Shisui's Resolve

Shisui's Resolve

The conversation between Sasuke and Naruto made Shisui smile knowingly, reminding him of the days he spent sparring with Itachi.

When he first met Itachi, Itachi had been the same age. Through countless sparring sessions, he had grown into the ninja capable of standing on his own today. They had each joined Anbu and Root, striving to protect the village and the Uchiha.

These two close friends, Naruto and Sasuke, would one day follow the same path he and Itachi had taken, continuing to protect the village.

This was the inheritance of the Will of Fire, and the faith to which he had devoted everything.

After watching silently for a while, Shisui did not step forward to disturb Naruto and Sasuke, choosing instead to leave quietly.

The relationship between the clan and the village was already strained. If the Third Hokage misunderstood his approaching the Jinchuriki, that would be troublesome. He might even lose the Third Hokage's trust.

But when exactly had he begun believing in the Will of Fire?

Had it been during his time at the Ninja Academy? After becoming a genin, while carrying out missions with his friends? Or on the battlefields of the ninja war?

He could not remember...

Shisui narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze somewhat distant, but he soon stopped caring about those stray thoughts that had surfaced for no reason.

He still had important work to do and no time to dwell on such trivial matters. Stopping Captain Fugaku's coup was what mattered most.

Seemingly noticing that Shisui had disappeared, Sasuke looked around, but saw nothing.

Finding it rather strange, Sasuke asked Naruto, "I feel like someone was watching us just now. It made me uncomfortable. Did you feel anything like that?"

Naruto smiled. "Probably just your imagination. Why didn't I feel anything?"

With Naruto saying that, Sasuke also felt he had been overly sensitive. He and Naruto were both Ninja Academy students. What was there worth spying on? Who would be bored enough to do that?

Seeing that the sky had grown dark, Sasuke said, "Let's stop here for today. We'll continue tomorrow. The Shadow Clone training method you introduced is very useful. Sooner or later, I'll be able to defeat you."

"I'll be waiting for that day."

Naruto casually replied to Sasuke, but his mind was on the gaze that had been spying on them earlier.

Sasuke had been right. While they were sparring, many people had indeed been watching them, including Anbu and the old Third Hokage, who would sneak glances at them from time to time.

But that gaze had not belonged to Anbu or the old Third Hokage. It had given him a faint sense of dread.

Was it Shimura Danzō? Or Obito Uchiha?

Naruto immediately thought of those two. Both possessed the strength to threaten him. The former was a master of Wind Release, with strength no less than that of the Five Kage. The latter possessed the Kamui Sharingan and was the piece of trash who had caused the Nine-Tails' Rampage.

The two of them were like the Crouching Dragon and Young Phoenix of bringing disaster to the ninja world. Blaming them could not go wrong.

"Naruto, the person who was spying on you earlier appeared near the Uchiha Clan Compound. He came from the direction of the Hokage Building and headed toward the Uchiha Clan Compound."

The Nine-Tails suddenly spoke while Naruto was guessing.

Thank you, Nine-Tails... After thanking it, Naruto narrowed down his suspicions and quickly settled on Shisui Uchiha. Relevant memories surfaced in his mind.

Shisui was an Uchiha who believed in the Will of Fire. Until his death, he had hoped for peaceful coexistence between the Uchiha and Konoha.

But because of Danzo's sneak attack, he lost one Mangekyō Sharingan. To prevent war between the Uchiha and Konoha, he chose to commit suicide by jumping from a cliff near Naka Shrine, entrusting his ideals and his remaining Mangekyō to Itachi Uchiha.

The Mangekyō Sharingan and Kotoamatsukami were both powers capable of threatening him.

If Shisui had been spying on him, then his sense of danger was understandable. The Mangekyō could control tailed beasts, while Kotoamatsukami could alter one's will. Both were extremely dangerous.

But the Nine-Tails had just said that Shisui came from the Hokage Building?

Naruto fell into thought. Shisui had not actually confessed Kotoamatsukami to the old Third Hokage, had he? What was this, did he think he was not dying fast enough?

Besides, was a dojutsu like Kotoamatsukami something one could just tell others about? No normal person would tolerate such a dojutsu being in someone else's hands.

Especially not a Hokage like the old Third Hokage, who had held great power for many years. It would be strange if he were not wary of it.

Thinking of this, Naruto glanced at the pitch-black grove and sighed softly. From now on, his sleeping time would probably be greatly reduced.

He knew Shisui would eventually commit suicide by jumping off a cliff, but he did not know which cliff it was.

He had to prepare for all of this in advance.

Several weeks later, outside the Security Building.

Shisui glanced at Fugaku's office and sighed softly in his heart.

Over the past few days, he had been spending time among his clansmen, witnessing how they violently treated villagers and offended civilian ninjas, causing most people to stand against the Uchiha.

The more he learned, the more worried he became about the Uchiha's future.

Even if he truly controlled Captain Fugaku, he could only slightly delay the outbreak of conflict.

As time passed, new conflicts would inevitably erupt between the Military Police Force and the villagers, unless the clan was willing to give up the offending department of the Military Police Force.

What was even harder for him to accept was that he could not find an opportunity to be alone with Captain Fugaku and slowly alter his will.

Tonight, the clan would hold its final gathering at Naka Shrine and announce a coup against the higher-ups. It would be his last opportunity to act.

What could he do to completely prevent a conflict from breaking out between the clan and the village?

Shisui was utterly lost. After pacing for a while, he headed toward the outskirts of the clan compound. He had arranged to meet Itachi, and they would work together inside and outside the gathering to directly control Captain Fugaku.

Just then, a furtive figure appeared behind Shisui.

Noticing the gaze, Shisui activated the Body Flicker Technique and appeared behind the newcomer. Upon discovering that the person wore an Anbu mask, he relaxed and said:

"Anbu? Please tell the Third Lord that I will stop the Uchiha coup."

The ninja who appeared to be Anbu shook his head. "I am not the Hokage's subordinate. I serve Lord Danzo, belonging to Root, which protects Konoha. Lord Danzo wants you to visit the Root organization."

Shisui frowned slightly. "Lord Danzo wishes to see me? I'm sorry, but I don't have the time."

He knew of Danzo. The man was the leader of Root, Itachi's direct superior, and also his grandfather Kagami's comrade.

The Root Ninja said, "Lord Danzo knows what you are thinking. That is why he specifically wishes to discuss the Uchiha's future with you. If you do not wish to go, Lord Danzo will not force you."

After saying that, the Root Ninja made as though he were about to return and report back.

Shisui hesitated, but for the sake of the clan, he followed. Although Danzo's reputation among the jonin was terrible, the man was still one of the village's higher-ups and his grandfather's comrade.

He was also one of the Third Lord's subordinates. Simply going over should not cause any problems.

Not long after, Shisui arrived outside the Root Base. At the entrance, he saw Danzo, Root's leader, his entire body wrapped in bandages and his back turned toward Shisui.