The Premature Appearance of 'Uchiha Madara'

Chen did not expect that Shisui actually intended to monitor Danzo.

Such an action was almost equivalent to standing on Chen's side, or rather, that Shisui had chosen to believe what Chen had said.

"I suppose I can't talk you out of what you've decided, but I want you to know one thing: that guy Danzo isn't that simple. Even if you see him dismembered, do not believe he has been killed."

In the original story, Shisui had the opportunity to kill Danzo, but because of the disparity in intelligence, Shisui was defeated by the Izanagi.

If Shisui had successfully killed Danzo, or used Kotoamatsukami to alter Danzo's mind, then the Uchiha Clan might not have suffered such a tragic genocide.

"Rest assured, I won't be so easily exposed."

"You really are an old soul in a young body; anyone who didn't know better would think I was the junior here."

Shisui rarely smiled, but after a night of contemplation, his thoughts had become much clearer.

Although Chen's method did not align with his initial expectations, it appeared to be the best course of action for the time being, at least to preserve a spark for his clansmen.

"By the way, Shisui, my eyes have seen that a person wearing a Spiral Mask will approach you and Uchiha Itachi. Regardless of what he says, you must absolutely not believe him, and I hope you can tell Uchiha Itachi not to believe him either. Compared to me, I think Uchiha Itachi will be more convinced by your words."

"A person wearing a Spiral Mask? Who is that?"

"I don't know the specifics either, but in any case, that guy is the mastermind behind a series of events, and even the Nine-Tails Rebellion four years ago was related to him."

Shisui certainly knew about the Nine-Tails Rebellion. In fact, before the Nine-Tails Rebellion, the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha was considered harmonious.

The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, was different from the Third Hokage; he adopted a much softer policy toward the Uchiha Clan.

However, because the Nine-Tails was being manipulated during the Nine-Tails Rebellion, and the only thing capable of controlling the Nine-Tails was the Mangekyo Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan, many people felt that the death of the Fourth Hokage was related to the Uchiha Clan.

The Uchiha Clan was unfairly scapegoated and naturally felt resentful. Coupled with the instigation from that guy Danzo, the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha plummeted to freezing point and continued to deteriorate.

"Since that is the case, I will be careful. You should be careful here too; after all, if your abilities were to leak out, I fear many would covet them."

"That is why I have been keeping a low profile. Only you, Shisui, know about me sneaking out."

"It's not just me; Uchiha Itachi should have noticed something as well. You'll see when you meet him upon his return this time. I'm afraid your affairs won't be able to be hidden from him for much longer."

"Then let's just tell him. I'll leave that heavy responsibility to you, Shisui."

Hearing this, Shisui couldn't help but offer a wry smile, feeling speechless at the same time. He did not understand where Chen's immense trust in him came from.

If it were Shisui himself, he would never easily trust someone else with such matters.

However, Shisui did not know that Chen possessed a system that allowed him to see favorability. Although this did not represent an absolute truth, under high favorability, one generally would not do anything detrimental to the other party.

At the moment, Shisui's favorability toward Chen was fifty. While not very high, it was not low either, which was why Chen had chosen to gamble with such matters earlier.

No longer discussing the affairs of Danzo, Chen and Shisui began to train, and Shisui did not hold back in teaching Chen other Fire Release techniques.

Because he was worried that Chen was too young and that high-level ninjutsu would place a burden on his body, everything Shisui taught Chen were only C-rank ninjutsu.

Techniques like Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique and Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique were all taught to Chen, and Chen was learning them very earnestly.

In this regard, Shisui soon lamented that Chen truly had too much chakra; often, when his own chakra was nearly exhausted, Chen was still full of energy.

Just like that, several days passed, and on this day, Uchiha Itachi returned from a mission.

However, the Uchiha Itachi who returned this time had changed significantly. Although the original Uchiha Itachi was somewhat aloof, he was not the type to keep people at a distance.

Yet, upon his return this time, Uchiha Itachi gave off a chill as if one had fallen into an abyss.

Within his already cold eyes, there was an indescribable sense of despair.

"Uchiha Itachi, what has happened to you?"

Seeing Uchiha Itachi in this state, Shisui understood that something was wrong. If a major event hadn't occurred, Uchiha Itachi would never be like this.

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

Although Uchiha Itachi did not finish his sentence, his eyes, filled with unwillingness, told the whole story.

Seeing this situation, Chen was also stunned.

Although he knew the circumstances under which Uchiha Itachi awakened his Sharingan, that happened when Uchiha Itachi was eight years old. The year hadn't even ended yet, and Uchiha Itachi was only seven.

'Could it be that my appearance caused some things to change?'

"Uchiha Itachi, have you awakened your Sharingan?"

Chen suddenly spoke up to ask, and Shisui was also taken aback, not understanding what Chen was trying to ask.

"Yes."

Although he was somewhat surprised by the change in how Chen addressed him, Uchiha Itachi did not deny anything. He closed his eyes and opened them, revealing a two-tomoe Sharingan.

'This is talent. He awakened two tomoe after seeing his teammates die, while the Second Pillar awakened an unstable one-tomoe after watching his whole family get killed by Uchiha Itachi. And even then, he still thinks he's something special every day?'

"Chen, do you know something?"

Shisui asked, "Itachi, did you encounter a masked man whose body your attacks passed right through?"

"How did you know?"

"We can discuss that later. I just want to say that the guy is deranged; don't believe a word he says. I don't know if he revealed his identity this time, but before long, he will tell you that he is Madara."

"What!"

"What!"

Hearing Chen's words, both Shisui and Itachi were utterly shocked. After all, as members of the Uchiha Clan, how could they not know of Madara?

"Uh, you two are overreacting, aren't you? That guy is a fake. Even if the original Madara hadn't died at the hands of the First Hokage, just calculate how long he would have lived by now. If it really were Madara, do you think he would be wearing a mask? Therefore, both his identity and his words are fraudulent. All he wants to do is destroy Konoha and the Uchiha Clan."

Shisui and Itachi exchanged glances, clearly still harboring some doubts about Chen's words.

Shisui was better off, having already learned a few things, but Itachi looked fundamentally skeptical.

Of course, he was equally distrustful of the masked man he had seen.

Itachi had not been influenced by the masked man, Uchiha Obito; his emotional state was entirely due to the deaths of his squad leader and teammates.

In other words, Chen's worries were completely unnecessary.

However, Chen's warning was not without merit; at the very least, it made Shisui and Itachi more vigilant, and Shisui took the opportunity to explain some of Chen's plans.