If one begins to observe the world from a young age — learning through small acts, questioning what's right and wrong — perhaps that person could truly become a revolutionary.
But what a pity.
He only ever grasped the surface of things, and once deceived by Sarutobi Hiruzen, he was completely led astray.
After realizing this, Uchiha Jin's mind felt sharp and clear.
"What I want to say," he began in a low voice, "is exactly what I said earlier — the Nine-Tails is too strong."
So strong.
Hearing that again, Shisui looked momentarily confused, but he quickly began to piece it together.
Regardless of the Nine-Tails, the Uchiha, or Hatake Sakumo — they all shared one thing in common.
They were too strong.
Yes.
Just like the Uchiha, how powerful had Hatake Sakumo been?
He was the Captain of the Anbu, the Leader of the Jōnin Command Squad, and the Head of Torture and Interrogation.
Among Konoha's seven key departments, Sakumo had personally overseen three.
A few months before his death, the Daimyō of the Land of Fire had even honored him with the title "Konoha's White Fang — Half a Hokage."
He was that close — one step away from becoming the Hokage himself.
And yet, after his death?
The Anbu Captain's position was given to Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Hiruzen's son.
The Jōnin Commander role went to Nara Shikaku.
The Torture and Interrogation Unit was handed to Morino Ibiki.
And what did all three have in common?
Each was tied to the Hokage's faction.
Ibiki had been a commoner who rose only through Sarutobi Hiruzen's favor.
Nara Shikaku came from the Ino–Shika–Chō trio, loyal to every Hokage generation.
And Sarutobi Shinnosuke… was the Hokage's own blood.
Realizing this, Shisui felt a cold chill run down his spine.
Was this the same kind-hearted Hokage he had always respected?
The "Half-Hokage," the man revered by the village, had died mysteriously — and in the aftermath, every one of his positions was filled by Hiruzen's own allies.
Then, as if to seal it all, Kakashi Hatake was brought directly under the Hokage's wing, becoming Minato Namikaze's disciple.
And just like that, everything that once belonged to Sakumo's faction was wiped out completely.
Shisui trembled. "Why?" he whispered. "This still doesn't make sense… Why would Hatake Sakumo commit suicide?"
His worldview crumbled, leaving him adrift in confusion.
Uchiha Jin, however, spoke calmly, his tone filled with quiet respect.
"That's exactly why I admire Hatake Sakumo," he said. "He was a true shinobi. He had no choice but to die."
"Think about it. If he didn't take his own life, what would have happened next? He'd have been forced to confront the Hokage directly. That would've thrown Konoha into chaos — and do you think the other villages would've ignored that opportunity?"
"By dying, he took the blame, silenced the unrest, and preserved peace. Even Hiruzen couldn't touch Kakashi afterward. In fact, he went further — he made Kakashi Minato's disciple, fully binding the White Fang's legacy to the Hokage's line."
He looked away, eyes heavy with thought.
"That's the brilliance — and the tragedy — of it all. The Hokage's faction absorbed every loyalist Sakumo left behind. His defeat was inevitable."
"Meanness is the passport of the corrupt," Jin murmured, "and nobility becomes the epitaph of the righteous."
"How can a noble man prevail against those who play dirty? The more upright he is, the easier he is to destroy."
"In the end, the Hokage's so-called victory came only because Sakumo refused to let Konoha fall into civil strife. That's what I admire most about him…" He paused, eyes narrowing. "…But I will never be like him."
After that, Uchiha Jin fell silent.
He had said all that needed to be said.
Anything more would only unsettle Shisui further.
He leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes, and let the sound of waves and sunlight wash over him.
On the other side, Shisui sat frozen, drenched in cold sweat. His thoughts spun wildly, each new realization cutting deeper than the last.
Though brilliant, Shisui was not as rigid as Itachi. He could think — and that made the truth harder to bear.
The more he understood, the more despair grew within him.
What could he do now?
How could he save his clan… or even the village?
No matter how hard he thought, no answer came.
As time passed, his face grew pale and his eyes clouded with fear.
He still wanted to believe in Hiruzen, still hoped that this was all just misunderstanding.
But deep down, something had already broken.
Even if Jin's words were only speculation — even without evidence — the seed of doubt had been planted.
And it was growing fast.
Shisui swallowed hard, trembling as one name echoed in his mind.
Uchiha Jin…