Shisui's Eyes

"Lord Mangetsu, can I really be your eyes?"

On the road, a little boy asked timidly.

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled. "You can be more than just my eyes. You can be my friend, too. We'll help each other."

Granny Sansho hadn't disappointed him. She'd successfully made the Curry of Life, bringing Ranmaru back from the brink of death.

But the boy was rather stubborn, and Hōzuki Mangetsu had to spend quite a while talking some sense into him.

Friends!

A glimmer of tears appeared in Ranmaru's eyes.

"So there really is a purpose to my being alive."

He had finally found a reason to live.

To help others!

Perhaps this was the answer that satisfied him most.

Hōzuki Mangetsu also tried teaching him some ninjutsu. Ranmaru studied diligently, and with the help of his Red Eye, he made rapid progress.

By the time they left the Land of Rivers, Ranmaru had reached Genin strength. What surprised Hōzuki Mangetsu was that Ranmaru was an Illusionary Technique-type ninja.

The Red Eye combined the functions of the Byakugan and the ordinary Sharingan, and it could greatly disrupt the abilities of eye-technique users.

After settling Ranmaru outside the village, Hōzuki Mangetsu immediately returned to Kirigakure.

In another year, the Uchiha Clan Massacre would take place in Konoha. There was one thing Hōzuki Mangetsu was especially interested in: Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan.

Kotoamatsukami, said to be the most powerful illusion, could control someone without their knowledge, and it could be cast simply by looking at them.

It was absolutely the most powerful Illusionary Technique in Naruto.

Shisui's eyes had always been one of the greatest treasures in Naruto.

They were also a treasure Hōzuki Mangetsu was determined to seize, even though he apparently couldn't use them yet.

But Uchiha Shisui was a powerful fighter on the level beyond Kage. As things stood, Hōzuki Mangetsu would be killed instantly if he faced Shisui.

This time, acquiring Red-Eyed Ranmaru had greatly boosted his confidence.

The Red Eye could interfere with the Sharingan's ability to perceive. As long as Shisui couldn't see his true form, Kotoamatsukami would naturally have no effect on him.

But his own strength wasn't enough. He'd have to rely on several other forces.

Hōzuki Mangetsu remembered that Ao would soon lead a team to investigate the border of Konoha. They would run into Shisui's squad, and Ao would flee without fighting.

Not long after Uchiha Shisui returned, Danzo would take one of his eyes. After giving the other to Itachi for safekeeping, Shisui would take his own life.

So this was the only chance to get Uchiha Shisui's eyes.

"Little Hozuki's back. How did the mission go?"

In the Fourth Mizukage's office, Terumi Mei leaned against the wall, gazing seductively at Hōzuki Mangetsu.

Sister Mei!

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled. He remained wary of this beautiful but ruthless woman.

Terumi Mei had become the Fifth Mizukage for a reason. She was ruthless, and Hōzuki Mangetsu wouldn't let her alluring face fool him.

"I've already covered for you with the Mizukage. Just be careful, and nothing should go wrong."

The beautiful but ruthless woman gave him a few quiet words of advice, then vanished from the corridor.

Taking a deep breath, Hōzuki Mangetsu calmed himself and opened the Fourth Mizukage's door.

"Fourth Mizukage! I've completed the mission and returned safely!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu said respectfully.

Before him stood a large desk and imposing furnishings. A short man sat in the office chair. It was the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.

"Mangetsu, thanks for your hard work,"

Yagura said flatly.

Hōzuki Mangetsu lowered his head and looked at his feet.

In truth, the Fourth Mizukage had the most tragic fate of all. Not only had the Jinchuriki been subjected to the Byakugan's scrutiny, but even after becoming Mizukage, he had been controlled by Obito. He'd still been under control after being brought back through Impure World Reincarnation.

But as a puppet of the puppet of the ultimate boss, Kaguya Otsutsuki, Obito was still incredibly powerful.

Hōzuki Mangetsu was no match for him as things stood, and he didn't want to attract Obito's attention.

There was something Hōzuki Mangetsu had always wondered about.

Ao was one of the few sensory ninjas in Kirigakure. He also possessed the Byakugan, Konoha's most powerful eye for perception, which let him discern the flow of Chakra and locate tenketsu. It shouldn't have been difficult for him to see that the Fourth Mizukage was being manipulated. So why had he never exposed it?

Now Hōzuki Mangetsu was certain.

It wasn't that Ao hadn't noticed. He had chosen to stay silent, letting the Fourth Mizukage persecute the bloodline clans and drive away the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.

He'd done it all to ensure Terumi Mei could smoothly take power.

After leaving the Mizukage's office, Hōzuki Mangetsu immediately went home.

Suigetsu and Chojuro were out on a mission. With Terumi Mei and Ao looking after them, they wouldn't run into any danger.

After a quick cleanup, Hōzuki Mangetsu left the village. He'd confirmed that Ao was about to head to the border of Konoha on a mission.

Before long, they would meet Shisui's squad.

With Terumi Mei covering for him, Hōzuki Mangetsu had received an assignment in a remote area, giving him the perfect cover to sneak off to Konoha.

He had to make thorough preparations for this assassination of Uchiha Shisui.

After evading the Anbu pursuing him, Hōzuki Mangetsu arrived at a remote location.

"You've really got the nerve to come here?"

A cold voice rang out.

Orochimaru's figure slowly emerged from the ground.

He had been lying in wait there for some time.

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled. "I'm here in good faith to work with you, Lord Orochimaru. Why wouldn't I dare come?"

Orochimaru snorted and said nothing.

After learning from Hōzuki Mangetsu last time how to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, he'd immediately contacted Danzo to verify the information. The initial evidence suggested that Hōzuki Mangetsu hadn't been lying.

Awakening the Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan really did require hatred. The greater the hatred, the more likely the awakening.

"What did you call me here for this time?"

Orochimaru asked calmly.

Although the boy had taken one of his Kusanagi Swords, he hadn't lost out, considering what he'd gotten in return: the secret of the Mangekyō.

"I have a deal I'd like to make with you, Lord Orochimaru."

Hōzuki Mangetsu said with a broad smile.

A deal?

Orochimaru chuckled. "That smile of yours is downright sly. You're definitely up to no good. Spit it out. I won't do anything unless there's something in it for me."

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled faintly.

"As far as I know, a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan eyes has appeared."

What?

A sharp glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes as he stared at Hōzuki Mangetsu.

"You know what it'll cost you to lie to me!"

He said ominously.

A snake slithered out of his sleeve.

Hōzuki Mangetsu waved a hand. "We've known each other for a while now. Have I ever lied to you?"

Orochimaru snorted.

In truth, they hadn't known each other for very long.

From his expression, Hōzuki Mangetsu could tell that his guess was almost certainly right.

Orochimaru was obsessed with the Uchiha Clan's bodies. There was no way he knew nothing about Uchiha Shisui.

As a young man brimming with conviction, Uchiha Shisui must have revealed his abilities to Konoha's leadership early on.

Otherwise, who would have known about his Mangekyō and Kotoamatsukami?

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