Shisui Uchiha

The next day, the Canopy Screen played as usual.

[The scene appeared in Itachi Uchiha's home.]

["What did you say? Don't you know what tomorrow is?" Fugaku Uchiha shouted at Itachi Uchiha, frustrated by his son's attitude.]

["I have a mission tomorrow." Itachi Uchiha's face was expressionless. He showed no sign of thinking he had done anything wrong.]

[Seeing this, Fugaku Uchiha softened his tone. "Itachi, you're also the link between our clan and the village leadership. You understand that, don't you?"]

["Mm." Itachi Uchiha gave an almost imperceptible nod.]

[Fugaku Uchiha seemed satisfied with his response. "Good. And you must attend tomorrow's gathering. You know what things are like right now. I'm afraid I can't handle it alone..."]

[The scene shifted to the Hokage's Office, where Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō sat facing each other.]

[Shimura Danzō spoke evenly. "I hear the Uchiha clan is holding another gathering tonight."]

[Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "I know. But they say it's a clan ritual. There's nothing I can do."]

[Shimura Danzō struck his cane against the floor. "Ritual? They're plotting rebellion together! Hiruzen, their coup is imminent. We need to prepare now!"]

[Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment. "I'll stop this coup before it begins. Shisui, come in."]

[As Shisui Uchiha opened the door and entered, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "Shisui will attend the gathering. If Fugaku Uchiha really does plan a coup..."]

["Then I'll use Kotoamatsukami!" Shisui Uchiha cut him off firmly.]

[Hiruzen Sarutobi did not take offense. Instead, he explained with a kindly expression, "Shisui's Dōjutsu, Kotoamatsukami, can control a target without their realizing it. To everyone else, they appear to be acting of their own free will."]

["In that case, I can rest easy." Shimura Danzō rose and left the Hokage's Office, though his one visible eye flashed with menace.]

[The Canopy Screen switched to a chamber deep beneath Root headquarters.]

[Inside, Shimura Danzō fixed his grim gaze on the roiling black shadow before him. His voice was hoarse and urgent. "The latest intelligence says Shisui Uchiha intends to make his move at tonight's Uchiha gathering at Naka Shrine."]

["He's counting on the power of those eyes—Kotoamatsukami—to rewrite Fugaku Uchiha's will and force him to put down the coup!"]

[Naraka's shadow gave a low, mocking laugh. "Rewrite Fugaku Uchiha's will? Heh... Danzo, you give that boy too much credit. Are all the Uchiha this naive?"]

["These past few days, I've personally fed the hatred, fear, and arrogance in the Uchiha clan until they've grown fat and frenzied!"]

["One clan leader changing his mind won't calm them now! They're a volcano about to erupt!"]

["Fugaku Uchiha? He's just a stone at the mouth of that volcano. Even if he tries to plug it, the boiling lava beneath will smash him to pieces!"]

[Danzo clenched his hands until his knuckles turned white. "Don't underestimate the Mangekyō Sharingan, especially Shisui's eyes!"]

["Kotoamatsukami is the ultimate Genjutsu. It can change another person's will without anyone noticing! What if Fugaku Uchiha isn't his only target?"]

["What if he can control every elder at the gathering, even every leading member of the Radical Faction?"]

[A trace of fear Danzo refused to acknowledge crept into his voice. "If he manages that, he could avert a catastrophe without shedding a drop of blood."]

["All our plans would come to nothing! The Uchiha wouldn't descend into chaos. They might even reconcile with Konoha, making them harder to deal with!"]

[The air in the chamber seemed to turn to ice.]

[Naraka's shadow stopped writhing, then contracted sharply, growing denser. A surge of pure malice burst from it.]

["Then..."]

[Naraka's voice turned chilling, each word carrying the cold of death.]

["Make sure he never reaches the gathering."]

[Danzo's eye narrowed. "Kill him?" He considered it, then shook his head. "Easier said than done. They call him Body Flicker Shisui!"]

["His Body Flicker Technique is unmatched in Konoha, and his Genjutsu is nearly impossible to guard against."]

["Even if I lead Root's finest against him myself, success isn't guaranteed."]

["If we fail, we'll tip him off and provoke the entire Uchiha clan into striking back!"]

["Hmph. Humans have so many worries," Naraka said with contempt. "That's why I said you needed 'help.'"]

[The shadow drifted closer, its cold voice seeming to bore into Danzo's mind. "I'll create an opening that freezes him for an instant. That should be enough for you, shouldn't it?"]

[Danzo's eye lit up. If Naraka could do that...]

["An instant is enough!" Danzo's voice turned cold and resolute. "Give me just one opening, and my men... No, I'll do it myself. I'll tear out those dangerous eyes and silence him forever!"]

["Good." Naraka's shadow churned with satisfaction. "Then it's settled."]

["Tonight, before Shisui Uchiha reaches Naka Shrine, let's deliver him an invitation from 'hell.'"]

[The Canopy Screen changed again, this time showing a dense grove near Naka Shrine.]

[Shisui Uchiha stood at the agreed meeting place. The plan he was about to carry out weighed heavily on him, but he still trusted the Third Hokage and the village.]

[Footsteps sounded. Shimura Danzō emerged slowly from the shadow of a nearby giant tree.]

["Lord Danzo, is there something you need to discuss at this hour? The gathering is about to begin." Shisui Uchiha dipped his head politely.]

[Danzo dispensed with pleasantries. His voice was low and direct. "Shisui, answer me. Even if you succeed tonight..."]

["You use Kotoamatsukami to change Fugaku's mind, perhaps even the minds of others, and make them abandon the coup."]

[He paused, his one visible eye fixed on Shisui as though searching for his slightest reaction.]

["What then? Will the village change? Will its people let go of years of fear and prejudice? Will Konoha truly accept the Uchiha again?"]