Shisui Uchiha arrived at the Hokage Tower.
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was discussing the Uchiha matter with Danzo. Recently, the Uchiha clan had been holding frequent meetings. To anyone paying attention, it was obvious that the Uchiha were secretly planning something major.
Hiruzen called out Shisui's name, and Shisui pushed open the office door.
"Shisui will attend this gathering," Hiruzen said. "If Uchiha Fugaku truly intends to plan a coup—"
Before he could finish, Shisui continued calmly,
"I will use Kotoamatsukami."
On the day Shisui awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, he had already informed Hiruzen of all its abilities. As a member of Konoha's leadership—and Hiruzen's longtime associate—Danzo was also aware of Shisui's ocular powers.
Hiruzen explained Shisui's dōjutsu to Danzo:
"Shisui's Kotoamatsukami allows him to manipulate a target without being detected, making them believe they are acting entirely of their own will."
After his conversation with Itachi, Shisui voiced his thoughts.
"I will guide Fugaku into considering coexistence with the village. However, Hokage-sama, I fear that changing Fugaku's mind alone will not be enough to quell the resentment of the entire Uchiha clan."
Hiruzen replied,
"As long as the Uchiha are willing to change, the village can change as well. We can gradually improve the clan's treatment from here on."
A light shone in Shisui's eyes, as though he could see hope at last.
According to Shisui's current thinking, if he used Kotoamatsukami to force Fugaku to yield, then Konoha would also make concessions. And once the village changed, the clan would feel that change as well. Their resentment would slowly fade, and the Uchiha would remain the Uchiha of Konoha.
Satisfied with this answer, Shisui left the office and prepared to attend the Uchiha clan gathering.
At this time, Itachi was training alone in the mountains surrounding Konoha. He had no intention of attending the meeting.
In Itachi's estimation, once today's gathering concluded, the Uchiha coup would soon be set in motion.
He intended to use this opportunity to identify the clan members who did not attend the meeting—those were the people he planned to take away from Konoha.
Just as Shisui was about to head to the gathering, Danzo intercepted him midway and brought him to a secluded temple.
"Is something the matter, Danzō-sama?" Shisui asked. "The meeting is about to begin."
Danzo questioned him coldly,
"If you use your dōjutsu on Fugaku and persuade the Uchiha, but the village itself does not change—what will you do then?"
"The Hokage has promised me that change will come."
"Even with the Third Hokage's persuasion," Danzo said, "the villagers' suspicion toward your clan will not disappear so easily."
"I understand," Shisui replied. "But if we give it more time—"
Danzo cut him off.
"And what about people as distrustful as myself? We won't change our views so easily. What will you do then? Will you use Kotoamatsukami on me as well?"
Danzo stared at Shisui with a terrifying expression.
Just as Shisui tried to explain, Danzo suddenly made his move.
"Your Sharingan—I'll be taking it!"
Danzo thrust out his right hand, reaching straight for Shisui's eye.
Shisui reacted instantly, grabbing Danzo's arm and casting a genjutsu with his Sharingan, knocking Danzo unconscious.
However, just as Shisui turned to leave, a sharp pain suddenly tore through his abdomen.
The Danzo who should have been unconscious behind him had somehow appeared in front of him.
Caught completely off guard, Shisui had no chance to retaliate. He took the full force of a brutal taijutsu assault.
In the end, Danzo grabbed Shisui by the hair with his left hand and ripped out Shisui's right Sharingan with his right.
Shisui staggered back, the agony from his empty eye socket filling him with disbelief.
Danzo removed the bandages covering his own right eye—revealing a three-tomoe Sharingan that had already lost its light.
"Your eye will serve as a replacement for mine," Danzo said coldly. "And I'll be taking the other one as well."
A large number of Root ninja appeared behind Danzo, clearly intent on seizing it by force.
To escape, Shisui launched an attack.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The Root ninja leapt past Danzo, forming seals at high speed.
"Water Style: Wild Water Wave!"
Fire and water collided, producing massive clouds of steam. When the steam dispersed, Shisui was gone.
"Body Flicker Technique… pursue him!" Danzo ordered immediately.
A crow suddenly appeared beside Itachi.
Itachi recognized it—it was one of the crows Shisui had trained.
"Shisui…" Itachi murmured.
Following the crow, Itachi arrived at the Naka River. Shisui was waiting for him in front of the waterfall.
Having lost one eye, Shisui spoke to Itachi with deep weariness.
"You were right, Itachi. The conflict between the two sides has reached a point beyond reconciliation. The Uchiha coup can no longer be stopped. I intended to use Kotoamatsukami today to change your father's will—but Danzo took one of my eyes. He never trusted me. In fact… Konoha's leadership has never trusted the Uchiha."
Shisui removed his remaining left eye and held it out.
"Danzo won't let this eye go either. Before that happens, I'm entrusting it to you. I can only rely on you now, my closest friend. The Uchiha's only remaining path… is to leave Konoha."
"There's one more thing, Itachi," Shisui added.
"Danzo already possesses Sharingan himself—and he has mastered the ultimate dōjutsu, Izanagi. Be careful of him."
Itachi nodded.
"I'll take it. What do you plan to do next?"
"If I die," Shisui said calmly, "the situation may change somewhat. I've left behind a letter. It should buy you some time."
Itachi realized what Shisui intended to do and urgently tried to stop him.
"Don't stop me, Itachi… if you're still my friend."
Shisui leapt into the waterfall, using his final moments to buy time for Itachi.
"Shisui…"
Itachi closed his eyes in anguish. Bloody tears streamed down his face. When he opened his eyes again, the three-tomoe Sharingan had evolved into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Shisui's death caused an enormous uproar within the Uchiha clan.
The clan's high-level combat power was already insufficient against the entirety of Konoha, and "Shisui of the Body Flicker" had been a crucial figure in the coming coup.
His death was a devastating blow—both to their strength and their morale.
At this time, Itachi was resting at home.
"Uchiha Itachi! We have something to say! Come out!"
Hearing the shout, Itachi stepped outside. Sasuke hid nervously behind the door, watching his brother.
The ones calling him out were fellow clan members: Uchiha Yashiro, Uchiha Inabi, and Uchiha Tekka.
And their purpose was self-evident.
Please drop some power stones support me at my
PS: Access the complete/finished chapters/series at Patreon: NanamiTL