The Early Appearance of "Madara Uchiha"

Chen hadn't expected Shisui to be planning to keep an eye on Danzo.

That kind of behavior was practically the same as taking Chen's side—or, to put it another way, Shisui believed what Chen had told him.

"You've made up your mind, so I don't think there's anything I can say to talk you out of it. But there's one thing I hope you'll remember: Danzo isn't that simple. Even if you see him hacked to pieces, don't believe he's dead."

In the original story, Shisui had a chance to kill Danzo. But because they didn't have the same information, Shisui was forced to retreat after Danzo used Izanagi.

If Shisui had killed Danzo, or used Kotoamatsukami to change his mind, the Uchiha Clan might have avoided being wiped out.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to give myself away that easily.

You really are wise beyond your years. Anyone who didn't know better would think I was your junior."

Shisui rarely smiled, but after a night of thinking, his mind was clearer than ever.

Although Chen's plan wasn't what he'd hoped for, it seemed to be the best option now. At least it could preserve a spark of hope for the clan.

"By the way, Shisui, my eyes showed me that someone wearing a Spiral Mask will approach you and Itachi.

No matter what he says, don't believe him. And I hope you'll tell Itachi not to believe him either.

Compared to me, I think Itachi will be more willing to trust you."

"Someone wearing a Spiral Mask? Who is he?"

"I don't know the details. All I know is that he's also the mastermind behind a series of events. He was even involved in the Nine-Tails Incident four years ago."

Shisui knew about the Nine-Tails Incident, of course. In fact, before the Nine-Tails Rebellion, relations between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha had been fairly harmonious.

The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, had adopted a gentler policy toward the Uchiha Clan than the Third Hokage.

However, during the Nine-Tails Rebellion, someone had controlled the Nine-Tails, and the only ones capable of controlling it were those with the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan.

As a result, many people thought the Fourth Hokage's death had something to do with the Uchiha Clan.

The Uchiha Clan was naturally furious at being framed for no reason. Then Danzo stirred things up, causing relations between the Uchiha and Konoha to hit rock bottom and continue to deteriorate.

"Then I'll be careful. You should be careful too. If people find out about your ability, plenty of them will want to get their hands on it."

"That's why I've been keeping a low profile. You're the only one who knows I sneaked out."

"It's not just me. Itachi has probably noticed something too. You'll know when you see him after he gets back.

I doubt you'll be able to keep it from him for much longer."

"Then just tell him. I'll leave that important task to you, Shisui."

Shisui couldn't help smiling wryly at that. He was also at a loss for words. He didn't understand why Chen trusted him so much.

If Shisui were in Chen's shoes, he wouldn't have trusted someone so easily with something like this.

But Shisui had no idea that Chen had a system that let him see people's affection levels. It didn't guarantee anything, but someone with a high affection level generally wouldn't act against the person they cared about.

Shisui's affection for Chen was currently at fifty. It wasn't especially high, but it wasn't low either. That was why Chen had dared to take a gamble on him earlier.

They stopped discussing Danzo, and both Chen and Shisui began training. Shisui also taught Chen other Fire Release techniques without holding anything back.

Worried that Chen was still too young and that high-level techniques might strain his body, Shisui only taught him C-rank jutsu.

He taught Chen techniques like Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique and Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique, and Chen studied them with great dedication.

Before long, Shisui couldn't help marveling at just how much chakra Chen had. Shisui would often be nearly out of chakra, while Chen was still full of energy.

Several days passed like this. Then, one day, Uchiha Itachi returned from a mission.

But Itachi was very different this time. Before, he'd been somewhat aloof, but he hadn't kept everyone at arm's length.

Now, however, he seemed so cold that looking at him felt like falling into an abyss.

His already aloof eyes were filled with an indescribable sense of despair.

"Itachi, what happened to you?"

Seeing him like this, Shisui knew something was wrong. Itachi wouldn't be acting this way unless something major had happened.

"My teacher and my teammates are all..."

Itachi didn't finish, but the resentment in his eyes said everything.

Chen was stunned by the sight.

He knew what had happened when Itachi awakened his Sharingan, but that had been when Itachi was eight. It wasn't New Year's yet, so he was only seven now.

Could my appearance have changed things and caused this to happen?

"Itachi, did you awaken your Sharingan?"

Chen suddenly asked. Shisui was taken aback, unsure what Chen was getting at.

"Yes."

Though he was a little surprised that Chen had called him by name, Itachi didn't deny it. He closed and opened his eyes, revealing a Two-Tomoe Sharingan.

*That's talent for you. Seeing his teammates die awakened a Two-Tomoe Sharingan for him, while Uchiha Sasuke watched his whole family get killed by Itachi and only awakened an unstable One-Tomoe.

And after all that, he still thought he was something special?*

"Chen, do you know something?"

Shisui asked.

"Itachi, did you run into someone wearing a mask? And did your attacks pass right through his body?"

"How do you know that?"

"I'll explain that another time. I just want to say that guy's crazy. Don't believe anything he says.

I don't know if he told you who he was this time, but before long, he'll tell you that he's Madara Uchiha."

"What!"

"What!"

Both Shisui and Itachi were shocked by Chen's words. As members of the Uchiha Clan, how could they not know who Madara Uchiha was?

"Uh, why are you so surprised?

That guy's a fake. Even if Madara Uchiha hadn't died at the hands of the First, just think about how long he'd have lived by now.

If he really were Madara Uchiha, do you think he'd be wearing a mask?

So neither his identity nor anything he says is true. What he wants is to destroy Konoha and the Uchiha."

Shisui and Itachi exchanged glances. They were clearly still somewhat doubtful about Chen's words.

Shisui was less skeptical, since he already knew a few things. Itachi, on the other hand, seemed not to believe him at all.

Of course, he didn't believe the masked man he'd met, either.

Itachi hadn't been influenced by the masked man, Uchiha Obito. The only reason he was so distraught was that his jonin leader and teammates had died.

In other words, Chen's worry had been completely unnecessary.

Still, Chen's warning wasn't useless. At least it put Shisui and Itachi on their guard, and Shisui took the opportunity to explain some of Chen's plans.