NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: CHAPTER 13.
As Shisui's words sank in, Ryuga felt a strange but undeniable emotion blossoming within him. It was satisfaction, a deep contentment that resonated throughout his being. This wasn't the happiness or sadness he had known before; it was something different—something that came from the simple act of letting Shisui be himself, free to make his own choices without interference. In his past life, Ryuga had never cared for others in this way. Back then, his world revolved around himself, and he remained distant from everyone, caught up in his own ambitions and desires. Even the idea of caring about anyone was foreign.
But here, in this moment, Ryuga found himself changed. He finally understood what it meant to care for someone else's happiness and choices, even if it meant letting go. This satisfaction, he realized, was unlike any other feeling he'd ever experienced. His past flashed before him—memories of his old life where he thought he might start caring for family and friends, only to have that chance stolen from him when he died unexpectedly. Reflecting on it now, Ryuga felt no regret for his past choices. He had always moved forward, refusing to dwell on "what ifs" or to wonder about paths not taken. Regret, he believed, would only trap him in a place of stagnation.
"Shisui…" Ryuga murmured, lost in his thoughts but now fully aware of his own emotions for perhaps the first time. He stood beside Shisui's blood-streaked, fallen form, enveloped in the profound realization that he had found a part of himself through Shisui's choices.
A distant shout snapped Ryuga back to the present. He turned, spotting Itachi sprinting toward them. Itachi's eyes were wide with shock and horror as he took in the sight of Shisui lying gravely injured on the ground, his body battered and soaked in blood. As he knelt beside his friend, the weight of his sorrow was palpable, though he said nothing. For a moment, Itachi seemed paralyzed, unable to find the words he so desperately wanted to say.
A weak cough escaped Shisui's lips, breaking the silence. He forced a pained smile, looking up at Itachi. "Itachi…don't…don't look at me like that," Shisui managed to say, each word costing him effort. "That expression doesn't suit you."
Itachi's expression softened but remained filled with sadness. He stayed silent, a silent witness to his friend's struggle. Both of them had fought hard to prevent the Uchiha's rebellion, risking everything in their efforts to avoid a bloodbath. The Uchiha clan's dissatisfaction with the village had grown to a boiling point, and the seeds of rebellion had been sown. Yet, Itachi and Shisui, bound by loyalty to the village, had chosen a difficult path: trying to resolve this crisis from within and without, with Itachi searching for support outside the clan and Shisui handling matters internally.
Shisui's voice was softer now, tinged with regret. "I'm sorry…my friend," he whispered, eyes flickering with both pain and apology. "I'm leaving you to face all of this alone…without holding up my end of the plan."
He turned his gaze toward Ryuga. Itachi noticed the shift in his friend's focus and followed Shisui's line of sight. A shock rippled through him as he noticed Ryuga's Mangekyo Sharingan in his right eye.
But before Itachi could voice his questions, Shisui continued, speaking with a gentle finality in his voice. "Itachi…I know it may sound selfish…but please, look after my little brother."
Itachi's eyes softened as he finally understood. Shisui, in his last moments, was not only entrusting him with their plan but also with Ryuga, someone he held dear. It was clear now that to Shisui, Ryuga was like a younger brother, much like Sasuke was to Itachi. This knowledge only deepened the sorrow that weighed on Itachi's heart.
Summoning the last of his strength, Shisui lifted a trembling, bloodied hand toward his left eye. He gritted his teeth and, with agonizing slowness, removed his eye, handing it to Itachi. Itachi hesitated, his heart torn, but he accepted the eye, knowing this was Shisui's way of giving him the power to fulfill their plan.
Shisui then turned to Ryuga, his gaze warm despite the life slowly draining from him. With great effort, he lifted his blade and removed his right eye, offering both to Ryuga. Ryuga, stunned by Shisui's selflessness, instinctively wanted to refuse, as he always did when Shisui tried to give him anything. But before he could protest, Shisui's hand went slack, his eyes closing one final time, a serene smile on his face as he slipped away.
Ryuga looked down at Shisui, a mix of admiration and grief in his heart. This man had given everything for those he cared about, even at the cost of his own life. Ryuga was filled with a sense of respect and pride, grateful that he hadn't interfered with Shisui's choices. He felt honored to accept the blade and the Mangekyo Sharingan, Shisui's parting gifts.
Shisui had always been the kind of person who would sacrifice his own light if it meant others could live free from darkness. That was Shisui's legacy.
Ryuga took Shisui's right eye in his hand, raising it to his own. In a soft voice, he uttered, "Me wa musabori kuu." His unique Mangekyo Sharingan ability activated, and Shisui's eye dissolved into dark red particles that drifted into Ryuga's own Mangekyo Sharingan. For a fleeting moment, his eye adopted Shisui's pattern before returning to its original design.
Itachi observed the transformation with a quiet intensity, his mind reeling with questions. Ryuga's Sharingan ability was unlike anything he had ever seen, and he longed to ask how such a thing was possible. But before he could speak, Ryuga broke the silence.
"I won't explain how I possess the Sharingan or why I'm here now," Ryuga said, his voice calm but firm. "All I can tell you is that I was born with it—not implanted."
Itachi hesitated, then asked quietly, "What will you do with Shisui's body?"
Ryuga's gaze softened as he looked down at Shisui. "I'll take him somewhere safe, where no one can desecrate his body or discover his missing eyes. He deserves a peaceful rest."
Itachi closed his eyes, taking a moment to compose himself. He offered a silent farewell to his friend, then vanished with the body flicker technique, leaving Ryuga alone in the clearing.
Ryuga understood that Itachi had placed his trust in him, despite the questions he must have held. He recalled the time when Itachi and Shisui had tried to uncover his past, only to find that Minato had erased all records of his origin. They had stopped there, knowing that Minato would only take such measures to protect Ryuga or for the sake of the village's stability.
Standing alone by Shisui's body, Ryuga's dark eyes gleamed with a solemn resolve. "I'll see to it that your wish comes true," he murmured. "But I can't promise it will be without consequences."
He waved his hand, and Shisui's body vanished, leaving no trace of blood or death in the clearing.
A faint sense of unease prickled at him, and he turned sharply to his right, where a girl with blue hair sat calmly on a chair, watching him with an expression of detached curiosity. Her vacant, unblinking eyes seemed to look through him, unaffected by his presence.
He met his gaze, his voice eerily calm. "Your charm…that ability of yours that enchants others…it won't work on me."
She tilted her head slightly, his tone impassive. "After all, I lack a heart that can be captured by your charms."
Ryuga's eyes narrowed as he met her blank stare, noting her strange, indifferent aura. Without a word, he disappeared, leaving the mysterious girl alone.