Shisui's Eye, Kotoamatsukami

The night was slightly cool.

At the edge of the Uchiha Clan Compound, inside a secluded teahouse rarely visited by anyone, candlelight flickered over two figures.

Uchiha Yao sat upright, calmly savoring the fragrant tea in his cup.

Across from him sat Uchiha Shisui, the Uchiha Clan's acknowledged genius, known as "Body Flicker Shisui."

Unlike his usual gentle, sunny self, Shisui now wore an unmistakable trace of exhaustion and worry between his brows.

"Yao, the turmoil within the clan caused by you lately has truly been no small matter."

Shisui set down his teacup, his voice gentle yet heavy. "The Police Force reforms and the establishment of the Elite Preparatory Camp have both made some of the Dove Faction elders uneasy."

Uchiha Yao said, "Uneasy? Is it because their interests have been touched, or because they see the possibility of change for the Uchiha and fear that change?"

Shisui gave a bitter smile. "Perhaps both. I understand your determination to strengthen the clan, but aren't some of your methods a little too radical?"

"Radical?" Uchiha Yao countered. "When wolves surround you, a sheep's meekness will only bring a swifter death. Shisui, do you still not understand? Konoha High Command's suspicion toward the Uchiha has never vanished."

Shisui fell silent for a moment before looking at Uchiha Yao. "Yao, I believe that if we can show enough sincerity, there is still a possibility for peaceful coexistence between the village and the clan."

Shisui paused before continuing, "These eyes of mine may be able to help with that. They... possess a special power, one that can imperceptibly change a person's thoughts and guide them toward a more peaceful path."

Uchiha Yao's hand holding the teacup paused slightly.

Here it came!

Change a person's thoughts?

Wasn't that the Kotoamatsukami from his memories of his past life, the genjutsu hailed as the strongest?!

Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan!

"Oh? Change thoughts?" Uchiha Yao deliberately raised his brows in surprise. "That truly is an extraordinary ability. Shisui, are you saying you could use this power to influence the Third Hokage, or... Elder Danzo?"

Shisui gently shook his head. "This power is not meant to control people's hearts. It is meant to protect Konoha's peace. I hope it can dissolve the High Command's misunderstanding of us and allow the Uchiha to truly integrate into Konoha's great family."

Protect Konoha's peace?

"Shisui, do you truly believe that this ability alone can bring lasting peace?"

Uchiha Yao set down his teacup.

"Can changing one person's thoughts change deeply rooted prejudice? Can it change the inevitable conflicts brought about by the structure of power? Could this so-called peace be nothing more than a temporary compromise, an illusion?"

Shisui was rendered speechless. His lips parted, but in the end, it became a sigh. "My power has its limitations as well. It cannot change everyone's will, especially those... entrenched beliefs."

Uchiha Yao understood.

Shisui, you are too naive.

Or rather, you are too kind.

In the eyes of an old fox like Danzo, your powerful Kotoamatsukami is not hope for peace, but a tool to be exploited and seized!

Your fate will likely be even more tragic than in the original story!

A powerful sense of crisis surged within Uchiha Yao.

He knew that Danzo would never let those eyes go!

Countless thoughts flashed through Uchiha Yao's mind in an instant.

Under normal circumstances, he should perhaps warn Shisui to beware of Danzo, or even propose joining forces against him.

But... that was not Uchiha Yao's style.

If Shisui's "sacrifice" could not be avoided, then its value had to be maximized!

"Shisui, I deeply admire your intentions."

Uchiha Yao spoke slowly. "But you must understand that placing your hopes in the goodwill of others, or in the miracle of some ability, is extremely dangerous."

"The only thing that can truly protect the clan is the absolute power we hold in our own hands."

"Your eyes are powerful, but if they are used improperly or coveted by someone with ulterior motives, they may instead bring an even greater disaster upon the clan."

Rather than a reminder, these words were more like a subtle warning.

Shisui's body trembled slightly. A flash of realization passed through his eyes, only to be replaced by deeper concern.

He knew Yao spoke the truth, but the convictions in his heart made it impossible for him to give up so easily.

Uchiha Yao said nothing further.

He had already planted the seed of doubt.

What came next depended on Shisui's own choice.

At the same time, Uchiha Yao silently opened the Clan Growth System in his mind.

"System, search for skills or items related to 'mental control defense' and 'ocular jutsu countermeasures.'"

"Search for ocular jutsu skills or items related to defending against Kotoamatsukami!"

System prompt: Searching...

Related skill nodes found:

1. Mental Barrier (MAX): Immune to Kotoamatsukami, Tsukuyomi, and other mental attacks carried by the Mangekyō Sharingan. Required Glory Points: 200,000.

"System, immediately spend the Glory Points and acquire the Mental Barrier skill!"

As two hundred thousand Glory Points were deducted, a virtual mental barrier appeared deep within Uchiha Yao's consciousness.

Now Uchiha Yao could rest easy.

With this godly skill,

Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, hailed as the strongest genjutsu, had become completely ineffective against him.

From then on, whether it was Shisui or Danzo after obtaining Shisui's eyes, any attempt to use Kotoamatsukami to alter his will would fail, leaving them as nothing but clowns.

Uchiha Yao could not guarantee that he would never be attacked by Kotoamatsukami in the future, so it was better to be cautious and take precautions first. Two hundred thousand Glory Points was a lot, but immunity to Kotoamatsukami made it worthwhile.

"Shisui, thank you for your hospitality today." Uchiha Yao rose to take his leave. "The road ahead is still long. I hope you will give more thought to the clan's survival."

Shisui silently nodded and watched Uchiha Yao leave.

The candlelight in the teahouse flickered softly, stretching his shadow long and making him appear especially lonely.

After leaving the teahouse, Uchiha Yao walked down the chilly street with cold eyes.

Shisui, you are ultimately the living sacrifice to the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha High Command.

Since that is the case, let your "Eyes of Kotoamatsukami" become the first lever for me, Uchiha Yao, to pry apart the entire Shinobi World's balance!

Danzo is far from the only enemy in the future.

Six Paths of Pain, Uchiha Madara, the Moon Eye Plan... and the Otsutsuki Clan.

Uchiha Yao took a deep breath and calmed himself.

There would be many challenges ahead. For now, he would first raise the Uchiha to the pinnacle of Konoha and make them the undisputed foremost shinobi clan of Konoha!