"Fugaku, do you still think I'm being overbearing and unreasonable?"
Garp looked at the sweat-drenched Fugaku with a half-smile.
"This matter is Shisui's fault. He let crooked thoughts take over. As the head of the Uchiha clan, I cannot shirk responsibility.
However, Lord Garp, please hear me out. Shisui didn't use Kotoamatsukami on you without reason. He only used it during this spar after receiving your permission.
I believe someone like you, who defeated our two ancestors during the old era, surely understands that every Mangekyo Sharingan jutsu is extremely dangerous and terrifying.
One wrong move can take a person's life, and even the user themselves might not be able to control it."
Fugaku knew every Uchiha around him was furious and conflicted, but he had no choice but to step forward and plead.
Not only were the Uchiha naturally protective and prone to causing trouble even when they were in the wrong, but the fact that Shisui had awakened the Mangekyo meant Fugaku could not allow him to die here.
Moreover, even if he feared Kotoamatsukami, he had to admit that to the Uchiha, that jutsu was a deterrent capable of suppressing every foreign threat, including the Konoha leadership.
"…"
Facing Fugaku's explanation, Garp simply smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"Lord Garp, I am not trying to muddle the situation.
Please consider this, with how dangerous and unique Kotoamatsukami is, no matter what command Shisui gave you, I doubt the outcome would have been any better than what happened.
I just ask you to show mercy for Shisui's youth and spare him this once.
From here on, I will strictly supervise him and ensure he never again uses Kotoamatsukami on any shinobi of the village."
Seeing Garp's expressionless face, Fugaku only grew more anxious.
"Did I ever say he wanted to hold him accountable?"
Garp stared directly at Fugaku, and only when Fugaku felt cold sweat soaking his back did Garp finally speak, unhurriedly.
"Lord Garp… you mean you're letting Shisui go?"
Fugaku froze.
He had assumed that given the grudge between Garp and the Uchiha during the old era, plus the incident with Kotoamatsukami, even if Garp didn't kill Shisui, he would at least destroy his Mangekyo.
Yet unexpectedly, Garp brushed everything aside with ease.
"When did you ever hear me say he wanted to fuss over this brat?
It was a sparring match. I even said 'If he wants to waste Kotoamatsukami, let him.'
So whether he tried to make me loyal to the Uchiha or to himself, I wouldn't have held it against him.
But Fugaku, wasn't it you who came running to tattle like some villain just now?"
Garp waved his hand dismissively.
"My deepest apologies. I was rude earlier. Please forgive me."
Fugaku's face stiffened, and after a brief flicker in his eyes, he suddenly dropped to his knees before Garp, right in front of countless stunned Uchiha.
"Well done, Fugaku. Truly befitting the Uchiha clan head."
Orochimaru's serpentine eyes flashed.
Not only him, many shinobi were caught completely off guard by Fugaku's sudden kneel.
"Get up. You, and that Uchiha brat, in my eyes you're both just kids who haven't grown up.
As long as no one crosses the line, when brats make a fuss, I simply laugh it off."
Garp nodded.
"Thank you Garp-sama. Shisui.. Why are you still standing there? Hurry over and apologize to him."
Fugaku finally let out a long breath.
As long as Garp didn't hold a grudge, Fugaku didn't care how much the other Konoha shinobi rejected or hated Shisui.
After all, even if he searched all of Konoha with a lantern, he wouldn't find anyone who liked the Uchiha.
"Apologize?
Clan Head, why should I apologize to him?
This was a fair and open spar. And he even damaged my eye like this, there's no way I'm apologizing."
Shisui's blood-soaked face twisted with rage and pain.
Even though usually he was very calm and compassionate, but right now with all the backlash from Kotoamatsukami and the loss of vision in one eye had already driven him close to madness.
Now Fugaku was telling him to apologize publicly, pushing him to the brink of an outburst.
"Shisui, you… "
"That's enough. There's no need for an apology. But Uchiha brat, you'd better speak clearly.
Don't make it sound like I bullied you or intentionally blinded you.
Your eye being useless is something you brought on yourself.
Before we fought, I warned you again and again, think carefully before using Kotoamatsukami.
But good advice can't save a stubborn fool. You ignored every warning, clung to your arrogance, and did this to yourself."
Garp raised a hand, stopping Fugaku from speaking further.
"You…"
Shisui's remaining Mangekyo flared, killing intent pouring out like a storm.
"You what? Did I say anything wrong?
If you can't handle the ninja game, take off your forehead protector right now.
If you lose because you lack skill, that just means you're weak. But if you lose and then stir up trouble like this, you're worse than trash."
Garp stared down at the half kneeling Shisui, who still glared viciously at him. Garp's expression remained calm, but his voice cooled:
"Try baring your teeth at me again. Let's see if I don't really smash that other eye of yours."
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[Bonus Chapter and next one on 100 power stones]
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