A group of Uchihas were in a state of uproar.
As the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha clan grew increasingly intense, it was believed that with Uchiha Shisui among them, the Uchiha were already powerful enough and there was no need for further suppression!
Voices of rebellion were rising everywhere!
Even Uchiha Fugaku found the situation troublesome. His gaze could only fall on Uchiha Shisui, hoping that Shisui would say something to cool down the fervor.
However, Shisui, who was deeply respected by the clan for his gentle nature and not adept at lecturing others, simply turned his hopeful gaze to Fugaku, hoping the clan leader could stand up and quell the dissent among their people.
Clearly.
There was no one in the Uchiha who could quench this fire.
The Uchiha, as if staging a coup, loudly requested Fugaku to lead them in besieging the Hokage's mansion, to control the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto, and seize the governance of Konoha in one fell swoop!
"A storm is coming…"
The pain in Uchiha Shisui's eyes was almost overflowing.
"Is there no solution?"
Uchiha Itachi, furrowing his brows, hoped his mentor and good friend from the same clan could come up with a plan: "At least we should find a way to delay for some time. I've already learned of Lord Danzo's inclination. He seems to want me to gradually influence the Uchiha's stance, but this requires a bit of time…"
"Let me think of a way… think of a way…"
Uchiha Shisui shook his head, his brain racing, and eventually came up with a non-solution: "If they think I'm stronger than Wood Release, then I'll go challenge Akihara Kagura to a duel, talk to that kid, and lose to him on purpose…"
"…"
Itachi's palm froze, pressing down on Shisui's wrist, his expression grim as he lowered his head: "You can't!"
"Why?"
"He will kill you."
Itachi was certain that Akihara Kagura would not hold back.
Once Shisui showed signs of defeat, or even intentionally dodged, Kagura would definitely not miss an opportunity to kill Shisui!
Because…
Shisui was his good friend!
And he had almost killed the person most important to him!
Itachi felt some pain in his heart, still not hiding anything from his good friend, and laid everything out: "I accepted Lord Danzo's assessment, to kill two intelligence department members about to defect, but Kagura stopped me. Those two were the most important people to Kagura, now he hates me deeply, he definitely won't hold back against you…"
"So it is…"
Uchiha Shisui slowly closed his eyes.
The next moment.
This gentle youth looked at Uchiha Itachi in front of him, smiling as he spoke, "Alright, I'll think of another way. Don't look so troubled, Itachi…"
Uchiha Shisui reached out and gently stroked Itachi's head, "I'll go back first and think of a way to delay everyone's extreme actions…"
"Is there a way?"
"There will always be a way."
Uchiha Shisui's eyes curved into a smile as he encouraged with all his might, "Isn't our mission to protect the village and the peace of the Uchiha? No matter how difficult the road ahead is, we must walk firmly on. There will always be a way…"
"Shisui!"
Uchiha Itachi believed in his good friend.
Late at night.
The clan meeting ended when the Uchiha clan was still longing for more.
Itachi followed his father back home.
Uchiha Sasuke, who had been sleeping in a daze, heard his brother's voice and quickly climbed out to hug his brother's thigh!
"Brother, you're back!"
Little Sasuke's face was filled with happiness and joy at seeing his brother: "Brother, can you practice shuriken with me this time?"
"Sasuke…"
Uchiha Itachi hid his own sorrow and smiled as he spoke, "Alright, after I complete the mission tomorrow, I'll practice with you…"
"Right."
Little Sasuke remembered Akihara Kagura, and said, "That guy named Akihara Kagura went to our school, asked me to tell you to live well, that there are still long days ahead and such, and he also said you guys are friends or something…"
"..."
Uchiha Itachi's face suddenly turned pale.
Did Akihara Kagura know how close he and his brother were, and to retaliate for nearly killing Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono, did he target his brother?
"What's wrong, Itachi?"
Uchiha Fugaku put on his indoor shoes and looked at his son: "Have you made friends with that Wood Release kid?"
"That's a good thing. Many Jonin in the village believe that kids are the future of the village. Perhaps in the future, he might even have the chance to become the Hokage or a high-ranking official…"
Uchiha Fugaku took the towel from his wife's hand while educating his son, "In every aspect, getting along with that kid has no downside. You are peers; you should have a lot in common..."
Uchiha Itachi fell silent, then spoke softly, "Right now, Kagura must hate me. To carry out my mission, I almost killed the two people most important to him..."
Uchiha Fugaku's movements froze.
"Itachi?"
Uchiha Mikoto's face showed a trace of surprise.
This mother never thought her child was an extremist!
Uchiha Fugaku, the experienced leader of the Konoha Police Force, remained calm after a moment of silence, then continued to wipe his hands.
"I see. I understand."
"This mission was tough on you. Get some rest."
"Yes."
Uchiha Itachi went to rest with his younger brother.
The situation between Konoha and the Uchiha clan took a sharp turn for the worse.
Uchiha Fugaku, the clan's leader, spoke less and less at clan meetings and even began to increasingly condone the aggressive actions of the Uchiha clan. This made both Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui increasingly anxious.
Uchiha Itachi reported the movements of the Uchiha clan to Danzo, hoping Danzo could do something to at least change the village's policies towards the Uchiha.
"If the village changes but the Uchiha do not, then this might further encourage the hawkish thoughts within the Uchiha clan. They might think the village's leadership is weak and can be bullied..."
Danzo's response was very clever.
Danzo had always wanted to deal with the Uchiha clan forcefully, not wanting Konoha to appear weak to them and not wanting the situation between the two sides to change.
The Uchiha clan...
Always a hidden threat to Konoha.
Uchiha Madara was so, and so was Uchiha Obito later on, everyone in the Uchiha clan had the potential to bring disaster to Konoha.
"I understand."
Uchiha Itachi could only bow and agree.
"Itachi, don't give up."
Danzo, squinting his eyes and looking down at Uchiha Itachi, painted a rosy picture for his subordinate: "There might still be room for maneuver in these matters. I will try to think of something, try to do something."
Shimura Danzo led the Root back to Konoha, thinking about resolving the issue with Akihara Kagura, only to find out that as soon as he returned, the Uchiha clan had caused trouble!
Shimura Danzo could only continue to entice and deceive, ordering Uchiha Itachi to constantly monitor the movements of the Uchiha clan. He used this continuous stream of negative information to gradually request Sarutobi Hiruzen to completely resolve the Uchiha matter.
The opportunity came quickly.
As Uchiha Fugaku no longer made efforts to suppress the hawks, the entire Uchiha clan's attitude became more and more aggressive, even genuinely proposing a plan for a coup!
Tomorrow, the entire Uchiha clan could, under the guise of a festival, initiate a full-member gathering at the Naka Shrine, with all Uchiha ninjas in attendance!
The Uchiha clan passed a plan to gather all their forces by tomorrow evening to launch a coup against the Konoha leadership. The expressions of Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui turned ugly!
"Is a coup going to happen in Konoha?"
When Akihara Kagura received the news from White Zetzu Awei, he had no thoughts about it, as if this matter had nothing to do with him as a Konoha ninja.
"It should be."
White Zetzu Awei nodded with a smile: "It seems like a good show is coming, maybe we will witness a tragedy…"
"Maybe."
Akihara Kagura, with an unfazed expression, continued to train his body at the training ground, kicking and breaking a wooden post!
"Let's go watch a good show!"
This summer.
Akihara Kagura grew a lot taller.
If judged by height, Akihara Kagura was hardly recognizable from his past self.
As Akihara Kagura watched White Zetzu Awei disappear, he kicked another wooden post, breaking it, and picked up a piece of wood. Under the control of Wood Release Chakra, this piece of wood slowly transformed into a spotted mask!
"Perhaps, it's time to resolve a hidden danger…"
In the evening.
The Uchiha clan meeting had just ended.
Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui arrived at the edge of a cliff.
Uchiha Itachi looked up at the flowing Naka River: "If the village doesn't change, the dissatisfaction of the Uchiha clan will grow, leading to today's situation; if the Uchiha don't change, the village won't change either…"
It was like a closed loop.
If one side doesn't step out, the other side will never step out either.
Uchiha Itachi, looking at the Naka River from the cliff, sighed deeply: "However, both sides will not trust each other, the longer we delay, the more suspicious of each other we become, until we reach today's situation…"
"I know."
Uchiha Shisui, looking at the river, softly said: "Actually, I have thought of a way to eliminate the suspicions and change the attitudes of both sides, maybe we should try it…"
"I also oppose the coup."
Uchiha Itachi looked towards his friend and voiced his thoughts, "It's just that we need to adopt some unconventional measures…"
"Do not act rashly," his friend advised.
Uchiha Shisui shook his head, softly persuading Uchiha Itachi, "Lately, you've been visiting Danzo more frequently. People within the police force have started to suspect that you're siding with Konoha. There are even those who asked me to monitor your actions…"
This friend was ultimately too naive, failing to properly guard against the police force when reporting to Shimura Danzo and contacting members of the Root.
After Uchiha Itachi returned home, he informed his father that he would not attend the gathering and would continue his mission tomorrow.
It was obvious.
Uchiha Itachi planned to meet Danzo again to report tonight's news and resolve the Uchiha coup d'état trouble through unconventional means.
However…
He was stopped by his father.
Uchiha Fugaku's expression was somewhat grim, seemingly thinking his son was being reckless, "Initially, I just wanted to maintain the balance between Konoha and the Uchiha, but because of your feud with that Wood Release kid, who will definitely become influential in the future, the Uchiha clan will face even more severe situations. That's why I chose to stand on the other side…"
Uchiha Itachi slowly lowered his head.
Indeed, this trouble was caused by him.
"Itachi."
Uchiha Fugaku rarely spoke harshly to his son, "I've always thought of you as my pride, always a sensible and rational child, but I forgot that you have your own strong opinions, even forgetting which side you should stand on…"
"I understand."
Uchiha Itachi still maintained his stance, softly saying, "I might have already offended Akihara Kagura, thinking that I've been vying for the future position of the Root's leader…"
"The position of the Root's leader?"
Uchiha Fugaku's eyes brightened, as if seeing some hope, "Can you outperform that kid? If you could become Hokage's aide with Danzo's support in the future…"
"I…"
Uchiha Itachi was unusually silent.
This person, who was growing up, couldn't reveal that he was a double agent and finally decided to lie to his father for once, "I can ask about Danzo's attitude tomorrow…"
"You should have told me about this earlier."
Uchiha Fugaku expressed some regret over his son's gloominess, and his gaze darkened again: "Perhaps there is still no hope. Will Danzo's attitude towards the Uchiha really change?"
"We must try..."
Uchiha Itachi slowly lowered his head.
"If there is no chance, then attend the meeting."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded, agreeing with his son's suggestion.
The next day, early morning.
Uchiha Itachi went to see Shimura Danzo and reported the Uchiha clan's meeting information to him, but did not mention the topic of the Root leader.
This was a sober person.
Uchiha Itachi always knew that Shimura Danzo had never chosen him as the future leader of Root; that was only the idea of a single person, Akihara Kagura.
Inside the Hokage's building.
Uchiha Shisui went to see Sarutobi Hiruzen and reported the Uchiha clan's meeting information to him, bringing up the Uchiha clan's desire to stage a coup d'état at the meeting.
This was both a report and a confrontation.
Uchiha Shisui hoped the village could change its policies towards the Uchiha. If the Uchiha were to really launch a coup, he would use the Kotoamatsukami to rewrite the will of the Uchiha clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, making this leader willingly serve Konoha.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, a pacifist, actively agreed to Uchiha Shisui's request: "If the Uchiha really make a change, the village will definitely change its attitude towards the Uchiha, and the villagers will surely want to see this change. No one would not look forward to the arrival of peace..."
At the same time.
After Shimura Danzo received the information from Uchiha Itachi, he hurried to the Hokage's building to request Sarutobi Hiruzen to deal with the Uchiha clan, which was about to stage a coup, using strong measures.
"I already have a solution."
Sarutobi Hiruzen called Shisui in, seriously discussing the plan to deal with this issue: "Shisui will attend the meeting and use his abilities to resolve this coup, changing a person's will quietly, making them act according to his own will..."
"Genjutsu?"
Shimura Danzo's expression did not show any fluctuation.
This was a Genjutsu that particularly moved Shimura Danzo, whether it was Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan or this Genjutsu capable of changing another's will!
This Genjutsu...
Could be perfectly used on that disloyal kid!
Shimura Danzo thought about how to take Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan while continuing to exchange pleasantries with Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Just changing Uchiha Fugaku alone might not change much, right?"
"We will also make changes."
Sarutobi Hiruzen expressed his thoughts: "From now on, we should change our approach towards the Uchiha clan and improve their treatment. I heard you plan to choose between Uchiha Itachi and Akihara Kagura as the future leader of the Root..."
"Where did that rumor come from?"
Hearing this news, Shimura Danzo's eyes widened in shock.
"The Anbu have already spread this news."
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly, seemingly displeased with Shimura Danzo's overreaction: "I thought you also wanted to cultivate a successor. I think this matter needs further investigation. Both children are actually quite suitable, it's just that the Root needs..."
At this point, Sarutobi Hiruzen paused for a moment, then said: "Shisui, you go ahead with your tasks. Danzo, let Itachi assist him. If they can peacefully resolve the Uchiha matter this time, Itachi might indeed be suitable to become the future leader of the Root. I have other arrangements for Kagura..."
"I will give the orders to Itachi."
Seeing Uchiha Shisui leave, Shimura Danzo could not bother to exchange pleasantries with Sarutobi Hiruzen any longer and took the initiative to catch up with Uchiha Shisui to discuss preventing the coup.
"Choosing a qualified successor is indeed a big matter..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head to sip his tea, seeming to believe that the issue of the Uchiha clan potentially staging a coup had been resolved.
However...
His old friend harbored greedy desires.
Shimura Danzo immediately realized the great utility of Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan; it could make Akihara Kagura utterly loyal to him!
Control of Wood Release, mastery over the Nine-Tails, governance over Konoha!
All of this, just with Uchiha Shisui's Kotoamatsukami!
In front of a giant Buddha statue.
Shimura Danzo and Uchiha Shisui were exchanging words, with a group of Root ninjas quietly hidden nearby, in a collective action deliberately excluding Uchiha Itachi.
"Even if you use Kotoamatsukami to change Uchiha Fugaku's will, even if the Third Hokage decided to change his attitude towards you, the rest of the village will not stop suspecting you. People like me, who are very suspicious, will still doubt the Uchiha..."
"At that time..."
"Are you going to use your Kotoamatsukami on me as well?"
Shimura Danzo, cornered, pressed Uchiha Shisui with a heavy tone.
"But, Lord Danzo..."
Uchiha Shisui appeared troubled and hesitant.
This question was indeed difficult for him to decide. The Kotoamatsukami could indeed change someone's will, and it wasn't impossible for him to use it again in the future...
But...
That's not something he could openly admit, right?
As Uchiha Shisui pondered, Shimura Danzo suddenly revealed a ferocious face and reached out for Uchiha Shisui's eyes!
"..."
Uchiha Shisui's eyes suddenly flashed red!
Uchiha Shisui, the strongest genjutsu ninja of the Uchiha clan, reached out and grabbed Shimura Danzo's wrist, instantly casting a genjutsu that immobilized Danzo, preventing him from moving!
"It's just an ordinary genjutsu…"
Uchiha Shisui calmly released Shimura Danzo's wrist and spoke softly, "You will wake up soon. You can take a good rest."
Crack!
The next second!
An unexpected turn of events occurred!
Just as Uchiha Shisui was about to leave, Shimura Danzo's figure suddenly appeared in front of him again, punching him in the abdomen and slapping his face, forcefully gouging out one of his eyes!
Uchiha Shisui stumbled and fell backward!
Shimura Danzo nonchalantly unveiled the bandage that had been covering his face, as if everything was under his control. The eye that had been covered was a crimson Sharingan, which gradually turned white!
This was...
The forbidden technique of the Uchiha clan, Izanagi!
Once Izanagi is used, it can reverse an unfavorable situation for a certain period of time, at the cost of the blindness of one Sharingan!
Shimura Danzo...
Actually had a Sharingan all along!
Holding the Mangekyo Mangekyo Sharingan he had taken, Shimura Danzo, looking at the pain-stricken Uchiha Shisui clutching his eye socket, said, "This eye will be its replacement. Give me your other eye as well..."
In an instant!
A group of Root ninjas landed in front of Shimura Danzo! Uchiha Shisui, enduring his pain, formed hand seals and exhaled a massive fireball: "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Water Style: Wild Water Wave!"
The group of Root ninjas collectively released water techniques, quickly blocking the Great Fireball Technique!
The entire area was covered in smoke!
Shimura Danzo, unconcerned, waved his hand to signal the Root ninjas to pursue, planning to return to the Root base to replace his eye.
After the group of Root ninjas left, a figure wearing a patterned mask slowly landed in front of Shimura Danzo, with a crimson eye visible on the mask!
"Uchiha Obito!"
Shimura Danzo suddenly sensed danger!
This leader of the Root had never imagined that it would be a case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; Uchiha Obito, a rogue ninja possessing the Mangekyo Sharingan, was also eyeing Uchiha Shisui's eyes!
"Damn it…"
Shimura Danzo gripped Uchiha Shisui's eyes tightly, ready to destroy them immediately if he found himself at a disadvantage in the fight against Uchiha Obito.
In order to seize Uchiha Shisui's eyes, Shimura Danzo used the forbidden technique Izanagi, knowing well that he might not be a match for Uchiha Obito…
"I've come to destroy it."
The figure beneath the patterned mask seemed utterly indifferent to the Kotoamatsukami Sharingan in Shimura Danzo's hand. His eyes also turned a deep crimson, with three tomoe spinning rapidly to form a Sharingan of a sinister shape!
"This illusion…"
"It's no ordinary illusion."
The shape of this Sharingan directly caught Shimura Danzo's eye, even exerting a strange attraction, pulling Shimura Danzo into the space within the Sharingan!
The person hidden under the mask seemed to be using this eye technique for the first time and was somewhat clumsy, holding his eye sockets tightly.
"Let me see…"
"How to control your dreams…"
"At least, I'll arrange a comfortable world for you. Let me think about your dream, which seems to be to become Hokage, right?"
"Dreams... How can they be realized without going through hardships?"
~~~
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