CHAPTER 37

"Okay, it's getting late, everyone should leave."

After saying that, Uchiha Shisui snapped back to reality and took a few steps forward, patting Uchiha Gen on the shoulder.

Gen retracted his kunai and walked forward. The gathered Uchiha members instinctively stepped aside, making way for him.

Shisui bent down slightly, whispering words of reassurance to Uchiha Osamu, who was still dazed from the encounter, before quickening his pace to catch up.

As they left, most of the Uchiha clan dispersed, but a few curious ones approached Osamu, seeking explanations. However, still shaken by the overwhelming defeat, Osamu brusquely shoved them away and stormed off.

"Gen, this is the first time I've truly seen your strength. It's incredible," Shisui said with a grin.

Despite being a prodigy, Shisui was never one to feel envy. His talent was paired with a humble and open heart, and his praise was sincere.

"The clan considers us the Twin Stars of Uchiha. We can't afford to fall behind, right?" Gen replied with a smirk.

His Sharingan's advanced illusion, Madou, had drained a third of his chakra in one go. If used against Konoha's elite jōnin, it would have easily subdued three of them in an instant, trapping them in an inescapable genjutsu.

"If your Sharingan evolves into the Mangekyō one day, I might be the one struggling to keep up."

Shisui suddenly fell silent, raising his hand to his right eye. A trace of sadness flickered across his face as painful memories surfaced.

"I don't want your Sharingan to evolve, Gen. Because that would mean you've endured yet another unbearable loss."

He exhaled deeply. "Some call our Sharingan the Cursed Eyes. They're not wrong."

"To awaken them, to evolve them… it always comes with unforgettable pain. Someone always dies."

"Hah. That's just jealousy," Gen scoffed.

"Do you think others don't feel pain when they lose their loved ones? Of course, they do. The difference is, they wallow in grief, helpless and furious, unable to turn their suffering into strength."

"But we Uchiha… we inherit the will of the fallen. We transform sorrow into power, avenging our comrades, protecting the ones who remain, and ensuring we survive to fight another day."

The entire shinobi world coveted the Sharingan—feared it, envied it.

Unlike the Byakugan, which was difficult to obtain but easy to control, the Sharingan was far more domineering.

Even a genius like Hatake Kakashi, despite being one of Konoha's finest, struggled after receiving a single Sharingan. His chakra drained constantly, limiting his endurance. If he had both eyes, he'd likely collapse after a single jutsu.

The inability to deactivate it made the Sharingan a relentless consumer of chakra, turning it into a burden for anyone who wasn't Uchiha.

Shisui listened, reflecting on his own experiences. He had indeed awakened his Sharingan through loss, but each time, he used it to protect those who remained, shifting the tide of battle in their favor.

"Gen, your perspective is always so unique."

"Shisui, let me share my motto with you."

Shisui turned, intrigued. For someone as insightful as Gen, his guiding principle had to be profound.

"What is it?"

Gen smirked. "Blame anything—just don't blame yourself."

"…Huh?"

Shisui blinked in astonishment. That was the last thing he expected to hear.

Gen stopped walking, his expression serious. "You have the three-tomoe Sharingan now. You should already feel its influence, right?"

"Yeah. But I've managed to control it."

The Uchiha were known for their deep love—and their overwhelming grief. When they lost someone dear, their emotions turned extreme.

While a basic Sharingan had a minor effect, the Mangekyō brought a drastic transformation.

Look at every Uchiha who had awakened it. Were any of them normal?

Obito, who lost his heart to vengeance.

Itachi, who carried the weight of impossible choices.

Madara, whose ideals warped into obsession.

Even Shisui himself, who sacrificed everything for the dream of peace.

Chakra was a fusion of mental and physical energy. A strong will forged powerful chakra. And the Uchiha, whose emotions ran deeper than most, were bound to extremes.

"Your self-control is strong, but what about those who lack it?"

"When they lose someone, the grief, the Sharingan's pull, their lack of control—it sends them spiraling."

"My motto is about rejecting mental exhaustion. Stop overthinking. Blame the enemy for your suffering. If not the enemy, then the next closest thing. If there's nothing left to blame, blame the environment, the rocks, the grass on the roadside—anything but yourself."

"Finding an outlet for your emotions keeps you from breaking."

Uchiha Itachi, Gen thought, suffered from extreme self-inflicted guilt. From childhood, he carried the weight of the clan's expectations, their burdens, their sins—until he crumbled beneath them.

Shisui furrowed his brows, pondering. "I see your point, but isn't that… irresponsible?"

"I'm not saying to abandon responsibility entirely." Gen chuckled. "This is just a mental trick to avoid self-destruction."

"If you have only one outlet for your grief, and that outlet gets blocked, you'll shatter."

Shisui's eyes widened slightly as realization struck. "…That actually makes sense."

"Of course. Ever since I started using it, my mind has been clearer, and my days feel lighter."

"Then I'll give it a shot."

"Good."

"…By the way, what's a 'non-stick pot'?"

"In this context? It means avoiding unnecessary burdens."

"…Got it."

"Enough talk. Let's go pay our respects to the clan leader, then eat and rest."

"Agreed."

The two continued walking side by side.

After half a minute, they reached the center of the Uchiha camp, where a large tent stood, more imposing than the rest.

At the entrance, Uchiha guards recorded their names before allowing them inside the simple mourning hall. A jōnin stood watch for the night.

This was the last night the Uchiha clan leader's body would remain here before being taken back to Konoha for a proper funeral—an honor reserved for the great ninja clans, unlike standard shinobi cremation.

As Shisui bowed in reverence, memories of the leader's kindness and wisdom filled his mind, bringing silent tears to his eyes.

Gen, who had little connection to the man, remained indifferent—but played his part well, feigning solemnity.

With their respects paid, they turned to leave, eager for food and rest.

But before they could, an elder summoned them once again…

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Mental exhaustion is dangerous. In today's world, where more people are succumbing to stress and depression, we must reject self-inflicted burdens. Stop comparing yourself to others. Live your own life. Find joy in small things. Stay happy—like me!