Kagami walked through Konoha's streets, passed through the Uchiha Clan district, and finally returned home. The difference was that this time, no one was anxiously waiting for him at the entrance.
No one rushed over after seeing him, and after he entered the house, no one spoke to him with a cold expression while pretending to care. The house still looked the same, but it could no longer be considered a home. Now, this building could only be called a "residence," not a "home."
What Kagami did not know was that after he entered the house, a man wearing a mask with red markings appeared in a dark corner. He glanced at Kagami's home, his eyes flickering, and then disappeared again.
Seven years old with the Three Tomoe Sharingan. Interesting.
In a certain dark space, there were three sofas, each occupied by one person—two men and one woman.
One of the men was Obito, wearing the mask with red markings. The other two wore black robes patterned with red clouds. The man's face was covered in black rods, making him look extremely strange. The woman had purple hair and a beauty mark beside her lips.
Obito spoke first.
"I took a liking to someone in Konoha. His experiences are quite interesting. I think he ought to hate Konoha."
The Deva Path's voice held not the slightest trace of emotion.
"Since he is someone you took a liking to, his strength must not be poor. Do you need me to send someone to invite him to join the organization?"
Obito shook his head.
"No. With his current strength and that Three Tomoe Sharingan, he can only barely fight a Jonin. He still needs more time. Let's wait."
Konan asked in confusion,
"If we have to wait, why did you come all the way here to tell us?"
Obito chuckled softly.
"We won't have to wait long. It will be soon. I can see it clearly—before long, his strength will reach the Kage Level. And he is only seven years old. He is a supreme genius, and he will be a great help to the Akatsuki. However, I personally killed his teammate before. If I went to invite him, he probably would not agree. So I want you to prepare and choose someone to invite him."
For the first time, the Deva Path's voice carried emotion, along with some surprise.
"A seven-year-old at the Kage Level? You're not joking?"
"I have no reason to joke with you about something like this. However, as I said, we still have to wait. Right now, he only has the strength of a Jonin."
"I understand. If the time comes, let me know. A genius like that is worth personally inviting."
"Mm."
As soon as he finished speaking, Obito stood up first and vanished into the darkness. The Deva Path and Konan also rose and left shortly afterward, disappearing into the darkness.
At Fugaku's home.
"What? Do you not know what tomorrow is?"
Fugaku Uchiha stared sternly at Itachi and continued,
"You still haven't understood your position."
Itachi remained unmoved, his calmness frightening.
"Tomorrow, I have a mission to carry out."
"What mission?"
"I cannot say. It is a classified mission."
At this moment, Itachi's relationship with Fugaku and the Uchiha seemed to have suddenly grown distant. The Itachi before them no longer seemed like a person, but more like a machine.
"Itachi, you are also the channel connecting the clan and the village's higher-ups. You should understand that, right?"
Fugaku scrutinized Itachi.
"Ah."
Itachi's answer was as flat as ever, without the slightest emotion.
"Remember that clearly. Also, you must attend tomorrow's gathering!"
Itachi closed his eyes. This time, he did not answer.
At Kagami's home.
Kagami looked at Shisui in surprise.
"Shisui, are you saying I shouldn't go to tonight's gathering?"
The Uchiha often held gatherings. In the past, Kagami had not attended them; his father had gone in his place. But now that both of Kagami's parents were gone, he might be required to attend.
Shisui nodded.
"At tonight's gathering, I intend to use Kotoamatsukami to change the will of the clan's higher-ups and completely eliminate the possibility of a coup."
Kagami's expression changed dramatically. Changing the will of the clan's higher-ups with Kotoamatsukami? If he remembered correctly, could this be the plot where—
"Shisui! Didn't I tell you never to reveal your Kotoamatsukami to Danzo? Why didn't you listen to me?"
Shisui shook his head.
"I didn't tell Danzo. I only told the Third Hokage. The situation between the Uchiha and the village is becoming more and more dangerous. I have to use unconventional methods."
But Kagami shook his head even more vigorously than Shisui.
"No! No! Shisui, you can't carry out this plan!"
Shisui looked at Kagami in confusion.
"Why?"
"No means no! Absolutely not! Once you reveal your Kotoamatsukami, Danzo will definitely target you."
Shisui fell silent. He looked at Kagami, and pity appeared in his eyes. In Shisui's view, Danzo had just caused Kagami's parents to die. It was perfectly normal for Kagami to hold the greatest possible malice toward Danzo.
But—
"Trust me, Kagami. I will completely resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and the village. Then we can enjoy true peace."
Kagami suddenly hugged Shisui, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.
"No, absolutely not! Danzo will definitely target you, Shisui! Once, once—"
Shisui could see that Kagami was terrified—terrified that the people he cared about would leave him one after another.
Yet it was precisely this fear that strengthened Shisui's resolve. His Mangekyō Sharingan quietly opened. As the Uchiha's foremost genjutsu expert, it was easy for him to make Kagami fall asleep.
"Don't worry, Kagami. This time, I won't break my promise again. I will definitely bring peace. From now on, we can all live as Konoha shinobi without running around because of conflicts within the village. I will never let those eyes of yours evolve any further. Go to sleep. When you wake up, everything will be better."
Shisui picked Kagami up and gently placed him on the bed. Then he used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.
Inside a room.
The Third Hokage and Danzo sat on tatami mats, constantly discussing matters.
"There is another Uchiha gathering tonight."
Danzo spoke first. Recently, the Uchiha Clan had been holding more and more gatherings, making it impossible for them to ignore the matter.
"I know about the gathering too, but the Uchiha say it is a clan ritual. There is nothing I can say about that."
The Third Hokage spoke helplessly.
But Danzo immediately refuted him sternly.
"What ritual? They are trying to stir up the clan's hostility toward the village and use that hostility to strengthen the clan's unity. They are preparing for a coup."
"I will strangle this budding problem, Shisui."
As the Third Hokage finished speaking, the door opened. Standing outside was Shisui.
"Shisui Uchiha."
Danzo seemed to understand something and spoke with some surprise.
The Third Hokage continued,
"Shisui will attend the gathering. And if Fugaku Uchiha truly intends to plan a coup—"
"I will use Kotoamatsukami."
Shisui immediately picked up the sentence.
"Your Dojutsu?"
Danzo closed his eyes, seemingly deep in thought.
"I heard it can manipulate a target without being detected, making them appear to act according to their own will."
The Third Hokage explained,
"I will make Fugaku consider a way for the Uchiha to coexist with the village."
Shisui spoke, making his intentions clear.
But Danzo replied coldly,
"Changing the mind of one Fugaku alone may not be enough to calm the dissatisfaction of the entire Uchiha Clan."
The Third Hokage denied this.
"No. If the Uchiha are willing to change, then we can change as well. From now on, we should gradually improve the Uchiha's treatment."
What the Third Hokage meant was that even if the Uchiha still had grievances, as long as they did not stage a coup, the matter would be easy to resolve. They would also change and slowly improve the Uchiha's treatment.
"This is my wish."
Shisui replied in the same manner.
Bringing peace to the village was indeed Shisui's wish. He did not want to see another tragedy like Kagami's.
"I will assign an Anbu to support you from the rear. I'm counting on you, Shisui."
"Yes!"
Naka Shrine was where the Uchiha worshipped the Uchiha clan deity.
Fugaku Uchiha and Mikoto Uchiha stood at the entrance to Naka Shrine, seemingly waiting for someone.
"Itachi hasn't come."
Mikoto spoke with some disappointment, though she had also expected it.
Fugaku Uchiha kept a cold expression and said nothing.
In a forest, behind a large stone, Itachi felt somewhat puzzled. He and Shisui had agreed to meet here before attending the gathering to discuss matters, but Shisui still had not arrived.
He's so slow.
Itachi wondered in confusion.
Before an old-looking shrine stood two people. Two enormous statues stood on either side of the shrine.
Shisui looked strangely at the person before him.
"Is something wrong, Danzo? The gathering is about to begin."
Shisui found it hard to believe. Could Danzo really be planning to attack him at such a critical moment?
Danzo's face was calm, yet somewhat gloomy. The sun was already close to setting. Its light fell around him but did not reach the side of his face, leaving his features covered in shadows.
"If you use your Dojutsu on Fugaku and persuade the Uchiha, but the village does not change, what will you do?"
Shisui answered bluntly,
"The Hokage promised me that he would change."
Danzo neither agreed nor disagreed.
"Even with the Third Hokage's persuasion, the villagers' suspicions toward you will not disappear easily."
"I understand. But as long as we spend a little more time—"
"And a suspicious man like me will not change his mind easily either. What will you do then?"
"But, Danzo—"
"When the time comes, will you use your Kotoamatsukami on me as well?"
Hello, everyone! Some people have been asking about update times, so I'll explain it all here. The first chapter will be updated punctually at seven every morning. Then, um, the second chapter will be set for twelve o'clock. Two updates a day.
Lastly, if possible, please help promote this book! 23333333.
This is my readers' group number: 870904747. Everyone is welcome to join and have fun together.
Before you continue