With one simple tactic, playing hard to get, Kei got exactly what he wanted: access to Rotation, the core technique of the Gentle Fist style.
To Taihiro, this likely seemed inconsequential. After all, Kei was a blind branch member, and the Caged Bird Seal ensured obedience. Let him learn Rotation, so what?
But reality told a different story.
Kei's seal might no longer be functional. And his blindness? Eventually, it could be solved. Obtaining Rotation meant he now held the main house's strongest defense. In future conflicts, it would be one less obstacle in his path.
In Kei's eyes, Taihiro had personally handed him a blade. It just wasn't sharp enough, yet. And the pig hadn't been bled dry.
To top it off, Taihiro had assigned him as Neji's teacher. All of this meant one thing: he was now deeply trusted.
Haru had also fully sided with him. Time, it seemed, was finally on Kei's side.
Once the Caged Bird Seal was confirmed ineffective and his strength grew to a certain point, it would be his turn to seize control.
For now, though, Kei didn't rush to find Neji. He wanted Neji to come to him.
It was simple psychology: people rarely cherish what comes easily. If you work hard for something, even just a single coin, you'll hesitate to spend it. But if it's unexpected or freely given, you'll burn through it without a second thought.
Humans are drawn to what they can't have. The easier something is to get, the less they value it.
Kei left the clan grounds and returned to his clinic, where Haru was already waiting by the door.
She was clearly in a better state than yesterday, her entire presence more at ease. It was obvious that, now that everything had been laid bare, the weight on her heart had finally lifted.
They opened for business. The day passed in a blur of patients. And when the last one was seen off, Kei locked the doors.
"Stay a bit later tonight," he said. "Come with me to the basement."
Haru nodded. She'd long suspected the basement wasn't solely for treating patients. But out of respect, she'd never questioned it. Now, with things as they were, she wouldn't question it at all.
When the iron door creaked open, Haru immediately spotted the figure inside and hesitated. "Is that… Uchiha Shisui?"
Shisui, sensing her presence, tensed. His current situation was delicate, Danzō would never give up searching for his remaining eye.
Kei motioned for him to stay calm. "Haru has officially become my assistant. There's no need to worry."
Then he added, "And this guy, he owes me far too much. He's one of us now."
Haru and Shisui exchanged greetings.
Kei retrieved Orochimaru's experimental logs and handed them to her. "Haru, take a look, and read them aloud for Shisui too."
Seeing Kei's serious tone, Haru accepted the scroll and began to read.
As she went through the logs, her calm began to crack.
"You're planning to experiment on the Caged Bird Seal?" Shisui asked.
"I've had some thoughts after reading what Orochimaru documented," Kei replied.
"But all his experiments failed," Haru said, frowning.
"That's true under normal circumstances," Kei said. "But I'm not a normal case."
He pointed at his clouded eyes. "I suspect my blindness was caused by the Caged Bird Seal. I can't say for certain, but I believe it might have triggered something unusual."
"That's why I need to find out if the seal still works on me."
Haru stared at him. "That's too dangerous. What if Orochimaru falsified those logs? If you trigger the seal recklessly, it could kill you."
"That's why you need a test run first, right?" Shisui interjected.
"Exactly. I need someone else to undergo the procedure first," Kei said. "I just need to confirm that, so long as we don't touch the core of the seal, it won't trigger a fatal reaction."
"If that's true, I can proceed with testing on myself safely."
"At worst, I trigger a headache or pain, but I can endure that."
Shisui understood. He fell silent.
Then Haru stepped forward. "If that's what you need, then let me do it!"
Kei immediately shook his head. "Haru, are you familiar with Hyūga Saku?"
She looked mildly disgusted. "We've worked together in the past, nothing more."
"He confronted me today. Very hostile," Kei said with a smile. "Judging by his tone… I think he has feelings for you."
"I rejected him long ago," Haru said bluntly. "He's a disgusting man. Arrogant and cruel. Just another coward who hides behind his status to oppress others. I'd never be interested in someone like that."
"Good." Kei smiled. "Could you write him a letter? Ask him to meet you somewhere. I doubt he'd say no."
Shisui's expression darkened. "Kei, you're planning to use one of your own clansmen as a test subject? Isn't that…"
He didn't finish. Kei's voice remained calm.
"Before dawn, there must be darkness. I won't pretend I'm doing something noble. What I'm doing… it's cruel."
"But this world doesn't care about nobility. Those who 'follow the rules', they're already dead."
"If I hadn't saved someone," Kei added, looking at Shisui, "his clan would've been completely wiped out."
Shisui said nothing.
It was harsh. But it was also the truth. A truth he'd lived.
"I'm no hero," Kei continued. "And I won't put on that mask. If achieving my goals requires sacrifice… so be it."
"I won't sacrifice those I care about. And I won't let innocents suffer."
"So I choose this man. A branch family member who became a lackey for the main house, who torments his own people. That's the one I'll sacrifice."
Face calm, gaze firm, Kei said, "If that makes me a devil, then I'll become a devil."
Shisui had no more words.
He finally realized, it was his own sentimentality that had caused the tragedy before. And if he kept indulging that weakness… all the guilt would end up falling on Kei alone.
If Kei was a devil, then by standing beside him… Shisui was the devil's accomplice.
There was no difference.
If he didn't want to see the Uchiha be annihilated, he'd have to stand by Kei's side.
Compared to Shisui's inner turmoil, Haru was far more resolute.
Already standing behind Kei, she opened her notebook and began drafting the letter.
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
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