The Despicable Shimura Danzō

Outside the shrine, Shisui Uchiha met Shimura Danzō's gaze, his eyes resolute. "The Third Hokage has given me his word!"

"As long as my clan abandons the coup, he'll do everything he can to push through reforms, bridge the divide, and give the Uchiha the trust and standing they deserve!"

"I believe Lord Hokage will keep his promise!"

"His promise?" Danzō gave a derisive snort. "Hiruzen may mean it, but reality is often more stubborn than promises."

"Even if Hiruzen argues with all his might, there are villagers who lost loved ones during the Nine-Tails Incident, and ordinary people who have feared the Uchiha clan's power for generations."

"Do you think a single order from the Hokage can change their minds? The seeds of hatred and fear have already taken root. A few words from anyone won't change that."

Shisui's brow tightened, but he stood firm. "I know it won't be easy."

"Rebuilding trust takes time. But if we take this first step, if bloodshed can be avoided and my clan survives, we'll still have a chance!"

"If one year isn't enough, we'll take five. If five isn't enough, we'll take ten! As long as we keep trying and prove the Uchiha's loyalty through our actions, things will surely—"

"Time?" Danzō cut him off coldly and stepped closer, a chilling pressure radiating from him. "You say you need time. Fine. Then answer a more direct question."

A dangerous glint flashed in his lone eye. He lowered his voice.

"When that time comes, what about people like me, who distrust the Uchiha so deeply that we could never trust you, who might even stand in your way?"

"What would you do then, Shisui?"

"Would you use those eyes of yours, the ones that can change a person's will, on me?"

The question struck like lightning, shattering every defense Shisui Uchiha had prepared.

He had never considered it. Or rather, he had always avoided a possibility that violated everything he believed in.

Use Kotoamatsukami on a comrade? On the village's leaders? I...

His pupils contracted in shock. Instinctively, he tried to protest. "Lord Danzō, I would never use it on a comrade from the village—"

At the very instant that moral question shook Shisui to his core and opened the slightest gap in his concentration, everything changed!

The shadow beneath Shisui's feet seemed to come alive, turning thick as a swamp. Countless dark-purple ghostly hands formed from malice shot out and clamped around his ankles!

At the same time, countless shrieks and curses rang in his ears, while horrifying visions flashed before his eyes!

It was Naraka! He was interfering with Shisui's control over his body!

The sudden mental assault and physical restraint stalled Shisui's Body Flicker Technique for less than half a second!

For Shimura Danzō, that was enough!

Danzō lunged like a phantom!

His right hand, poised to strike, shot toward Shisui's right eye faster than the eye could follow. Sharp Wind Release Chakra swirled around his fingertips.

Squelch!

Blood sprayed.

The searing pain snapped Shisui out of Naraka's visions, but it was too late.

Agony tore through his right eye, and half his world went dark.

In Shimura Danzō's hand was a blood-soaked Sharingan, still trembling faintly!

Shisui clutched his bleeding right eye and stumbled backward, overwhelmed by shock and pain.

He stared in disbelief at the murderous Danzō and the malice lingering all around him.

"Wh... why... Danzō?!" His voice shook violently with pain and betrayal.

Danzō looked at him coldly and carefully put the Mangekyō Sharingan away. "For Konoha's absolute safety. I must eliminate every uncertainty."

"Shisui Uchiha, both your eyes and your ideals are far too dangerous for Konoha."

Before he finished speaking, more Root members emerged silently from the surrounding shadows, completely encircling the badly wounded Shisui, who had lost an eye.

As Root operatives closed in from every direction, the three tomoe in Shisui's remaining left eye spun wildly, then merged and transformed into the pinwheel pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan!

"Gaaah!" A low cry of pain and resolve tore from Shisui's throat.

Hum!

In an instant, emerald-green energy erupted around Shisui!

Rib-like bones formed around him, followed by layers of muscle. A green, half-formed Susanoo rose from the ground like a warrior god!

Its immense energy and crushing pressure hurled the first Root members to charge straight back!

"What? Susanoo?!" Even Shimura Danzō was stunned. Horror flashed in his lone eye, followed by still deeper greed.

He had never imagined Shisui could summon Susanoo after losing an eye and suffering such a grave wound!

"Stop him! Whatever it takes!" Danzō barked, though he instinctively stepped back and ordered his subordinates forward.

Shisui's green Susanoo swept its arm across the battlefield. The devastating blow drove every enemy back and opened a brief gap.

Without hesitation, Shisui endured the agony of his empty right eye socket and the weakness brought on by rapidly draining Chakra. He turned and pushed the Body Flicker Technique to its limit, becoming a blur as he raced deep into the forest!

"After him! He's badly wounded. He can't get far!" Danzō's face darkened as he waved his hand. Dozens of Root operatives melted into the darkness like ghosts and gave chase.

Shisui tore through the forest. Blood kept dripping between his fingers, and pain and blood loss began to cloud his mind.

He knew he could not hold on much longer. Just as despair threatened to overtake him, a familiar figure appeared on a tree trunk ahead—Itachi Uchiha!

Hiruzen Sarutobi had sent Itachi, an ANBU operative, to meet Shisui!

"Brother Shisui!" Itachi saw Shisui's blood-covered face, the horrifying hole where his right eye had been, and the Root pursuers close behind him. Shock and towering rage swept across Itachi's usually impassive face. "What happened?!"

"Itachi, run! Stay away!" Shisui shouted hoarsely, without slowing down.

Itachi immediately understood the situation. He turned without hesitation and fled alongside Shisui, hurling Shuriken and using Fire Release techniques behind them to hold off their pursuers.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Seeing the huge fireball hurtling toward them, several Root members hurriedly formed hand signs.

"Water Style: Water Turbulence!"

Water slammed into the fireball, releasing a vast cloud of steam.

By the time the steam cleared, Itachi and Shisui had vanished.