Probably the former.
Uchiha Mo didn't believe a native Uchiha could suppress himself to that extent.
No—
That level of control…
Was unnatural.
His gaze shifted.
Uchiha Izumi.
Still sulking.
Still biting into her rice ball.
Mo shook his head.
She could have been perfect.
Young. Talented. Easy to guide.
But—
Her connection to Itachi Uchiha…
A hidden risk.
When the storm arrived—
Her loyalty could break at any moment.
Too unstable.
Pass.
So—
Was he going alone?
No.
At the very least—
He needed one assistant.
A test subject.
Someone to bear the risk of traversal.
Someone expendable.
Which meant—
Only one requirement mattered.
Obedience.
His gaze returned.
Uchiha Hideki.
Calm.
Quiet.
Invisible.
Perfect.
Even if he was hiding something—
It didn't matter.
Because Hideki—
Could never surpass him.
Not when he had the system.
Not when he knew the future.
Compared to Yashiro or Izumi—
This man was far easier to control.
"…You."
The decision was made.
Mo's eyes lingered for a fraction of a second—
Then moved away.
As if nothing had happened.
———
The afternoon patrol continued.
Silent.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Following Yashiro's orders—
They endured everything.
Insults.
Provocation.
Humiliation.
No retaliation.
No arrests.
No extra income.
…What a pity.
———
4:00 p.m.
End of shift.
The office felt colder than before.
Yashiro was gone.
Tekka and Yakumi had already left.
Only a few staff remained—
Quietly sorting documents.
No one spoke.
Izumi finished first.
Pa!
Her pen slammed against the desk.
"I'm leaving."
Without waiting—
She walked out.
Mo followed soon after.
Leaving—
Only Hideki behind.
As always.
Meticulous.
Precise.
Unhurried.
Every detail checked.
Every line perfect.
Every movement controlled.
Only when everything was flawless—
Did he leave.
Silently.
———
Evening.
The sky burned orange.
But the Uchiha district—
Remained cold.
Hideki walked his usual path.
Step by step.
Unchanging.
Destination—
Ichiraku Ramen.
"Welcome! The usual?"
Teuchi greeted warmly.
"…Yes."
Hideki sat in the corner.
Back straight.
Hands aligned.
Eyes lowered.
Like always.
The ramen arrived.
"I'll begin."
Then—
He ate.
Quietly.
Each bite measured.
Each movement precise.
Not eating.
A ritual.
———
Night.
Cold air.
Empty streets.
Home.
Everything in place.
Perfect.
No disorder.
No mistakes.
———
Midnight.
After training—
Hideki reached for the light.
And froze.
A line of glowing text—
Appeared in his vision.
Unavoidable.
Unremovable.
[Do you want to understand the meaning of life?]
[Do you want to… truly live?]
"…Genjutsu?"
His heart tightened instantly.
Crimson light flashed—
The Sharingan activated.
Three tomoe spun violently.
"Release!"
Chakra surged.
Nothing changed.
The text remained.
Untouched.
Unshakable.
Cold sweat formed.
Even the Sharingan—
Couldn't break it?
What… was this?
More text appeared.
[All desires will receive an answer.]
[All regrets can be undone.]
[All wishes… shall be fulfilled.]
[Yes / No]
(No response within ten seconds—access will be permanently closed.)
"…All wishes… fulfilled?"
The words echoed.
Deep.
Dangerous.
Irresistible.
Regret.
Desire.
Silence.
His heart pounded.
Faster.
Louder.
A trap?
Very likely.
But—
"The gate will close forever."
That line—
Hit differently.
Final.
Absolute.
What if—
It was real?
What if beyond that gate—
Everything could change?
The countdown began.
Five.
Four.
Three—
At the final second—
Fear.
Desire.
Resolve.
Collided.
And he chose—
[Yes]
BOOM—
Reality shattered.
Space collapsed.
Colors twisted.
Worlds collided.
Fragments shattered—
And reformed.
Then—
A terrifying will descended.
And another—
Cold.
Predatory.
Met it head-on.
The clash—
Silent.
Yet absolute.
"Ugh—!"
Crushed—
Hideki's vision went black.
Everything—
Fell into darkness.