The night wind swept through the Maple Forest downstream of the Naka River.
Broken stone lanterns stood amid the weeds. These ruins dated back to before Konoha's founding.
Shisui arrived at the appointed time.
He landed in the clearing and saw Danzo standing a short distance away, leaning on his cane.
Several masked Root elites stood beside Danzo.
"Lord Danzo."
Shisui approached and gave an Anbu salute.
"The Third has agreed to my proposal."
"As long as I use Kotoamatsukami on Family Head Fugaku at the gathering, we can resolve the Family's resentment."
Danzo turned around, moonlight falling across the bandages over his right eye.
"Hiruzen always takes far too rosy a view of things."
"Shisui, I already know exactly what those eyes of yours can do."
Shisui looked puzzled.
"Lord Danzo, what do you mean?"
"Kotoamatsukami can indeed change a person's will."
Danzo's voice was dry and raspy.
"But can you guarantee that after Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan won't produce another rebel?"
"The village's safety cannot rest on a technique beyond our control."
Alarm stirred in Shisui's heart, and he took half a step back.
"Don't you trust me?"
Danzo sneered.
"I trust only the power I hold in my own hands."
"Rather than let you take that risk, you should hand those eyes over to me for safekeeping."
The moment he finished speaking, four Root ninja burst out of the ground.
Chakra threads wove a vast net, cutting off every escape route.
"Lord Danzo, are you going to betray Lord Hokage's will?"
Shisui drew his short sword with a reverse grip and parried a kunai.
Danzo unwound the bandages on his right hand, moving with startling speed.
"Everything I do is for Konoha!"
Wind Release howled through the air.
The Aburame Clan's tiny kikaichū dispersed without a sound.