At the same time, inside the Hokage Building in Konoha.
After Shisui, just as in the original story, proposed a solution he believed could resolve the conflict between the village and his clan, the smoke-filled, deathly silent Hokage's office suddenly became charged with excitement.
"Kotoamatsukami!"
Since returning to his office, Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't put down his pipe for a moment. He puffed away as he glared at the seemingly lifeless Danzo with a look that could kill.
Mm!
In reality, although Danzo looked wretched, most of his injuries were only superficial. With the Root's secret medicine and the First Hokage Cells repairing him, he had already mostly recovered.
But...
Remembering the fury Sarutobi Hiruzen was filled with right now, Danzo had sensibly chosen to play dead.
But even the crafty Shimura Danzō had forgotten to keep up the act of being gravely injured. He sprang upright and stared at Shisui in shock, unable to contain the killing intent spreading from him.
Still, with Sarutobi Hiruzen present,
Uchiha Shisui, though thoroughly disgusted by Danzo, the repulsive bastard, had no intention of using Kotoamatsukami to teach him how to behave.
"Shisui, is Kotoamatsukami really powerful enough...?"
A murderous glint flashed through Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, but with Danzo's undisguised killing intent drawing everyone's attention, no one noticed it.
He had originally brought Uchiha Shisui back only to learn more about the Uchiha and prepare himself more thoroughly for the changes ahead. He hadn't expected things to take such an unexpected turn.
At that moment, Shisui trusted the Third Hokage so completely that he failed to notice the subtle change in Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone after he mentioned the Mangekyo's ability.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Thinking the Third Hokage didn't believe him, Shisui began explaining Kotoamatsukami's power in even greater detail.
"Though I've never completely unleashed Kotoamatsukami's power, I'm certain no one can escape its control!"
"The only problem is that Kotoamatsukami consumes an enormous amount of ocular power. To permanently and completely change someone's thoughts and will, I'd have to wait at least a decade before using it a second time."
A hint of regret edged Shisui's words, along with a sense of helpless guilt that he couldn't stop the conflict between the village and his clan.
But once Shisui mentioned Kotoamatsukami's long cooldown, the chill deep in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes gradually faded. After steadying himself, he decisively stepped forward and helped Shisui, who was kneeling on one knee, to his feet.
"Shisui, you're the only one we can rely on now!"
Feeling the "concern" in Sarutobi Hiruzen's grip on his arm, Uchiha Shisui felt a warmth in his heart. He answered loudly and resolutely.
"Don't worry, Lord Hokage. At tomorrow's clan meeting, before Uchiha Jin can sway the clan leader, I'll use Kotoamatsukami to stop him!"
"No!"
Contrary to expectation, Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped Shisui. He turned his face slightly to avoid Shisui's gaze, then spoke again with firm resolve.
"Uchiha Jin's attitude doesn't matter. Fugaku is the Uchiha Clan's leader, after all. As long as the Uchiha leader and the village can get along, then the village and the Uchiha can finally achieve true peace!"
(Uchiha Fugaku: Achoo!)
You've got to be kidding!
Sarutobi Hiruzen could hardly believe the idiots around him. Not one of them had the slightest sense of what was going on.
Uchiha Jin had insulted him to his face today, even dragging up old grievances in public. Yet that was precisely why Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't dare make a move against him.
It was unbelievable. He had gathered everyone to rescue Danzo, that useless fool, but they had all ended up witnessing a tribunal condemning the Hokage.
He'd been insulted today, and tomorrow he'd use a special ability to alter someone's will? Who would ever dare follow Sarutobi Hiruzen after that?
Wouldn't that make all the dirt Uchiha Jin had thrown at him the absolute truth?
But if Shisui targeted Uchiha Fugaku instead, the situation would be completely different.
Then Sarutobi Hiruzen could calmly put his plans into motion. If necessary, he could stage another case of ruling from behind the curtain. Given enough time, he had the means to arrange everything perfectly.
As for Uchiha Jin?
Once everything was settled, did Sarutobi Hiruzen really think he couldn't handle one Uchiha elder?
Although he could sense Uchiha Shisui's sincerity and innocence, Sarutobi Hiruzen still harbored misgivings. So he added, without giving anything away,
"Shisui, Konoha's future is in your hands. Consider this a secret mission assigned to you by me. Go ahead and do what you must!"
As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen placed a hand on Shisui's shoulder once more. For once, he looked directly into Shisui's eyes and spoke earnestly.
"Go. If anything happens, give them my name!"
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Shisui's eyes glistened. He knelt again and answered respectfully, then used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished from the spot.
Whew...
Only after Shisui's presence had completely disappeared did Sarutobi Hiruzen finally let out a breath. Irritably, he tugged at his collar, letting the damp sweat beneath it dry a little.
Clearly,
although Sarutobi Hiruzen was confident he was the strongest Hokage in Konoha's history, Uchiha Shisui's Kotoamatsukami was far beyond his control.
Even though Sarutobi Hiruzen was confident in his brainwashing... no, in his personal charisma, and believed Shisui would never betray him,
you could never be too careful.
What if?
After using several secret techniques to check whether foreign chakra was present in his body, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally felt a little more at ease.
If the strongest Hokage in history really had his will rewritten by Kotoamatsukami and became a puppet of the Uchiha Clan, that would be something he could never accept.
"Sarutobi?"
By now, Shimura Danzō had given up pretending. He hurried forward, intending to use a secret technique to examine Sarutobi Hiruzen without a hint of hesitation.
"Danzo, what do you think you're doing?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen shoved Danzo away, then suddenly rebuked him sharply.
Although the sudden push nearly sent Shimura Danzō tumbling to the ground, he wasn't angry in the slightest. In fact, he was quietly delighted.
That's the way. Hiruzen must be fine!
After confirming that Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't been affected, Danzo's face returned to its usual dark, lifeless expression. He turned to the other three people in the Hokage's office and spoke loudly.
"We can't let the Uchiha run free any longer. This evil clan can't be trusted!"
As he spoke, Danzo's gaze once again burned into Sarutobi Hiruzen, the killing intent in his voice growing stronger.
"Hiruzen, leave it to me. I'll help the village eliminate this threat once and for all!"
"Enough! I've already sent word to Jiraiya and Tsunade. This matter concerns Konoha's future, and I won't let you undermine the village's peace and stability!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen rebuked him sharply once again, then continued,
"Danzo, I'm the Hokage!"
As he said those words, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally regained his confidence as Hokage. He turned his back and clasped his hands behind him, no longer paying attention to Shimura Danzō's resentful expression.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen failed to notice that Danzo was looking past him, toward the direction Uchiha Shisui had left in, his eyes glinting with icy killing intent.
Sarutobi, you're only the Acting Hokage!
Before you continue