Awakening

Shisui's expression was clear now, his eyes filled with hope and clarity for the future, as though his earlier "suicide" had all been an illusion.

"As long as you know."

Uchiha Akira curled his lip. He had not done much—just uploaded a ZIP file containing nine years of compulsory education into Shisui's mind. To make sure it worked, he had also given him an order: obey his words.

That would keep Shisui from being so stubbornly single-minded in the future.

"What should we do from now on?"

After thinking for a moment, Shisui's expression became incomparably solemn. "In Danzo's eyes, I should already be dead. If I continue appearing in the village, it will inevitably provoke conflict between the Uchiha and the Konoha High Command."

It would have been fine if he were dead.

There would be no witnesses to anything.

But if he were alive, Danzo's actions would have to be paid for. It might even lead directly to war between the village and the Uchiha, which was the last thing he wanted to see.

He continued in a low voice, "Akira, it seems I'll have to fake my death."

This was the only way he could think of to prevent a clash between the village and the Uchiha Clan.

"It's just a pity. If Kotoamatsukami: Permanent in my left eye hadn't just been used, I could have hit Danzo with it and made him a true 'good person.' The Kotoamatsukami in my right eye can only influence someone's will for a short time."

A sharp glint flashed through Shisui's eyes.

He had always insisted on never using Kotoamatsukami, yet at this moment, he brought it up of his own accord.

"Oh? Not bad."

Uchiha Akira chuckled as he looked Shisui up and down. "That ZIP file of nine years of compulsory education wasn't wasted on you. You know how to adapt now. You're no longer like before, knowing nothing but so-called 'dedication' and 'seppuku.'"

Whenever they encountered a problem they could not solve,

they habitually tried to solve it through suicide. In their minds, there was no concept of solving problems; instead, they regarded suicide as an honor.

They used suicide to atone for their sins.

As though that could prove how noble their resolve was. Typical Japanese thinking.

But in reality, problems that could not be solved would continue to exist. In Uchiha Akira's view, no matter how difficult or arduous the problem was, they should use every means available—even death, even underhanded methods.

Only by ultimately achieving peace between the Uchiha and Konoha could it be called a success.

As for judgment,

that could be left for later generations.

"I was too foolish before."

Shisui sighed and said earnestly, "Akira, it's all thanks to you. From now on, I will obey all your orders. Only you can save the Uchiha Clan!"

Uchiha Akira did not respond. He placed one hand on Shisui's shoulder. "Let's deal with the poison in your body first."

The Chakra in his body stirred, and green energy emerged, flowing through Shisui's body.

In an instant,

a cool force traveled through Shisui's body. The poison melted away like snow and vanished without a trace.

"This is?!"

Shisui stared in shock, disbelief filling his eyes. "This is a poison unique to Root! Even the village's finest medical experts would need to remove it little by little, and it would take at least half a month!"

Even Tsunade could not possibly heal someone that quickly, could she?

Akira was already strong enough to snatch back the Mangekyō Sharingan from Danzo, and now even his medical ninjutsu had reached such an unbelievable level!

What was there that he could not do?

[Ding! Congratulations, Lord Hashirama, mission complete!]

[Mission reward: Indra Chakra!]

In an instant!

It was as though a powerful force had poured into his body from nowhere. A warm force seemed to enter his eyes, making those already pitch-black pupils even deeper, as if they contained the darkness of hell itself!

The Hashirama Cells within his body slowly began to merge with Indra Chakra.

The process was slow.

But he could feel the Dojutsu Power of his Mangekyō Sharingan increasing, the constitution of his Sage Body growing stronger, and traces of the power of all creation taking shape!

When the two fused to the utmost limit,

the power of all creation would erupt. His Mangekyō Sharingan would become the Rinnegan, granting him complete control over all creation!

"All right, Shisui."

Uchiha Akira said calmly, "You should leave first. What comes next is between Danzo and me."

"Akira, what are you going to do?"

Shisui hurriedly said, "We can't touch Danzo yet. Once Root and the Uchiha go to war, even if Danzo is killed, the village will still be dragged into war. The village doesn't only have great clans like the Uchiha—it also has countless ordinary villagers!"

The Uchiha and the other clans were nobles and ninjas, true.

But once war broke out,

the ones who suffered would be ordinary people.

"Killing Danzo would be letting him off too easily."

Uchiha Akira's eyes were pitch-black, his voice righteous and awe-inspiring, like the majesty of heaven!

"Everyone in Konoha is my family! I won't let a single innocent family member come to harm."

His expression was solemn, his face cold and hard as iron.

"Likewise, anyone who harms Konoha, I will make them regret ever coming into this world!"

"Death? That is far from enough to make him atone. I want Danzo to watch hope shatter before his eyes. I want him to know that his entire life has been a mistake!"

Danzo's crimes

were too numerous to record!

Uchiha Shisui was deeply moved.

Only at this moment did he realize that what Uchiha Akira had said in the Hokage's office had never been false.

He truly possessed an iron-blooded will and the determination to protect the village!

For a moment, a trace of shame rose in Uchiha Shisui's heart.

It was because of Akira's iron-like resolve.

Even more because he had judged a gentleman's heart with his own petty mind, leaving him ashamed of himself.

"Akira, only you can save the Uchiha Clan!"

Shisui was deeply moved.

The Uchiha Akira before him was the person he wanted to become, yet could never become. There was now a hint of reverence in his eyes.

With that,

his figure vanished from the spot in an instant.

Not long afterward, Uchiha Itachi arrived in a rush. Tension and urgency filled his eyes. "Akira! Shisui— is he all right?"

"He's fine."

Akira reassured him. "He's just a little dead, that's all."

He then pointed at the rushing mountain stream, his voice carrying a hint of sorrow and helplessness. "Look, Shisui... he jumped down from here. He'll probably... die without a burial place."

Itachi: "???"

His scarlet Three Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly. A triangular pinwheel emerged as he awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Akira: "???"

Wait.

You awakened your eyes just like that?

Seeing that Itachi was on the verge of breaking down, Akira quickly explained everything. He only concealed the matter of using Kotoamatsukami to alter Shisui's will. Itachi's expression improved greatly, but it was still incomparably grim.

There was also a trace of doubt in his eyes.

Half believing and half doubting, he said, "Akira, are you sure... you're not lying to me?"

Soon, he shook his head again. "Akira, I believe you. Shisui will return after all, but—"

"Danzo, how dare he!"

Itachi's face was filled with fury and shock. "Is he trying to start a war between the village and the Uchiha?!"

He could not believe it.

As a member of the Konoha High Command, how could Danzo be so utterly insane?

Was he not afraid that the Uchiha Clan would rebel?!