Chapter Four: Shisui Quietly Reports on Them

Tiehuo's figure turned into a black speck and vanished beneath the night sky.

Youhu covered his faintly aching eyes and thought, The expenditure from using Mangekyo Dojutsu really is huge. He had only used the dojutsu once, yet it had consumed nearly a quarter of his chakra.

Still, Tiehuo's attitude had changed before he left.

Aside from his heartfelt words and displaying the Mangekyō Sharingan to demonstrate his strength, it was also related to his dojutsu.

The dojutsu he had awakened was not some never-before-seen technique, but the famous Izanagi and Izanami from Uchiha history.

The former could reverse his own unfavorable fate, while the latter could make others see themselves clearly.

When he had displayed his Mangekyō Sharingan just now, he had also used Izanami on Tiehuo, making him realize the reality that launching a coup recklessly would only lead to the Uchiha Clan's destruction.

The effect had been remarkably significant.

With Izanami's support, Tiehuo now completely trusted him and had become his henchman... or rather, his right-hand man.

Awakening these two dojutsu had surprised Youhu somewhat, but it was also perfectly reasonable.

He had obtained the Lie Come True System, so he was destined to fabricate lies in order to grow stronger. The Sharingan was the eye that reflected the heart, and both Izanami and Izanagi could provide him with tremendous assistance.

After rubbing his eyes, Youhu felt much better. Aside from a slight decline in his vision, he had suffered little loss.

That was another benefit of awakening Izanagi and Izanami.

Izanagi and Izanami were known as Forbidden Techniques. If they were activated with the Three Tomoe Sharingan, the Sharingan would be directly consumed.

He only needed to spend roughly half a year recovering his chakra.

In other words, he could use Izanami at least three times within half a year. As for Izanagi, which could rewrite his own unfavorable fate, he was not yet sure. He might only have two chances within half a year, or perhaps just one.

Compared to Amaterasu, which he would use upon seeing a stray dog by the roadside, his number of uses was definitely far lower.

But compared to Kotoamatsukami's ten-year cooldown period, it was far better.

If he wanted to increase the number of times he could use it, he could only either find Orochimaru and transplant Hashirama Cells, or continue fabricating an outrageous lie and rewrite his Mangekyō Sharingan into the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

Thinking of this, Youhu gazed toward the Security Building, deep in thought.

At that moment, the corner of Youhu's eye caught sight of a figure. The person looked like a young man. After leaving Naka Shrine, he headed toward Kage Rock.

Was his destination the Hokage Building beneath Kage Rock?

Little Shisui, oh, little Shisui.

You believe the Third Hokage can resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha, but does the Third Hokage believe in you?

Half an hour later.

After meeting Uchiha Itachi, Shisui took a long detour around the area near the Uchiha District before arriving at the Hokage Building with a heavy heart.

The Hokage Building was still brightly lit. Quite a few administrative ninjas were working overtime. Shisui emerged from the darkness into the light, knocked on the door of the Hokage Office, and called out.

"Come in."

The Third Hokage had been waiting there for quite some time. Looking at Shisui, who was kneeling on one knee before him, he asked around his pipe, "Shisui, what important matter brings you to see me this time?"

Shisui lowered his head and said, "Third Lord, the clansmen have been criticizing you and the other Assistants again. They are also complaining about why you won't hold an election for a new Hokage."

The Third Hokage nodded. He was not surprised by this.

The Uchiha Clan had been clamoring to become Hokage since the village was founded, and this had continued until now. The village had never stipulated that the Uchiha could not run for Hokage.

But the circumstances were special at present, and the Uchiha Clan did not have any ninja capable of taking on the position.

"That sort of thing is nothing serious. You were so anxious to see me—did someone say something irrational at the Uchiha Clan Meeting?"

The Third Hokage was full of curiosity about the Uchiha Clan Meeting.

The entire area around the Uchiha District was covered with Anbu surveillance. Only Naka Shrine was protected by a barrier that allowed it to evade the village's monitoring.

"This..." Shisui fell silent, hesitating over whether to reveal what he had witnessed at the clan meeting.

Seeing how troubled Shisui was, the Third Hokage sighed softly. He then walked over to him, helped him up, and said gently:

"Shisui, your grandfather and I were good friends. He and I shared the dream of integrating the Uchiha into the village."

"Right now, I'm no longer Konoha's Hokage. I'm merely an elder who cares about you. Tell me what happened at the clan meeting. I promise I'll handle it properly."

Feeling the Third Hokage's warm palm, Shisui sank into deep silence. He felt a little uncomfortable.

If this had happened yesterday, such an intimate gesture from the Third Hokage would only have made him feel that the Hokage was approachable and warm. No wonder he had been able to lead the village for decades and remain unshaken.

Only by following the Third Lord's advice could the conflict between the Uchiha and the village be eliminated, allowing them to unite.

But after hearing Youhu say at the clan meeting that the Third Hokage had a Preference for Men, often fooled around with Danzo, and had even taken a fancy to the married Fugaku...

Shisui felt that the Third Hokage's palm was a little lecherous. Could it be that the Third Hokage really did have a Preference for Men?

He was still very young, and quite a few female classmates had written him love letters when he was at Ninja School. If the Third Hokage had taken a liking to him, it did not seem impossible.

No, how can I let That guy Youhu lead me astray?

The Third Lord was Konoha's stabilizing pillar, the sun that forever shone over Konoha...

After working hard to convince himself, Shisui suppressed his overwhelming disgust and slowly said, "Hokage, someone at the clan meeting wanted to launch a coup and attack you and the Anbu, seizing the Hokage Position by force."

Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage narrowed his eyes slightly, and his expression turned solemn.

Throughout Konoha's history, the Uchiha Clan had launched coups several times.

The first had been Uchiha Madara's personal rebellion. It had also caused the greatest losses. He had been young then and had not witnessed that battle personally, but the village had gained a reservoir in the Valley of the End afterward, and First had died not long after.

The second had been Uchiha Setsuna's rebellion. Setsuna had been captured and taken directly to the Security Building by Teacher Tobirama.

The third rebellion was about to arrive. Yet he possessed neither First Lord's strength nor Teacher Tobirama's methods. If the Uchiha truly launched a coup...

Even if he forcibly suppressed it, the village would suffer severe damage and face invasion from the other ninja villages.

Did he truly have the ability to face this challenge?

Just as the Third Hokage was overwhelmed by the impending Uchiha coup, Shisui continued:

"Hokage, the discussion about the coup at the clan meeting was disrupted soon afterward. Someone proposed a way to become Hokage faster than through a coup..."

"He wanted to integrate the Uchiha into Konoha through a marriage alliance."

"He proposed that Fugaku Clan Head divorce Mikoto and then marry you. That way, the Uchiha Clan and the Sarutobi Clan would become relatives. Relatives don't hold grudges overnight."