The two turned around and saw a young boy, bearing a slight resemblance to Uchiha Itachi, confidently striding towards them with a proud expression, a single-shoulder backpack slung over his back.
"Oh, isn't this the little brat?" Kirito said with a playful grin.
Having visited the Uchiha family often, Kirito had become acquainted with Sasuke. For some reason, he always felt the urge to tease this future hero of the Uchiha clan.
After a few interactions, the two had grown familiar with each other. However, for now, Sasuke's cocky attitude was bound to get him in trouble. He had a bad habit of challenging opponents beyond his level, and each time he got beaten, he'd never learn his lesson. Yet, once the bruises healed and the pain faded, Sasuke would be back, feeling invincible again.
Sasuke's face reddened with frustration. "How many times do I have to tell you? My name is Sasuke, Uchiha Sasuke, not some brat. And you're just my brother's defeated opponent."
Kirito continued to tease him, "Alright, brat. But how do you know your brother actually defeated me? You've never seen us fight."
"Hmph. It's obvious," Sasuke replied, his face full of pride and admiration at the mention of Uchiha Itachi. Just as he was about to say more, he realized something and snapped, "How many times have I told you not to call me brat?"
"Okay, brat," Kirito responded, clearly enjoying the reaction he was getting.
"You jerk! My name is Sasuke, not brat!" Sasuke's face flushed even deeper, and he charged at Kirito with his fist raised.
As expected, Kirito easily dodged the attack, leaving Sasuke stumbling.
Watching the two figures chase and flee in front of her, the dark cloud hanging over Uchiha Izumi's heart seemed to lift. She glanced up at the sky and thought to herself, maybe I was just overthinking things.
In the distance, two figures stood atop the highest building in Konoha, observing the scene below.
"Itachi, is that your younger brother? I didn't expect him to grow up so quickly. And who is that academy student with him? It's rare to see someone who doesn't shun the Uchiha," said Uchiha Shisui, the strongest illusionist of the Uchiha clan.
"His name is Fujiwara kirito. He was in the same class as me at the Academy. Since he's close to Izumi, he doesn't share the hostility towards Uchiha that most villagers have," Uchiha Itachi replied calmly, though his tone was tinged with unease.
Uchiha Shisui, noticing this, looked at Itachi in surprise. "From the way you're talking, it seems like something's bothering you. What's going on?"
Activating his Sharingan, Uchiha Itachi said, "This person is extremely dangerous."
"Why do you say that?" Uchiha Shisui asked, almost instinctively activating his own Sharingan. His pupils dilated with shock as he whispered, "What is this...?"
"Have you noticed? Kirito isn't a Jinchūriki, nor is he from the Uzumaki clan, yet he possesses a chakra reserve far beyond what his age would suggest. There aren't many people in all of Konoha with more chakra than him," Uchiha Itachi explained solemnly.
Uchiha Shisui frowned, "Perhaps you're overthinking this. Just because he has a lot of chakra doesn't make him dangerous. Maybe he was just born that way. It's too early to judge him solely on that."
"I'm not the only one who feels that Kirito isn't as simple as he seems," Uchiha Itachi said, his voice serious.
"Don't worry," Uchiha Shisui said, patting Itachi on the shoulder. "I think you're just tense because of the clan's recent troubles. Even if this boy, Kirito , is hiding something, he hasn't harmed Konoha or the Uchiha clan. Not everyone in this world is eager to flaunt their talents."
"Maybe," Uchiha Itachi conceded, deactivating his Sharingan.
"You haven't told anyone else about this, right?" Uchiha Shisui asked.
Uchiha Itachi slowly shook his head.
"Good. If he doesn't want attention, then let's not draw any to him," Uchiha Shisui said with a sigh. "Sometimes, I envy those who come from humble backgrounds. At least they don't have to deal with all of this. Let's meet at our usual spot tonight."
With that, Shisui disappeared in a blur.
Uchiha Itachi cast one last, long look at Kirito , who was now walking away. He opened his mouth as if to say something but then thought better of it and vanished as well.
The moment they left, Kirito gently pressed his hand against Sasuke's forehead, stopping him from attacking again. He glanced in the direction where Itachi had been standing earlier and muttered to himself, "They're gone? As expected, no one in the Uchiha clan is simple, but their emotional intelligence could use some work."
"What are you looking at, Kirito -kun?" Uchiha Izumi asked, following his gaze.
"Nothing. Let's go," Kirito said, shaking his head and sighing inwardly. Now that Uchiha Shisui was back, it wouldn't be long before Danzo set his sights on him.
Meanwhile, Shisui had already reached the rooftop of the Hokage Building and knelt before Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Hokage-sama."
Just as in the original timeline, Shisui reported to Sarutobi Hiruzen about the details of his encounter with the Hidden Mist ninjas. He then revealed that the Uchiha clan was planning a coup and proposed a solution.
At first, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't seem too concerned. He knew that the conflict between the Uchiha clan and Konoha—more specifically, the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the village's higher-ups—had reached a point of no return.
It wasn't until Shisui mentioned the technique Kotoamatsukami that a glint of interest flashed in the old Hokage's weary eyes.
"Kotoamatsukami? Is that your Mangekyō Sharingan technique?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen kept his back to Uchiha Shisui, making it impossible for the younger man to gauge his thoughts.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. It's a technique I gained after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan. It allows me to control others without them even realizing it, completely and permanently altering their thoughts and will. However, due to its immense power, it takes over ten years to recharge after each use."
Shisui didn't hold back, explaining his plan clearly. "I intend to use this technique on the clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, during tomorrow's clan meeting to prevent the Uchiha clan's rebellion."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken aback, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes, though he maintained a calm exterior. He turned and walked past Shisui, saying, "I see. Consider this a top-secret mission. Just proceed as planned. Return to me at this time tomorrow, and I'll arrange for someone to assist you."
Knowing that only the Sharingan could effectively counter the Sharingan, he planned to have Uchiha Itachi keep an eye on Shisui, just to be safe.
"Understood, Lord Hokage," Shisui replied respectfully before disappearing in a flash.
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell into deep contemplation after returning to his office.
It was clear that Uchiha Shisui's Kotoamatsukami was a power far beyond what he could comfortably control.
As the most powerful Hokage in Konoha's history, he knew he had to take precautions before things spiraled out of hand.
(End of the chapter)