Day Slash, You Will Regret This (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

After arriving at the Hokage Building, Shisui confessed the abilities of his Mangekyo Sharingan to the Third Hokage and the other high-ranking officials.

Upon learning that Kotoamatsukami possessed the power to rewrite a person's will and turn them into a puppet to be commanded at will, the high-ranking officials, led by the Third Hokage, could not help but feel a deep sense of wariness toward Shisui.

Ultimately, the effects of Kotoamatsukami were far too powerful; no one could help but fear being controlled by another.

For those with ambition, however, this ability to manipulate the will of others was dangerously alluring.

As Danzo listened to Shisui finish explaining his abilities, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes—the look of someone consumed by extreme covetousness.

At the same time, he felt a burning rage that Shisui had previously hidden the fact that he had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan from him.

One had to remember that Shisui was currently a member of his Root organization; as the leader of Root, the boy should have reported such vital intelligence to him first.

If he had known early on that Shisui had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, it would have been much simpler to make his plans.

It was nothing like the current situation, where it had become common knowledge; taking action against him now would be far more constrained, though that would not stop him.

Once Shisui withdrew, the high-ranking officials in the room began to discuss how to handle the matter.

"What is there to discuss? Everyone saw with their own eyes that the Nine-Tails was controlled by a Sharingan that night. Shisui is a major suspect, and I propose we place him under control for interrogation."

After Danzo finished speaking, the two elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, did not immediately raise any objections.

It was not that they necessarily believed Shisui was guilty, but rather that they were deeply wary of his Kotoamatsukami, leading them to subconsciously feel that a dangerous individual like him needed to be strictly managed.

They couldn't risk a day coming where they were controlled as puppets without even realizing it; that would be a massive disaster.

Shisui likely never imagined that if he had simply confessed to awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan without revealing the details of his ocular technique, the Konoha leadership—including Danzo—would have been wary of him, but not to the point of wanting to eliminate him as quickly as possible.

After all, Shisui was still a great hero who had recently repelled the Fourth Raikage. Even if they didn't reward him, being this eager to "discard the bow once the birds are gone" made even old politicians like Koharu and Homura feel a bit shameless.

However, since Danzo was willing to play the villain and take the blame, and they shared the same interests, they did not raise any objections, effectively tacitly approving Danzo's proposal.

Seeing this, Danzo was naturally overjoyed. With the other two high-ranking officials on his side, he figured Hiruzen Sarutobi would have no choice but to bow to the pressure on this matter.

Once he captured Shisui and seized those Mangekyo Sharingan, with Kotoamatsukami in his hands, the hope for Konoha Village's resurgence would rest upon his shoulders. Then, he would be able to make Konoha great again.

Yes, that was it; everything he did was for the sake of the village, not out of any desire for the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Danzo kept brainwashing himself, his resolve to move against Shisui growing firmer by the second.

Yet, in the face of his suggestion, the Third Hokage frowned, took a few puffs of his pipe, and shook his head.

"Since Shisui was willing to reveal his ocular technique to us, it shows that his heart is still with the village; he is a successor to the Will of Fire. Don't forget, he is also a descendant of Kagami. I believe that, like Kagami, he possesses a perspective that transcends the ninja clans and has truly become a member of this village. Therefore, we must not act rashly toward Shisui."

Seeing the Third Hokage reject his proposal, Danzo grew anxious.

"You can know a person's face but not their heart; how can you know what kind of mentality lies beneath his hidden facade? Don't forget what our master once said: the Uchiha Clan is a naturally evil clan, and those who awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan—that cursed eye—are the root of disaster. Furthermore, he is merely a descendant of Kagami, not Kagami himself. As the Hokage, how can you let your emotions cloud your judgment on such a critical matter?"

Although they had both been students of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, alongside Kagami Uchiha—and Tobirama had personally acknowledged that Kagami's vision transcended his clan and that he was truly trustworthy—Danzo, who coveted the Uchiha's Sharingan, would never let such sentimentality stop him from moving against Shisui.

Never mind that Shisui shared no such bond with him; even if it had been Kagami himself who had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan and such a heaven-defying technique as Kotoamatsukami, he believed that before he could even act, his own teacher, Tobirama Senju, would have been the first to strike.

The Uchiha Clan was a naturally evil race that had to be eradicated, and an Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan had to be eliminated as early as possible.

That Hiruzen was being so indecisive about this matter meant he had clearly forgotten the teacher's earnest teachings.

Master, if your spirit is watching from above, would you feel cold at the sight of this?

Hiruzen has abandoned your convictions. I, Danzo, am the true successor to your will; I am the only one truly qualified to be Hokage.

Facing Danzo's near-insurrectionist stance, the Third Hokage did not yield an inch, replying, "I will handle the matter of Shisui myself. Without my orders, Danzo, you are absolutely forbidden from acting on your own, or else do not blame me for disregarding our old ties."

"Hiruzen, you are squandering a tactical opportunity! To tie the safety of the village to the character of another—such indecision makes you truly disappointing..."

Faced with Danzo's accusations, the Third Hokage slammed his hand on the table and interrupted him.

"Enough, Danzo. Remember: I am the Hokage! It is not your place to point fingers."

Hearing the Third Hokage use his status to suppress him, Danzo felt both angry and anxious.

The Hokage—it was all because of the Hokage!

If he were standing in that position, he would certainly do a far better job than the man before him.

Hiruzen was no longer fit to continue as Hokage. For the sake of the village's future, he had to make plans early.

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo becoming so enraged over how to handle Shisui, the two elders, Koharu and Homura, began to act as peacemakers.

Although the purpose of the Council Elders was to assist or check the position of the Hokage, and they should have stood on the same side as Danzo, they hesitated.

However, now that Hiruzen Sarutobi had begun to use his position as Hokage to pressure others, the saying held true that a group of dragons cannot function without a leader; for the sake of the village's interests, the authority of the Hokage had to be maintained.

Therefore, regarding the disagreement between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo, the two Council Elders felt compelled to outwardly support the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi for the time being, while attempting to persuade Danzo.

Seeing the Council Elders acting like grass in the wind and siding with the Third Hokage once again, Danzo could only think that these people were truly unworthy of planning with.

He then spoke in a deep, resonant voice to the Third Hokage and the two Council Elders, "The decision you have made today will one day become the darkness of this village and bring about a great loss.

When that time comes, Hiruzen, you will surely regret it..."