Some People Die, Yet Live On

The Third Hokage said, "Let's settle it like this for now. Kakashi, take a few people you can trust and set up the scene of Shisui's suicide."

Shisui, standing nearby, could not get a word in. His own "life and death" had already been decided just like that.

"Got it. Shisui, come with me!" Kakashi vanished from the office in a flash.

Shisui stood there utterly dumbfounded. Have some humanity, Kakashi.

I have to set up my own suicide scene personally?!

"The two of us alone won't be enough. We'll need more hands. You go get Itachi; I'll get Tenzō," Kakashi instructed.

Shisui nodded, and the two swiftly split up, their figures disappearing into the darkness.

Four figures gathered once again atop the cliff.

Tenzō let out a huge yawn. "Kakashi-senpai, I finally had a day off today, and you dragged me here to do manual labor."

"Sorry about that, Tenzō. But you're my most trusted and most admired junior, after all." Kakashi smiled and patted Tenzō on the shoulder.

Tenzō immediately stopped feeling sleepy. "I suddenly feel full of energy, senpai. What are we doing?"

Kakashi pointed at Shisui beside him. "This guy is jumping off a cliff to kill himself. We're responsible for setting up the scene."

Shisui spread his hands helplessly. "Kakashi, you bastard..."

"All right, enough nonsense. Hurry up and write your suicide note, then find something that can prove your identity." Kakashi shut Shisui up with a single sentence.

"Itachi, you and Tenzō set up the evidence by the cliff. I'll forge the traces along the route over here."

Kakashi gave out orders as he continued his instructions.

"Remember, this is S-rank confidential. Once Shisui 'dies,' he may not be able to come back to life, so don't tell anyone."

"Kakashi, thanks so much..."

Shisui poured all his grief and indignation into his suicide note, making it profoundly sincere and heartfelt.

All four of them were experts at this sort of thing, and before long, they had forged a flawless scene.

"Shisui, you can stay at my place for now," Kakashi said.

Shisui nodded. By now, he had calmly accepted the fact that he was "dead."

The next day.

During a patrol, an ANBU member named Zang "accidentally" discovered Shisui's suicide note and the sword he never parted with beside the cliff.

He was greatly shocked and hurriedly reported the matter to his captain, Kakashi.

Kakashi immediately led a team to the scene and ordered the ANBU members under him to investigate and analyze it.

After busying themselves all morning, two ANBU members who had only recently joined gathered together and started chatting.

"If you ask me, Shisui Uchiha definitely committed suicide."

"Based on the crime scene analysis I learned during ANBU training, I carefully inspected the entire area. Every trace matched exactly what we were taught in class!"

Tenzō snickered nearby. They had all been taught by the same instructor. Of course he had arranged it according to what they learned in class.

There was no way they could spot anything strange!

The other ANBU member nodded. "Exactly. And look at that suicide note. You can feel Shisui's resentment between every line."

"He must have been crushed by the conflict between his clan and Konoha!"

Kakashi also walked over and said, "Yeah, who wouldn't say so? I quite liked that kid Shisui. He didn't have any of the Uchiha Clan's arrogance. What a pity."

"Captain Kakashi!" The two ANBU members hurriedly saluted him.

Kakashi waved his hand. "All right, everyone's worked hard for long enough. Withdraw."

"Clearly, no signs of fighting were found at the scene. Shisui did indeed die by suicide."

And so, Shisui died just like that.

News of Shisui's death spread only within a very limited circle. Using this as a reason, Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzō to discuss how to handle the Uchiha Clan.

"Third Hokage, did you call us here because of the Uchiha Clan?" Utatane Koharu asked slowly.

Mitokado Homura looked somewhat displeased. "I thought we had already reached a consensus on this matter. The Uchiha Clan cannot be trusted."

The Third Hokage did not directly answer their question. Instead, he said, "You've all heard about Shisui's death, haven't you? Such a promising child died in political infighting. It is truly a terrible waste."

"Yes, I think so too. That is why it is time to make some changes." Danzo smiled.

"I believe that from now on, we can consider easing the restrictions on the Uchiha Clan. Perhaps we can eliminate a potential crisis before it takes shape."

"Danzo, you?!"

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were both stunned. Danzo had clearly been the most steadfast opponent, shouting every day that "the Uchiha Clan never stops plotting Konoha's downfall!"

Had the sun risen in the west today?

"I agree with Danzo's view. What about you?" Hiruzen Sarutobi pressed forward, his burning gaze fixed on the two of them.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were extremely cautious as they deliberated in secret. Danzo's attitude had changed so drastically—was there some hidden truth they did not know about?

The two exchanged looks, each seeing helplessness and confusion in the other's eyes.

"...I have no objection," Mitokado Homura stated.

"Neither do I," Utatane Koharu followed.

Danzo and the Third Hokage had already joined forces. Their opinions were no longer all that important, so it was better to be sensible.

"My plan is to give up some authority and reclaim some authority."

The Third Hokage said gravely, "Lift ANBU's restrictions on the Uchiha Clan and allow outstanding members of the Uchiha Clan to join ANBU."

"At the same time, the Konoha Police Force will no longer be controlled solely by the Uchiha Clan. Members of other clans may join as well."

Only then did Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's expressions improve somewhat.

Although the Konoha Police Force did not hold that much power, as an exchange, it was still easier to accept than handing over authority for nothing.

"At the same time, encourage and promote the Uchiha Clan's integration into the village, starting with their living arrangements."

Utatane Koharu's expression changed. "Third Hokage, isn't this approach somewhat inappropriate? The Uchiha Clan's current attitude is still uncertain. What if..."

Danzo shook his head. "Hiruzen's proposal is very good. First, having the Uchiha Clan live among the other villagers means countless extra pairs of eyes watching them for us."

"Second, if the Uchiha Clan is broken up and integrated into the village, it will be difficult for them to maintain that united, shared-enemy atmosphere. We can draw some members of the Uchiha Clan into our camp."

After thinking it over for a moment, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura felt that Danzo had a point.

In the end, the four reached a consensus, and orders were issued one after another from the Hokage's Office.