding about it.
Although somewhat grateful toward Murakumo Kurama, Shisui hadn't forgotten his mission.
Gently slicing a shallow cut across Murakumo Kurama's neck with the blade, Shisui asked, "Where is Danzo?"
Blood trickled slowly down his neck, but there wasn't a trace of fear in Murakumo Kurama's eyes.
"You really think I fear death? Let me see the power of the Mangekyo! Let me witness the ultimate art of genjutsu!"
As he spoke, Murakumo Kurama's face lit up with wild excitement. He didn't look scared at all—more like someone heading off on a holy pilgrimage.
A slanted throwing knife spun slowly through the air. In reality, Murakumo Kurama's eyes lost focus.
The heavens above and the earth below disappeared. Unable to move, Murakumo Kurama could only watch helplessly as rusty nails drove themselves deeper into all four limbs.
Intense agony shot through his body, yet Murakumo Kurama shook his head disappointedly. "This isn't the true ability of the Mangekyou!"
"No, but it will suffice for you!"
Standing before him, Shisui remained cold. "Heaven offers no path upward; Earth grants no escape below. Living is impossible, dying forbidden. If you tell me where Danzo hides, then I will grant you the chance to end your suffering yourself."
Murakumo Kurama lamented regretfully, "What a pity—I still cannot witness the peak of illusionary arts before my death!"
Hardly had his words faded when fierce flames erupted from his body.
Seeing the sudden blaze engulf Murakumo Kurama, Shisui stared in shock. "How can you possibly do that?"
"Why not?"
Pride and confidence openly colored Murakumo Kurama's voice. "I am Murakumo Kurama! My clan's illusion techniques can manipulate the five senses of others—but also my own.
"I haven't reached the pinnacle of my clan's illusions, just as you didn't use true Mangekyou Sharingan techniques."
"I may not be able to influence your genjutsu world, but I can still decide my own fate."
"When it comes to genjutsu, the Kurama are no weaker than the Uchiha!"
Sorrow flickered across his eyes after saying this.
"What a pity! I haven't fully awakened the Bloodline Limit of my clan. Otherwise, why should I fear the Mangekyou?"
Shisui had never encountered someone who could commit suicide inside his genjutsu space before. He desperately tried to control Murakumo Kurama, but it was useless. He could only watch helplessly as flames rose from beneath Murakumo Kurama's feet, gradually burning his body into ashes.
Pain filled Murakumo Kurama's eyes, yet he didn't utter a sound.
Shisui had once experienced minor burns himself, and he knew Murakumo Kurama must be enduring pain far more intense than anything he had ever felt.
He had already figured out the core mechanism behind the Kurama clan's genjutsu—it created illusions so vivid through the five senses that people perceived them as reality.
If you believe the five senses are telling the truth, then the damage becomes real too.
Therefore, Murakumo Kurama was truly experiencing the excruciating torment of [Infernal Flame Consumption].
When the fire reached Kurama's neck, he suddenly asked, "After my defection, how are my wife and daughter? What about the Kurama clan?"
Shisui had only just returned to the village and hadn't kept track of such matters.
But seeing the hope in Murakumo Kurama's eyes, Shisui rarely lied: "They're both fine. Only a few members of the Kurama clan have been relieved of their duties, and there hasn't been any serious investigation. You surely know that our ancestor Madara Uchiha defected too, yet the clan wasn't implicated."
Inside the genjutsu space, Murakumo Kurama's mouth had already burned away, leaving only a pair of crystal-clear eyes.
In those eyes existed regret, nostalgia, apology, deep affection, and remorse...
In his final moments, he recalled his life—brilliant yet ordinary.
Born during his clan's decline, he worked hard to become a genius at the academy, striving after graduation to prove Kurama's worth through mission accomplishments. Yet one man alone couldn't reverse the clan's downward spiral. Continuous wars depleted their talents, and besides himself, no other clan member could master their secret techniques.
More despairing still—he could practice diligently yet due to innate limitations, he never touched the essence of genjutsu.
With stagnant power, he shifted his ambitions toward politics. Third was weak but had many followers, so instead he chose the extremist and formidable Danzo. For years he did much for Danzo, even following him in defecting when Danzo betrayed the village.
Shisui's words eased his deepest fears.
Let the legacy of the Kurama fall with me!
And may my child live a simple life, untouched by this fate!
...
The situation flipped dramatically in the adjacent room, leaving Ao, Ping, and Aya overwhelmed.
Just a moment ago, Shisui had subdued two opponents while Black Hawk restrained Murakumo Kurama.
Before they could even feel slightly encouraged, Kurama had severely wounded Black Hawk while Shisui slaughtered the remaining two enemies.
Everyone expected a fair match next, but the fight quickly turned into a decisive victory for Shisui.
Shisui instantly killed Murakumo Kurama.
The sudden turn of events left the three spectators stunned, and even Tsunade was momentarily taken aback.
Aozora seized this brief opportunity to substitute himself downstairs, waving toward Tsunade and the other. "Till we meet again!"
Then he vanished into the ground, escaping via Earth Release.
Snapping out of it, Tsunade leapt down and stomped powerfully on the ground.
Boom!
With a thunderous blast, a huge, deep crater tore open the gambling den's floor.
As the dust settled, Aozora had already disappeared without a trace.
Tsunade scanned the surroundings angrily. "He sure made himself scarce this time!"
Then she released her Transformation Jutsu and leapt to the upper floor, revealing her true form—golden twin ponytails and a striking figure.
Glancing at Shisui's Three Tomoe, Tsunade coldly remarked, "Good job, Uchiha brat."
She then crouched beside Blackhawk, placing both hands on him. A bright green glow emanated from her palms, easing the burn wounds on Blackhawk's body and restoring his inner vitality.
Shisui sheathed his katana and apologized. "I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama! I couldn't discover where Danzo is hiding."
Before Tsunade could say, "It's not your fault," she suddenly sensed a powerful chakra rapidly approaching the gambling den.
"Seems like you apologized a little too soon!"
Tsunade said coolly.
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