This has the command of Elder Shikora behind it.
"...For the future of the clan...and...your future..."
Rika's face twisted slightly in pain. Even being eroded by the Illusion Technique to this extent, he could still hold on, which made Ruri glance at him with a bit more respect.
Then, stronger donjutsu was injected.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"
The sound of painful screaming echoed through the corridor.
Ruri stood before him expressionless, her arms crossed over her chest. Rika's eyes were vacant, drool flowed from the corner of his mouth, and his entire body was convulsing and trembling.
"Answer me, what is your objective? Depending on your answer, I can spare your life."
"...No...can't say...I...can't say...kill me...Ruri...kill me..."
Rika uttered broken words, pleading with Ruri to end his life.
Ruri frowned, anger rising in her eyes.
Kill him?
Is it that simple?
To be honest, she had already endured these fools for a long time.
Be it for the village or the clan.
Do these people so enjoy provoking what little patience she had left?
Be it the Root or the Hokage, and now some people even from her own clan.
There aren't many sane people around her.
With her patience gone, Ruri raised a hand, about to perform some jutsu when her hand was stopped by a firm grip.
The one stopping her was Hakushi.
A trace of displeasure appeared on Ruri's face.
"What are you doing?"
"Alright, let's pretend this never happened. After all, he's still your clansman. If you continue subjecting him to Illusion Techniques, he will die from a mental breakdown."
Hakushi had intended to open up to Ruri tonight and didn't want to ruin her relationship with the clan over this matter.
Ruri shook off the hand gripping her arm, her expression icy.
"It'd be best if this trash were dead. I endured the Root's nonsense and the Third's ridiculous attempts at reconciliation, but these fools are my clan. As a Jonin of the clan, I have the right to know the truth. Will you stop me from doing this?"
Seeing Ruri's determination, Hakushi knew that nothing he said could dissuade her.
Rika's kneeling body toppled forward, hitting the ground hard, losing his consciousness.
"Get rid of this waste for me. I'll be back soon."
With those words, Ruri, her face covered in a layer of frost, left using the Instantaneous Body Jutsu.
"What a mess this all is..."
Anyway, why attempt to assassinate me at a time like this? It's odd, isn't it? Hakushi, puzzled, scratched his head.
Watching the direction Ruri left, Hakushi let out a deep sigh.
Hope she doesn't cause any trouble.
But given Ruri's unwillingness to suffer losses, hoping she doesn't is just wishful thinking.
◎
Nankai Shrine.
As war erupted, the Uchiha Race was obligated to contribute to Konoha's efforts.
Regarding who should be dispatched to the battlefield, a large number of Jonin Uchiha gathered here to convene an urgent nighttime meeting to heed the orders of the radical leader, Uchiha Shikora.
"With the outbreak of war, there are both advantages and disadvantages for us. Though many will die, it also means that our Uchiha Race is one step closer to the position of Hokage."
Uchiha Shikora, sitting on the front mat, his face full of wrinkles, spoke with a calm demeanor.
"The Third Hokage is approaching the age of stepping down. To accumulate enough prestige to succeed as the Fourth Hokage, I hope everyone can work together."
"Yes!"
"The era of the Senju's governance will inevitably end. The future of Konoha belongs to us, the Uchiha."
Uchiha Shikora glanced one by one at the Jonin Uchiha attending the meeting, seemingly acknowledging their determination and strength, nodding in satisfaction.
All of them were the elite of the clan, and this power was also a strong asset to protect the clan and intimidate outsiders.
"Talk about dreaming, say that when you wake up, how foolish of you, going on about Hokage like kids."
The abrupt words reached the ears of all the Jonin Uchiha present, causing several to show angry expressions, looking toward the source of the voice.
Ruri stepped out from the shadows, walking forward step by step under the bewildered and astonished gazes of everyone, her intentions unknown.
There was a slight shift in expression on Uchiha Shikora's aged face.
Ruri stood in front of him silently.
Bang!
The faces of everyone became vacant, their minds blank, unable to comprehend the scene before their eyes.
Ruri had swiftly gripped Uchiha Shikora's neck with her hand, forcefully pushing him against the wall, creating a dent.
Long Elder Shikora's aged face immediately showed pain, his face wrinkling up.
"Wait, Ruri, what are you doing?"
"Don't act recklessly!"
"Let Elder Shikora go!"
"Are you planning a rebellion, Ruri? Let go now!"
The Jonin Uchiha, each standing up and surrounding them, attempted either to dissuade or threaten Ruri to release Elder Shikora.
"...No...wrong..."
Elder Shikora squeezed these words out of his mouth.
"Wrong? Are you trying to say I'm falsely accusing you?"
Ruri's voice was filled with danger.
For those Jonin who tried to dissuade or threaten her, she paid no heed.
"...Your eyes...not right..."
Elder Shikora, looking at Ruri's Three Tomoe Sharingan, uttered words with unclear meaning.
"Eyes?"
Ruri raised an eyebrow.
What's wrong with my eyes?
"So that's how it is...Can't even deal with a Medical Ninja, that waste...was the mission a failure?"
Suddenly, realization dawned on Elder Shikora's face, as if understanding something.
"Stop with the digression and topic-shifting, you've thoroughly angered me, old man."
Facing Ruri's threat, Elder Shikora nonchalantly turned his head, addressing the Jonin Uchiha ready to subdue Ruri:
"All of you, leave."
The Jonin Uchiha exchanged confused looks, unsure why Elder Shikora was giving such orders.
"Leave, I have some things to discuss with Ruri alone."
The Jonin Uchiha hesitated only a moment before choosing to follow Elder Shikora's order, yet before leaving, they cast threatening looks at Ruri, warning her not to go too far.
Though they didn't understand the conflict between Ruri and Elder Shikora, they knew it wasn't a reason for her to act against him.
After the Jonin Uchiha left the meeting room, only Ruri and Elder Shikora remained in the empty space.
"Cough cough."
Ruri released Elder Shikora, who coughed and wheezed greedily and awkwardly there.
"Have you breathed enough?"
To Ruri, this was merely theatrics meant for her to watch.
Elder Shikora looked at Ruri, sighed, and said, "It's a pity, if only you had killed me right when you came in, it would've been better."
Ruri gazed at Elder Shikora with puzzlement.
"What do you mean by that?"
"That is because...you haven't awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, Ruri."
Elder Shikora stared deeply at Ruri. His cloudy yet bright eyes were filled with endless regret.