Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was very confident in his own brainwashing… oh no, his personal charm, and believed that Shisui would never betray him.
But one can never be too careful.
What if everything Shisui had done over the years was just an elaborate act of deception?
If anything went wrong, this so-called strongest Hokage in history might have his will rewritten by Kotoamatsukami and become a puppet of the Uchiha clan.
That was something he absolutely could not tolerate.
However, as the Hokage, he had to always remain in the light. Even if he could not tolerate it, he could never take direct action against his subordinates.
Dark deeds like these… were for Danzo to handle.
Thinking of this, he called an Anbu member, "Go, notify Danzo for me. Tell him to come see me at this time tomorrow, saying I need to discuss dealing with the Uchiha clan. Also, get Itachi to come see me."
Sarutobi was not entirely oblivious to Danzo's covetous desire for the Uchiha's Sharingan. If Danzo learned about Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyo ability, he wouldn't even need a hint to take action.
But even that wasn't entirely foolproof. There was still a chance Shisui might survive.
So, Sarutobi intended to use Itachi as the final layer of insurance.
If Shisui was smart, even if he escaped from Danzo, he would likely commit suicide to atone to Konoha, thereby temporarily crushing the Uchiha clan's morale and strength.
This would put an end to any plans for a coup.
A perfect solution that killed two birds with one stone.
...
Uchiha Izumi's home.
Chiya slowly opened his eyes and withdrew his perception. The result was just as he expected — Uchiha Shisui foolishly ran to the Third Hokage and revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan ability, thus sealing his fate.
Tomorrow was the Uchiha clan's festival.
Chiya vaguely remembered that the Uchiha clan, increasingly dissatisfied with Konoha, intended to use the festival to discuss a coup.
Little did they know, two traitors within their clan had already sold them out.
In the end, the entire matter would come to nothing due to Uchiha Shisui's suicide.
Thinking about this, Chiya couldn't help but sigh in his heart, "What a pathetic clan."
Inside were the loyal but misguided Uchiha Itachi, the naive Uchiha Shisui, and the delusional Obito. Even the clan leader was a weak and indecisive man — it was no surprise they were doomed.
Just then, Izumi's voice interrupted Chiya's thoughts, "Chiya, dinner's ready."
"Oh, coming." Chiya stood up and walked to the dining table.
...
The next day, Chiya activated his cultivation technique to enter Sage Mode, constantly monitoring the chakra of Uchiha Shisui and Danzo.
By evening, after escorting Izumi home, he finally sensed their chakras converging.
Immediately, Chiya disguised himself and tracked them to a remote, abandoned area of the Senju Clan's ruins.
The process unfolded just like the original story.
After learning about Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyo ability, Sarutobi Hiruzen called Danzo and, in Shisui's presence, openly discussed Kotoamatsukami and Shisui's plan to use it on Uchiha Fugaku to quell the coup. He also promised to improve the Uchiha's treatment.
The result was obvious — Danzo now had his eyes on Shisui's Sharingan.
Before Shisui could attend the Uchiha festival, Danzo summoned him here, laying an ambush to steal his eyes.
To be honest, Chiya didn't dislike someone like Shisui, a pure-hearted fool.
At least, he was much easier to deal with than the hypocritical Sarutobi or the venomous Danzo.
If Chiya wanted to, saving Shisui would be effortless.
But their worldviews were completely different.
Anyone who watched Naruto knew that Uchiha Shisui was a die-hard believer in the Will of Fire.
Even in death, he still believed in Konoha's higher-ups.
Although Chiya possessed the Zanpakuto Kyoka Suigetsu, ensuring complete control over his opponent's five senses and thus nullifying genjutsu like Tsukuyomi, or even relying on his powerful spiritual and physical energy to directly break free…
Kotoamatsukami was on a whole different level. It could instantly turn anyone the caster saw into a puppet without them even realizing it.
If one day Chiya ever stood against Konoha, Shisui would undoubtedly be the first to stand in his way.
It was always the one-in-ten-thousand possibility that was most terrifying. Such a broken ability either had to be destroyed or brought under his own control. That was the only way to ensure his own safety.
He didn't want to spend his days constantly activating Kyoka Suigetsu just to guard against Uchiha Shisui.
This wasn't about evil or good, righteous or demonic... But simply safety and preservation.
"As long as Shisui is alive, I won't be able to sleep in peace…"
Thinking this, Chiya, hidden beneath his black cloak, coldly watched the two figures ahead — Danzo and Uchiha Shisui.
"Why did you call me, Danzo-sama? The clan meeting is about to begin." Uchiha Shisui asked, puzzled.
"If we act against Uchiha Fugaku but the village's attitude toward the Uchiha remains unchanged, what will you do?" Danzo, his right eye covered by bandages and his left eye slightly squinted, did not attack immediately but rather asked about Shisui's stance.
Predictably, Shisui's answer deeply disappointed him, strengthening his resolve to steal Kotoamatsukami.
"Hokage-sama promised me that he would make changes." Shisui answered firmly.
"Even if you persuade the Third Hokage, the village's suspicion of the Uchiha won't disappear." Mentioning the Third Hokage, Danzo's eyes flashed with disdain. His gaze, filled with greed and desire, locked onto Shisui's eyes.
Out of trust for Konoha, Shisui failed to sense the incoming danger.
"I understand. In time, I will…" Shisui tried to explain but was interrupted again.
"You mean… you'll use Kotoamatsukami on me as well?"
Danzo lowered his head slightly, his face obscured by shadow, his hidden Sharingan preparing Izanagi.
"But… Danzo-sama…"
"No more nonsense. Just give me your eyes."
Suddenly, Danzo discarded his cane, lunged forward, and reached for Shisui's eyes.
Shisui, though shocked, was still an Uchiha prodigy. He quickly caught Danzo's left arm and trapped him in a genjutsu.
"This is just a regular genjutsu. It will wear off soon." Shisui gently released Danzo's hand, his face filled with deep disappointment, and turned to leave.
But before he could take a few steps, Danzo, now free of the genjutsu through Izanagi, appeared behind him and drove his fist into Shisui's abdomen, instantly gouging out his right eye.
Blood sprayed, and Shisui stumbled back, clutching his hollow eye socket.