The Third Hokage and Shisui

"How is it? What is the atmosphere and opinion within the clan like? Especially Clan Head Fugaku—what does he think about the relocation of your clan's compound, Shisui?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen strolled through his courtyard, looking at Shisui with eyes that seemed cloudy yet were profoundly deep as he asked softly.

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was not as ruthless as Shimura Danzō.

As the Hokage of Konohagakure.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was by no means as kind and gentle as he appeared. In the Original Work, he seemed to repeatedly propose resolving the conflict with the Uchiha Clan through negotiations and peaceful means. While it was indeed because he did not wish to come to blows with the Uchiha Clan, it was certainly not out of compassion. Rather, he feared damage to his reputation, worried that the village as a whole would suffer excessive losses, and, no matter what, the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan was an extremely powerful Kekkei Genkai!

If Konohagakure truly lost this Kekkei Genkai.

It would be a tremendous loss for the future!

This was also the greatest reason Sarutobi Hiruzen had been unwilling to act against the Uchiha Clan for so long.

Otherwise.

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack had occurred in Konoha's forty-eighth year, so why had the clan massacre not happened until a full seven years later?

Even if Shisui's death had delayed matters for a time.

At its core, Sarutobi Hiruzen simply had not made up his mind.

From that perspective, it was not entirely wrong to say that Sarutobi Hiruzen had some intention of resolving the conflict peacefully.

This clan relocation plan.

Was both a precaution against the Uchiha Clan and a test by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He wanted to see just how many people in the Uchiha Clan harbored ulterior motives, and whether that mysterious Uchiha truly had connections with the entire clan.

At the very least, Sarutobi Hiruzen's preferred solution at this point was still similar to how his teacher, the Second Hokage, had dealt with the Uchiha Clan's rebellion back then: execute those ruthless individuals while keeping those Uchiha who could serve the village and obey his orders. Just as the Second Hokage had nurtured Kagami Uchiha and thereby influenced a small portion of the Uchiha clansmen, Sarutobi Hiruzen intended to cultivate Shisui into his own "Kagami," then let that influence spread throughout the Uchiha Clan. That was Sarutobi Hiruzen's truest thought at this moment.

That was the true meaning behind this relocation of the clan compound.

And Shisui was Sarutobi Hiruzen's best—and only—source of intelligence on the Uchiha Clan's internal affairs.

"Yes, Lord Third. There are indeed many complaints within the clan regarding the relocation, and quite a number of clansmen are unwilling to move. However, Clan Head Fugaku and several elders have all stated that they are willing to obey the village's orders and carry out the relocation according to the original plan within the stipulated time."

Shisui followed behind the Third Hokage step for step, his expression steady as he replied.

"Oh? Not just Fugaku—the other elders also agreed?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed somewhat surprised. His steps paused slightly as he turned his head and looked at Shisui again, asking softly.

"Yes. A few elders remained silent, but none directly voiced opposition."

It was not that those people had nothing to say. Rather, under the current circumstances, the Uchiha Clan no longer had many choices, or even the right to refuse. The higher their status, the more concerns they had. They were the ones who best understood Fugaku's choice, unlike the younger clansmen in their twenties, who acted and spoke only according to what they felt in their hearts.

Although Shisui was only twelve, his maturity allowed him to understand the heavy atmosphere at that gathering. Even though, as the Third Hokage's spy, he would not deceive the Third about the clan's intelligence, he could still choose gentler wording.

Unlike Uchiha Itachi in the Original Work, that utterly treacherous madman.

Shisui still held the clan in his heart.

He did not want to see the clan betray the village, nor did he want the village to be plunged into war because of his clan's selfish desires.

But neither did he want to see the clan truly purged completely.

He wanted to become someone like his ancestor Kagami Uchiha, to lead the clan onto a truly bright path and allow it to fully integrate into the village.

To become a part of the village.

In this regard, Hiruzen and Shisui had an unusual mutual understanding. One wanted to become the "Second Hokage," while the other wanted to become "Kagami Uchiha," and both wanted to do better than their predecessors.

"If that is truly the case, then it could not be better. Shisui, you must understand that this turmoil does not affect only the Uchiha Clan. It has also spread to the hundreds of thousands throughout the village. The Fourth's death in battle is the clearest signal of all. You must remember this well. Stay alert for any unusual movement within the clan and expose the mastermind behind it as soon as possible. Only then can your clan and the village truly return to their former peace!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared fixedly at Shisui Uchiha.

His voice was somewhat low as he spoke.

The Third Hokage had placed great expectations on this direct descendant of his former companion. For one brief moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen had even considered taking him as a disciple, but concerns over status, age, and certain delicate circumstances.

Had caused him to extinguish that thought the moment it appeared.

Even so.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was still very willing to believe that Shisui.

Would become the next "Kagami"!

And become the key to Konoha gaining greater control over and making use of the Uchiha Clan's power.

"Yes, Lord Third. I understand!"

Upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, Shisui immediately dropped to one knee and answered with a solemn expression.

"Mm, go. Keep a close eye on the situation within the clan. If anyone shows even the slightest abnormality, report it immediately!"

"Yes!"

Shisui lowered his head sharply in response.

Then, at Sarutobi Hiruzen's light wave of his hand.

Whoosh!

His figure flashed, vanishing from where he stood.

The various factions were beginning to mingle.

The enormous upheaval caused by the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox had only just begun to show its first ripples, and the connections within Konohagakure were only one manifestation of it.

More importantly.

When news spread throughout the shinobi world that Konohagakure had lost more than a fifth of its area to the Nine-Tails' rampage, suffered over ten thousand casualties, and had even directly lost the young Fourth Hokage, who had held the position for barely over a year.

Every nation and every major shinobi village was stirred into action.

Especially Kumogakure and Iwagakure.

Almost the moment they received the news.

There were signs of large-scale deployments of shinobi combat units. Their restless movements in turn affected all of Konoha.

Causing Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and the other members of Konoha High Command to tense inwardly.