A Conversation with Shisui and Konoha's Higher-Ups' Reaction

Elsewhere.

By the Naka River.

Shisui stood quietly by the riverbank.

He looked at his reflection in the water.

In the reflection, his eyes flashed crimson.

The patterns of the Mangekyo Sharingan flickered in and out of view.

Uchiha You revealing his Mangekyo Sharingan tonight had shaken him deeply as well.

There was actually a second pair of Mangekyo Sharingan within the clan.

And Uchiha You had hidden himself so deeply.

Shisui had originally believed that he might be the only person capable of preventing a conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village.

But after tonight, he realized he had been wrong.

Uchiha You possessed power as well.

And unlike him.

You did not intend to mediate; he intended to strike back.

Just then, Uchiha You's voice came from behind him.

"Still thinking about Danzo?"

Shisui turned around.

"How did you know I was here?"

Uchiha You replied calmly,

"When your mind is in turmoil, you like coming to the Naka River."

Shisui gave a bitter smile.

"You know me well."

Uchiha You walked to his side.

"It is not that I know you well."

"You are just too easy to read."

Shisui: "..."

Uchiha You looked toward the river.

"After tonight, your situation will become more dangerous."

Shisui frowned.

"Because of the clan meeting?"

Uchiha You nodded.

"Danzo will soon learn that the Uchiha Clan has begun taking precautions."

"He will become more desperate."

"And once he becomes desperate, he will target the most valuable person."

Shisui fell silent.

"You still think he will make a move against my eyes?"

Uchiha You looked at him.

"It is not a matter of thinking."

"It is certain."

Shisui's fist slowly clenched.

"If that is true, I will personally ask Lord Hokage."

"Ask the Third?"

"Ask whether he knows Danzo intends to take your eyes?"

At Uchiha You's words, Shisui frowned.

"Lord Hokage would never allow such a thing."

Uchiha You asked in return,

"Then did he allow Danzo to send Root after me?"

Shisui stiffened.

Uchiha You continued,

"If he says he did not know, then it means he cannot control Danzo as Hokage."

"If he says he knew, then it means he tacitly approved."

"Shisui, which do you hope it is?"

Shisui's face turned slightly pale.

Either answer was cruel.

Uchiha You patted his shoulder.

"Do not rush."

"I do not need you to believe me right now."

"You only need to promise me one thing."

Shisui looked at him.

"What?"

Uchiha You's tone was serious.

"If Danzo asks to meet you alone."

"You must tell me."

Shisui fell silent.

Uchiha You continued,

"This is not a request."

"It is for your life."

"And for the Uchiha Clan."

Shisui stared into his eyes.

After a long while, he nodded gently.

"Alright."

"If Danzo comes looking for me, I will tell you."

The corner of Uchiha You's lips lifted slightly.

At last, there had been a breakthrough with Shisui.

The system's voice sounded again.

[The host has successfully further shaken Shisui Uchiha's trust in Danzo.]

[Side Quest One: Save Shisui Uchiha. Progress increased.]

[Behind-the-Scenes Points obtained: 3000.]

[Current Behind-the-Scenes Points: 41000.]

Uchiha You was in a good mood.

This was the joy of laying out a plan.

Without killing anyone himself, he could still make fate shift little by little.

But he also knew that the true test had yet to come.

Danzo would not sit by and watch the Uchiha Clan unite internally.

Nor would he let Shisui's Kotoamatsukami slip away.

The next few days would be the crucial period.

Meanwhile.

The Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage stood before the window, staring toward the Uchiha Clan Grounds in the distance. The pipe in his hand remained unlit for a long time.

An ANBU knelt behind him.

"Lord Hokage."

"The Uchiha Clan Grounds held a clan meeting tonight."

The Third Hokage said gravely,

"What was it about?"

The ANBU lowered his head.

"Security at the Uchiha Clan Grounds has been strengthened."

"The Police Force's patrol methods have changed."

"Some Uchiha Clan members have begun moving frequently."

"However, there are currently no clear signs of a coup."

The Third Hokage's brow furrowed tightly.

No clear signs of a coup.

Rather than reassuring him, those words made him even more uneasy.

If the Uchiha Clan had openly cried for a coup, he would at least have been able to judge their intentions.

But now, the Uchiha Clan had become more organized.

That meant someone within the clan was directing them.

And that person was very likely Uchiha You.

The Third Hokage asked,

"What did Uchiha You say during the clan meeting?"

The ANBU hesitated for a moment.

"It cannot be confirmed for now."

"Security around Nanga Shrine was extremely tight."

"The Uchiha Clan seemed to have arranged counter-surveillance in advance."

The Third Hokage's expression darkened slightly.

The Police Force had begun counter-surveilling the ANBU.

That was not a good sign.

He waved his hand.

"Dismissed."

The ANBU vanished.

A moment later, Danzo slowly emerged from the shadows in the corner of the office.

"Hiruzen."

"I told you long ago that the Uchiha Clan could not be allowed to continue unchecked."

The Third Hokage did not turn around.

"Sending Root to kill You has pushed things in a far more dangerous direction."

Danzo snorted coldly.

"If he had died outside, there would not be this problem now."

The Third Hokage spun around, his gaze cold and sharp.

"But he did not die!"

"And he came back alive!"

"Now the entire Uchiha Clan knows Root may have acted against them."

"What do you think Shisui and Itachi will think?"

Danzo's gaze darkened slightly.

"Shisui can still be won over."

The Third Hokage frowned.

"What are you planning?"

Danzo replied calmly,

"Shisui possesses Kotoamatsukami."

"If he can be made to use Kotoamatsukami to change Fugaku, the Uchiha coup can be quietly stopped."

The Third Hokage fell silent.

It was not as though he had never considered this plan.

Shisui had also revealed a similar idea to him before.

Use Kotoamatsukami to prevent the coup.

On the surface, it seemed to be the best choice.

Yet for some reason, the Third Hokage suddenly recalled the look in Uchiha You's eyes when he had been in the office today.

That young man seemed to have seen through something long ago.

The Third Hokage said gravely,

"Danzo."

"Shisui is a shinobi of the village."

"Do not do anything unnecessary to him."

Danzo remained expressionless:

"Of course I know."

"Everything I've done has been for Konoha."

The Third Hokage looked at him, his brow furrowing deeper.

He had heard those words far too many times.

In the past, he had always managed to convince himself to trust Danzo.

Because Konoha needed light, but it also needed darkness.

But now, Danzo's darkness seemed to be growing increasingly out of control.

Root Base.

Danzo sat in the shadows, his expression as dark as still water.

Three Root agents were dead.

Uchiha You had returned alive.

After the clan meeting, the Uchiha Clan had begun to stay on guard.

All of this left him deeply dissatisfied.

Especially Uchiha You.

That brat had become the greatest variable.

If he continued influencing the Uchiha Clan unchecked, Shisui's Kotoamatsukami plan would likely fail.

Even Itachi might be affected.

Danzo raised his lone eye and said coldly:

"Notify Shisui."

"Tomorrow evening, I want to see him."

A Root ninja dropped to one knee.

"Yes."

Danzo's fingers lightly tapped against his cane.

Shisui.

Your eyes cannot remain in the Uchiha Clan's hands.

A power like Kotoamatsukami could only truly protect Konoha if it was in my hands.

As for Uchiha You...

Killing intent flashed through Danzo's lone eye.

Once I obtain Shisui's eyes, you will be the first one dealt with.

Uchiha Clan Grounds.

Late at night.

Uchiha You had just returned to his room when the system notification sounded again.

[Key plot point about to trigger.]

[Event: Danzo summons Shisui Uchiha.]

[Original plot tendency: Shisui loses one Mangekyo Sharingan, then commits suicide and entrusts his other eye to Itachi Uchiha.]

[Current deviation rate: 45%.]

[Side Quest One: Save Shisui Uchiha. About to enter a critical stage.]

[Quest requirement: Prevent Danzo from taking Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan.]

[Minimum completion condition: Shisui survives.]

[Perfect completion condition: Both of Shisui's eyes are preserved, and his trust in Konoha's leadership is completely shaken.]

[Reward: 10,000 Behind-the-Scenes Points, increased Kotoamatsukami resistance.]

Uchiha You's gaze turned icy in an instant.

It was here.

Danzo really couldn't hold himself back.

He had just revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan at the clan meeting, the Uchiha Clan had begun taking precautions, and Danzo immediately moved against Shisui.

Truly an old dog that couldn't resist pouncing the moment it saw meat.

Uchiha You slowly rose and pushed open the window.

"Danzo."

"I was planning to let you live a few more days."

"Since you're so eager to die..."

A cold smile curled across his lips.

"Then I'll cut off one of your arms first."

Within the system panel, the first stage of the main quest hovered silently.

[Prevent Uchiha Massacre Night.]

[Final reward: Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.]

Uchiha You stared into the darkness beyond the window, his eyes profound.

"Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."

"The power to change fate."

"Danzo, your life is paving the way for me."

"So..."

"Don't die too easily."