Time flew by. After training with Naruto all morning, Sasuke ate lunch and then headed to the Training Ground in the Uchiha Clan district to find Shisui.
Perhaps he had arrived a little too early, because Shisui wasn't there yet. Sasuke didn't waste time, though. He continued training in the Uchiha Style: Gale Sword, a Nintaijutsu technique.
Sasuke had already mastered the technique, but he understood that there was always room for improvement, so he practiced tirelessly.
A few hours later, Shisui finally appeared at the Training Ground. He didn't show himself right away, instead watching from the shadows. Only after Sasuke finished a round of the Uchiha Style: Gale Sword did Shisui step out.
"Shisui, you're here!"
Sasuke smiled faintly when he saw Shisui.
"Sasuke, you're incredible! You mastered the Gale Sword in less than a month!"
Glancing at the huge tree Sasuke had just felled with the Gale Sword, Shisui couldn't help but marvel.
"I'm still nowhere near as good as you, Shisui!"
Sasuke shook his head at Shisui's praise.
"Heh, you're always so modest." Shisui smiled, then continued, "I just got back from a mission. I saw Itachi on the street."
"Big Brother's back? I haven't seen him in days!"
Sasuke was naturally delighted by the news.
"Maybe Itachi will come see you soon!"
Shisui smiled faintly at Sasuke's excitement.
Sasuke had no doubt about that. Usually, after finishing a mission, Itachi came to find him at the Training Ground. Even when he was feeling unwell, Itachi still came, come rain or shine.
"Big Brother will take a while to get here. Let's spar while we wait!"
Since they were just standing around, they might as well get some exercise, Sasuke suggested.
"Sounds good..."
Shisui smiled and was about to speak when he suddenly sensed someone rushing toward them.
"Anbu are here!"
Shisui glanced at the two figures drawing near, then said calmly.
At Shisui's words, Sasuke froze for a moment, then his expression changed dramatically. He calculated the timing: six months had passed. Was Danzo about to make his move against Shisui?
"Shisui, if Danzo is looking for you, don't let your guard down!" Sasuke said anxiously.
Shisui frowned slightly at Sasuke's sudden change in demeanor. "What's going on?"
Sasuke was about to explain when two Anbu members appeared beside Shisui. One of them said in a low voice, "Shisui, Lord Danzo wishes to speak with you."
So it really was Danzo! Shisui looked at Sasuke in disbelief. How had Sasuke known Danzo would come looking for him?
"Shisui, remember what I told you before? If Danzo makes a move against you, use the Body Flicker Technique and get out of there!"
As Shisui stood there, puzzled, Sasuke suddenly pulled him aside and whispered.
Sasuke had initially planned to tell Shisui to refuse to meet Danzo, but he didn't think that would work. Danzo was a member of the High Command; Shisui couldn't keep avoiding him. If he couldn't hide, he would have to face him directly.
"Understood!"
Shisui nodded. If Sasuke was right and Danzo intended to attack him, Shisui couldn't kill Danzo. The smartest choice was to flee.
"Are you coming or not? Lord Danzo is waiting!" one of the Anbu members said impatiently, seeing Sasuke whispering in Shisui's ear.
"Let's go!"
Shisui smiled faintly at Sasuke, showing no fear, then followed the two Anbu members away.
"No, I can't let Danzo hurt Shisui!"
Watching Shisui's figure quickly disappear, Sasuke was overcome with worry.
He had warned Shisui, but Sasuke was still afraid something might go wrong, so he decided to follow them. He knew that going there recklessly would be dangerous, but he couldn't worry about that now.
"Sasuke, are you here alone?"
Just as Sasuke was about to set off, Itachi suddenly appeared, still dressed as an Anbu.
Itachi had arrived at just the right moment. Sasuke was so excited he wanted to kiss his brother on the face a few times.
"Big Brother, Shisui's in danger! Danzo wants to hurt him!"
After calming down, Sasuke hurriedly explained.
"What happened? Why would Lord Danzo hurt Shisui?"
As soon as Sasuke finished speaking, Itachi was shocked and could hardly believe it.
"Big Brother, there's no time to explain!"
With no time to explain the urgent situation, Sasuke pulled Itachi along and chased after Shisui.
They crossed the woods, and before long, Shisui followed the two Anbu members to a quiet, deserted temple. In front of it stood the Asura Buddha Statue, a three-headed, six-armed figure.
Looking around at the empty grounds, Shisui asked in confusion, "Where's Danzo?"
"Lord Danzo will be here shortly," one of the Anbu members replied.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
But as soon as he finished speaking, the other Anbu member suddenly drew a Shuriken and hurled it through the air at Shisui.
"Thud! Thud!"
Seeing the Shuriken fly toward him, Shisui had no time to be shocked and quickly dodged.
He landed somewhat unsteadily, then abruptly raised his head. Staring at the Anbu member before him in horror, he cried out, "What are you trying to do?!"
Shisui's cry rang out like muffled thunder.
"Shisui, the Uchiha Clan attempted a coup. As a member of the Uchiha Clan, you must accept the village's punishment!" Danzo said, stepping out of the temple as Shisui stared at him as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Danzo!"
Shisui's face twitched, and his body trembled despite himself. He knew he had fallen into Danzo's trap.
"You two, stand down!"
Danzo waved for the two Anbu members in front of him to retreat.
Without hesitation, the two Anbu members immediately moved behind Danzo.
"Don't give me those excuses. What are you really after?" Shisui stared straight at Danzo and demanded.
"A Genjutsu that can infiltrate an opponent's mind and create an experience indistinguishable from reality... Kotoamatsukami. Such a precious power is wasted in your hands."
"And you're a powerful member of the Uchiha Clan. Once you're eliminated, destroying the Uchiha Clan will be much easier. This is for the good of the village!"
Danzo made no attempt to beat around the bush. His low voice revealed both his desire for Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan and his plans for what would come next.
"Danzo, have you wanted to destroy the Uchiha Clan from the very beginning?"
Shisui had thought the Konoha High Command would consider resolving the issue peacefully, but Danzo's words left him utterly disappointed.
"The so-called peace agreement is useless. It's only a matter of time before the Uchiha Clan and Konoha clash again. Better to wipe you all out now and be rid of future trouble."
At Shisui's question, a vicious glint flashed in Danzo's eyes before he answered in a low voice.
Thanks to Muyan, Boss Du, and the book's readers for the tips!
To make sure I get the next part right, I've been writing until around midnight every day. I hope everyone can help me reach 500 recommendation votes. I want to write an extra chapter!