The burly man's fury consumed all reason. His rage blazed into a single, violent motion—a thick hand shot out, wide enough to crush a man's throat.
"Fool."
Mikami lifted his gaze, watching the hand rush toward him. He shook his head slightly and closed his eyes, standing motionless like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
"Hmph! Still pretending to be calm? Don't think playing dead will save you!"
Seeing Mikami's calm posture, the burly man only grew more contemptuous. His pupils burned with brutality, though deep within them flickered a faint, uneasy doubt.
But the momentum was already unstoppable—his large hand was moments from seizing Mikami's neck. Yet the instant before contact, Mikami's eyes snapped open, cold and sharp. A flash of gold appeared in his hand.
Shing—
A brilliant gleam blinded the three Uchiha clansmen—especially the one whose hand was mid-strike.
"Kusanagi Sword."
Expressionless, Mikami raised the blade and brought it down.
Schlick—
A crisp, cutting sound. A spray of crimson arced through the air.
"Agh—! My arm! You damn brat, I'll—!"
Schlick—!
Before he could finish, the Kusanagi Sword swept horizontally, cleanly severing his other arm.
"Y-You… demon!"
The two remaining Uchiha shinobi watched, faces pale, voices shrill with terror.
"Seeing you suffer is unsightly. Let me free you."
Mikami's tone was casual, as though discussing the weather.
"S-Stop! You can't kill me! I'm the clan head's kin! If you kill me, he'll never—!"
Schlick—
The blade passed through his neck. His wide, unwilling eyes mirrored a look Mikami had seen many times before—in his past life, in the eyes of those looked down upon, hidden beneath layers of powerlessness and suppressed rage.
How familiar.
Mikami of that past life had been at the very bottom—powerless, full of fantasies of rebellion but never able to act. But here and now… things were different.
"What a pity. Uchiha Fugaku taught you to be shinobi… but not how to be human."
Mikami turned toward the last two, a chilling intent radiating from him. Their will to fight had already shattered at the sight of their comrades' gruesome ends.
"Let me teach you the first principle of being human."
A dangerous smile touched Mikami's lips, contrasting eerily with his youthful, refined features. Gripping the Kusanagi Sword, he flashed forward.
"Respect those stronger than you."
Schlick—!
One of the two was cleaved vertically from head to torso, collapsing without even a scream.
"Only you remain… and you bore me."
Mikami regarded the last Uchiha clansman, his smile deepening. The man felt a chill clawing up his spine.
"W-What do you want?!"
"What's with that look?" Mikami tilted his head, feigning innocence. "I'm the very image of purity and cuteness. You're staring at me as if I'm a monster. Do I look like some evil creature to you?"
He sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Clearly, I'm more like Ultraman Tiga—a hero of light! Understand?"
Within Mikami's mind, his system spirit, Rin, couldn't help but sigh. This host's way of thinking is truly… unpredictable.
"Enough games," Mikami's voice turned icy. "Why did the old man send you?"
A dark shadow crossed his face at the mention of Uchiha Fugaku—a man he held in nothing but contempt.
"T-The clan head invites you to attend an audience! It is an honor to hear his words!"
Seeing Mikami's expression darken further, the man hurriedly corrected himself, forcing an ingratiating smile. But deep in his eyes burned a hidden, vengeful flame. The two slain were his sworn brothers. This debt of blood would be repaid.
Just you wait, he thought.
"Hmph. You're as good as dead," he muttered under his breath.
At that moment, a golden light flashed before his eyes.
Pfsh—!
A brilliant beam pierced straight through his chest, leaving a gaping hole.
"Y-You…!"
"Don't look so surprised."
Mikami gazed at him with something like pity. "Are Uchiha clansmen truly this foolish? No wonder your clan was nearly wiped out by Itachi… Remember this: never let your hatred show before someone stronger than you."
He leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Because they will notice the slightest flaw… and crush you for it."
How foolish.