Chapter 1: Shisui, Lend Me Your Eye
In the 56th year of Konoha, six years after the Nine-Tails' rampage, the disaster not only cost the Land of Fire's Hidden Leaf Village its young and powerful Fourth Hokage but also worsened the already precarious position of the Uchiha clan, one of the village's founding pillars.
After all, the Sharingan imprinted in the Nine-Tails' eyes during the attack was undeniable evidence.
As the clan meeting grew increasingly radical, Uchiha Shisui, who upheld the Will of Fire, was deeply anxious. At this moment, the Uchiha clan was like a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment.
Fortunately, the clan meetings of the Uchiha were rarely productive. But right now, Shisui had already decided to use his final resort.
"It seems... this is the only way," Shisui murmured as he stepped out of the clan meeting. Looking up at the moon, he gently touched his left eye.
Time was of the essence. Shisui planned to head to the Hokage's office that very night to report his intentions to the Third Hokage.
To avoid attracting attention, he chose to take a detour through the Forest of Death.
However, just as he stepped into the forest, a shadow suddenly appeared before him.
At first, Shisui thought he was under attack, but when he took a closer look under the moonlight, he let out a sigh of relief, his expression softening.
"Douhuan, what are you doing here?"
The newcomer was no stranger to Uchiha Shisui—Uchiha Douhuan, a genius of the Uchiha clan who was renowned alongside him.
Unlike most Uchiha, who specialized in Fire Release and Genjutsu, Douhuan was an anomaly—he had invested all his skill points into Lightning Release. During the Third Shinobi World War, he had wiped out fifteen Mist ninja squads in a single battle using the devastating Lightning Release: Kirin, earning him the moniker "Azure Thunder Douhuan."
To Shisui, this cousin, who was a year younger than him, was one of the few Uchihas who truly embodied the Will of Fire. In his role within the Konoha Police Force, Douhuan maintained friendly relations with the villagers and rarely participated in clan meetings, which often drew criticism from the radical faction within the Uchiha.
"I just finished my daily training," Douhuan replied with a gentle smile. "But what about you, Shisui? Why are you here in the Forest of Death so late at night?"
"Couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk," Shisui explained. He couldn't exactly admit that he was on his way to report clan secrets to the Hokage.
"It's because of the tensions between the clan and the village, isn't it?" Douhuan asked.
"Yeah." Shisui sighed deeply. "You should understand, Douhuan. If our clan rebels, we stand no chance against the village. At the same time, the village will suffer greatly, and the peace we've fought so hard to maintain will be shattered."
Shisui had little reason to be wary of Douhuan. His considerate work in the Police Force made Shisui feel that he might be a potential ally in preventing the Uchiha coup.
"Those who live in peace often fail to appreciate its value," Douhuan mused. "And the members of our clan—they think only within the confines of their own bloodline. No wonder we face such a predicament."
Hearing Douhuan's words, Shisui felt a sense of relief. It seemed that, besides Itachi—whom the Third Hokage praised for his Hokage-like mindset—there was another young man in the clan who saw the bigger picture.
"However," Douhuan continued, "I do have an idea for resolving the conflict between the clan and the village, but I need your help, Shisui."
Soft moonlight filtered through the trees, reflecting off Douhuan's pristine white haori, casting a gentle glow.
"What's your idea?" Shisui asked seriously. "What do you need me to do?"
"Shisui, lend me your eye."
Douhuan's words sent chills down Shisui's spine. The next moment, a flash of blue lightning flickered in his vision.
The clash of steel rang out in the Forest of Death. At the last possible moment, Shisui had drawn his blade, barely deflecting a fatal strike.
"Douhuan?! Why?!" Shisui demanded as they locked blades.
"You were planning to side with the village, weren't you? That's why you took this long detour to report to the Hokage in secret," Douhuan said, his voice as cold as ice.
The two leaped back, standing apart with blades in hand, their Sharingan eyes locked onto each other.
"So, in the end, your vision extends only as far as the Uchiha clan?" Shisui's gaze hardened. Douhuan's attack had been aimed straight for his life—there was no mistaking his intent.
"Hahaha!" Douhuan laughed maniacally. "How ridiculous. You and Itachi think your vision encompasses the entire village, but your eyes fail to see the future of both the clan and Konoha. You are just a frog in a well, staring at the reflection of the moon!"
Lightning crackled around Douhuan as he continued, "My vision has long since surpassed this tiny battlefield. What I see is far beyond your imagination. This rotting world needs a complete and utter revolution!"
"You intend to start a war?! You're insane!" Shisui gritted his teeth. "I thought you avoided clan meetings because you cherished peace, but now I see—you're even more extreme than the clan elders! I was completely deceived by your act."
"No, no, no," Douhuan sneered. "I didn't attend the meetings because I refuse to mingle with insects. They rant about rebellion yet never propose a single feasible strategy. How can politics thrive among such vermin?"
"...I see now." Shisui took a deep breath, his expression resolute. "Your ideals are too dangerous, Douhuan. For the village's sake, I must stop you!"
His Sharingan spun rapidly, the three tomoe merging into a windmill-like pattern.
"So this is your trump card?" Douhuan smirked. "The illusion that rewrites a person's will—Kotoamatsukami."
Shisui's eyes widened in shock. Ever since he awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, he had never revealed its power to anyone. Yet Douhuan had seen through it instantly.
"You look surprised," Douhuan laughed, pointing to his own eyes. "I already told you—my vision extends further than you could ever imagine."
As he spoke, the tomoe in Douhuan's eyes shifted.
Three jagged lightning-shaped patterns encircled his pupils.
"Mangekyō Sharingan?!"
Shisui was in utter disbelief. He had never expected that Douhuan, too, had been hiding such a trump card.
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