Mantis Stalks Cicada, Oriole Behind

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was confident in his brainwashing—or rather, his personal charisma—and believed that Uchiha Shisui could never betray him, he remained cautious.

One could never be too careful.

What if everything Uchiha Shisui had done over the years was merely a calculated act of deception?

If things went south, he, the strongest Hokage in history, might have his will rewritten by Kotoamatsukami and be reduced to a puppet of the Uchiha clan.

This was something he could not tolerate.

But he was the Hokage; he had to remain bathed in the sunlight at all times. Even if he could not tolerate something, he could never choose to take action against his subordinates directly.

Such dark deeds had to be carried out by Danzo.

Thinking of this, he summoned an Anbu operative. "Go, notify Danzo to come see me at this time tomorrow. Tell him I wish to discuss matters regarding the Uchiha clan. Also, go and fetch Itachi for me."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was not ignorant of Danzo's covetousness for the Uchiha clan's Sharingan. If Danzo were to learn of Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyo ability, he would surely move to seize it without needing any prompting.

But this was not insurance enough; it did not guarantee that Uchiha Shisui would be eliminated.

He intended for Itachi to serve as the final layer of security.

If Uchiha Shisui were sensible, even if he survived Danzo's hands, he would surely commit suicide to appease Konoha, thereby temporarily extinguishing the Uchiha clan's sharp edge and strength.

Ending the coup.

Doing this would kill two birds with one stone.

At Uchiha Izumi's home.

Chiya slowly opened his eyes and withdrew his perception. The result was exactly as he had anticipated: Uchiha Shisui had foolishly run to the Third Hokage to reveal his Mangekyo ability, thereby inviting his own destruction.

Tomorrow was the Uchiha clan's festival.

Chiya vaguely remembered that the Uchiha clan, increasingly dissatisfied with Konoha, intended to use this occasion to discuss a coup.

Little did they know, they had already been betrayed by two turncoats within the clan.

The final outcome would be left unsettled due to Uchiha Shisui's suicide.

Thinking of this, Chiya could not help but sigh, "What a truly pathetic clan."

Internally, they had the filial son Uchiha Itachi and the naive Uchiha Shisui; externally, they had the edgy youth Obito. Even their clan leader was a cowardly, indecisive man. It was truly difficult for them not to perish.

Just then, Izumi's voice interrupted Chiya's thoughts: "Chiya, dinner is ready."

"Oh, coming." As he spoke, Chiya rose and walked toward the dining table.

The next day, Chiya channeled his cultivation technique to enter Sage Mode, keeping a constant watch on the chakra of both Uchiha Shisui and Danzo.

By dusk, after Chiya had walked Uchiha Izumi home, he sensed that the two men's chakra had finally converged.

He immediately donned his disguise and tracked them to a corner of Konoha: the extremely desolate Senju Clan Ruins.

The process unfolded just as it had in the original story; upon learning of Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyo ability, Sarutobi Hiruzen had summoned Danzo.

In front of Shisui, he had revealed the power of Kotoamatsukami and Uchiha Shisui's plan to use it to control Uchiha Fugaku, while indicating that he would improve the Uchiha clan's treatment afterward.

The consequence was self-evident: Danzo had set his sights on Shisui's Sharingan.

Before Shisui could head to the Uchiha festival, Danzo had summoned him here.

He had set an ambush, preparing to execute his plan to seize the eyes.

Honestly, Chiya did not dislike a well-meaning person like Shisui.

At the very least, he was much easier to get along with than a hypocrite like Sarutobi Hiruzen or a venomous snake like Danzo.

If Chiya were willing to intervene, saving Shisui would not be a difficult task.

However, their worldviews were diametrically opposed.

Anyone who has watched Naruto knows that Uchiha Shisui was a die-hard supporter and admirer of the Will of Fire.

Even until his death, he continued to trust the Konoha high command.

Although Chiya possessed the Zanpakuto Kyōka Suigetsu, which could guarantee that when facing a Mangekyo Sharingan user, he could avoid illusions like Tsukuyomi by controlling the five senses—or even break them directly through the formidable spiritual and physical energy granted by his Zanpakuto and cultivation techniques—the eye of will-domination, Kotoamatsukami, was dangerous. It could turn anyone the caster looked upon into their puppet.

If Chiya were to stand against Konoha in the future, Shisui would certainly be the first to step out against him.

One can never be too careful; such a bug-tier ability must either disappear or be held in his own hands. That was the superior choice.

He did not want to live in constant fear, having to keep Kyōka Suigetsu active at all times just to guard against Uchiha Shisui.

If Shisui does not die, I will not be able to sleep or eat in peace.

Thinking this, Chiya's eyes, hidden beneath his black robe, coldly stared at Danzo and Uchiha Shisui as they conversed ahead.

"Is there something you need, Lord Danzo? The gathering is about to begin," Uchiha Shisui asked Danzo, confused.

"If you were to strike against Uchiha Fugaku and reorganize the Uchiha clan, but the village refused to change its treatment of the clan, what would you do?" With his right eye bandaged and his left eye narrowed, Danzo did not strike immediately, but instead asked for Uchiha Shisui's thoughts.

The result was, without a doubt, that Shisui's answer left him deeply disappointed and only further solidified his resolve to seize Kotoamatsukami.

"The Hokage has promised this humble one that changes will be made," Uchiha Shisui said firmly.

"Even if you persuade the Third Hokage, the village's suspicion toward the Uchiha will not vanish." At the mention of the Third, a flicker of disdain crossed Danzo's eyes. He opened them wide, and as he looked at Uchiha Shisui again, his gaze was filled with greed and desire.

Out of trust for Konoha, Uchiha Shisui did not perceive the approaching crisis, still clinging to his naive way of thinking.

"I understand. Given time, I will—" He wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Danzo.

"That is exactly the point. A suspicious man like this old man will not change his mind so easily. What will you do then?"

Danzo lowered his head slightly, his aged face obscured by shadows. The Sharingan hidden beneath the bandages on his right eye was primed and ready, having entered the state of Izanagi.

"But, Lord Danzo—" Uchiha Shisui tried to speak again, only to be cut off by Danzo once more. "Will you use Kotoamatsukami on this old man then, too?"

As he spoke, Danzo slowly raised his head, his eyes baring a ferocious intent. He cast aside his usual cane, raised his left hand, and lunged violently toward Uchiha Shisui's eyes.

"Hand over those Sharingan of yours to this old man."

Uchiha Shisui was caught off guard, but as a genius of the Uchiha clan, he was not naive enough to be slaughtered like livestock. He clamped down on Danzo's left hand and cast a genjutsu to freeze him in place.

"This is only a common genjutsu; it will be broken soon." Uchiha Shisui slowly lowered Danzo's left hand, a heavy look of disappointment crossing his eyes, and turned to leave.

But before he had taken a few steps, Danzo, who had just been controlled by the genjutsu, suddenly appeared before him. He struck Uchiha Shisui's abdomen with a fierce punch and clawed at his right eye with his left hand, drawing a long, narrow line of blood through the air in a clean, fluid motion.

Stung by the pain, Uchiha Shisui clutched his empty right eye socket and leaped backward, quickly putting distance between himself and Danzo.

ps: First update, requesting recommendation votes and monthly tickets.

Thanks to [Rongyanhuo] for the 533 Qidian coins tip;

Thanks to [Pipi Xiaoyoushang] and [Hermit Crab] for the 100 Qidian coins tip;

Thanks to [Lanyan Wuwei] and [Yu Xiaogang] for the 1500 Qidian coins tip.