Shisui's Resolve

"Second," Uchiha Ao paused, fixing Shisui with a bright, unwavering gaze. "You become Hokage."

Shisui's eyes widened, disbelief written all over his face. "Become Hokage? Ao, this isn't a joke. The Hokage Position has always been held by people from the Hokage's circle. No one from the Uchiha Clan has ever claimed it. It's practically impossible."

Uchiha Ao's expression was solemn, without the slightest hint of jest. "Shisui, you know about Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, don't you?"

"When Konoha was first founded, they stood side by side and built this village together, a place carrying the dreams and hopes of countless people.

"From the very beginning, the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan were both founders of Konoha. We have just as much right to compete for the Hokage Position."

Shisui frowned slightly, looking conflicted. Ao's words had stirred something in him, but he still had his doubts. "That may be true, but the villagers' prejudice against the Uchiha Clan runs deep. Even if I'm capable, they won't trust me with the Hokage Position."

Uchiha Ao stepped closer, his expression earnest. "Shisui, that's exactly where we need to find a way through."

"The village's clans may appear united, but beneath the surface, tensions are brewing, and each has its own demands. Take the Hyuga Clan, for example. Ever since what happened to Hizashi, Hyuga Hiashi has held a grudge against the village. Back then, the higher-ups sacrificed Hizashi without hesitation to appease Kumogakure. Hiashi accepted it on the surface, but his resentment never faded. We just need to make good use of that."

When Uchiha Shisui still didn't respond, Uchiha Ao stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "Of course, becoming Hokage depends on you uniting the Uchiha Clan first. The clan is currently divided between the hardliners and the moderates. They keep arguing instead of working together, giving the village's higher-ups an opening to divide and suppress us."

"The hardliners are set on confronting the village and reclaiming the power that should belong to us. They act impulsively and don't think about the consequences. The moderates, meanwhile, are too weak, constantly giving in and backing down.

"You need to step forward and explain your principles to them. Tell the hardliners that blindly resisting will only lead the Uchiha Clan to ruin, while the moderates' endless patience won't earn us genuine respect or status."

Uchiha Shisui nodded to show that he understood.

After hesitating for a moment, Uchiha Shisui slowly raised his hand and touched his eyes.

His eyes were instantly flooded with crimson. His original black irises vanished, replaced by a strange, mysterious pattern: the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Shisui stared intently at Uchiha Ao and said gravely, "Ao, I'm showing you these eyes so you know that I have both the resolve and the strength. These eyes represent the Uchiha Clan's ultimate power, and they're the weapon I use to protect my ideals."

"I've used them to protect the village countless times, and yet the village's suspicion of the Uchiha has never diminished. Now that you're asking me to compete for the Hokage Position and unite the Uchiha Clan, I'll follow your plan and give it everything I've got."

Seeing the determination in Shisui's eyes, Uchiha Ao smiled faintly.

He knew that by revealing his Mangekyō, Shisui was showing that he trusted him completely.

And he had to live up to that trust.

"What about the third method?" Uchiha Shisui was already quite satisfied with the first two. He was only asking about the third because he wanted to see what ideas this clanmate, who was even more gifted than Itachi, might have.

Uchiha Ao waved a hand. "There's no need to discuss the third method, Shisui. If we can carry out the first two successfully, they'll completely resolve the Uchiha Clan's predicament. We might even help the clan rise to new heights."

Shisui tilted his head slightly and said softly, "Ao, I'd like to bring Itachi into this. He's incredibly talented, deeply devoted to both the village and the clan, and very perceptive."

Uchiha Ao paused, then his eyes took on a strange look.

Uchiha Ao had only one opinion of Itachi.

Idiot.

In Uchiha Ao's eyes, Itachi was obsessed with the greater good. For the sake of the so-called peace of the village, he could bring himself to take part in the clan's extermination, then leave Sasuke Uchiha alive so that he would hate him.

"Shisui, bringing Itachi into this won't help. It might even hurt him." Uchiha Ao shook his head and firmly rejected Shisui's suggestion.

"Shisui, you need to remember that Itachi's father is Fugaku. You're his friend, yet you're planning to join others in taking his father's position as clan head. How would Itachi be able to face the rest of the clan afterward? How could he hold his head up in front of them?" Uchiha Ao didn't reveal the real reason he was against bringing Itachi in. Instead, he explained it from Itachi's point of view.

Shisui looked uncertain, wrestling with himself. In the end, he slowly nodded. "You're right. I didn't think it through. Let's do as you say for now. Once we've sorted out the clan's internal affairs and found the right opportunity, we'll talk to Itachi."

Seeing Shisui agree, Uchiha Ao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He'd been afraid Shisui would be stubborn and set in his ways as before.

The two talked for a while longer. Just as Uchiha Shisui was about to leave, Uchiha Ao suddenly grabbed him.

"What is it, Ao?"

Uchiha Ao scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "Shisui, there's actually one more favor I'd like to ask."

Shisui gave a small start. Uchiha Ao continued, "I heard the Shadow Clone Technique can make training more efficient. I was thinking of using shadow clones to help me train, so I wanted to ask you to teach me."

Shisui sighed softly, looking at Uchiha Ao with concern. "The Shadow Clone Technique can indeed make training more efficient, but it has side effects." He paused, then continued slowly, "When a shadow clone is dispelled, all the fatigue and pain it's accumulated, along with the chakra it's spent, comes flooding back to the original body at once."

In Shisui's view, Ao was already quite gifted. Training with the Shadow Clone Technique really could save him a great deal of time and help him grow stronger quickly.

But this method placed an enormous strain on the mind. A moment's carelessness could cause lasting damage to both body and mind.

Not everyone had Naruto Uzumaki's Tailed Beast-level chakra reserves and powerful healing ability.

After listening, Uchiha Ao took a deep breath, remaining calm. "Shisui, I understand your concerns. But since I've decided to learn it, I won't use it recklessly. I'll make sure not to push myself too far." He clenched his fist slightly, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "I plan to start by making one or two shadow clones. I won't keep them out for long, either. I'll dispel them myself as soon as I feel my mental energy noticeably draining, and gradually figure out my limits."

Shisui listened quietly, then patted Ao on the shoulder again and nodded firmly. "All right, Ao. I'll teach you."

"The key to the Shadow Clone Technique is first to distribute your chakra evenly." As he spoke, Shisui began demonstrating the Hand Seals slowly and clearly. "Look, starting with this Tiger Seal..."

"Let me show you once first."