Having arrived in Konoha ahead of schedule, Uchiha Shisui had kept busy while waiting for the right moment. Every day, he wandered the village streets and alleys, appearing carefree as he secretly gathered all kinds of intelligence.
As Kushina's due date drew nearer, security in Konoha grew increasingly strict. Anbu Ninja hurried through their patrols, eyes wary, and the entire village seemed shrouded in an invisible tension.
That day, Shisui entered the newly opened Ichiraku Ramen and ordered a bowl of the house specialty. As he ate, a conversation outside suddenly caught his interest.
"Itachi, how about we go practice shuriken tonight?"
The voice was clear and bright, carrying warmth and anticipation.
Shisui raised his eyes slightly and looked through a gap in the shop curtain. He saw Uchiha Shisui smiling at the Uchiha Itachi beside him.
"Sorry, Shisui, but if I get home late, Sasuke will start crying," Itachi replied in a calm, gentle voice.
A trace of helplessness showed in his eyes, but they were full of affection for his little brother.
"All right." Shisui smiled and patted Itachi on the shoulder. "Make sure you take good care of your brother."
After watching Uchiha Itachi leave, Shisui seemed to notice something. He suddenly looked toward a hidden mark on a roadside post.
Understanding flashed in his eyes. His thoughts stirred, and he instantly used the Body Flicker Technique, racing toward a forest like a bolt of black lightning. Fallen leaves stirred in his wake.
In an abandoned training ground within the forest, sunlight filtered through gaps in the lush branches, casting dappled shadows.
Uchiha Shisui walked steadily, placing each step with care as he entered the seemingly ordinary woodland.
Vigilance gleamed in his eyes as he remained ready for any potential danger.
"Who are you? Why do you have Uchiha Shisui's signal?"
Shisui's voice was clear and cold. His gaze locked onto the mysterious figure ahead, clad in a black cloak with red clouds and standing with his back to him.
His muscles were taut, and chakra quietly circulated through his body, ready to attack or defend at a moment's notice.
"Shisui, it's been a long time. I wanted to see how much of my will you've inherited."
The figure slowly turned. A familiar voice came from beneath the cloak, carrying the weight of years and an inscrutable undertone.
"Shisui! You..."
Shisui was stunned, but before he could finish, Shisui spun the kunai in his hand and launched a vicious attack, moving like a bolt of black lightning.
Shisui reacted instantly and used the Body Flicker Technique. With a whoosh, his body became a blur. Then two identical Shisuis split apart, each wielding a short blade as they slashed at Shisui from either side.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, their gazes resolute.
"So the name Body Flicker Shisui isn't for nothing. Even I can't see through your clones."
Shisui muttered under his breath, surprise and admiration flashing in his eyes.
He swiftly leaned aside, dodging the incoming blades, and at the same time drove the kunai in his hand into one of the Shisuis.
The next moment, the Shisui who had been struck vanished like an illusion.
Shisui's instincts kicked in. He quickly retreated, putting distance between himself and Shisui. Shisui stood his ground and chose not to press the attack.
His gaze remained fixed on Shisui. By then, he had seen the other man's face and confirmed that the person before him was indeed Shisui.
There was no point continuing this meaningless fight now that he knew.
"Shisui, I inherited your will, but I also inherited the Will of Fire. And why did you defect from Konoha?"
Shisui furrowed his brow, confusion filling his eyes as he sought answers from the man who had set everything in motion.
"Shisui, you're still too naive."
Shisui shook his head slightly, his tone firm and certain.
"It's not possible to inherit two wills at once. To turn the entire Shinobi World into one vast Konoha, you first have to leave Konoha.
"Only by using outside forces to break up the old order can you establish a new one. That's why I left.
"Besides, Konoha is increasingly wary of the Uchiha Clan. The many ninja clans in Konoha alone would never let you use the village's power to conquer the Shinobi World. Each has its own plans and interests."
Shisui took a step forward, his eyes as if seeing through everything.
"I came here to take care of a few problems first. Once I've dealt with them, you'll leave with me."
With that, Shisui looked at Uchiha Shisui, wanting to know what he would choose.
After listening, Shisui fell into a long silence.
He lowered his head in thought, turning Shisui's words over and over in his mind. Under that explanation, the beliefs and ideas he had held fast to suddenly seemed full of holes.
He knew that although the Fourth Hokage was powerful and wise, uniting the Shinobi World into one vast Konoha through Konoha's power alone would be immensely difficult—almost impossible.
At that thought, resolve flashed in Uchiha Shisui's eyes. He nodded firmly and said, "All right, Shisui. I'll go with you."
Shisui looked at the boy before him and nodded in satisfaction. He secretly congratulated himself: all the effort he had spent feeding Shisui these ideas back then hadn't gone to waste.
These high-sounding theories were more than enough to fool a naive boy who had barely seen the world. Everything was unfolding just as he had hoped.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Uchiha Shisui gave a satisfied smile and clapped Shisui firmly on the shoulder.
"Take a mission outside the village today. Konoha won't be peaceful for much longer. Once I've finished what I need to do, we'll leave together."
Uchiha Shisui took a deep breath and nodded gravely. Then he turned and walked with firm steps toward the mission office.
The setting sun stretched his shadow long behind him, like a silhouette heralding his impending farewell to his old identity.
Uchiha Shisui stood motionless, watching Shisui walk away. Only when he disappeared from sight did Shisui suddenly turn and use the Body Flicker Technique, vanishing like a ghost and leaving behind only the faint trace of rippling chakra in the air.
The forest behind Konoha was quiet.
Obito hid in the shadows, bending to wrap a chain around his wrist with practiced ease.
Sensing someone behind him, he didn't turn around. He merely said, "The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki will give birth tonight. When the time comes, use your judgment."
"Most of the ninja Konoha has mobilized recently have gone to that barrier. It seems this blatant move is meant to lure us into a trap.
"But those little tricks can't fool me. I know exactly where the real birth will take place, and I have Kakashi to thank for that."
Obito gave a cold snort and lowered his black hood, covering most of his face. The chains in his hand clinked against each other, their rattling especially grating in the silent forest.
He raised his head, a cold gleam in his eyes, and stared at the broad, peaceful village of Konoha. It was about to become a key battlefield in his plan.