Lying in Wait

Naruto understood how the system worked. It didn't provide all the mission details because the difficulty was meant to challenge him. He had to rely on his own abilities and planning to solve it.

"First, I'll scout the area. The mission will usually take place within three days, so I can wait here and see what happens."

Naruto changed direction and strode away.

The sun was about to set.

The Council of Elders' offices.

The Third Hokage gave a soft cough, looking weary.

Fugaku Uchiha's plans to rebel against the village had worn the Third Hokage down. The peace he had always tried to protect was constantly threatened by unforeseen events.

The Third Hokage looked at the young Shisui Uchiha. He was a good kid, with a strong sense of justice. "Shisui, has anything seemed unusual about Itachi?"

Shisui respected the Third Hokage. Although Minato Namikaze was now in charge of Konoha as the Fourth Hokage, Shisui disagreed with his ideals. "Lord Third Hokage, I have a way to stop this rebellion. Please give me the chance."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up. "What's your plan?"

Shisui Uchiha trusted the Third Hokage completely. Without hesitation, he revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan before him. "Lord Third Hokage, my Mangekyō Sharingan possesses a unique ocular jutsu: Kotoamatsukami. It's a unique genjutsu. I can use it on the Uchiha Clan members plotting the rebellion and permanently, completely alter their will without anyone noticing. They'll support your resolve to protect Konoha and become the village's most steadfast guardians."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen Madara Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan and knew well that the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan possessed a mysterious, unique power. "Shisui, if you succeed, I'll persuade the Council of Elders and help the Uchiha Clan integrate into Konoha. We'll also reform the Military Police Force and balance the power in the village."

"Lord Third Hokage, that's a wise decision," Shisui said gratefully. He could use his eyes to change the Uchiha Clan.

Root.

Danzo received word of the conversation between Shisui and the Third Hokage. He said bitterly, "Why should the Uchiha Clan possess such powerful abilities? Naive Shisui, your Mangekyō Sharingan should belong to me, Danzo. Kotoamatsukami shouldn't be wasted on a rebellion."

"My lord, should we stop Shisui?"

Danzo clenched his fist. "Send Shisui a message. I'll meet him in the woods behind the Uchiha residential district to discuss how to deal with the Uchiha rebellion."

Danzo was preparing to move against Shisui Uchiha.

The sun would set completely in half an hour, and the moon's outline had already appeared in the slanted sky.

Naruto found the tallest tree. Standing on a branch gave him the best view.

On one side of the woods lay the Uchiha Clan's residential district; on the other was a stretch of low grass.

Naruto sensed several people hiding in the woods and wondered if they had spotted him too.

Shisui Uchiha crossed the woods and landed in the grass, waiting for Shimura Danzō to arrive.

Naruto spotted Shisui Uchiha and was about to approach him when the people in the woods moved first.

"I'll watch for a while." Naruto hid himself. No one cared about him anyway.

At the edge of the grass.

Shisui Uchiha thought calmly. I have to use Kotoamatsukami to stop this coup and protect everyone. Itachi, will you blame me for acting on my own? But it doesn't matter. If I succeed, you'll be able to stay with your family.

Suddenly, dozens of Shuriken flew toward Shisui Uchiha.

It was an attack.

Shisui darted aside, leaving his original position.

Six people wearing animal masks attacked him from all sides.

The clanging of Shuriken rang out.

But they couldn't catch Shisui Uchiha.

"Who are you?" Shisui quickly retreated. "So you're from Root. That's why Danzo invited me here—he never meant well."

"Body Flicker Shisui, the master of the Body Flicker Technique who even amazed Minato Namikaze. At last, I get to see it for myself." Danzo emerged from the woods with steady steps. Bandages covered the right side of his face and his right arm. His left eye was narrowed too, making it impossible to read his expression.

"Danzo!" Sensing trouble, Shisui activated his Sharingan. "What are you planning? Why are you doing this?"

Danzo spoke in a low voice. "Shisui, the Council of Elders isn't afraid of an Uchiha rebellion. They're afraid of those eyes that can control the Tailed Beast. In fact, they'd rather the Uchiha Clan rebel. That would give us a reason to unite our forces and wipe them out. Kotoamatsukami is such a powerful genjutsu. What a waste to use it on something that can't be avoided."

Shisui wasn't stupid. "Danzo, so from the very beginning, the Council of Elders and you..."

Danzo opened his left eye and raised his head slightly. "Shisui, to bring true peace to Konoha, the entire Uchiha Clan must be purged. I'll make good use of your eyes too."

Shisui was shocked. "Danzo, I won't let you succeed."

Danzo made his move.

"Sharingan."

Shisui easily grabbed Danzo's hand. "It's just an ordinary genjutsu. It'll break on its own in a few minutes."

Shisui thought he had Danzo under control and was confident in his genjutsu.

Danzo had indeed fallen under the genjutsu.

Naruto edged closer, now only ten meters from the center of the fight. "What a bizarre battle."

Because of the system's assessment, Naruto saw Shisui walking and talking like an idiot while Danzo charged straight at him.

With the system protecting him, Naruto feared no genjutsu.

Danzo smiled faintly and punched Shisui hard in the stomach.

Shisui's body doubled over. He had no time to fight back.

"I'll take one of your eyes first." Danzo reached for Shisui's left eye.

"Yo, yo, yo!" Naruto kicked out. "When you see injustice, raise your voice! When it's time to act, step right in! Tear through Konoha with a bang!"

Naruto's kick, powered by the Gate of Life, was devastating. His target was Danzo's head.

Danzo was shocked and hurriedly formed Hand Seals.

Smack!

The Danzo under Naruto's foot was only a clone, but Naruto had moved so fast that the real Danzo's head still took a little damage.

Naruto wore a blue-green hood that left only one eye exposed.

The bandages on Danzo's head fell away, revealing a badly scarred right cheek and a blind eye. "Damn it! Who's disrupting Konoha's peace?"

Naruto grabbed Shisui and prepared to escape.

Then members of Root blocked their way.

"Lord Danzo, are you all right?"

Danzo gritted his teeth. "They can't be allowed to leave alive."

Shisui recovered, fury burning in his heart. Danzo had a Sharingan from the Uchiha Clan transplanted into his right eye, which was why Shisui had fallen for his genjutsu.

"Leave the small fry to you. I'll test the old man's strength." Naruto was fearless in his youth and eager to take on the strongest one himself.