A Part of the Play

[Yes]

Suddenly, a great amount of chakra surged through his body and gathered in Shisui's Sharingan. The violent ache in his eyes left him feeling terribly uncomfortable.

[Indra Bloodline development: 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%...]

As the development percentage climbed, the power of his Sharingan continued to grow. The three black Tomoe spun wildly in his scarlet eyes, gradually showing signs of merging.

Having awakened his eyes once before, Shisui knew this was a necessary step in the evolution from Three-Tomoe Sharingan to Mangekyō Sharingan.

Unfortunately, now wasn't the time for Shisui to awaken them. When his Indra Bloodline development finally stopped at 50%, the power of his Sharingan stopped growing as well.

Still, Shisui could sense a terrifying power taking shape within those eyes.

Just as Shisui thought his growth in strength had come to an end, pure chakra began spilling out of his Sharingan, flowing back into every part of his body. This chakra shared the same origin as his body. As it nourished his meridians, it also increased his chakra reserves.

[Name: Shisui Uchiha]

[Age: 7]

[Bloodline: Indra Bloodline (50% developed) -- Three-Tomoe Sharingan]

[Chakra: A+ (Elite Jonin level)]

[Chakra Nature: Fire · Proficient (5%), Wind · Basic (0%), Earth · Basic (10%), Lightning · Basic (0%)]

[Skills: Body Flicker Technique, Substitution Technique, Phantom Body Flicker Technique, Great Fireball Technique, Great Dragon Fire Technique, Genjutsu: Sharingan, Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique...]

[Items: Konoha Chunin Gear]

Although he hadn't awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, Shisui's gains had improved his abilities across the board. Not only had his chakra reserves reached the threshold of Kage Level, but the power of his Sharingan had also reached the Three-Tomoe Sharingan's peak. Awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan was only a matter of time.

"Shisui, why do I feel like you've changed?"

After rescuing Rin Nohara, Obito had been about to thank Shisui when he sensed a powerful pressure coming from him.

The Uchiha Clan was a bloodline-focused shinobi clan, and the degree to which an Uchiha developed their bloodline determined their strength.

As a result, when an Uchiha faced a fellow clan member whose bloodline was far more developed, they felt an oppressive force rising from deep within their blood.

That was exactly what Obito was experiencing now.

In his eyes, Shisui's gaze seemed to possess a strange magic, drawing people in without them even realizing it.

"Hm?"

Just as Shisui was about to speak, he sensed a powerful chakra approaching at an unbelievable speed.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Obito, Rin, are you all right?"

When the golden flash appeared, Shisui relaxed his guard.

"Minato-sensei, you're here."

"Minato-sensei, we've taken care of the Iwagakure Ninja here, but Kakashi..."

The newcomer was Konoha's Yellow Flash, the future Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

"What happened to Kakashi?"

Minato noticed that his once most aloof student was now quietly tending to his wound off to the side.

"Minato-sensei, I'm fine. I've only lost an eye."

"Luckily, Shisui Uchiha showed up in time. He held off the Iwagakure Ninja and took them out."

Rin Nohara finally came to her senses. Seeing the person she had always loved missing an eye, she ran over in distress and pulled Kakashi into her arms.

Obito: "???"

Obito watched them embrace, looking dejected. At that moment, he was just one part of Rin and Kakashi's play.

Shisui couldn't help laughing at the sight.

"Shisui, thank you for your help. Otherwise, I'd have blamed myself for the rest of my life as their teacher."

Shisui felt nothing but respect for Minato Namikaze.

Not only did Minato refuse to discriminate against the Uchiha Clan, but he also worked hard to ease tensions between the village and the clan.

In the end, he would even sacrifice himself for Konoha to seal the rampaging Nine-Tails, truly living up to the responsibility of being Hokage through his actions.

"You're too kind, Minato-senpai. Kakashi, Obito, and I are comrades. We should help one another."

Shisui replied politely. He still needed Minato Namikaze to vouch for him so he could get through the trouble he was facing.

"Like Obito, you're an Uchiha with love in your heart who considers the village home. You're both the future of the Uchiha."

Shisui: "..."

If you knew that you and your wife, Kushina, would both die because of Obito, and that the Uchiha Clan would be wiped out because of him, you probably wouldn't feel that way, Shisui grumbled inwardly.

"Minato-senpai, did you just come from Mimura Hamaki's position?"

According to the original story, Minato Namikaze had gone to support Mimura Hamaki, which was why his students had been surrounded by the Iwagakure Ninja.

"Yes. The Iwagakure commander, Higashishinin, led an attack on Mimura Hamaki's forward defensive line. I dealt with Higashishinin there, then came straight here."

"That's right. My two teammates..."

"So I'm hoping you can help me find my teammates, Akira Shimura and Kamii Sarutobi."

Minato's brow furrowed slightly when he heard the names of Shisui's two teammates.

He was an upright man, but he wasn't a fool. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to hold onto the Hokage Position in the future.

"All right. Let's set out now. Once we find them, we'll return to the village."

Although he'd realized there was something amiss, Minato agreed to Shisui's request because the boy had saved three of his students.

[The host received support from Minato Namikaze, slightly altered the original story, and received a reward: A-rank Ninjutsu · Rasengan]

"It's not the Indra Bloodline development I wanted most, but it'll still improve my ability to deal damage to a single target."

Five days later, inside the Hokage Building in the center of Konoha.

"What? Akira Shimura and Kamii Sarutobi were both killed by the Iwagakure Ninja, yet you're still alive? You truly are an evil Uchiha!"

In the meeting room, Shimura Danzō pointed at Shisui, baring his teeth in anger.

"Shisui split up from his teammates to support Obito and the others. I can confirm that."

Minato Namikaze looked at Shimura Danzō with displeasure. He didn't want to provoke Danzō, but he couldn't stand by while Shisui was slandered in front of everyone.

At Shisui's request, the credit for killing Mahiru, Taiseki, and two other Iwagakure Ninja was given entirely to Minato Namikaze. He didn't want to arouse suspicion within the village.

Minato Namikaze, who had taken credit for the feat, felt even more guilty.

As the current public face of the Hokage Faction, Minato Namikaze had too much influence for Danzō to ignore.