The attempt at genjutsu didn't go well.
Before that, Fugaku Uchiha had brought Shisui to the Medical Room so Orochimaru could see whether there was any chance of saving Shisui's eyes.
Two Hokage Advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, had come with them.
After a day, they had more or less learned what had happened in the war, and they knew Shisui had played a crucial role.
However, the two Council Elders clearly hadn't come to commend Shisui. They were here because of the Uchiha Clan's Forbidden Eye.
Those warped Uchiha fanatics never let their guard down around the Uchiha, no matter where or when.
"His eyesight has deteriorated badly. There's a good chance he'll go blind."
Orochimaru pulled Shisui's eyelid open, examined his eye for a moment, and gave his conclusion.
At his words, the two advisors first let out a sigh of relief in unison, then quickly composed their expressions.
Perhaps they felt their reaction hadn't been very dignified. Utatane Koharu forced a worried look and asked, "Orochimaru, is there anything you can do? Shisui made a significant contribution in this war. Don't keep your methods to yourself."
What she meant was that, whether or not anything could be done, they had to go through the motions to give the Uchiha some comfort.
As someone from the Hokage's faction, she believed Orochimaru would understand the unspoken agreement.
Orochimaru glanced at her. "Of course I have a way."
At that, Utatane Koharu's expression stiffened. Her worry was no longer forced.
"Really, Lord Orochimaru?"
Fugaku, meanwhile, was overjoyed.
The war had ended quickly, and the Military Police Force hadn't suffered as many losses as expected, while their contribution had been undeniable.
What's more, Shisui had fought two Jinchuriki at the cost of his Mangekyō Sharingan, indirectly clearing the clan of suspicion to a certain extent.
If they could now save Shisui's eyes as well, the Uchiha would have come out of this war with a complete victory, reaping a massive haul.
"The simplest method is to replace his eyes."
Orochimaru flexed his nimble fingers. "An eye transplant is child's play for me. And given Shisui's standing in the clan, he should be able to obtain another pair of Sharingan."
Fugaku's smile stiffened, too. He had, of course, considered the solution Orochimaru proposed, but it wouldn't save the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Utatane Koharu wasn't pleased to hear it, either. She suddenly realized that Orochimaru's earlier, deliberately vague remarks had clearly been meant to tease her.
"As for a more complicated method, I have one. If it succeeds, it may be possible to save these eyes."
Orochimaru glanced at Shisui, whose eyes were tightly shut, and spoke slowly. "Unfortunately, in his current condition, he can't undergo the surgery."
"Why not?" The clan head's mood had been rising and falling, and now he was growing impatient.
The two advisors, meanwhile, glared at Orochimaru, blaming him for making things difficult.
"The surgery is meant to enhance a ninja's physical constitution. I'll spare you the details. You only need to know that it carries some risk."
Orochimaru looked around at everyone and spoke slowly. "The patient needs to possess immense spiritual energy. Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan would normally make him an ideal candidate for this kind of surgery. But now that he's blind, his spiritual state has been affected as well. If he undergoes it recklessly, he could die."
Fugaku stepped forward and said gravely, "Lord Orochimaru, is there really no other way? If Shisui gets another pair of Sharingan, could he make it through the surgery?"
"It's possible, but failure is more likely."
Orochimaru glanced at Fugaku and deliberately added, "As a bloodline organ, the Sharingan also contains part of its original owner's spiritual energy. After transplantation, the recipient needs time to adapt. The outcome depends on how compatible Shisui is with those eyes. There are too many uncertainties."
"Perhaps, with his talent, he could even awaken the Mangekyō in the transplanted Sharingan. Or perhaps, eventually, he'd need another pair of eyes."
"However, if the eyes came from a blood relative, that would greatly reduce the chances of—"
Shisui sensed Orochimaru's gaze and gave a bitter smile. "There are very few people in my branch, let alone brothers or even relatives. Even fewer of them have Sharingan. And even if there were someone, I wouldn't want to take their eyes.
"Clan Head Fugaku, Lord Orochimaru, I'm sorry for the trouble. I'll just leave my eyes as they are."
"You needn't be too disheartened."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a faint smile, a stark change from his earlier coldness. He spoke loudly enough for everyone in the Medical Room to hear.
"The surgery is so dangerous because it's still immature. Perhaps after another two or three years of research, even in your current condition, you'll be able to survive it."
At Orochimaru's consolation, Shisui managed a faint smile, though he didn't believe it would happen.
Besides, he had already resolved to pay the price of his Mangekyō Sharingan for the sake of the war. Now that Kumogakure had been successfully driven off and the rift between the clan and the village had been greatly eased, Shisui had nothing more to ask for.
"Lord Orochimaru, if the surgery succeeds, will Shisui really regain his sight?"
Just then, Shinsuke Uchiha, who had been lying quietly in a hospital bed and listening, suddenly sat up and asked. His gaze was full of hope.
With his strength at the elite jonin level, Shinsuke Uchiha had woken from his coma before the others. He had heard their entire conversation, his emotions shifting with every word.
Last night, he had watched Susanoo stand against two Jinchuriki in Tailed Beast Transformation. Like the other Uchiha, he had been overjoyed.
But today, he had to face the reality that Shisui's eyes were blind. Shinsuke Uchiha simply couldn't accept it.
He had just sworn to conquer a giant summoning beast and beat Manda to a pulp, but had no idea how he would pull it off. Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan was undoubtedly his guiding light right now.
The light had barely been shining for a day, and now they were telling him it was about to go out. How did that make any sense?
Shinsuke Uchiha stared at Orochimaru with pleading eyes, like a drowning man clutching at his last straw.
He had a rather unusual kind of trust in Orochimaru. It had gradually developed after he'd been beaten half to death by Yamata no Orochi many times and then treated by Orochimaru.
Most of the Uchiha's mid- and upper-ranking ninja felt much the same way about Orochimaru.
They revered his strength and admired his medical skills.
Orochimaru's displeasure was plain as day at being questioned. At least to the two Hokage Advisors, his presence seemed chilling and oppressive, making them uncomfortable.
Orochimaru stared coldly at Shinsuke Uchiha and said, word by word, "Don't question my judgment!"
Shinsuke Uchiha's face paled, but inwardly he relaxed. He spoke again. "If you tried the surgery on me, would it speed up your research?"
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's expressions changed drastically. Fugaku, too, stared at Shinsuke Uchiha in astonishment, never expecting him to make such a sacrifice for Shisui.
However, before the two Hokage Advisors could condemn the idea, Orochimaru spoke first.
He glanced at Shinsuke Uchiha on the hospital bed, the corner of his mouth lifting with scorn. "You? You're not qualified!"
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