"..."
While the Nine-Tails rampaged through Konoha, elsewhere, within the Uchiha Clan's compound...
Uchiha Fugaku's expression darkened as he looked at the scrolls delivered by members of the Anbu and Root.
With Shisui away on patrol, the Nine-Tails breaking free of its seal and devastating the village clearly had nothing to do with the Uchiha.
This was also a perfect opportunity for the Uchiha Clan to protect the village and ease tensions with its residents.
Yet under these circumstances, Hiruzen Sarutobi had actually ordered the Military Police Force under their control, along with every member of the clan, to follow Danzo's commands.
Even more absurdly, Danzo's command was for them to stay put!
Staying put might make the Uchiha Clan the clan that suffered the fewest losses during this Nine-Tails Incident.
But afterward, it would make them everyone's target!
"Tell me, Clan Head Fugaku, with all that chaos outside..."
As Uchiha Fugaku sat in the room with a grim expression, a voice suddenly rang out opposite him.
"It's you!"
At the sight of the newcomer, Uchiha Fugaku's Sharingan contracted sharply, instantly transforming into the Mangekyō Sharingan. He no longer cared about exposing it.
The person who had suddenly appeared before him was none other than the mysterious ninja who could use Wood Release!
"Did you release the Nine-Tails?"
The man's strength rivaled his own. Forcibly releasing the Nine-Tails was certainly within his capabilities.
But what exactly would he gain from doing that?
Fugaku simply couldn't figure it out.
"No."
Shisui Uchiha shook his head slightly and tossed a scroll to Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha Fugaku examined it with his Mangekyō Sharingan. Only after confirming that it posed no danger did he unroll it and read.
A moment later, Uchiha Fugaku set it alight and burned it.
"Why should I believe you? Why should I believe Danzo is conducting that experiment?"
"Because you have no choice."
Shisui Uchiha looked out the window at the Nine-Tails battling Konoha's ninja, his brow creasing slightly.
Without wasting another word, he unleashed all his powerful chakra on the spot.
He only had one chance. He had to get Uchiha Fugaku to lead the Uchiha Clan into action immediately.
Otherwise, the opportunity would slip away.
"If you lead the Uchiha Clan into battle now, you'll be charged with disobeying orders, but you'll also gain a chance to earn the villagers' recognition."
"On the other hand, if you obey and stay put, the Uchiha will become everyone's target once the Nine-Tails' Rampage is over."
"You might even be wiped off the rolls!"
"..."
Uchiha Fugaku fell silent.
He knew the man was right, but this choice concerned the Uchiha's very survival.
He had to be cautious!
"Which choice is truly best for the Uchiha Clan? Make your decision, Uchiha Fugaku."
Having said that, Shisui Uchiha fixed his gaze on Uchiha Fugaku.
He was ready to activate his Mangekyō Sharingan at any moment.
While the Nine-Tails held everyone's attention, Orochimaru had already told his Wood Clone how effectively Wood Release could restore his ocular power.
An ability with a cooldown of over a decade could be used again in just a few dozen days, perhaps even a dozen or so.
In that case, why should he keep being polite to Uchiha Fugaku?
If the man cooperated and obediently led the Uchiha Clan into battle against the Nine-Tails, he could save his Kotoamatsukami for someone else.
If not, he would have no choice but to turn Uchiha Fugaku into his puppet!
While Shisui Uchiha entertained these thoughts, Uchiha Fugaku remained silent for a moment before finally shaking his head.
"No. I can't expose the Uchiha Clan to such a great risk."
"What a shame..."
Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's answer, Shisui Uchiha shook his head slightly and turned his back on him.
His voice was filled with regret.
Uchiha Fugaku merely lowered his head in silence.
But just as he thought Shisui Uchiha would leave, the latter suddenly turned to look at him again.
"Uchiha Fugaku, aren't you curious who I am?"
At Shisui Uchiha's words, Uchiha Fugaku instinctively raised his head.
The instant he did, he saw the most unbelievable sight of his life.
And his last.
"Shi..."
Kotoamatsukami activated!
Without another word to Uchiha Fugaku, Shisui Uchiha activated Kotoamatsukami and brought him under his control.
He had revealed his true identity to draw the man's attention precisely so that he would expose an opening, allowing Shisui to succeed in a single strike.
After all, Uchiha Fugaku also possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan. Shisui had no intention of falling victim to an unexpected reversal.
And in the end, he succeeded.
"Take every ninja in the Uchiha Clan to the battlefield immediately and fight the Nine-Tails!"
"Yes, my lord!"
At Shisui Uchiha's command, the now-controlled Uchiha Fugaku bowed respectfully, then left to carry out his orders.
"Uchiha Clan, heed my command! Assemble at the main gate immediately! Rush to support the battlefield and protect our village!"
"The clan head finally gave the order! Hahaha! Now we can finally show those people in the village who's really Konoha's greatest clan!"
"That's right! Our Sharingan is the strongest!"
As Uchiha Fugaku led the clan's ninja toward the battlefield, a wave of exhaustion swept through Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan.
At the same time, however, a power within his blood steadily weakened that sensation.
Clearly, the power of Wood Release was restoring the ocular power he had expended.
"Temporarily losing this ability really doesn't feel good. But now..."
At that, Shisui Uchiha turned toward Root's headquarters, a playful smile appearing on his face.
"Someone's probably going to have quite a headache."
"Let me make things a little more chaotic."
Whoosh!
The next instant, Shisui Uchiha vanished.
Meanwhile, Shimura Danzō, who had been leisurely overseeing matters at Root's headquarters, could no longer sit still after hearing his subordinate's report!
"What did you say? Uchiha Fugaku is personally leading every ninja in the Military Police Force to reinforce the battlefield?"
"And all the other Uchiha ninja have gone too!"
The entire Military Police Force?
And the strength of the whole clan?
What on earth was going on? Anyone who didn't know better would think the Fourth Shinobi World War had begun...
And why had the usually timid Uchiha Fugaku suddenly become so aggressive?
Something was wrong. Something was definitely wrong!
"Lord Danzo, Uchiha Fugaku and his men have already passed beyond our surveillance perimeter. They'll reach the battlefield shortly."
"Should we stop them?"
Bang!
At his subordinate's words, Shimura Danzō grabbed him and hurled him away, roaring furiously.
"Stop them? With what? Tell me, what are we supposed to stop them with?"
"That's the Uchiha Clan! The Uchiha, born for battle! Are you asking me to go get myself killed?"
No!
I have to do something, something...
That's it! Hiruzen!
I can find Hiruzen Sarutobi and have him help me stop Uchiha Fugaku.
Otherwise, if they're really allowed through, who will take the blame afterward?
But just as Shimura Danzō was about to take his men to find Hiruzen Sarutobi, a figure appeared beside the main entrance without warning.
"Danzo, where are you going? Why not stay and have a chat with me?"
"Who are you?"
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"
Before you continue