Kotoamatsukami succeeded

The Third Hokage betrayed nothing. After all the Anbu personnel had left, he nodded.

"Shisui, activate your Sharingan. Let me take a look and see whether anything is wrong."

Seeing that the Third Hokage suspected nothing, Shisui Uchiha secretly clenched his hands and answered respectfully.

"Yes, Lord Third Hokage."

Shisui Uchiha raised his head, met the Third Hokage's gaze, and activated his Sharingan. The three tomoe in his eyes spun faster and faster. Soon, they joined end to end, slowly taking on the shape of a four-pointed shuriken.

The Third Hokage was inwardly astonished as he looked at Shisui Uchiha's Sharingan. Though this was his first time seeing it, he was absolutely certain that these eyes were the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan. Simply meeting their gaze brought a soul-shaking pressure.

Just then, Shisui Uchiha secretly increased the flow of power through his eyes, silently activating his ocular technique, Kotoamatsukami.

Without Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi noticing a thing, Kotoamatsukami silently and swiftly invaded his mind, altering his thoughts. At that moment, if Shisui Uchiha wished it, the leader of Konoha, one of the highest-ranking leaders in the entire shinobi world, would become his slave. Shisui Uchiha's commands would become the Third Hokage's highest directives.

But he was Shisui Uchiha, a man who loved both his village and his clansmen. Though the Third Hokage had been targeting the Uchiha Clan to some extent, how could Shisui enslave an elder who had devoted his entire life to the village? Besides, the Land of Fire was not at peace either. If Shisui altered the Third Hokage's thinking, he might bring a terrible disaster upon the village and his clan.

So Shisui Uchiha merely used this opportunity to make the Third Hokage stop concerning himself with the Uchiha Clan and cease targeting them. That way, the clan would be preserved, and the village would not be plunged into disaster, such as war.

As the Third Hokage looked at Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan, he felt a brief moment of disorientation before coming back to himself. He thought nothing of it, examined the Sharingan's pattern a little more closely, and spoke.

"All right, Shisui, you can deactivate your Sharingan now. I've had a look. Apart from the change in its pattern, have you noticed any other changes?"

Shisui Uchiha took the opportunity to deactivate his Mangekyō Sharingan and replied as respectfully as ever.

"Lord Hokage, ever since my Sharingan changed, my chakra has increased considerably. My skill with genjutsu has also improved greatly, my perception has become much sharper, and my ninjutsu has grown somewhat more powerful."

Shisui Uchiha had already discussed this with Qiu Shan Uchiha. Apart from concealing the ocular techniques contained within the Mangekyō Sharingan to avoid arousing the Third Hokage's apprehension, he would report everything truthfully. The Third Hokage had enough magnanimity to tolerate a Kage-level powerhouse, especially one who was on his side.

Hearing Shisui Uchiha's words, the Third Hokage could not help feeling reflective. Shisui had already ranked among the finest jōnin. With his exceptional combat talent and masterful skill in genjutsu, he had earned the name Body Flicker Shisui.

Now that he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, his strength had leaped to Kage level. Even the Third Hokage himself had no confidence that he could keep Shisui in check. The Uchiha Clan truly deserved its standing as one of the shinobi world's foremost clans with a kekkei genkai. The Sharingan made increasing their strength far too easy.

Still, the Third Hokage had complete confidence in Shisui Uchiha. He was Kagami Uchiha's descendant, had inherited the Will of Fire passed down through the Hokage's line, and had practically grown up under the Third Hokage's watch. He trusted Shisui's character completely. He believed that, under his tireless brainwashing, Shisui could never escape his grasp. It seemed he would have to intensify Shisui's ideological education in the future.

At that thought, a kindly smile appeared on the Third Hokage's face.

"Shisui, those eyes of yours are indeed the Mangekyō Sharingan. This is wonderful. Konoha now has another Kage-level powerhouse. With unrest along the Land of Fire's borders at a time like this, seeing you grow so strong truly puts this old man's heart at ease.

You must remember, wherever leaves dance, fire will burn. Its light will illuminate the village, and new leaves will sprout again.

Shisui, we are those burning leaves. Even if we sacrifice ourselves, countless younger generations will carry on our will and make Konoha even more glorious."

Hearing the Third Hokage's words, Shisui Uchiha knew that he was trying to sway him just as he always had, yet he was still deeply moved.

Though I love my village, I love my clansmen just as much.

Shisui Uchiha could only silently apologize to the Third Hokage in his heart.

Outwardly, however, Shisui Uchiha behaved just as he always had. His face filled with excitement, as though he had found a kindred spirit.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. As long as our village can prosper and the younger generations can live happily, even if we sacrifice ourselves, our deaths will have been worthwhile."

The Third Hokage watched Shisui Uchiha with a kindly expression. Seeing that Shisui still wholeheartedly agreed with his Will of Fire, just as before, he nodded in satisfaction.

He knew that Shisui Uchiha had only just returned from a mission, and that pushing too far in such matters could do more harm than good. He decided to stop while he was ahead and gave one final reminder.

"All right, Shisui. You must be tired, so go back and rest. But don't let too many people know that you've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. That will spare you a great deal of trouble."

Shisui Uchiha answered respectfully, "Yes, Lord Hokage. I understand."

Seeing the Third Hokage wave him away, Shisui Uchiha clenched his fist in a salute and headed outside.

After Shisui Uchiha withdrew, the Third Hokage resumed processing the remaining documents.

Suddenly, the Third Hokage stopped writing, his brows gradually drawing together. Looking at a report accusing the Konoha Military Police Force of using excessive force, he decided to treat the Uchiha a little more favorably instead of placing all the blame on the police force as he had before. That would also help him win over Shisui Uchiha.

With that thought, the Third Hokage wrote down his instructions, unaware that he had also been affected by something else.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Shisui Uchiha headed toward the Uchiha Clan Compound. Just as he was about to arrive, he suddenly changed direction and hurried toward a secluded spot outside the village.

Things had gone smoothly with the Third Hokage. To prevent complications from arising through delay, Shisui Uchiha decided to go to Shimura Danzō immediately. As long as he dealt with Danzo, who had always hated the Uchiha Clan and controlled Root, most of their problems would be resolved.

The rest would be up to Qiu Shan Uchiha.