Influence

"If they can't be recruited, imprison them first and contact me afterward!"

Though Yamei's series of arrangements made Shisui curious about how Yamei knew Zabuza and the others were in the Land of Waves, he did not ask.

A ninja's professional discipline kept him from voicing the question, and he merely made a mental note of it.

Yamei greatly appreciated Shisui's meticulous professionalism whenever a mission was involved.

With Shisui there, the Land of Waves would definitely become his backyard within two years.

If Zabuza, Raiga, and Pakura could be brought together, the Land of Waves' strength would not be something to underestimate!

Zabuza and Raiga were both elite Jonin, while Pakura definitely possessed combat power close to Kage level. Otherwise, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa would not have feared her so much.

Together with Shisui, who possessed a fully developed Sharingan, they would absolutely have Kage-level combat power in two years!

A name suddenly flashed through Yamei's mind.

"Jugo. I nearly forgot about that guy with an innate Sage Body, the source of the cursed seal."

"I wonder whether Kimimaro, one of Orochimaru's subordinates, has encountered Jugo by now... If he has, then Jugo and I may have no fate together."

Shaking his head, Yamei still instructed Shisui to try looking for him.

After making the arrangements, Yamei had intended to let Shisui rest for the night before leaving. Yet unexpectedly, Shisui chose to act immediately.

"I'm already someone who no longer exists in Konoha. Rather than waste another day here, I might as well go realize my value sooner." Shisui smiled.

"Fine. I'll leave a secret technique mark on you. Within a certain range, you can use it to contact me."

As he spoke, Yamei left a resonance mark on Shisui.

After watching Shisui depart, Yamei looked at the bright moon in the sky and chuckled.

"The ninja world? Such a tiny place, yet it's split into so many countries. Isn't that a betrayal of Mr. Ying's ideals?"

At the same time, deep in the night at Root, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly arrived, his gaze fixed directly on Danzo standing in the shadows.

"You made a move against Shisui?"

"Yes."

"Did you not know about my plan? You've ruined it completely!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted angrily.

"Even if I hadn't acted, your plan would never have succeeded! Hiruzen, can't you see that!?" Danzo asked coldly.

"You! Hmph... I'll let this matter go for now. I have other arrangements! Danzo, you'd better not interfere again!" Hiruzen snorted.

"Uchiha Itachi?" Danzo sneered. "Hiruzen, you're still the same as ever. But for the Uchiha Clan, only destruction is truly safe!"

"Danzo! I have my own arrangements! I don't need you telling me what to do!" Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately bristled.

"Hmph! Hiruzen! You will regret this!"

"Danzo, I am the Hokage! Every decision I make is for the village!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stormed out of Root.

"Hiruzen, you're old... You no longer have any resolve." Danzo watched Hiruzen's retreating figure and murmured before waving his hand. "Tell Uchiha Itachi that I wish to see him!"

News of Shisui's death spread through all of Konoha at tremendous speed that night. Nearly every major clan learned of it and turned its attention toward the Uchiha Clan.

The Uchiha Clan convened a gathering. Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku, First Elder Uchiha Setsuna, and the rest were all present.

"Shisui is dead."

Fugaku spoke only a single sentence.

The atmosphere was somewhat stifling. They had prepared for a coup precisely because Shisui had awakened the Mangekyo as well! The Uchiha Clan's combat power had reached its peak!

And now, one of them was simply gone...

"The coup should be postponed. Without Shisui, many of our previous arrangements have lost their purpose." Uchiha Setsuna slowly spoke.

"Mm, agreed."

"Agreed..."

Almost the majority of the clan members agreed with the decision.

"Where is Uchiha Itachi? Clan Head, didn't you arrange for him to enter the Anbu? Has there been no news at all?" Uchiha Setsuna asked.

"He is still in the Anbu. I will question him personally once he returns," Fugaku said gravely.

"Mm, then let's disperse for now."

The gathering did not last long, and Fugaku returned home in exhaustion.

"Has the clan still chosen to proceed with the coup?"

Uchiha Mikoto picked up a piece of clothing and handed it to Fugaku, her expression filled with worry.

"Sigh! This matter... is beyond my ability to change." Fugaku shook his head.

"But Itachi and Sasuke are still so young..." Mikoto's face was clouded with concern.

A coup meant people would die!

The ones she worried about most were her two children, especially Sasuke...

"There will be a way..."

Fugaku sighed softly and returned to his room alone.

Mikoto watched silently. She went to Sasuke's room and looked in on him for a while, then returned to her own room and lay down on her side.

The next day, Konoha remained as usual.

Shisui's death drew only a little attention among the higher-ups, ultimately causing nothing more than a few ripples.

Yamei still used a Shadow Clone to teach while he sat alone by the river, fishing.

"Itachi, if you're here, come out."

As Yamei's words fell, Uchiha Itachi emerged and sat beside him.

"Where did he go?"

"He went to carry out missions for a brand-new ideal."

Itachi fell silent. Only after a long while did he stiffly ask, "Did he simply give up on the Uchiha?"

"He is no longer the Shisui he used to be, isn't he?" Yamei smiled as he looked into his eyes.

"Yes... he has been reborn." Itachi laughed at himself. "Only I am still constantly trying to change an almost predetermined future."

"So, you awakened the Mangekyo?" Yamei asked with a smile.

"Mm." Itachi nodded without concealing it.

"How will you choose?"

"For now... I won't tell the higher-ups... I want to keep looking for an opportunity."

"Indeed. Besides, you've only just awakened the Mangekyo. You're still no match for your father."

Itachi said nothing. The fact that Fugaku had awakened the Mangekyo was not much of a secret.

"Give me a list."

"Alright."

"Shake my hand?"

"Mm!?" Itachi froze for a moment. But looking at the hand extended toward him, he hesitated before shaking it.

Magic Hand!

Materials acquired: Dojutsu, Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu!

A smile appeared on Yamei's face. As he used Magic Hand more frequently, the chance of directly obtaining gold increased dramatically.

After Itachi obtained the answer he wanted, he left. Yamei, meanwhile, analyzed Tsukuyomi and integrated it into Mist Veil Moon.

As for Amaterasu, he chose to integrate it directly into his Dojutsu. Although Amaterasu was known as the inextinguishable flame, it was not actually fire... There was no way to merge it into Fire Release, so preserving it was more useful.

In the days that followed, everything seemed to return to normal.

The Uchiha remained Konoha's Military Police Force, while Naruto and the others continued growing up carefree at the Academy.

Yamei continued teasing Ino and Hinata from time to time, taking them to train after school, then going home to spend some intimate time with Kurenai.

Sasuke, the little tsundere, also grew much closer to Yamei and the others, though he still occasionally kept to himself.

Within those seemingly peaceful days, two years slowly passed...