Danzo Was Asking for Death

"Shisui, did Itachi really say that?"

In the Hokage Office, Sarutobi Hiruzen stared grimly at the half-kneeling Shisui below.

"Yes."

A trace of bitterness appeared at the corner of Shisui's mouth.

He knew that if he truthfully reported Itachi's attitude to Sarutobi Hiruzen, Itachi would undoubtedly face suspicion and suppression from Konoha's higher-ups.

But he could not just watch his close friend stray farther and farther down the wrong path.

Upon receiving Shisui's confirmation, the fingers gripping Sarutobi Hiruzen's pipe trembled slightly.

Although his expression did not change much, anyone could see the resentment he felt at this moment.

Even Itachi...

The Itachi he had always thought highly of, the Itachi who had inherited the Will of Fire, had betrayed him too?

Namikaze Mirai, what kind of brainwashing did you use to make Itachi turn to your side?

Shock, fury, resentment, and a series of other negative emotions rose in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, casting a shadow over his face.

"Hiruzen, this cannot go on any longer."

Utatane Koharu, seated to Sarutobi Hiruzen's left, spoke in a trembling voice after a long silence.

"I heard that he is training the Uchiha Clan Members. What exactly is he trying to do?"

The look in her eyes was not hatred toward Namikaze Mirai, but a trace of fear.

Fear of the unknown.

Ever since Namikaze Mirai returned to the village, every action he had taken had steadily shattered her resolve.

The battle in southern Konoha a few days ago had revealed Namikaze Mirai's terrifying strength.

Namikaze Mirai, with that kind of strength, had already become Utatane Koharu's nightmare.

The name Namikaze Mirai was like a Sword of Damocles hanging above her head.

It could fall at any moment.

Faced with Utatane Koharu's fear,

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to speak, yet he did not know what to say.

No matter how unwilling he was, he could not think of any good countermeasure at this moment.

He could only respond with silence.

Danzo, seated to his right, took all of this in, a cold gleam flashing in his left eye.

Hiruzen, you are still as weak as ever.

Namikaze Mirai has already trampled all over you, yet you are still thinking about how to yield! The Nine-Tails has fallen into Uchiha's hands. If they wanted to, they could completely bring about another Nine-Tails Attack! If it truly came to that, what would Konoha use to stop them? The time for a decision has come.

Your weakness will only ruin you. When it matters most, I still have to act.

Without lingering for long, Danzo rose and left, leaning on his cane.

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched his back, suddenly feeling that there was something different about his old friend's silhouette.

It seemed as though he was vaguely plotting something.

"Lord Hokage, I will take my leave first."

Sensing the heavy atmosphere in the air, Uchiha Shisui knew there was no point in staying any longer and asked to leave.

"Mm!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded heavily.

After leaving the Hokage Tower, Uchiha Shisui looked back at the massive building behind him, but the gloom in his heart still had not dissipated.

The clan, the village... where should I go from here? Why can't the clan members understand the Will of Fire? Why can't everyone resolve their problems peacefully? Before, at least Itachi had understood me.

But now, even Itachi had taken the opposite side.

In the end, can conflict truly only be resolved through bloodshed? With a heavy heart, he began making his way back to the Uchiha Clan Compound. He leaped from rooftop to rooftop, quickly crossing the bustling district and arriving at a forest.

Beyond this forest lay the Uchiha Clan Compound.

The moment he arrived, Shisui noticed someone standing on the only path through, with bandages wrapped around his right arm and face.

Shisui immediately identified him.

The leader of Root, Danzo.

"Lord Danzo, were you waiting here specifically for me?"

Shisui took a breath and asked.

Danzo had been the first to leave that meeting earlier.

Could he have left ahead of time just to wait for me here? A trace of solemnity rose in his heart.

Shisui knew well that this man, who had inherited the title of Konoha's Root, was far from as benevolent as the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sure enough, the moment Danzo spoke, Shisui's heart tightened.

"Shisui, there is a mission I need you to complete."

A cold glint flashed through Danzo's left eye as he scrutinized Shisui before him.

"What mission?"

"Bring the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to me."

What?!

His pupils suddenly contracted, and his mouth opened slightly in shock and disbelief. Uchiha Shisui could scarcely believe his ears as he stared at Danzo in utter incredulity.

The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was Naruto, the Fourth Hokage's son, wasn't he?

If he remembered correctly, Naruto was currently in the Uchiha Clan Compound, living in the residence of the clan head, Fugaku.

Most importantly, Namikaze Mirai lived there as well!

Trying to take Naruto away from that man's side was practically impossible! "Lord Danzo, forgive my bluntness, but why do you want to take Naruto away?"

Shisui felt weighed down.

He did not understand why Danzo wanted to do this. Taking Naruto away would inevitably enrage that man.

What would happen then was impossible to predict!

"Shisui, you do not wish to see Uchiha head toward destruction either, do you?"

Danzo narrowed his remaining eye as he examined Shisui, as though he wanted to see through the resolve in his heart as well.

"Why would Lord Danzo say that?"

Danzo said expressionlessly, "The current Uchiha is like someone walking a tightrope, liable to fall into an abyss at any moment. And the fuse for all of this is that man."

"He brought the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki into Uchiha. Shisui, as an Anbu member, you should know very well what that means, shouldn't you?"

Shisui clenched his fingers unwillingly. How could he not understand what that meant? As Konoha's weapon of war, the Nine-Tails was far too significant! This was undoubtedly like suspending a blade over the heads of Konoha's higher-ups! "As long as you bring the Nine-Tails to me, I will make the decision regarding Uchiha. Their past actions can be forgiven."

Danzo narrowed his eyes slightly.

He waited for Shisui's answer.

Shisui closed his eyes, seeming to hesitate, struggle, and wrestle with himself...

At last, he opened his eyes and let out a sigh.

"Lord Danzo, forgive me, but I cannot complete your mission."

Danzo's expression stiffened.

A flicker of anger surfaced in his eyes.

"Shisui! Do you know what you are saying? You dare refuse me?"

"Lord Danzo, I am indeed worried by that man's arrival, and I am also puzzled by Itachi's choice, but..."

Shisui looked directly at Danzo.

"There is one thing I understand clearly. Abducting Naruto would be like detonating a powder keg filled with uncertainty. The consequences would be utterly impossible to predict!"

"Lord Danzo, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

Whoosh! Shisui vanished.

Leaving Danzo alone in disarray!

Several crimson veins bulged in his lone eye, and Danzo's face twisted viciously.

He gritted his teeth.

"Shisui! Even you dare refuse me!"

"Do you think I cannot accomplish this without you?"