Frame-up

"By the way, why hasn't Siming arrived yet?"

Shisui's curiosity carried a hint of anticipation—he'd heard plenty about Siming's glorious deeds lately.

Barging into the Hyuga Clan, beating down the Hyuga clan head, and snatching away the Hyuga genius.

Most absurd of all, he'd become Asuma Sarutobi's teacher?

That was the Third Hokage's son!

"At this time... Siming-dage is probably teaching Neji, Asuma, and Naruto Uzumaki, right?"

Uchiha Itachi hesitated a moment before explaining.

Shisui's expression filled with admiration, a solemn respect rising within him!

Unstoppable.

In less than two months, Siming already had three disciples under him.

How many more would there be as things developed?

A ridiculous thought crept into his mind—at this rate, wouldn't the entire new generation become Siming's disciples?

Then the Uchiha Clan wouldn't need to rebel against the village at all!

Uchiha Siming becoming Hokage would be a foregone conclusion!

"What kind of daydream are you two having over here?"

A speechless voice rang out, and Shisui and Itachi's hearts jolted in unison. They turned around to see Uchiha Siming standing on a nearby tree branch.

"Siming?!"

Shisui was stunned: "When did you get here?"

He and Itachi both possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Yet even so.

Neither of them had sensed Siming's arrival—it was as eerie as a ghost. Just what level of strength had Siming reached now?!

"I've been here from the start, but you two just overlooked me."

Siming spread his hands, expression helpless.

"Also, Shisui, how did that task I gave you go?"

Shisui's face turned serious as he spoke: "Following your instructions, Siming, I've been trying to recruit strong fighters. I successfully brought in Kirigakure's Kisame Hoshigaki and Juzo Biwa."

"Their temperaments are odd, but at heart, they're both decent people."

He gave a helpless yet satisfied smile.

Clearly, he'd gotten along well with them.

"Not bad."

Uchiha Siming patted Shisui's shoulder, remarking: "Shisui, someone like you—though you're not suited to be a leader, when it comes to making friends, no one's better than you."

It was a bit like Yahiko.

Not a great leader, but everyone trusted him.

Shisui smiled helplessly and scratched his head: "I'll take that as a compliment."

Hey.

Look at that.

He took it as a compliment.

"Oh, and one more thing, Siming."

Shisui's expression turned grave: "According to reliable intel, someone spotted Orochimaru entering the Land of Fire's border. His movements are likely tied to Konoha—that guy's always been obsessed with our Uchiha Clan's Sharingan!"

"I'll keep a close watch on Orochimaru and notify you the moment I have news!"

Orochimaru?

Uchiha Siming narrowed his eyes. Snake-sama, huh.

He knew her well!

He'd even seen a few doujinshi of Snake-sama.

What couldn't be denied was that Snake-sama's research skills were unmatched in the ninja world—while others were still tinkering with machines, she'd already started on genetic ascension.

Most crucially.

Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō shared unspeakable secrets.

Orochimaru coming to the Land of Fire could mean a new deal with Danzō.

Since Danzō hadn't gotten Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, he'd surely seek other ways to gain greater power.

"Alright. And since you're back today, Shisui, there's something I need you to do."

Siming accepted, then grinned and said:

"We still haven't settled the score with Danzō from before."

He'd never forgotten that matter.

Now, this was the first step.

"What?"

Shisui and Itachi exchanged a glance, seeing the shock in each other's eyes: "Are we really... going to strike? Won't this cause conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village?"

Shisui's eyes carried worry.

He wanted the Uchiha Clan to be safe, but he also didn't want Konoha to be harmed.

"Don't worry."

Uchiha Siming grinned and said: "I've already prepared a brilliant plan. No one will suspect the Uchiha Clan."

He explained the plan to the two of them.

Shisui and Itachi were instantly dumbfounded, staring at Siming like he was a ghost.

Seriously.

Was this something a human could come up with?

Shisui's expression was complicated: "Isn't this... a bit too much?"

Itachi's face held a hint of excitement: "As expected of Big Brother Siming, to be able to come up with such a cunning scheme!"

Shisui abruptly turned his head to stare at Itachi in shock.

Wait.

Itachi, when did you defect?! His sweet, obedient Itachi... seemed to have been twisted!

The three quickly arrived at Root.

"Enemies, kill them!"

The Root ninjas instantly shifted into combat stances. They were elites who had been through countless battles and rigorous training.

But the enemy was faster!

"Lightning Release: Ground Walk!"

Uchiha Shisui's face under the mask was complicated. Lightning crackled in his palm, like a thousand birds chirping crisply at once!

He glanced to the side.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Ball!"

Uchiha Itachi's mask couldn't hide his excitement. His hands moved with incredible speed.

"Bullying the Uchiha!"

"Trying to kill Shisui!"

"Trying to slaughter the Uchiha Clan!"

He struck without any mercy.

Shisui was completely bewildered.

Seriously.

Wind Release: Vacuum Ball was the Shimura Clan's signature technique. Using the Shimura Clan's own technique to slaughter the Root of their clan leader, Shimura Danzō—this wasn't just framing, it was rubbing salt in the wound.

He turned his head again.

And froze on the spot.

"Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms!"

Uchiha Siming executed it with incredible fluidity. Each palm and fist blended hardness and softness—the Gentle Fist flowed like water, embracing all things, while the hard fist shattered everything like an angry Vajra.

The Sharingan could copy everything.

But the essence required learning.

The level Siming displayed showed he had put in serious effort!

Shisui's face was blank with shock. If using Lightning Release: Ground Walk was a clumsy frame job, and Itachi's Vacuum Ball was just to spite Shimura Danzō, then Siming's Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms was outright blatant framing.

"Heh, I've got a little grudge with Hyuga Hiashi."

Siming grinned, showing a shy smile.

"Giving him a little trouble isn't too much, right?"

Shisui shook his head, feeling only pity for Hyuga Hiashi. He could already picture Hiashi's awful expression tomorrow.

Soon, every Root member left on guard was slaughtered!

Not a single survivor!

The entire Root headquarters ran with blood, every corpse belonging to a Root member.

"A pity Danzo isn't here today."

Uchiha Siming's eyes were indifferent as he tossed out a scroll. "Shisui, Itachi, don't stop spreading the incriminating information. Also, add these details this time."

The two took the scroll and read it, their expressions growing darker by the moment.

The information recorded on the scroll was far too detailed.

The trace of reluctance Shisui had felt in his heart vanished without a trace in an instant.

"Danzo is utterly devoid of humanity!"

"Dealing with someone like him—no method is too extreme!"