Before the storm!

Shisui really had not thought that far ahead. What did Bai Ye mean, he would bring utter ruin upon the Uchiha?!

Had he somehow made a mistake?!

He looked at Bai Ye in confusion and asked, "Why?!"

"It's simple. Your Kotoamatsukami can change someone's thoughts without them ever noticing. Isn't that the most terrifying thing of all?! If you were Hiruzen Sarutobi or Danzo...

What... would you think?"

Shisui's naivety lay in his ability to trust others without reservation.

He believed they genuinely wanted to help him resolve the conflict between the village and the Uchiha.

That was why he had revealed his ability.

Put it this way: perhaps, deep down, there really had been a one-percent chance that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted Shisui to ease relations between the village and the Uchiha.

But once Shisui revealed his Kotoamatsukami...

That thought would probably have been snuffed out!

What a joke!

Would Hiruzen Sarutobi, as Hokage, not worry that Shisui might one day control him with Kotoamatsukami?!

Shisui might seem obedient now.

But who could guarantee he would remain obedient in the future?!

They could not forget that there had already been a precedent!

Orochimaru!!!

The more Hiruzen Sarutobi had loved Orochimaru back then, the more he now feared people and things beyond his control.

Ultimately, Hiruzen Sarutobi was no longer the Shinobi Hero he had once been.

And Danzo went without saying.

He constantly called the Uchiha evil, yet had always wanted to seize their power.

How could he possibly sit still after learning what Kotoamatsukami could do?

He was probably already planning how to steal Shisui's ability!

So once Danzo made his move and Shisui died, the entire clan would fall into the same course of events as in the original story.

War between the village and the Uchiha would then be inevitable.

After all, between protecting Danzo and standing up for the Uchiha, Hiruzen Sarutobi would naturally choose Danzo.

Of course, Bai Ye was merely laying out the possibilities. Now that he had the Mangekyo Sharingan and a Sage Body, he was not all that worried about dealing with Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others.

After all, none of Hiruzen Sarutobi's techniques could break through Susanoo.

If Hiruzen could not break through his Susanoo, Bai Ye would be invincible.

At that moment, Shisui finally understood why Bai Ye had said this was not a good thing for the Uchiha.

He really had not thought that much about it when he first brought it up.

But now that he understood, how could he fail to realize just how foolish he had been?

If he put himself in their shoes, would he have other thoughts if someone else possessed this ability?!

Of course he would!

Yet he had simply told Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others about it.

Initially, Shisui had wanted to be honest and tell them about his ability.

On the one hand, he wanted to show them that he had the means to resolve the Uchiha problem.

On the other, he hoped his honesty would make Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others realize that he had come in good faith.

But after hearing Bai Ye's explanation, he immediately realized that this was no good thing at all!

"Surely it wouldn't come to that..."

Shisui still clung to a sliver of hope.

He felt that perhaps Bai Ye was overthinking things.

After all, even if his ability made people wary...

He had never intended to do anything to them. Everything he did was for Konoha!

"Before long, Danzo will invite you to Root to discuss a solution to the Uchiha problem, then steal your Mangekyo Sharingan. He's always coveted the Uchiha's power.

He once researched the Sharingan and Wood Release with Orochimaru. Do you really think he'll let you go?!

Why don't we make a bet?"

Bai Ye thought for a moment, then came up with an idea.

Since he knew Danzo would later try to steal Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan...

He could start setting things up now.

This was an excellent opportunity.

After hearing Bai Ye's words, Shisui pondered whether he was right or wrong.

What he had heard had also deeply alarmed him.

He had never imagined that Danzo had once researched Wood Release and the Sharingan with Orochimaru.

That was taboo!

Secretly researching another clan's bloodline abilities or stealing their secret techniques...

Either was punishable by death.

Yet Bai Ye was saying Danzo had actually conducted such research before?!

This...

Shisui's first instinct was disbelief, but then he realized Bai Ye seemed to have no reason to lie to him.

What if everything Bai Ye said was true?!

Then why exactly was he doing this?!

Why had he chosen to stand with the village?

At that moment, his faith in the will of fire began to waver.

Bai Ye could see that quite clearly.

Ultimately, why had Shisui chosen to kill himself in the original story?

Wasn't it because his faith in the will of fire had wavered?!

Shisui had originally evaded Danzo's surprise attack, but he had never expected Danzo to possess a Sharingan.

That had made Shisui realize that, despite constantly insisting he was saving the Uchiha...

He had actually been pushing them into the abyss.

For now, Bai Ye was in no hurry to say anything. He simply watched Shisui, wanting to see what choice he would ultimately make.

He had already said nearly everything he needed to.

"What kind of bet?!"

Shisui finally made his decision.

He decided to trust Bai Ye this once.

Seeing his reaction, Bai Ye knew Shisui had taken the bait.

As expected, after everything he had said, Shisui's mindset had shifted somewhat.

"I'll implant an ocular technique in your eyes beforehand. If Danzo attacks you, you must commit yourself entirely to the Uchiha and follow my orders.

If I'm wrong, and Danzo doesn't act even after learning about your Kotoamatsukami, then I'll follow your ideas for changing the Uchiha!"

Bai Ye stated his objective plainly.

As far as he was concerned, there was absolutely no way he could lose this bet.

He understood Danzo's nature all too well.

Once Danzo knew about an ocular technique like Kotoamatsukami, how could he possibly resist?!

"Are you sure?!"

Shisui froze for a moment. Hearing Bai Ye's terms, he felt he had gotten the better deal!

After all, if Danzo really attacked him...

Would he still stand on Konoha's side?!

Even Shisui himself was not entirely sure.

Besides, as long as Danzo did not attack, Bai Ye would listen to him?!

To Shisui, that seemed like a very good outcome.

With that thought, he nodded and said, "No problem. I agree. If things happen as you say, I'll follow your lead from then on!"

Both sides felt they had nothing to lose.

Naturally, Shisui had no reason to refuse.

"All right!"

Bai Ye nodded, then implanted the ocular technique and its activation conditions in Shisui's Sharingan.

In the original story, Itachi had used this kind of advance implantation on Sasuke.

Its activation condition had been seeing another pair of Mangekyo Sharingan, and it had been intended to target Obito.

After implanting his ocular technique in Shisui's eyes, Bai Ye added, "Come see me on the day Danzo invites you for that discussion!"

With that, Bai Ye sent Shisui on his way.

The preparations were complete. There was no need to keep Shisui around any longer.

Just as Shisui left Bai Ye's place, Itachi, who had been waiting outside, immediately approached and asked, "How did it go, Shisui?!"

"Itachi? Didn't you go see your little brother?!"

Shisui looked at Itachi in surprise.

Hadn't he already told Itachi that he could handle today's meeting with Bai Ye himself?

Itachi did not need to worry about anything else.

"With the Uchiha in this situation, Sasuke can wait. Once the clan's problems are resolved, there'll be plenty of time."

Itachi shook his head. He had indeed considered it earlier.

But after thinking it over, he had decided against it.

Given the Uchiha's current situation, resolving the clan's problems came first.

Everything else could wait until later.

"Bai Ye and I have reached an agreement. I'll keep the details secret for now, but if I'm right, he'll choose to listen to me from now on."

"Really?!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Itachi's eyes.

He had never expected this. He had thought their conversation would simply end on bad terms.

Yet the two had actually reached an agreement?!

"Yes, so we can put our minds at ease for now, Itachi. I'll speak to Lord Hokage later. This might be our best chance to change the Uchiha!"

Shisui did not immediately tell Itachi the details of his discussion with Bai Ye.

Although Itachi was somewhat puzzled, he did not press him further.

"Then what about tomorrow?!"

"For tomorrow, we'll just have to wait. Bai Ye isn't listening to me yet, at least..."

Shisui felt a little embarrassed.

As for Konoha and the Uchiha exchanging the clan grounds back tomorrow...

Shisui could offer no guarantees.

He could only tell Itachi that, then go alone to see Hiruzen Sarutobi and report what had happened.

Inside the Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly smoked as he gazed down at Konoha, his thoughts stirring.

Shisui had just told him about the matter.

Now, a strange feeling rose in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

He thought it perfectly normal that Shisui had failed to persuade Bai Ye.

He knew very well that Bai Ye was unlikely to agree to this demand now.

If he were willing to agree, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until now?!

What puzzled Hiruzen Sarutobi most, however, was why Shisui had not used Kotoamatsukami on Bai Ye.

Had something unexpected happened, or had Shisui...

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not dare pursue that thought. If Shisui betrayed them and used Kotoamatsukami on their group...

That was not something he could accept.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Danzo immediately spoke from beside him. "Leave Shisui to me. You handle the Uchiha!

I warned you long ago. This situation is entirely your fault!!!"

In Danzo's view, if they had acted decisively sooner, they would never have been left so helpless!

Still, it was not too late!

He had already made his preparations at Root.

As long as Shisui came, he would be able to seize Kotoamatsukami.

Then they would still be able to suppress the Uchiha!

Who would have thought the Uchiha would produce someone with a Mangekyo Sharingan?!

It had handed him the perfect opportunity!

Hearing Danzo's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for once.

He could more or less guess what Danzo had in mind.

If he tacitly allowed Danzo to do this...

Relations between the two sides would sink to rock bottom.

But... would relations between the Uchiha and the village be any better if he refused to allow it?!

Perhaps not!

After all, Shisui now seemed on the verge of siding with the Uchiha.

This was not what Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to see.

Shisui's Kotoamatsukami was a ticking time bomb.

If Shisui could not stand firmly on his side, he certainly would not feel at ease.

Besides, even if Shisui sided with him, he did not actually dare to trust him completely.

The Uchiha Clan.

After Shisui and Itachi parted ways, Itachi entered an alley on his way home.

Itachi turned around and stared behind him, his gaze fixed on a patch of shadow. "Who's there?!"

His three-tomoe Sharingan remained locked on that spot in the darkness.

Ever since he had parted ways with Shisui, he had felt as though someone was watching him.

Now, that feeling was growing stronger and stronger.

At last, when Itachi turned to look behind him, that feeling took concrete form.

A man wearing an orange mask and a black Akatsuki Robe stepped out of the shadows.

"Sharp eyes!"

Obito clapped and took two steps toward Itachi, but when he saw the wariness in Itachi's eyes and the kunai already clenched in his hand as he watched him vigilantly-

He stopped, and the Sharingan beneath his mask spun wildly.

Only after Itachi stared at his Mangekyo Sharingan with a flicker of shock did he speak. "I am... Madara Uchiha!!"

Madara Uchiha!!!?

What a joke!!!

Itachi's expression soured. Even if this guy was joking, there had to be a limit!

What era had Madara Uchiha lived in?!

He had lived in the same era as the First Hokage, and he had died in the Valley of the End.

And this guy actually claimed to be Madara Uchiha?!

"Itachi, you know the Uchiha's current situation. The Uchiha have grown rotten, obsessed with their clan and nothing else. Sooner or later, Konoha will wipe them out.

"Why don't we work together? I have high hopes for you..."

Obito gazed at Itachi, his eyes unreadable.

He no longer needed to spend much energy managing things in Kirigakure.

At this point, Obito wanted to come to Konoha and stir things up.

According to Zetsu's intelligence, relations between the Uchiha and the village had reached the point where war was highly likely.

What he needed to do now was fan the flames and find suitable people to join the Akatsuki.

The Akatsuki was still short on members. Wasn't everything Obito did for the Eye of the Moon Plan?!

And among the potential collaborators-

Itachi had the greatest potential, and he had a brother.

That was the most important part.

Having a brother meant there was a chance of awakening the eternal eyes...

And that was what he needed.

Besides, the Uchiha's continued existence did introduce quite a few unpredictable factors.

Kotoamatsukami...

I have to make the Uchiha Clan disappear!!!