Chapter 58 – Shisui's Delusion, A Further Breakdown in Relations!
The Innate Dao Body could indeed greatly enhance cultivation speed—but it came with a catch: it required far more spiritual energy than normal cultivators. In earlier eras, this would have been an outright advantage.
If others absorbed 1 unit of energy per hour, he could absorb 10—or even more.
Wouldn't that be amazing?
But now, spiritual energy was drying up. The environment simply couldn't supply what the Innate Dao Body demanded.
Which meant his top priorities were: accumulating merit—and finding a spiritual haven with rich energy.
Even though the dragon vein was severed and spiritual energy was thinning out, there might still be hidden paradises scattered across the land.
The issue wasn't the body—it was the environment. The body could absorb well, but if there was nothing to absorb, that didn't matter.
On the other hand, if he could find celestial herbs and rare treasures, his absorption would far outclass others.
And his cultivation speed would surge.
So in conclusion—aside from needing more spiritual energy, everything about the Innate Dao Body was a plus. If he could solve that one problem, it would be perfect.
"Teacher, are you alright?"
Ren Tingting was startled by Renji's sudden shift in expression. Just a moment ago, his eyes were shining—now his face had darkened. She couldn't help but grow uneasy.
Did she do something wrong?
"It's nothing. I was just thinking about something. Since you've officially entered the sect, what would you like to learn? The Divine Firmament Sect specializes in the Five Thunder Techniques, but we also teach alchemy, talismans, sword arts, formations—you can choose freely."
Any of those paths could lead to immortality.
Although the Five Thunder Techniques were the core, the rest were supportive disciplines.
Now that Ren Tingting was a disciple, Renji was ready to begin teaching. But first, he wanted to see what drew her interest.
"Huh?! Teacher, you're letting me choose?"
Ren Tingting had assumed she'd just learn whatever Renji taught her.
"That's right. When it comes to study, interest matters. You'll be learning the Five Thunder Techniques no matter what, but I'll let you choose one more. Don't spread yourself too thin—pick something that resonates with you."
Lightning arts were required.
Everything else was up to her.
"Then... talismans?"
Ren Tingting hesitated between talismans and sword arts but ultimately chose the former.
Sword arts were elegant, especially when wielding lightning through graceful strikes. That alone was enough to make her want to learn it.
But when she thought about it carefully, she chose talismans.
Back at the mortuary, when Renji and Uncle Jiu talked, she remembered how Renji had given her father a protective talisman.
She knew her father might still be in danger.
If she could learn to make talismans, she could protect him.
"Talismans are difficult. Are you sure?"
Renji glanced at her in surprise.
But she nodded firmly, her eyes full of resolve.
She had already made up her mind.
"Alright then. I'll begin your instruction now."
[Zombie Renji]: "Finally got myself a disciple. Once I finish teaching the basics, the rest is up to her fate."
A teacher leads the way—but cultivation is a personal journey.
Renji would guide her, but the real path had to be walked by Ren Tingting herself.
[Hong Kong Horror Renji]: "How's that Innate Dao Body you drew?"
[Zombie Renji]: "Don't even talk about it. It drains too much spiritual energy. If you had drawn it in the modern world, you wouldn't be able to absorb anything!"
At least there was still some energy in his world.
In the modern era, there was practically none.
If someone awakened the Innate Dao Body there, it'd be a total burden.
[Hong Kong Horror Renji]: "Yeah, fair enough."
[Yōkai Renji]: "Honestly, we just need a Renji from a pure cultivation world. Then energy wouldn't be a problem."
A proper cultivation realm had spiritual energy to spare.
[Zombie Renji]: "True. Speaking of, I'm thinking of quitting Eight Gates training for now. With this new body, I'm going into closed-door cultivation."
He had to test out this physique as soon as possible.
[Mundane Renji]: "All good. I've been working out every day lately."
[Naruto Renji]: "You guys are way too dedicated!"
[One Piece Renji]: "Oi, where've you been lately? Haven't seen you at all."
[Naruto Renji]: "Trying to flip that traitor Shisui. After our last talk, I think his mindset's cracking. Plus, Danzo's been scheming again."
What else could he do?
The Uchiha mess had been draining him for a while now.
As clan head, it wasn't just about external threats—he had to resolve internal issues too.
He had reclaimed their ancestral grounds, and the clan respected him more because of it.
But things inside the clan were still a mess.
[Yōkai Renji]: "You're probably ready to make a move now, aren't you?"
Back then, maybe he had to be cautious.
But now—with the Mangekyō Sharingan and Sage Body—there was no need to wait.
[Naruto Renji]: "Already moving. I'll update you all soon. Unless we bring down Konoha's so-called 'Big Four,' this war won't end. There's no turning back now."
Originally, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been hesitant to wipe out the Uchiha.
They were too strong. Their bloodline too valuable. Taking them out would weaken the village.
He only wanted to suppress them—make them easier to control.
But after the last incident, Hiruzen's heart had changed.
Now, he was clearly planning to act.
The only thing stopping him was the cost.
If an opportunity appeared—one where he wouldn't have to take the blame—he would strike without hesitation.
Thus began the second round of the power struggle between Uchiha and Konoha.
At the center of it—
Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Itachi.
Back when Uchiha Fugaku arranged for both Shisui and Itachi to join the Anbu, it was partly to ease the tension between the Uchiha and Konoha. On the other hand, he also wanted them to gather information from within the Anbu about the village's stance.
Yet the result was completely unexpected.
The two of them ended up siding with Konoha instead.
Now, after losing face in front of Renji, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't lash out—especially since the two were the ones who approached Renji first. And as Hokage, he had to maintain his public image. Naturally, he couldn't move directly against the Uchiha at this time.
So he shifted his attention toward Shisui and Itachi.
Right now, his only way to understand the internal dynamics of the Uchiha clan was through them.
"Clan leader, you called for me?"
Shisui respectfully pushed open the door, a trace of surprise in his eyes as he looked at Renji.
It had been a long time since their last conversation.
Since then, Shisui had been reflecting on whether what he'd done was truly right.
He didn't want to see bloodshed between Konoha and the Uchiha.
But now that Renji was in power, peace seemed increasingly out of reach.
At one point, Shisui had even considered using Kotoamatsukami on Renji. But during their last conversation, Renji's reasoning had left a deep impact on him, making Shisui question if he had been too naive.
This time, Renji had called for him alone—without Itachi. Shisui was a little puzzled but still came.
He wasn't afraid of Renji. After all, they were within the Uchiha compound, and Renji wouldn't harm a fellow clansman. What surprised him was why Itachi had been excluded.
Everyone in the clan knew that he and Itachi shared similar views—or so he thought.
"Sit down, Shisui. The reason I called you today is because I want to hear your thoughts on the current situation between the Uchiha and Konoha. Last time, I was too focused on presenting my view and didn't really listen to yours."
Compared to the dutiful Itachi, Shisui was more idealistic—but he would never hope for the destruction of the Uchiha clan.
Renji had chosen to speak to Shisui for two reasons. First, Itachi was too extreme. Second, Itachi was currently following Shisui's lead. It didn't make sense to deal with a follower before the leader.
"My thoughts?"
Shisui looked at Renji in surprise. Last time he had tried to share his perspective, but Renji's argument had overwhelmed him.
And now, Renji was actually asking for his opinion?
"What? Do you think I'm the type of person who never listens?"
Renji smiled faintly as he placed a cup of tea in front of Shisui. He took a sip from his own cup and waited quietly for Shisui's response.
"Clan leader, is it really impossible for the Uchiha and Konoha to coexist peacefully? I believe we should sit down and talk things out instead of resorting to conflict. The rest of the clan thinks I've surrendered to Konoha, but who really understands that if we rebel, Konoha could destroy us with ease?"
Shisui smiled bitterly.
He felt like he belonged nowhere. He had always worked for the good of the clan—yet everyone accused him of betrayal.
They talked big about resisting, but did they even understand Konoha's power?
Their district was surrounded by other clans. The moment they rebelled, they'd be wiped out.
"Shisui, I understand what you're trying to say. But have you realized you've been blinded by Konoha's illusion?"
It was time for Renji's Shisui-conversion plan.
This private meeting was meant to ensure Itachi wouldn't interrupt. The current tension between Konoha and the Uchiha was already close to breaking point.
If Renji didn't act, Sarutobi Hiruzen likely would.
And between the two of them, Shisui was the key.
At present, Itachi only had a three-tomoe Sharingan. His Mangekyō had been awakened later—when Shisui gave him his eye and then leapt off the cliff.
But if that event was stopped—Itachi might never awaken it.
Three tomoe couldn't match a Mangekyō unless it was a joke.
If even Sarutobi and Danzo could manipulate Shisui, Renji refused to believe he couldn't.
"I've been blinded by Konoha?"
Shisui looked up at Renji in confusion, whispering the words. He couldn't understand—everything he knew was based on what he had seen. Who had deceived him?
"First of all, you say the Uchiha and Konoha should talk. But tell me, who should initiate the conversation?"
"Of course, the Hokage and you, our clan leader."
Shisui answered without hesitation, then added, "Besides, we've already reclaimed our ancestral land. Isn't that enough? What belonged to the Uchiha has been returned."
From Shisui's perspective, after the Nine-Tails incident, their clan had been scapegoated and pushed aside.
But now that they had regained their lands—shouldn't that be the end of it?
Could it be that Renji, like the others, wanted to become Hokage?
"So after we reclaimed what was rightfully ours, didn't you notice something strange? The rumors in the village—about the Uchiha—started spreading again. Have you thought about who might be behind them?"
The gossip surrounding the Uchiha had intensified the moment they took back their land.
Anyone with a brain could guess where it came from.
"I've heard the rumors... but they aren't true. I believe the villagers will understand in time that we didn't seize anything through threats."
Shisui's voice became slightly emotional.
He had heard the whispers too.
On the streets, the looks the villagers gave him were different—some were even hostile.
Recently, the police force had also been slacking, and that only worsened the public's impression of the Uchiha.
The rumor was that the Uchiha clan had threatened the Hokage with rebellion, forcing him to hand back their land. To maintain peace, the Hokage, the Hyūga, and the Ino-Shika-Chō trio compromised for the greater good.
It sounded ridiculous, but the more it spread, the more people believed it.
That was what Renji had been dealing with lately. It was another round of public manipulation.
Even ordinary clan members were being affected in their daily lives because of the growing prejudice.
And seeing Shisui cling to such naïve hope...
Renji couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Things had gotten this bad, and he still tried to fool himself?
Clearly, it was time for Renji to brutally tear apart Shisui's illusion.
(End of Chapter)
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