Chapter 210: Uchiha Shisui's Complete Transformation
With one hand placed on Uchiha Shisui's shoulder, the two of them vanished from their original spot and instantly appeared standing on the moon. The results caused by the five sword auras were laid bare before their eyes.
The sword auras swept rapidly across oceans and continents. The Five Great Nations were forcibly torn apart, and Blue Star, driven by its own inertia, quickly fractured into multiple pieces.
The sight of planetary destruction unfolding before his eyes caused Uchiha Shisui's gaze to go completely blank. Seeing his expression, Franklin shook his head helplessly.
Immediately afterward, Temporal Reversal was activated. In the very next instant, Franklin returned to the moment when he had just brought Uchiha Shisui back to Blue Star.
The Rinnegan opened, and Franklin directly presented everything that had just happened before Shisui's eyes in the form of a genjutsu.
As Shisui stood there in a daze, absorbing those utterly unbelievable memories, Minato Namikaze also appeared beside them in an instant.
Seeing this, Franklin took the opportunity to save some trouble and likewise presented everything that had just happened to Minato through genjutsu.
Then, while the two of them were still receiving those memories, Franklin used Illusory World Genesis to completely erase the Heaven-Cleaving Sword Aura within the range of his divine sense.
Time passed second by second. The two gradually recovered from their shock, and when they looked at Franklin again, their eyes were filled with disbelief.
Their imagination simply could not conceive that someone's strength could truly reach such a horrifying level—and then return to the present through a method they could not even comprehend.
As for the possibility that everything they had seen was fake, or that Franklin had fabricated it to deceive them, that notion was discarded outright.
No matter how one looked at it, such a thing was impossible. There was no need—exaggerated falsehoods held no meaning at all.
"You've already seen the outcome of the wager. Don't concern yourself with the Uchiha clan's internal matters anymore. I have a new task for you.
"And let me say this as well—I wasn't lying to you. My goal is to unify the ninja world and make internal warfare disappear from this world entirely."
At this moment, no matter what Franklin said, Uchiha Shisui no longer refuted him.
He truly felt Franklin's resolve. This wasn't madness—it was determination.
He had been someone who was meant to die in the first place. Now that he was alive again, there was nothing unacceptable about his life being in another's hands. Letting go of excessive thought and looking toward the future was enough.
After persuading himself, Uchiha Shisui exhaled softly, casting aside responsibilities that never should have been his to bear.
"So what do you need me to do now? Go slaughter my own clansmen together with Itachi?"
Hearing such words come from the mouth of an Uchiha clansman made Franklin feel an intense sense of dissonance.
He still could not imagine what kind of mental state Uchiha Itachi must have been in to choose the massacre of his own clan for the sake of the village's stability.
"No. That kind of guilt-ridden burden should be carried by Uchiha Itachi himself. Whether he chooses death or chooses to continue living in the future has nothing to do with me.
"What I need now is a powerful Akatsuki—an insurgent organization capable of standing against the Five Great Ninja Villages.
"We'll first use opposition to promote a short-term peace, allowing the villages to gradually come into contact, integrate, and tolerate one another.
"After that, we'll use blood and tears to force true integration, and then develop more practical technology rather than relying solely on ninjutsu."
Listening to Franklin's words, Uchiha Shisui wanted to say something, but in the end, he chose silence.
Franklin did not ignore this subtle reaction. Everything he had just said was ultimately only his own thinking—a synthesis of ideas drawn from Nagato, Yahiko, and others.
"If you have a different perspective, speak it. What I've proposed is only a framework, not a finalized plan.
"This plan incorporates many people's ideas, but in the end, it's still just a concept, not an established reality.
"Implementation won't begin for another five or six years. If it can be refined further, that will be good for you, for me, and for everyone involved."
Franklin's straightforward admission of his own shortcomings caused Uchiha Shisui—who had long viewed him as stubborn and unhinged—to hesitate.
Shisui stared at Franklin carefully, trying to discern whether he was being toyed with or whether Franklin was genuinely seeking advice.
But after staring at that faint smile for a long time, he still could not see through him. With Minato Namikaze standing nearby, Uchiha Shisui let out a soft sigh.
"A framework will always remain just that—a framework. In the future, who will lead all of this? Who will drive the integration between villages?
"Years of warfare have filled the ninja villages with hostility. No one will submit to anyone else.
"In the end, the existence of Akatsuki will only make relations between these mutually distrustful villages more rigid, more filled with scheming and suspicion."
After considering Shisui's words, Franklin nodded in agreement.
"You're right. That is indeed a problem.
"But future developments will exceed your expectations. Ninjas aren't all locked in endless scheming.
"Gradual interaction among the younger generation will eliminate these barriers.
"Saying too much right now wouldn't be good. Let's let things unfold naturally.
"The future era will be one of a shared destiny among ninja villages. No one needs to rule over anyone else.
"It will be an era of deterrence—a sharp blade hanging over everyone's head. Without unity, death is inevitable.
"That idea will be carved into the heart of every ninja.
"The First Hokage once distributed the tailed beasts among the villages to create balance and mutual fear, hoping to achieve peace.
"But his vision was too idealistic. The tailed beasts became weapons of war instead.
"My deterrence era is similar to those five sword auras.
"As long as those five sword auras exist, the villages can remain stable for at least one generation.
"Once language barriers are gone and villages have already begun to integrate, as one generation passes and the next grows up intermarrying and living together, unifying the ninja world will be entirely achievable.
"As for what happens in the distant future when deterrence no longer works—I believe I've told you before.
"The Milky Way is vast. Ōtsutsuki Kaguya was merely a relatively low-ranking member of the Ōtsutsuki clan."
Everything was laid out clearly and methodically before him. At this moment, Uchiha Shisui's eyes gradually began to shine.
"Uchiha clansmen have always been Uchiha clansmen. Hyūga clansmen have always been Hyūga clansmen.
"If Konoha had made changes earlier, perhaps things wouldn't have deteriorated to this extent."
Uchiha Shisui closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the Sharingan had vanished.
"If unifying the ninja world is truly possible, then I will give everything for it—including my life.
"If a clan can no longer keep pace with the times, then letting it fade away while carrying the radiant will of the Uchiha may well become a worthy legend."
At this moment, the transformed Uchiha Shisui was completely different from before. His entire presence had become far sharper.
"Lord Franklin, whatever tasks you have, feel free to give them. I will give it my all.
"I'm truly curious about the future—about a world where ninjas communicate with one another and truly merge together."
Looking at the rekindled fire within Uchiha Shisui, Franklin revealed a genuinely pleased smile.
"There's no need to rush for now. Follow the Fourth Hokage and learn slowly.
"Whether it's the study of sage arts or the study of politics, you must master them both.
"In the future, you will be one of the pillars of the Ninja State."