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At this moment within the Konoha base, when the ninja cat of the Uchiha clan appeared, Uchiha Shisui's face immediately showed a look of shock and fury upon seeing the scroll that was delivered.
He then hurriedly went to the tent of Hatake Kakashi.
"Kakashi, the village has made a move against Brother Yoru!" Shisui explained, along with the intelligence sent by Uchiha Yoru, which made Kakashi's expression turn grave.
"I secretly found out and have already informed Brother Yoru, but what does this mean that he has sent? Is he preparing for the worst?" The intelligence sent by Uchiha Yoru was more like a letter, a will, as if he was settling his affairs.
"You secretly keep an eye on Sarutobi Shinzo!" While Kakashi was shocked by Shisui's audacity, he was even more angered by the current situation.
"That bastard has disappeared, claiming to be on a mission, but he's probably going after Brother Yoru, damn it!"
In this moment, Shisui was filled with rage, looking at Kakashi with an urgent expression, "Kakashi, Brother Yoru is clearly about to become the second 'White Fang,' faced with this situation he has chosen to give up resistance."
The second 'White Fang'! Upon hearing these words, Kakashi's face changed instantly, and he looked gloomily at the other person.
"Shisui, it's too late for us to go to his aid now."
Under the urgency, Shisui's eyes even revealed the Mangekyou Sharingan, and with the powerful force bestowed upon him, he showed a hint of a fierce and crazy look.
"Kakashi, my eyes can stop everything!"
"Shisui, have you lost your mind?" Kakashi exclaimed, staring at Shisui who appeared somewhat frantic.
"Your eyes are indeed powerful, but how can they fool the top brass of the village? Once discovered, there's no way to save Yoru."
"I have a plan!" In this critical moment, Kakashi remained extremely calm and quickly thought of a plan, lowering his head and speaking in a deep voice, "Since you've been secretly monitoring, what's the defense like around Sarutobi Shinzo?"
Hearing this, although Shisui was anxious, he was also an exceptional ninja and forced himself to suppress his anger and calm down.
He may not have a talent for political strategy, but in the ways of the ninja, his talent was certainly no less than that of Hatake Kakashi.
"There are three squads rotating guard duty at night, two during the day, with a change of guard every three hours, and there are the habits of Sarutobi Shinzo…
Under pressure, Uchiha Shisui remained extremely calm as he detailed the intelligence he had gathered. Hatake Kakashi listened with a solemn expression, nodding quietly at certain pieces of information.
"Shisui! What exactly is the ability of your eyes?"
After activating the Mangekyō Sharingan, they had not disclosed their individual abilities, but there was a general idea of their range. For example, it was clear that Shisui's eye ability had something to do with genjutsu.
A ninja's trump card is never easily revealed. In this moment, faced with Kakashi's question, Uchiha Shisui almost without hesitation, solemnly disclosed his Mangekyō Sharingan's ability.
"My Mangekyō Sharingan's genjutsu, 'Kotoamatsukami,' can alter a person's will. The left eye's Kotoamatsukami can permanently rewrite the target's will to carry out my specific commands indefinitely, but it consumes a great deal of ocular power, hence I can only use it once every ten years."
"The right eye's Kotoamatsukami can control a person without their awareness, making them act according to my will. However, it consumes a large amount of chakra and requires a three-day interval between uses."
Both of Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan possess the Kotoamatsukami, aptly named the Dual Kotoamatsukami, which is akin to Obito's dual Kamui. However, each eye differs in function.
As depicted in the original work, Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan's Kotoamatsukami is the ultimate genjutsu, termed the strongest. But one must understand that this involves both eyes.
Itachi obtained the Kotoamatsukami that could permanently alter an enemy's will, whereas Danzō managed to get the version that could temporarily influence someone's will.
This was evident when Danzō, during the Kage Summit, subtly influenced the daimyō of the Land of Iron, Mifune, with this eye.
"Kotoamatsukami!" Upon hearing about this dōjutsu, Kakashi felt a chill and was visibly shocked, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Shisui, there is no such thing as a perfect jutsu in this world."
Facing Kakashi's doubt, Shisui nodded silently, "Indeed, there is no perfect jutsu in the world. Even Kotoamatsukami is not invincible, but with the addition of Mangekyō Sharingan's power and my will, I won't fail."
The strength of Kotoamatsukami lies within the wielder himself, to influence or even rewrite an enemy's thoughts, which requires his own strong will, augmented by the dōjutsu.
In theory, a strong will can break any genjutsu in the world, but if the caster's will is just as strong, then one cannot break it.
Considering the consumption of ocular power, chakra, and other factors, Shisui's Kotoamatsukami is undeniably powerful and defies common limits.
"My Mangekyō Sharingan's Kamui allows me to twist and send an enemy's limbs into another dimension from a distance, under my gaze."
Now, as they were allies, Kakashi also calmly revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan ability after Shisui shared his.
"Shisui, are you confident you can influence Sarutobi Shinzo without arousing suspicion?"
In response to Kakashi's question, Shisui, a genius ninja in all aspects except politics, immediately grasped the meaning.
Shisui nodded calmly, "Facing the mere Sarutobi Shinzo, my left eye will have no issues."
Completely rewriting a person's will, they themselves may not notice, but what about those who are familiar with them? What happens when they return to the village?
Hence, Kakashi never considered completely rewriting someone's will from the start, especially since Shisui's dōjutsu was akin to a one-hit kill technique with the significant limitation of a ten-year cooldown.
"I think such a powerful illusion that influences the thoughts and actions of the opponent, the more it goes against one's own principles and ideas, the greater the amount of eye technique and chakra required."
Indeed, as expected of Hatake Kakashi, he is best at analysis, pinpointing the enemy's weaknesses every time, achieving the greatest effect with the least cost.
Faced with Kakashi's analysis, Uchiha Shisui simply nodded in agreement.
"Alright, later you and I will report in, and then you take the opportunity to secretly influence Shinzo's thoughts, making him go to the rear for inspection. Then we will make our move outside."
As Kakashi spoke of making a move, a rare glint of cold light appeared in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "We will capture Sarutobi Shinzo at the fastest speed while disguised, and then create the impression that the frontline commander has been ambushed and captured by the Mist shinobi."
"As long as there is turmoil at the base, Sarutobi Umeko will not be in the mood to cause trouble outside, and Yoru's predicament will be resolved."
It must be said that Hatake Kakashi's considerations are thorough, and Uchiha Shisui is not a fool. After the impulse, he calmly agreed to this hastily made and somewhat rough plan.
"I understand your concerns. During the ambush, we will be disguised. I will control the enemy with an illusion while you seal him directly. Don't give the enemy a chance to react. And that despicable Sarutobi Umeko, I want her dead!"
Sarutobi Shinzo, being the son of the Third Hokage and also the frontline commander, was a significant figure, so they could not act against him directly. But they had no intention to endure a mere servant any longer.
After hearing this, Kakashi also showed a killing intent towards the fellow villager Sarutobi Umeko and nodded firmly: "Considering the incident with Orochimaru, and this time, this person's ambition and malice are too great, she cannot be left alive!"
Even Kakashi agreed with the idea of killing Sarutobi Umeko. After all, based on the rules, considering the incident with Lord Orochimaru, Sarutobi Umeko deserved death, and even a hundred deaths would not suffice.
The comparison was stark, igniting rage and dissatisfaction in Kakashi's heart.
His father, the White Fang of Konoha, failed in his mission, causing significant loss to the village and chose suicide under great pressure. So what about Sarutobi Umeko?
Framing and plotting against Orochimaru, a candidate for Hokage, and causing chaos in the village due to her ambition, the border instability of the village was her doing.
In terms of the damage to Konoha, it surpassed that caused by his father's failed mission, but what about the treatment each received?
The whole shinobi world knew about the White Fang's mission failure. And Sarutobi Umeko? Hardly anyone in the village knew, and the initial righteous execution turned out how?
Raised high only to be let down gently, it indeed seemed like the village belonged to the Sarutobi clan.
It was this abuse of power by the Sarutobi clan that turned Kakashi's dissatisfaction into the idea that it might be necessary for the village to bleed.
Reform requires bloodshed. He hoped to start with those who trample on the village's rights without restraint, using their blood to have Konoha reborn from the ashes.
"Good, time waits for no one. We don't know the specifics of this wench's plan to start a war. I'll go now."
Shisui chose to act swiftly and decisively, while Kakashi began to prepare the necessary disguises in secret.
A mask was essential, and so were sunglasses, to hide their Sharingan and prevent any accidents that could reveal their identities.
After all, if the Sharingan was exposed carelessly, it could bring disaster to the entire Uchiha clan.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Yoru, who was heading out of town, was unaware of the situation here and couldn't imagine the extent to which Kakashi and Shisui had become dark.
They were ready to lay hands on the village's shinobi and, after witnessing so much shocking corruption, were more determined to reform, even if it meant bloodshed.
Now, during his time in Anbu, Kakashi, after turning dark, became incredibly formidable, silently vowing to be the sharpest blade on the path of reform. The sharper he was, the smaller the loss to the village.
…
Thirty miles west of the city, a fresh breeze stirred up a cloud of dust under the bright sunlight, marking a vast wilderness.
A cloud of dust appeared, revealing two figures — it was Kobe Yoru and Sesshomaru, or perhaps more accurately, Uchiha Yoru.
Above, a massive cloud shifted, slowly casting a large shadow over the land as it obscured the sunlight.
The sound of clapping hands echoed as a group of about a dozen masked figures appeared atop a mound, the leader evidently a woman, who was applauding.
"Hehe, well done, truly worthy of the proud Uchiha clan to have the courage to meet here."
With masked faces and disguised voices, their identities were obscured.
"If you're from the Root, then you should know the consequences of slandering our Uchiha clan. Release them now!"
Uchiha Yoru faced the Root ninjas with a grim expression, unusually invoking the threat of his powerful backing.
"Don't worry, they're fine."
The masked Sarutobi Umeko revealed a smile, gesturing to bring forward two captives, Terumi Mei and the young Tsunade, held hostage.
"Look, they're definitely unharmed, but!" Sarutobi Umeko's eyes gleamed mockingly as she spoke.
"Should I call you Kobe Yoru, or Sesshomaru? Or perhaps Uchiha Yoru is more appropriate!"
Faced with Sarutobi Umeko's provocative revelation of his name, Uchiha Yoru fell silent.
Sarutobi Umeko laughed unrestrainedly, placing a kunai provocatively at Terumi Mei's neck and taunted, "Don't be scared, I'm actually saving you two. You've been deceived."
"They are all the same person. Let me tell you, a man from a great clan, the most dazzling genius of a noble family, do you think he would marry a commoner? Would he truly be with you? He has always been using your identities to conceal his own."
"The fairy tales of heroes saving princesses are all lies. Even if the hero is real, what about you? Are you princesses?"
The sarcastic gaze fell upon Tsunade in her youth and Terumi Mei, as Sarutobi Umeko displayed a profound disdain in her eyes.
"Lowly is as lowly does, but you proved somewhat useful, actually managing to lure this brat here."
Under Sarutobi Umeko's provocation, it was clear she was aiming to disrupt her opponent's mental state, as ninja battles never adhere to the code of martial honor, and an impulsive person is likely to reveal their weaknesses.
Meanwhile, Tsunade and Terumi Mei looked on with mixed feelings at the two figures in the distance, knowing their identities from the start, yet the fact that they had come was somewhat troubling and annoying to them.
Ninjas are deceivers by nature, employing all manner of tactical deceptions, but this deception was somewhat against their principles.
"What now? Planning to woo girls with two identities? Tsk, I must say, a noble scion really knows how to play the field, using shadow clones to entertain two stunning beauties, with one being a young girl."
As Sarutobi Umeko spoke, she provocatively poked Tsunade's chin with a kunai, her gaze then shifting to Uchiha Yoru with a mocking laughter, "How old is this girl? Twelve or thirteen? Tsk, it's well-known that the great clans love this kind of game, and today it seems their reputation is well-deserved."
The two figures in the distance revealed Uchiha Yoru's true face as the shadow clone dissipated, his expression grim.
"The Great Sword Samehada is with me, you should be able to investigate everything clearly, let them go."
After dispelling his shadow clone, Uchiha Yoru summoned the Great Sword Samehada, as if to prove his innocence.
He had destroyed his wood clone upon arriving, using a shadow clone instead, as it was not yet the time to reveal his Wood Release.