Probably the former.
Uchiha Mo found it hard to believe that a native Uchiha could endure to such an extent.
More likely—
That was simply his nature.
Pass.
His gaze shifted.
Uchiha Izumi.
Still sulking. Still biting into her rice ball.
Uchiha Mo shook his head.
Originally—
She would have been a perfect candidate.
Young. Simple. Talented.
Easy to guide.
But—
Her connection to Uchiha Itachi…
Was a hidden risk.
In the storm that was coming—
Her stance could waver at any moment.
Too unstable.
Pass.
So—
Was he really going alone?
No.
At the very least—
He needed one assistant.
Even if only as a test subject.
Someone to verify the risks of traversal.
Someone to accumulate experience.
Someone expendable.
Which meant—
There was only one requirement.
Obedience.
With that thought—
Uchiha Mo's gaze returned to Uchiha Hideki.
Calm.
Quiet.
Invisible.
And most importantly—
Controllable.
Even if Hideki was hiding something—
There was no way he could surpass him.
Not when he possessed a system.
Not when he knew the future.
Compared to Yashiro or Izumi—
This man was far easier to handle.
…It's you.
The decision was made.
Uchiha Mo's eyes lingered on Hideki for just a moment—
Then shifted away naturally.
As if it had never meant anything.
—
The afternoon patrol continued.
Oppressive.
Silent.
Uncomfortable.
Following Uchiha Yashiro's orders—
When faced with insults and provocation—
They endured.
No more beatings.
No more arrests.
No more… extra income.
What a pity.
—
4:00 p.m.
End of shift.
The three returned to headquarters to submit their reports.
The atmosphere—
Heavier than the morning.
Uchiha Yashiro hadn't returned.
Uchiha Tekka and Uchiha Yakumi were already gone.
Only a few administrative staff remained, quietly sorting documents.
No one spoke.
Uchiha Izumi finished her report quickly.
Pa!
Her pen slammed onto the desk.
"I'm leaving."
She glanced at Uchiha Mo and Hideki—
Then walked out without another word.
Uchiha Mo packed up and left soon after.
Leaving—
Only Uchiha Hideki behind.
As always—
Unhurried.
Meticulous.
He checked every detail of the report.
Signed his name.
Aligned the papers perfectly.
Cleaned the desk.
Only when everything was flawless—
Did he stand up and leave.
Silently.
—
The sunset dyed the sky orange.
But that warmth—
Could not pierce the gloom hanging over the Uchiha district.
Uchiha Hideki adjusted his glasses.
Step by step—
He followed his usual route.
Destination—
Ichiraku Ramen.
For most Uchiha—
Going that far just for food would be absurd.
But for him—
It was routine.
Unchanging.
"Welcome! The usual—miso ramen?"
Teuchi greeted him warmly.
Curious—
But not hostile.
Unlike the others.
"…Yes. Thank you."
Hideki replied softly.
He sat in the same corner seat.
Back straight.
Hands neatly placed.
Eyes lowered.
As if observing the table.
Or perhaps—
Nothing at all.
The ramen arrived quickly.
He turned slightly.
"I'll begin."
Then—
He ate.
Quietly.
Precisely.
Each movement controlled.
Each bite measured.
It didn't feel like eating.
It felt like—
A ritual.
The noise of the shop meant nothing to him.
He existed—
In his own isolated world.
Or perhaps—
This routine was his shield.
When he finished—
He paid.
Thanked them softly.
And left.
—
The night air turned colder.
Uchiha Hideki tightened his clothes.
Adjusted his glasses.
Walked home.
His residence—
As precise as he was.
Shoes aligned perfectly.
Objects placed with exact order.
No clutter.
No randomness.
—
Midnight.
After finishing his daily training—
He reached for the light.
And froze.
A line of cold, glowing text appeared—
Directly in his vision.
No matter where he looked—
It remained.
[Do you want to understand the meaning of life?]
[Do you want to… truly live?]
"Genjutsu?"
His heart tightened instantly.
Crimson light flashed—
His eyes activated.
Three tomoe spun rapidly.
Hands moved—
Blindingly fast.
"Genjutsu: Release!"
Chakra surged.
But—
Nothing changed.
The text remained.
Clear.
Untouched.
Untouchable.
His breathing slowed.
Cold sweat formed.
Even the Sharingan—
Couldn't affect it?
What… was this?
Just as he was about to escalate—
New lines appeared.
[All desires will receive an answer.]
[All regrets can be undone.]
[All wishes… shall be fulfilled.]
[Yes / No]
(No response within ten seconds — the gate will close forever.)
"…All wishes… fulfilled?"
The words echoed—
Deep.
Dangerous.
Tempting.
They touched the parts of him—
He never allowed anyone to see.
Regret.
Desire.
Silence.
His heart began to pound.
Faster.
Louder.
His Sharingan locked onto the text.
Analyzing.
Calculating.
This wasn't a prank.
This wasn't any known technique.
This—
Was something beyond comprehension.
A trap?
Very likely.
But—
"The gate will close forever."
That sentence—
Carried weight.
Finality.
What if…
It was real?
What if beyond that gate—
There truly existed a power that could change everything?
The countdown continued.
Five.
Four.
Three—
At the final second—
Fear.
Desire.
Resolve.
All collided.
And in that instant—
He made his choice.
[Yes]
Boom—
The world shattered.
Reality collapsed.
Colors twisted.
Space fractured.
Fragments of countless worlds flickered—
Colliding.
Breaking.
Reforming.
Then—
A vast, terrifying will descended.
And another—
Cold. Predatory.
Met it head-on.
The clash was silent—
Yet devastating.
"Ugh—!"
Crushed by an indescribable force—
Uchiha Hideki groaned.
And then—
Darkness.
Complete.