Beyond the basic Sharingan, Kaede's system had already unlocked the rarest form within the Pure Byakugan—known as the Pure Eye—its evolution conditions still unknown.
He also possessed abilities tied to three Rinnegan variants—red, blue, and gold—as well as the Tenseigan, which only emerges when the Byakugan fuses with celestial chakra. On top of that was the legendary Six Eyes, a divine sight said to appear only once in centuries.
All of these ocular powers had been woven together into the eyes he now bore.
Most of the time they looked like ordinary black pupils. Only when he invoked a particular power would a corresponding color surface—both the Pure Eye, the Tenseigan, and the Six Eyes shone with blue light.
With the Sharingan, whenever he used different Mangekyo Sharingan abilities, the three tomoe shifted form; at times the three became six. The Rinnegan likewise changed its pattern depending on which of its powers he opened.
Kaede stood quietly at the center of the arena. The injured were already being taken away by medical ninja, until only Gaara remained, perfectly unscathed.
He walked to Kaede's side, glanced around, and asked, "Divine Shadow-sama, is the real fight about to begin?"
Kaede cut him a sidelong look, the corner of his mouth lifting. He neither admitted nor denied it, though inwardly he praised Gaara's keen perception.
While everyone's attention was fixed on the Chūnin Exams, Gaara had sensed the anomaly well in advance.
Shikamaru came over too, one hand bracing the fresh bandage across his chest. "Divine Shadow-sama, I'm ready to fight."
Kaede waved him off. "What you need to do now is heal."
Shikamaru lowered his head, deflated. The one time he felt fired up, his enthusiasm got doused—it was frustrating.
Kaede shook his head and, like an elder, ruffled Shikamaru's hair. "You performed excellently today."
Shikamaru scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. "It was just the plan Shunzi came up with."
Kaede's mouth twitched; in his heart he muttered, humblebrag, but he didn't say it. In this world, little phrases from his original world wouldn't land anyway.
Under the guidance of people from the Land of the Gods, the audience began to file out in order. In no time, the venue that had been buzzing moments ago fell hollow and still.
Kaede stood there at ease in the middle of the grounds. A few Uchiha clan jōnin, passing by on assignment, spotted him and traded puzzled looks.
"What's our Divine Shadow doing?"
"No idea. Maybe just… strolling?"
"There isn't a soul out there. What's there to see?"
"Don't try to guess a lord's mind. Every move he makes has its reasons."
"True, true."
They barely finished speaking when their words came back on them.
The empty arena suddenly erupted with black flames, and the sky was swallowed by a storm of crows. The Uchiha jōnin realized at once they were caught in an illusion and snapped open their Sharingan to resist.
It was useless.
They remained trapped, standing there blank-eyed and motionless.
"If you're going to come, then come," Kaede said, voice light but chill. "But casting illusions on your own clan—doesn't seem very fitting, does it?" His cold gaze fixed straight on the man standing before him.
(End of Chapter)
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