Inside the multi-functional playback room, Aizen Sousuke sat quietly at his desk, gazing at the high-definition screen in front of him.
Behind his seat, on either side, were two figures, one tall and one short.
The video showed the actions of Danzo Shimura and other members of the Root organization inside the secret chamber.
Even the roots were being recorded; naturally, this veteran researcher, who had dedicated himself to scientific research for hundreds of years, wouldn't be stingy with his methods.
However, upon noticing Danzo Shimura's drastically changing expression, Aizen's eyebrows involuntarily rose, a hint of interest appearing on his face.
Although through various archival records and inferences about Shimura Danzo's personality, he was able to roughly determine the impact of his past experiences on this underground root.
However, noticing Danzo Shimura's intense reaction, Aizen realized that he might have underestimated the power of his last words.
"interesting."
"As the sharpest blade in the Hokage's hand, does he still harbor resentment over his past cowardice?"
Aizen silently noted this down.
Since his goal was to change the ninja world, he naturally regarded Root, which controlled Konoha's vast resources, as something he had long ago, and his research on Shimura Danzo was not something that had just begun.
However, things need to be done one step at a time.
Before his Zanpakuto and basic strength are fully developed, he does not intend to expose himself to the public in Konoha.
As he pondered this, his gaze shifted to another screen.
In the center of the image is Uchiha Shisui.
...
For some reason, ever since the day he officially broke ties with Itachi, Uchiha Shisui has always had a strong sense of crisis.
The conflict between the village and the clan has intensified, with covert attacks and killings occurring frequently in recent days.
Out of concern for the village's future, he gritted his teeth and sent several letters to the Third Hokage through several secret information channels he had previously established, detailing his conflict with Itachi and Itachi's recent changes in thought.
However, the replies received were mostly perfunctory.
This feeling of isolation and helplessness made him feel extremely anxious.
"Uchiha, there's no time left."
Just as he was muttering to himself, the sound of flapping wings outside the window suddenly drew his attention.
It was his cacophony crow.
Uchiha Shisui's expression turned slightly solemn. He quickly opened the letter, glanced at it, and mentally translated the original text based on the cipher.
[Special mission at noon tonight, assemble at base]
This single sentence caused Uchiha Shisui's heart to clench, immediately bringing to mind the recent covert conflict between Root and his clan.
'Lord Danzo, perhaps you want me to demonstrate my loyalty in this way...'
As a member of the Root clan, Shisui knew very well that there was no way he could escape this situation.
Uchiha Shisui thought to himself, and sighed inwardly.
However, his gaze quickly hardened.
He was a ninja from Konoha.
This is no joke.
That evening, he appeared at the designated location.
However, as they approached the assembly point in front of the Root base, Uchiha Shisui noticed something amiss.
There were several times more sentries, both visible and hidden, along the way than usual, but very few people were at the designated meeting point. The entire forest was silent, and even the chirping of insects and birds had disappeared.
The figure standing in the center of the meeting point, surrounded by several Root squads, was none other than Shimura Danzo.
Almost instantly, Uchiha Shisui realized the problem.
Considering the increasingly intense conflicts recently, his expression immediately turned serious.
What action would warrant the entire Roots taking action at this time?
There was only one thing he could think of.
A surprise attack on the Uchiha clan's territory.
At this moment, the reason why Shimura Danzo summoned him was obvious—to assess his stance.
If he doesn't comply, these Root members will likely be used to wipe him out before the raid on the Uchiha clan's territory.
With that thought in mind, his guard immediately reached its highest point.
Even knowing this, Uchiha Shisui still went to Shimura Danzo without hesitation, knelt on one knee, and bowed his head, saying:
"Lord Danzo."
Danzo Shimura slowly stepped out from the crowd.
Unlike his attempt to steal the eyes in the original story, his actions now appeared perfectly aboveboard.
This was due to both the struggle against a certain cowardly thought within him and Uchiha Shisui's actions and attitude during this period.
He only has the opportunity to launch a sneak attack on those who are loyal to Konoha.
Otherwise, it's just like offering yourself up as a dish to someone else.
"Uchiha... Shisui."
Looking at the familiar figure in front of him, he felt as if he had returned to his youth and saw the figure standing next to his teacher.
Uchiha Kagami.
The child in front of him is his only descendant.
Immediately afterwards, the words from the video came to mind.
cowardly.
Just thinking about his former teammates' comments about him behind his back, and the moment that made him regret most of his life, made Shimura Danzo's anger burn like a volcanic eruption.
That was the deepest pain in his heart.
He only managed to maintain a facade of rationality, but his voice gradually turned cold:
"You should know why I summoned you here, shouldn't you?"
As Danzo's tone grew increasingly cold, and with the Root ninjas already poised to attack, Uchiha Shisui's conviction grew stronger.
This was a prelude to a full-scale attack on the Uchiha clan.
"yes."
This decisive admission surprised Danzo.
On the other hand, after confirming his thoughts, Uchiha Shisui's tone gradually calmed down.
He ceased his kneeling posture, slowly rose, faced the old man before him, and solemnly said:
"But, Lord Danzo."
"You should know very well that your actions are not something the Hokage can allow."
"Not to mention the enormous losses this would bring to the village..."
As he spoke, he swept his indifferent gaze across the group of Root ninjas around him, a hint of coldness unconsciously creeping into his calm voice.
He would stop the all-out war between the village and the family as long as there was a sliver of a chance.
Even if it were truly necessary to take action against the Uchiha clan, only he himself could do it.
If it really turns into a large-scale civil war, then Konoha will inevitably suffer losses.
Therefore, he would never submit to Danzo here.
"Lord Danzo."
"Please consider the consequences carefully, as well as the opinions of the three generations of elders."
"All of this is for the village."
However, for some reason, his words were like the last spark that ignited a fuse, causing Shimura Danzo's suppressed emotions to explode suddenly, and his voice rose abruptly:
"You dare mention Hiruzen?!"
"How dare you mention the village?!"
"The inherently evil Uchiha brat!"
The assessment of cowardice, the attitude of daring to be so tough after killing the Root, and the threats issued with Hiruzen Sarutobi as a backer.
One stab after another landed on Shimura Danzo's heart, causing him to erupt in fury and his single eye to turn bloodshot.
What a disgrace!
The next moment.
His seemingly gaunt figure suddenly vanished, accompanied by a burst of wind, and within that brief distance, he veered off a bend that stretched for over ten meters.
At the same time, all the Root ninjas around them drew their swords and, like countless arrows released from a bow, flew fearlessly toward Uchiha Shisui, leaving countless black streaks of lightning in the dense forest.
Looking at the group of Root ninjas around him, all exuding murderous intent, and Shimura Danzo flying towards him at a near-ground-hugging speed amidst the crowd, Uchiha Shisui no longer harbored any hope.
In an instant, the blazing blade was drawn.
The domineering flames swept a ring of fiery red marks through the dark, dense forest.
Uchiha Style: Sun Halo Dance.
The dozens of kunai that shot out were instantly engulfed by the flames in the roaring wave of fire.
Uchiha Shisui's figure cut through the crowd along the flow of fire, utilizing his instantaneous speed advantage to shoot towards a gap in the crowd with the speed of splitting waves.
Although he could no longer maintain his status as a Root ninja, he still had a direct connection with the Third Hokage.
As long as he reports Danzo's plan to bypass the Hokage's office and directly attack the Uchiha clan's territory to the Third Hokage, even the worst outcome would be that he joins the Anbu.
This strength was Uchiha Shisui's greatest source of confidence.
In addition, he didn't want to cause too much damage to the roots.
Even though Danzo Shimura's impression of the Uchiha clan was deeply ingrained, the Root ninjas were the backbone of Konoha.
'Once they reach the Hokage, Danzo's plot will fail.'
Uchiha Shisui firmly believed this.
In the blink of an eye, his figure had already rushed out of the crowd along with the flow of fire.
"Sizzle—"
Several kunai, fired simultaneously from his hands, were connected to steel wires, which dragged his body through the air, dodging attacks from all around. His whole body swayed and drew an arc dozens of meters long in the air.
With a series of all-out dashes, his figure was thrown nearly a hundred meters behind him.
However, just as Uchiha Shisui secretly breathed a sigh of relief, he forgot...
Although Shimura Danzo was old, his name represented the title of "Darkness of the Ninja World."
And... the highest level of Wind Release in all of Konoha!
Almost the instant Uchiha Shisui's figure swung to its highest point along the steel wire, Shimura Danzo seized that fleeting opportunity.
'Now.'
Suddenly, a deafening roar shook our eardrums.
Beneath its seemingly frail body, it unleashed a terrifying speed unimaginable to ordinary people.
Even Uchiha Shisui was momentarily stunned.
The withered, large hand rose fiercely like an iron claw, pointing straight at his eyes.
At that moment, Uchiha Shisui had no room for holding back any longer, and his eye power was suddenly activated.
The three magatama symbols intertwine to form a circle of four-cornered windmill patterns.
—Susanoo.
Within the narrow, expanding space, violently surging chakra fluctuations solidified around his torso into a blue skeleton that transcended the boundaries of matter and energy.
Danzo Shimura's hand came to a difficult stop in front of the blue skeleton.
At the same time, on the verge of death, with his eyeballs almost being taken away, Uchiha Shisui was also filled with intense anger.
"Lord Danzo."
"Whether for the sake of the village or the Uchiha clan, I must change your extreme mindset!"
"Oh no."
Having missed his long-planned attack, Danzo Shimura's expression froze instantly upon hearing the sound. He even lost sight of the Susanoo that was right next to him and immediately closed his single eye.
Unfortunately, the scarlet pattern was deeply imprinted into his heart the moment their eyes met.
Uchiha Shisui made a desperate gamble, and blood gushed from the edge of his eye socket.
"Kotoamatsukami: Radiance!"