Danzo's Suicide Mission (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

"Shisui, is that truly what Itachi said?"

In the Hokage Office, Sarutobi Hiruzen stared with a gloomy gaze at Shisui, who was kneeling before him.

"Yes."

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

He knew that if he reported Itachi's attitude truthfully to Sarutobi Hiruzen, it would undoubtedly lead to suspicion and suppression from the Konoha high command against Itachi.

Yet, he could not stand by and watch his best friend drift further and further down the wrong path.

Upon receiving Shisui's confirmation, the Finger of Sarutobi Hiruzen gripping his pipe trembled slightly.

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

Even Itachi...

Had Itachi, whom he had always favored and who had inherited the Will of Fire, also betrayed him?

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

Shock, anger, and unwillingness—a series of negative emotions rose in the eyes of Sarutobi Hiruzen, causing his face to seem shrouded in a layer of gloom.

"Hiruzen, we cannot let this continue."

Utatane Koharu, sitting to the left of Sarutobi Hiruzen, spoke with a trembling voice after a long silence.

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

The expression in her eyes at this moment was not one of hatred toward Namikaze Mirai, but a sliver of fear.

Fear of the unknown.

Ever since Namikaze Mirai returned to Konoha, every action he had taken had been continuously shattering her spirit.

During the battle in the southern part of Konoha a few days ago, Namikaze Mirai had displayed terrifying strength.

Possessing such power, Namikaze Mirai had already become a nightmare in the heart of Utatane Koharu.

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

It could fall at any moment.

Faced with the fear of Utatane Koharu, Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to speak, but he did not know what to say.

Even with ten thousand regrets in his heart, he could not think of any good counter-strategy at this moment.

He could only respond with silence.

All of this was taken in by Danzo, who sat to his right, a cold light glinting in his Left Eye.

Hiruzen, you are still as weak as ever.

Namikaze Mirai is already riding on our heads, yet you are still thinking about how to concede! The Nine-Tails has already fallen into the hands of the Uchiha; if they wanted to, they could easily orchestrate another Nine-Tails Attack! If it truly came to that, what would Konoha have to stop them? Now, the time for a decision has arrived.

Your weakness will only be your undoing; at the critical moment, I am the one who must act.

Without further entanglement, Danzo stood up and left, leaning on his cane.

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched his retreating figure and suddenly felt that the back of his old friend looked somewhat different.

It seemed as if something was vaguely brewing.

"Lord Hokage, I shall take my leave now."

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

"Hmm!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded heavily.

Walking out of the Hokage Tower, Uchiha Shisui looked at the massive building behind him, but the gloom in his heart did not dissipate.

The clan, the village—where should he go? Why couldn't his clansmen understand the Will of Fire? Why couldn't everyone resolve problems through peaceful means? In the past, at least Itachi could agree with him.

But now, even Itachi had moved to the opposite side.

Could it be that in the end, only blood could resolve the conflict? With a heavy heart, he began to return to the Uchiha Clan Compound, leaping across the rooftops of the buildings. He soon passed through the bustling area and arrived at a forest.

Crossing this forest would lead him to the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Just as he arrived, Shisui noticed a person standing on the path he had to take, his right arm and face wrapped in Bandage.

Shisui instantly identified the person's identity.

The leader of Root, Danzo.

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

Shisui took a breath and asked.

During the meeting just now, Danzo had been the first to leave.

Could it be that he had left early just to wait for me here? A sense of gravity rose in his heart.

Uchiha Shisui knew clearly that this man who inherited the title of the Root of Konoha was by no means as benevolent as the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sure enough, the moment Danzo finished his first sentence, his heart gave a sudden jolt.

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

A cold, sinister light flashed in Danzo's Left Eye as he scrutinized the Uchiha Shisui standing before him.

"What mission?"

"Bring the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to me."

What?!

His pupils contracted sharply and his mouth hung slightly agape in shock and astonishment; Uchiha Shisui could hardly believe his ears, staring at Danzo with eyes full of disbelief.

The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—that would be the Fourth Hokage's son, Naruto, right?

If his memory served him correctly, the boy was currently in the Uchiha Clan Compound, staying at the residence of the clan head, Fugaku.

Most importantly, Namikaze Mirai was living there as well!

Trying to take Naruto away from that man's side was as difficult as ascending to the heavens! "Lord Danzo, forgive my bluntness, but why do you want to take Naruto?"

Shisui's heart felt heavy.

He did not understand why Danzo would do such a thing. Once Naruto was taken, it would inevitably enrage that man.

At that point, it was impossible to predict how things would unfold!

"Shisui, you don't want to see the Uchiha head toward destruction, do you?"

Danzo's remaining eye narrowed, scrutinizing Shisui as if he were trying to see straight through to the will within his heart.

"Why would Lord Danzo say such a thing?"

Danzo said expressionlessly, "The Uchiha of today is like someone walking on a tightrope, ready to fall into an abyss at any moment. And the fuse for everything is that man."

"He brought the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki into the Uchiha; Shisui, as an Anbu, you should know very well what this implies, right?"

Shisui clenched his Finger in frustration. How could he not understand what this meant? As a war weapon of Konoha, the significance of the Nine-Tails was far too great! This move was undoubtedly like hanging a sharp blade over the heads of the Konoha high command! "As long as you bring the Nine-Tails to me, I will take charge of the Uchiha matter and let bygones be bygones."

Danzo's eyes narrowed slightly.

He waited for his reply.

Shisui closed his eyes, appearing to hesitate, to struggle, to be torn...

Finally, he opened his eyes and let out a sigh.

"Lord Danzo, I am afraid I cannot complete your mission."

Danzo's face stiffened.

A trace of anger surfaced in his eyes.

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

"Lord Danzo, I am indeed worried about that man's arrival, and I am also confused by Itachi's choices, but..."

Shisui stared straight at Danzo.

"There is one thing I am very clear about: kidnapping Naruto is like lighting a fuse on a powder keg full of uncertainties. The consequences are simply impossible to predict!"

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

Whoosh! Shisui vanished.

Leaving Danzo alone in a state of disarray!

Bloodshot veins burst into his lone eye, and Danzo's face twisted into a hideous expression.

He gritted his teeth.

"Shisui! Even you dare to refuse me!"

"Do you think that without you, I have no way to get it done?"