Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was studying Shin Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan when he suddenly seemed to sense something. He looked at Shin, who was watching him, with an extraordinarily complicated expression. After a brief pause, he made a special hand gesture, waving twice. Shin had never seen that gesture before; it looked like a variation derived from the Anbu's hand signals.
Still, Shin had complete confidence in Kotoamatsukami and believed that the Third Hokage was already under his control. Ever since his Sharingan had evolved into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, the upper limit of his Dōjutsu, Kotoamatsukami, had risen as well.
Shin could sense that anyone below the Six Paths level would be unable to resist his Kotoamatsukami unless they possessed a Dōjutsu born from another pair of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan specifically designed to counter genjutsu-which was impossible. Even Shisui Uchiha's Kotoamatsukami could not resist it.
As the Third Hokage made that gesture, Shin keenly sensed that both the Anbu lurking nearby and the ninja with special abilities seemed to withdraw and leave.
Once everyone in hiding had left, the Third Hokage suddenly formed hand seals. "Sealing Barrier, activate!" As he completed the seals, Shin could clearly sense a barrier enveloping the Hokage Office, isolating it completely.
After raising the barrier, the Third Hokage picked up the pipe on his desk, took a deep draw, and exhaled heavily. Shin watched him without doing anything else, simply waiting in silence.
After smoking, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe and finally asked, "This must be a Dōjutsu of your Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan. I never imagined your clan's Dōjutsu could be so remarkable. To think you could catch this old man in it without anyone noticing."
Shin showed not the slightest disrespect upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, despite having brought