In the Hokage building, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat tiredly in his office.
Tonight, he couldn't sleep at all.
During the day, he had spent his time giving speeches and addressing the villagers, trying to suppress the rising complaints about Naruto. The backlash from the recent events was overwhelming.
And just when he thought he could finally rest, Uchiha Shisui had pulled him out of bed with an urgent report.
Hiruzen had long suspected the Uchiha clan's growing discontent, but he never expected them to go so far as to consider a coup. Would they really risk the safety of the entire village?
If the Uchiha clan truly rebelled, the other major villages wouldn't hesitate to exploit Konoha's internal strife. The Fourth Great Ninja War would surely erupt.
Konoha couldn't withstand such a blow. Over the years, the village had suffered significant losses. The White Fang had taken his own life, Tsunade had left due to grief, Jiraiya had gone off in pursuit of prophecies, and the Fourth Hokage, Minato, had sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-Tails. Even his most promising disciple, Orochimaru, had turned traitor.
The village was no longer the mighty force that once stood unrivaled. They couldn't afford another war.
Yet, if there was no other choice, Konoha would strike first.
*Is the Uchiha clan truly cursed by their hatred, as Tobirama believed?*
Hiruzen's thoughts drifted back to Shisui's earlier demonstration. The ability of his Mangekyō Sharingan—**Kotoamatsukami**—was beyond terrifying. It could invade someone's mind without detection, permanently altering their will.
Such a technique could turn anyone into a puppet, and no one would even know.
The thought sent chills down Hiruzen's spine. He took a deep drag from his pipe, his face unreadable.
*Has he used it on me?*
"Someone!" Hiruzen suddenly called out. "Summon Danzo to my office immediately!"
---
Elsewhere, Naruto landed at the spot where Shisui had been moments before, but there were no signs of anyone nearby. Despite this, he could sense faint traces of malice moving rapidly around him.
*Body Flicker Technique,* Naruto thought, narrowing his eyes.
Shisui was using his signature speed, his movements too swift and unpredictable to pin down. But Naruto wasn't worried—he relished the challenge.
He deactivated his Transparent Release technique, allowing his transformed appearance to materialize.
Standing tall and imposing, Naruto wore a white linen robe with a hood that cast shadows over his face, revealing only the lower half of a mask. His gear was practical yet foreign, with a belt lined with tools and weapons, leather gloves, and boots designed for agility.
As Shisui continued circling, clearly tracking him with his Sharingan, Naruto smirked. *No point hiding now.*
With a flick of his hand, Naruto activated a transformation technique. Unlike ordinary versions, this one was enhanced by his Mangekyō Sharingan. Even someone as skilled as Shisui couldn't immediately see through it.
Shisui hesitated briefly, a sign of surprise. Then, kunai and shuriken flew at Naruto from every conceivable angle. The precision and strategy were unmistakable—this was the Uchiha clan's famed shuriken technique, designed to leave no room for escape.
But Naruto didn't flinch. His Mangekyō Sharingan allowed him to see every projectile clearly. Drawing his concealed blade, he deflected them all with ease.
"Ding! Ding! Ding!"
Sparks lit up the forest as Naruto's blade intercepted each attack. He spun on his heel, raising his arms just in time to block Shisui's blade, which descended from the shadows.
The two pairs of Sharingan met.
Shisui's gaze burned with anger and confusion, while Naruto's remained cold and indifferent.
"You!" Shisui growled, retreating a few steps. "Do you realize what you've done? You're pushing the Uchiha and the village into direct conflict!"
"And what did you do to the 'cat'?" Shisui asked, recognizing the mask Naruto wore.
"Heh, you mean the previous owner of this mask?" Naruto chuckled, his voice hoarse and mocking. "Let's just say I borrowed his bloodline. But it wasn't as impressive as I'd hoped."
"You dare steal another ninja's bloodline?!" Shisui roared, his Mangekyō Sharingan spinning furiously.
"Oh? Is that what bothers you most?" Naruto taunted, drawing his long sword. "Tell me, Shisui… have you ever wondered what's hidden under Danzo's bandages?"
Shisui froze. "What are you talking about?"
"Sharingan," Naruto replied simply.
The word hit Shisui like a thunderbolt. If Danzo truly possessed Sharingan, it meant Konoha had violated the Uchiha clan's sacred heritage.
The hesitation in Shisui's stance was all Naruto needed. He lunged forward, his sword slashing toward Shisui's exposed side.
But Shisui recovered just in time. Green chakra ribs materialized around him, blocking Naruto's strike.
"Susanoo, huh?" Naruto mused, stepping back.
The skeletal form of Susanoo quickly expanded, its features growing more defined. Shisui glared at Naruto from within.
"You've gone too far," Shisui said coldly. "I'll capture you here and bring you to the Hokage to confess everything."
Naruto's smirk widened. "You think that'll be easy?"
Shisui's Susanoo drew its spiral blade, its energy radiating a menacing aura.
"Prepare yourself," Shisui declared, his determination unwavering.
But Naruto wasn't intimidated. He sheathed his blade and made a single hand sign. Dark chakra began to swirl around him, an ominous presence filling the air.
"Let's show him what true power looks like, Kurama," Naruto whispered.
The battle had only just begun.