Sarutobi Hiruzen had great confidence in his powers of persuasion-or rather, his ability to influence others. He was convinced that Shisui would never betray him. Yet, there was always the risk, however small, that everything Shisui had done over the years was just an elaborate act. If things took a wrong turn, the most powerful Hokage in history could fall victim to Kotoamatsukami, turning him into a puppet of the Uchiha clan. This was something he could not allow.
However, as Hokage, Hiruzen had to maintain a public image of righteousness. Even if he couldn't tolerate the threat Shisui posed, he could not take direct action against his subordinate. Such dark tasks were the domain of Danzo.
With this in mind, he summoned an Anbu. "Go, inform Danzo to meet me here tomorrow. Tell him it's to discuss the Uchiha clan. Also, summon Itachi."
Hiruzen wasn't ignorant of Danzo's desire for the Uchiha clan's Sharingan. He knew that once Danzo learned of Shisui's Mangekyō ability, he would stop at nothing to take it for himself. But this alone wasn't enough to neutralize the threat Shisui posed.
As a final safeguard, Hiruzen intended to use Itachi.
If Shisui was wise, even if he escaped from Danzo, he would likely take his own life for the sake of Konoha, thereby stifling the Uchiha clan's ambitions for a time and averting the coup.
It was a plan that killed two birds with one stone.
Meanwhile, at the Uchiha Izumi residence, Kirito slowly opened his eyes, retracting his sensory perception. As he had anticipated, Uchiha Shisui had foolishly gone to inform the Third Hokage about his Mangekyō ability, effectively sealing his fate.
Tomorrow was the Uchiha clan's festival.
Kirito recalled that the Uchiha were growing increasingly dissatisfied with Konoha and planned to use this opportunity to discuss a coup.
Little did they know that their plans had already been betrayed by two members of their own clan.
The outcome was inevitable: Shisui's suicide would leave the problem not resolved.
A clan full of misguided individuals: the overly loyal Uchiha Itachi, the naive Uchiha Shisui, and the delusional Obito. Even the clan leader was indecisive and weak. It was a wonder they had survived this long.
At that moment, Izumi's voice interrupted Kirito's thoughts. "Kirito, dinner's ready."
"Coming," Kirito replied, getting up and heading to the dining table.
The next day, Kirito entered Sage Mode, focusing on monitoring the chakras of Uchiha Shisui and Danzo.
In the evening, after escorting Izumi home, Kirito sensed that the chakras of Shisui and Danzo had finally converged.
Donning a disguise, he stealthily followed them to a secluded corner of the Senju clan's ruins within Konoha.
As expected, the sequence of events mirrored the original timeline. Sarutobi Hiruzen, after learning of Shisui's Mangekyō ability, had called Danzo to a meeting. There, in front of Shisui, Hiruzen had revealed Kotoamatsukami's power and Shisui's plan to use it on Uchiha Fugaku, promising that the Uchiha clan's treatment would improve afterward.
The outcome was inevitable: Danzo set his sights on Shisui's Sharingan.
Before Shisui could attend the Uchiha festival, Danzo had summoned him, laying a trap to seize his eye.
To be honest, Kirito didn't dislike individuals like Shisui.
At the very least, Shisui was easier to deal with than hypocrites like Sarutobi Hiruzen or snakes like Danzo.
If Kirito chose to intervene, saving Shisui wouldn't be difficult. But their values were completely at odds.
Anyone familiar with the history of Konoha knew that Uchiha Shisui was a staunch supporter of the Will of Fire.
Even in death, he believed in the leadership of Konoha.
While Kirito possessed the power of the Zanpakuto Kyoka Suigetsu, which could potentially counter Mangekyō Sharingan abilities like Tsukuyomi by controlling the five senses-or even break through them with the immense spiritual and physical energy granted by the Zanpakuto-Kotoamatsukami was a different beast. Its power to dominate others' wills was a significant threat, capable of turning anyone into a puppet.
If Kirito ever became an enemy of Konoha, Shisui would undoubtedly be the first to oppose him.
It was safer to eliminate such a dangerous ability or take control of it. That was the best option.
Kirito had no desire to live in constant fear, relying on Kyoka Suigetsu to guard against Shisui.
"As long as Shisui is alive, I won't be able to sleep soundly."
With this thought, Kirito coldly observed the exchange between Danzo and Uchiha Shisui from the shadows of his black robe.
The meeting is about to start," Shisui asked, puzzled.
"If we take action against Uchiha Fugaku and reorganize the Uchiha clan, but the village doesn't change its treatment of them, what will you do?" Danzo asked, his right eye concealed beneath a bandage, his left eye narrowing as he refrained from acting immediately, instead probing Shisui's intentions.
Shisui's response only deepened Danzo's determination to seize Kotoamatsukami.
"Hokage-sama assured me that there would be changes," Shisui replied firmly.
"Even if we convince the Third Hokage, the village's distrust of the Uchiha won't vanish," Danzo said, a flicker of disdain passing through his eyes at the mention of the Third Hokage. He then stared at Shisui, his gaze filled with greed and desire.
Trusting in Konoha, Shisui failed to recognize the looming danger, holding fast to his naive ideals.
"I understand, but in time-" Shisui began, only to be cut off by Danzo.
"That's enough. A man like me won't change his mind so easily. What will you do then?"
Danzo lowered his head slightly, his face shrouded in shadow, while the Sharingan beneath his bandage prepared to activate Izanagi.
"But, Lord Danzo-" Shisui tried to continue, but Danzo interrupted once more. "Will you use Kotoamatsukami against me as well?"
As he spoke, Danzo slowly raised his head, a fierce expression crossing his features. Discarding his cane, he reached out with his left hand to seize Shisui's eye.
"Leave your Sharingan to me."
Startled, Shisui reacted quickly-he was, after all, a genius of the Uchiha clan and not so naive as to be easily subdued. He grabbed Danzo's left hand and cast a genjutsu to immobilize him.
"This is just a simple genjutsu. You'll break free soon enough," Shisui said with a trace of disappointment, releasing Danzo's hand and turning to leave.
Startled, Shisui reacted quickly-he was, after all, a genius of the Uchiha clan and not so naive as to be easily subdued. He grabbed Danzo's left hand and cast a genjutsu to immobilize him.
"This is just a simple genjutsu. You'll break free soon enough," Shisui said with a trace of disappointment, releasing Danzo's hand and turning to leave.
But before Shisui could take more than a few steps, Danzo,
having broken free from the genjutsu, suddenly appeared before him. With a swift and powerful punch to Shisui's abdomen, Danzo struck, his left hand reaching for Shisui's right eye. A sharp line of blood trailed through the air as Danzo's movements, precise and efficient, were executed flawlessly.
Shisui, now blinded in one eye and in intense pain, clutched at the hollow space where his right eye had been, quickly leaping back to put distance between himself and Danzo.
(End of this chapter)