Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

In cases of "bullying," there are typically three types of people:

Those being bullied, those doing the bullying, and the silent onlookers.

But there are generally only two stances:

One stands with the bullied.

The other—aside from the obvious bullies—includes those who stand by silently. These onlookers, in their silence, are effectively supporters of the bullies.

Sasuke understood this clearly.

He knew...

Before they became aware of the situation, those uninvolved might truly be innocent.

But once they knew and still chose to stay silent or show no stance, they were unquestionably complicit. They became "supporters of the bullies."

…

"We can sit down and talk this through," Kakashi still held onto a sliver of hope.

Sasuke spoke softly, "When things have already reached the point of life and death, what's left to talk about?"

With a subtle wave of his sword, the air hummed sharply.

"So…"

"Step aside and hand over those who were involved."

"Or stay where you are and await death."

Finally, one Jonin couldn't hold back and spat, "Such arrogance."

"Anyone listening might think you brought an entire village with you."

"Yet it's just you, alone…"

Shikaku Nara glanced at him but didn't intervene.

Sasuke Uchiha, to him, was an enigma.

While it was well-known that Sasuke was a prodigy, the records from the Anbu offered detailed information—yet how reliable was that intelligence, really?

According to the Anbu archives, Sasuke's abilities were at the Jonin level.

For a twelve-year-old to possess such strength was remarkable—only someone like Kakashi Hatake could compare.

But could a mere Jonin kill Itachi Uchiha?

Itachi, who had single-handedly defeated Kakashi Hatake, Asuma Sarutobi, and even subdued the Special Jonin Kurenai Yuhi.

It wouldn't hurt to probe Sasuke's capabilities further.

The Jonin vanished in a blur, surging forward with a barrage of shuriken in a conventional ninja tactic.

Sasuke didn't move, merely locking eyes with him.

"Careful! Don't meet his Sharingan directly!" Kakashi warned.

But it was too late.

Their gazes met.

The Konoha Jonin's body convulsed briefly before collapsing to the ground.

Sasuke wasn't particularly skilled in genjutsu, but with the Sharingan, he possessed an innate advantage in the field. Against equal-level opponents, it might not be a decisive factor.

But against weaker foes?

It required minimal effort to incapacitate them.

Another Jonin swiftly weaved hand signs.

Chunks of earth erupted from the ground, hurtling toward Sasuke.

Simultaneously, two ninjas combined their efforts to unleash a river-like surge of water.

These attacks posed no real threat to Sasuke but were enough to disrupt the terrain, making it more chaotic and suitable for team-based combat.

At this moment, Shikaku Nara finally spoke.

He glanced at the Jonin who had fallen earlier, his tone calm:

"Sasuke Uchiha, you were once a ninja of Konoha."

"You should understand how things work here."

"I understand how you feel."

"But the Third Hokage has just passed, and the next Hokage has yet to be decided. Konoha is handling its internal affairs with as much restraint as possible."

"This matter... give Konoha some time."

Shikaku's expression turned grim.

Though the earlier exchange had been brief, it revealed enough.

One thing was crystal clear: Sasuke Uchiha's strength far surpassed what the Anbu records indicated.

This twelve-year-old boy had power far beyond what his age suggested.

He was on the level of a Kage.

A ninja of his caliber could lead any village as its leader.

With someone like this, the best course was to avoid provoking him.

Moreover…

What Sasuke had said was terrifying for the ninja of Konoha.

Shikaku Nara was a wise man.

Long before Sasuke openly stated it, he had suspected that the Uchiha Clan's massacre was inseparably tied to Konoha.

Konoha's response had been far too slow.

By the time the Uchiha Clan was wiped out, with only one child left, and Itachi Uchiha was on the verge of fleeing the Land of Fire, Konoha finally put on a half-hearted show of searching. After a futile effort, they simply brought the remaining child to the hospital.

For the most powerful ninja village, how could such incompetence be possible?

Knowing it and saying it out loud were two different matters, though.

For the commoner-born ninja, this revelation might not mean much.

But for ninja from smaller clans, it was terrifying.

If Konoha could so easily wipe out the "once-prestigious Uchiha Clan" without a shred of mercy, what about their own small clans?

For the current top clan, the Hyuga Clan, this revelation would undoubtedly leave them on edge.

After all, the last clan to hold the title of "Number One" was now gone, annihilated by Konoha's own hand.

'Delay.'

That was the best approach.

As long as no one dwelled on it, as long as it was covered up by other distractions or concerns, time would eventually erase the issue.

This was Shikaku Nara's plan, and he proceeded accordingly.

Sasuke was just a twelve-year-old child.

No matter how strong he was, his strength was purely physical. Experience with people, negotiations, and life—those things couldn't be mastered by intelligence alone or without guidance.

Shikaku believed he could handle it.

But before he could finish that thought—

A streak of white light.

"Hadō #4. Byakurai (白雷, Pale Lightning)."

The chant-less Kidō flashed from Sasuke's fingertips, its speed dazzling and unrelenting. In full view of everyone, it pierced the throat of a ninja still struggling in the Genjutsu.

The wound was seared shut by the high temperature, leaving no blood behind.

Shikaku froze.

"So, your answer is rejection?" Sasuke tilted his head, his expression cold.

Shikaku gritted his teeth, glancing at the other ninja nearby, who were all on edge, awaiting his command. He exhaled deeply and said, "We just need time."

"Sasuke Uchiha, I admit you are indeed strong."

"Konoha doesn't want unnecessary complications right now, but that doesn't mean we fear you."

"Step back now, and I promise you—after the new Hokage takes office, we will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you, and the Uchiha Clan, an answer."

Sasuke tilted his head, looking at him with disdain, as though staring at a corpse.

"If you're not afraid of me, why say so much?"

He raised his hand, his gaze icy and detached.

"Such useless words."

Fire flared in his palm, spiritual pressure blending with chakra. The chant-less Kidō was ready to be unleashed.

"Attack!" Shikaku growled through clenched teeth, shouting the command.

Konoha could afford to make concessions and cede minor interests to maintain peace and stability. After all, once it recovered, those concessions could easily be reclaimed.

But for some reason—

Perhaps Sasuke simply didn't understand his reasoning.

Or perhaps it was because he did understand—and chose to ignore it entirely.

Regardless of the reason, the situation had now spiraled to this point.

Ninja, who had been holding back, sprang into action immediately.

Five elemental jutsu, clan techniques…

They unleashed everything they had, each ninja performing the techniques they excelled in.

No more testing was needed.

The sheer number of ninja, their overwhelming numerical advantage, meant that even if some of their techniques were evaded or countered, others would inevitably land.

The effects far exceeded their expectations.

The storm of attacks—smoke, mist, the mingling of fire and water, and the flashing of lightning—shrouded the area in chaos. The visibility became utterly obscured, with nothing discernible through the murky veil.

"He didn't use any ninjutsu," one Jonin observed, peering ahead in surprise.

The situation was... unexpected.

From his tone and demeanor earlier, they had all assumed Sasuke was capable of fighting their entire group single-handedly.

But now, there wasn't even the slightest hint of resistance?

"I didn't see anything either," another Jonin agreed. "No signs of hand seals, no chakra surges."

Sasuke's left hand held his blade firmly, while his right remained at his side, never raised. Without hand seals, there was no ninjutsu.

"Then he's probably dead," one of them concluded with a light chuckle, his tone easing. "Not even someone as strong as the Hokage could survive such a barrage, let alone him."

It was a straightforward deduction.

Ninjutsu was akin to swords. If a single person were struck simultaneously by twenty blades, no matter how resilient they were, they'd be left riddled with wounds. Even the toughest body couldn't withstand that.

Besides, the Uchiha clan's strength lay in their unique eyes—not in physical durability. They were flesh and blood, not steel.

"No," Kakashi Hatake and Shikaku Nara said in unison.

Shikaku trusted his intuition; someone as formidable as Sasuke wouldn't fall so easily, no matter how many opponents there were. Numbers alone weren't always an advantage—didn't the Raikage once fend off 30,000 ninja for three days and nights?

Kakashi's reasoning, however, was more specific.

"Why do you say that?" Shikaku asked, glancing at Kakashi.

"You're familiar with the three stages of the Sharingan, right?" Kakashi began, gently touching his covered left eye. "The three-tomoe Sharingan is the pinnacle of its regular form."

"But the three-tomoe Sharingan is not its final form."

"There's another evolution beyond it—the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"Mangekyō?"

Nearly every Jonin turned to Kakashi in shock. This was the first they had heard of such a thing.

"This advanced form is exceedingly rare," Kakashi continued. "To my knowledge, only three people have ever awakened it."

"Itachi Uchiha is one of them. If Sasuke defeated Itachi, it's likely he possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan as well."

"Every Mangekyō Sharingan has its own unique, incredibly powerful abilities."

As Kakashi's explanation sank in, the smoke and dust began to clear.

What emerged first was a brilliant purple glow.

A massive, semi-transparent armor surrounded Sasuke, resembling the upper half of a human figure. It encased him completely, shielding him from harm.

The aftermath of the previous barrage was now evident. All the flashy smoke and mist had done nothing to harm him. Not only was Sasuke untouched, but even the colossal armor surrounding him bore no signs of damage.

Kakashi stared in disbelief.

The sheer size of the armor... its impenetrable defense...

Was this another ability granted by the Mangekyō Sharingan?

"There are three people?" Sasuke asked softly, his gaze locking onto Kakashi. "Me and Itachi… who's the third?"

Kakashi fell silent, unwilling to answer.

"Not talking?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

From what Itachi had said, Sasuke could infer that Madara Uchiha's relationship with Konoha was strained at best. Madara wouldn't appear in public, so the third person Kakashi had seen couldn't be him.

Who could it be?

Himself?

Or the owner of the four-pronged Mangekyō Itachi had used?

Or someone entirely unknown to Sasuke?

"Never mind," Sasuke said dismissively, his voice cold. "I'll find out myself."

With that, his Sharingan spun rapidly.

"But first, let me correct your misunderstanding."

"There are many misconceptions outsiders have about the Sharingan."

"This," Sasuke gestured to the colossal purple armor, "isn't a 'dōjutsu.'"

He raised his hand, and the massive Susano'o mirrored his movement.

From its palm, a swirling black orb of flames began to form.

It was Amaterasu.

"This technique is called Susanoo," Sasuke explained, his voice steady. "It's not part of the Sharingan's ocular abilities—it's something else entirely."

"And now, what I'm about to use... this is a dōjutsu."

He flicked his wrist, sending the massive black orb skyward.

"Detonate."

At Sasuke's command, the orb exploded silently in the sky, scattering countless tiny black flames like raindrops.

Some ninja, sensing danger, quickly fled the area.

Others, underestimating the flames, raised water walls or earth barriers to shield themselves.

Those who fled escaped unscathed.

But those who relied on ninjutsu for defense paid the price. The black flames pierced through their barriers with ease, latching onto their bodies and burning relentlessly.

The inextinguishable flames of Amaterasu, now weaponized in the form of 'Rain,' showcased their devastating potential in Sasuke's hands.

Kakashi stared at the fiery orb still spinning and exploding in the sky, scattering threads of black fire.

The sheer scale and precision of Sasuke's control over this technique left him in awe—and terror.

…

At the same time, inside the Hokage's office:

Koharu Utatane stared at the back of a man wrapped in bandages. "Danzo, Sasuke Uchiha killed Itachi Uchiha and has now learned the truth about what happened back then."

As high-ranking advisors, they were fully aware of the truth behind events that ordinary ninja had no knowledge of.

"And now that he's come knocking on our door, what should we do?" another advisor asked anxiously, his voice filled with worry.

They understood all too well just how powerful the Mangekyō Sharingan could be.