That night, Uchiha Itachi searched for Shisui but couldn't find him. And so, Konohagakure remained wrapped in its eerie calm.
However, by this time, infiltrators had already slipped into the village. Konoha was vast; for those determined to find them, loopholes always existed. Even if Uchiha Obito, committed to his Tobi persona, offered no assistance, Orochimaru was still a ninja originally from Konoha. While he couldn't exactly stroll back in like returning home, snakes, after all, are adept at slithering through tight spaces.
Security in and around Konoha was indeed strict, but there was a difference between internal and external measures. Most manpower had been redeployed around the Uchiha Compound. The outer defenses relied more heavily on barrier seals. It wasn't that no ninja patrolled the periphery or stood guard, but their numbers hadn't actually increased.
Given enough time, Orochimaru could naturally bypass the layers of barriers. Sometimes, even the densest network of seals was less effective than a single pair of watchful ninja eyes… Of course, on the other hand, anyone who happened to witness Orochimaru's passage might find themselves disappearing "without a trace."
After slipping into Konoha, the pair kept a low profile—or rather, mostly low profile. Tobi's mouth, primarily, never stopped moving.
"So this is Konoha, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages! Truly majestic, spectacular, awe-inspiring, makes one feel… ehh, actually, it doesn't look like much inside. Ordinary, so ordinary."
Konoha was roughly the size of a regular town, with architecture to match. The village's only real landmark, the Hokage Rock, wasn't particularly wondrous either. Its appearance was quite plain; Tobi couldn't find much to praise even if he wanted to.
Such nonsense was naturally ignored by Orochimaru. Tobi's words contained minimal substance. Any normal person interacting with him for any length of time would learn to tune him out, lest they suffer endless torment.
"Speaking of which," Tobi continued, seemingly nonchalant, "that Jonin Habara we saw earlier… his growth rate is too abnormal. In just a year or two towards the end of the Great Ninja War, he went from an obscure, ordinary ninja to a world-class powerhouse. Even the so-called 'once-in-a-century genius,' the Fourth Hokage, needed some time to make his name… Mister Orochimaru, do you know anything about that ninja?"
"I know a little. That Habara is a ninja with many ideas… always has been," Orochimaru replied vaguely.
He seemed to offer an explanation, but really said nothing at all. For a ninja, merely having ideas meant little. What use was a wild imagination?
If Orochimaru's "knowledge" could somehow extend to other worlds, he would surely empathize with certain stories – like that of the biologist Frankenstein and the scientific monster he created. More interestingly, the biologist was ultimately killed by his creation, after which the monster itself came to be called Frankenstein… One could only say, it was a very enlightening tale.
Though, strictly speaking, Habara had merely undergone Orochimaru's unauthorized modifications; he was far from being a "scientific monster ninja."
"Let's hurry. There are still some troublesome individuals in Konoha," Orochimaru stated, clearly unwilling to dwell on the topic of Habara.
"Right, right! I don't want to cause any trouble here… Let's hope Mister Orochimaru's ally is somewhat reliable."
Shimura Danzo, reliable? Orochimaru scoffed inwardly. Caution was still necessary. If he wasn't careful, he might just lose his own life here in Konoha. Given the chance, his so-called "ally" certainly wouldn't mind disposing of him, a traitorous Sannin, as well.
Why had Orochimaru agreed to return to Konoha at Danzo's behest? Firstly, to settle things with this village once and for all. Secondly, to "import" a batch of precious research materials, free of charge.
While the Uchiha had finished their meetings, Konoha's leadership began theirs. However, while the Uchiha held a large assembly, Konoha's was merely a small council.
"Sarutobi, the Uchiha problem has reached a point where it must be dealt with. This tragedy was no accident. Your concessions were one of the factors pushing it to happen," Koharu Utatane stated, her face cold. The sternness mixed with a hint of anger smoothed out the aged wrinkles on her face, making her expression seem flat and severe.
The two advisors, Danzo Shimura, and the Third Hokage were gathered together.
The Third Hokage silently puffed on his pipe. His advisor's words stung. His son had just died, and now he was being accused of being partially responsible for the boy's death.
"Regarding who fanned the flames, I believe I've made myself clear. Placing the blame solely on the Uchiha is unreasonable."
As the saying goes, no sorrow is greater than a dead heart. While the Third Hokage hadn't reached that point, having to persuade these old colleagues while steeped in extreme grief lent a tragic air to his bearing.
"Whether the current Uchiha clan is involved or not, the fact remains the killer used the Sharingan. Even if most of them are innocent… how about this: conduct a thorough search of the Uchiha clan. If the culprit is found, deal with them. The clan, at worst, would be guilty of harboring them. If not found, it proves their innocence," Homura Mitokado proposed.
"Search the Uchiha at a time like this? That will only ignite them," the Third Hokage objected, still shaking his head.
"The Uchiha clan is a festering sore on Konoha. It will continue to worsen and spread. Excising it now will merely be a flesh wound for Konoha. If we delay, it will cost us at least a limb… The Uchiha must be completely eradicated," Danzo Shimura declared.
He maintained his usual blunt style. The two advisors were still veiling their intentions, speaking of solving the "Uchiha problem," while Danzo stated it plainly: solve the Uchiha themselves.
Regardless of the wording, the advisors' thoughts leaned towards Danzo's position at this moment, even if they weren't as explicit. As Konoha's high council advisors, it was difficult for them to consider things from the Uchiha's perspective. For decades, they had constantly spoken of Konoha this, Konoha that. Through subtle, long-term influence, they had even deceived themselves, truly believing they were the embodiment of Konoha's will.
"The Uchiha clan was one of the founding pillars of Konoha. The village cannot afford to lose them yet," the Third Hokage argued.
But his words held little persuasive power. Some present even began to criticize him inwardly… Founding pillar? Was any pillar stronger than the Senju? Konoha lost the Senju long ago, yet hasn't it flourished and developed to this day?
Such thoughts bordered on forgetting one's roots, but those holding them certainly wouldn't voice them aloud.
"Then, Sarutobi, if you object, what is your own plan?" Homura Mitokado pressed.
If the Third Hokage disagreed with taking action against the Uchiha, he should propose his own, superior method for handling them. The advisor's demand was reasonable, but stating it so directly put considerable pressure on the Third Hokage.
"Wait longer. Observe how the situation develops…"
But what good solution could the Third Hokage offer? He could only stall, hoping for a turning point, seeking a solution within the unfolding events.
The Third Hokage appeared indecisive, but the responsibilities borne by the Hokage and the advisors were fundamentally different. One who doesn't hold the position doesn't bear its burdens. Put bluntly, the advisors' job was mostly talk, akin to armchair generals. Often, they didn't even have to take responsibility for the advice they gave.
Konoha's rise and fall rested on the Hokage's shoulders alone, not the advisors'. The consequences of all decisions were borne by the Hokage, not the advisors.
Thus, some could speak lightly, standing safely on the dry bank, while others, like Hiruzen, trudged through mud, each step appearing arduous.
Seeing the Third Hokage remained unchanged, Danzo Shimura flicked his sleeve and stormed out, his face dark and cold. He felt no empathy for the Hokage's difficult position, only contempt – This old fool isn't worth scheming with.
Danzo felt that since the war ended, specifically after the Fourth Hokage's sacrifice, the Third had become too lenient with certain people. Konoha was becoming less and less like Konoha. The merit system, the Akakammuri organization, the "Three Great Systems," the Curse Mark of Man, and now this appeasement and indulgence towards the Uchiha… Considering all this, did the Third even deserve to hold the title of Hokage anymore?
Indeed, power was best held in one's own hands, regardless of who currently possessed it.
Konohagakure had suddenly become turbulent. The crisis of rebellion hadn't even been resolved, yet the crisis of a coup d'état was already brewing.
Afternoon, within the Uchiha Compound.
The leading figures of the Uchiha clan were gathered at Clan Head Fugaku's home. Uchiha Itachi had no right to participate in their secret discussions, not that he had any interest in doing so anymore.
He stood in the corridor, leaning against a pillar with his eyes closed, feigning sleep. At just twelve years old, his slender frame could be completely concealed by such a pillar.
He was usually well-hidden, but his younger brother always managed to find him.
"Brother, you're hiding here again."
For young Sasuke, things at home had been strange lately. Clan members were constantly coming and going, his father was incredibly busy, his mother always wore a worried expression, and his older brother often disappeared. It filled the little boy's heart with unease, though he lacked the words to precisely express his feelings.
Therefore, whenever Itachi was home, Sasuke couldn't help but want to stay close to his brother.
The voice made Itachi open his eyes. The coldness within them startled Sasuke.
"Brother?" Sasuke's voice turned timid.
Itachi softened his gaze, forcing a smile after a brief pause. "Sasuke, come with me."
"Brother, where are we going?"
Sasuke didn't understand many things, but he knew this wasn't a time to leave home and wander around. Itachi didn't answer, already walking towards the front door.
Sasuke had no choice but to scramble on his short legs to follow his brother.
Leaving their house, the brothers turned through several alleys and arrived at another home.
Uchiha Itachi knocked on the door. Soon, a girl appeared.
"Itachi?"
This was Uchiha Izumi's home. She was Itachi's friend and a supporter of Uchiha Shisui, making her something of an outlier within the clan now.
"Izumi, there's something I need your help with. Please let Sasuke stay with you for the next couple of days. The situation in the clan right now… you understand what I mean."
"This…" Izumi certainly understood the current state of the clan, though she didn't grasp why Itachi would leave his brother with her. But upon seeing the look in Itachi's eyes, she couldn't bring herself to ask any questions. She simply nodded silently.
"Okay, Itachi."
Seeing Izumi agree, Itachi patted Sasuke's shoulder. "Sasuke, things at home are chaotic right now. Father and Mother can't look after you for the moment. I'm asking Izumi to take care of you. Listen to Sister Izumi, understand?"
Of course, Sasuke didn't want to leave home or stay in an unfamiliar place. But the icy aura radiating from Itachi at that moment left Sasuke frozen like a cicada in winter, completely unable to utter a word of protest.
"Okay, Brother. I'll listen to Sister Izumi. I won't cause trouble for Father and Mother."
Itachi ruffled Sasuke's hair, nodded once to Izumi, and turned to leave.
"I leave Sasuke in your care, Izumi."
As Itachi walked away, Izumi felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of foreboding. "Itachi, where are you going?" she called out immediately.
"I'm going to Shisui's place to wait for him. There's something I need to discuss with him."
His voice drifted back as his figure receded into the distance. Uchiha Izumi stood frozen, holding Sasuke's hand, feeling as if a vast emptiness was swallowing her whole.
Danzo Shimura returned to the Foundation's underground secret base. He asked the ninja who greeted him, "Where is he?"
"Still waiting for you, Lord Danzo."
Danzo nodded. "Prepare according to Plan B first, then bring him to me."
Before long, Uchiha Shisui was brought before him. Shisui had come seeking Danzo's support, hoping to maintain backing from Konoha's leadership. But upon arriving, he found the atmosphere intensely wrong.
Danzo stood far off in the dimly lit end of the underground space, surrounded by hidden ninja, poised and ready.
"Lord Danzo, what is the meaning of this?" Shisui demanded.
"Shisui," this Danzo began, "the conflict between the village and the Uchiha clan can no longer be resolved. Before the Uchiha chaos is settled, it's best you stay here quietly. After all, you are far too dangerous. With you on their side, the Uchiha clan truly becomes like a tiger with wings."
Shisui was stunned. Danzo's words, his stance, were the complete opposite of their last meeting.
Lord Danzo, what happened to your political promises?
In that instant, Uchiha Shisui's mind finally caught up. The calls within Konoha to exterminate the Uchiha clan had been incessant. Where did that voice originate? If not the Third Hokage, then who? Counting the so-called "hawks" among Konoha's upper echelon, it was all so clear. How had he not seen it before?
Realizing this, Uchiha Shisui turned to leave. But his opponents weren't about to let him simply walk away.
Danzo Shimura was truly brazen. Choosing this moment to move against Shisui – even if he failed and Shisui managed to escape, how much credibility would anything an Uchiha said hold now? Even if that Uchiha was Shisui. Accusing Konoha's leadership of plotting against a Konoha ninja? Danzo could even counter-accuse the Uchiha of assassinating Konoha's leadership. Then they'd see whose word carried more weight.
"Do you think these ninja can stop me?"
Facing numerous opponents, Shisui wasn't flustered. He darted left and right, showcasing taijutsu, ninjutsu, shurikenjutsu, and his Body Flicker Technique in quick succession, felling several Foundation ninja within moments.
Shisui feigned trying to escape, but his true objective wasn't flight. It was…
…to eliminate the voice calling for the Uchiha clan's annihilation.
Suddenly, Shisui evaded the ninja pursuing him. In the next instant, his figure appeared directly in front of Danzo. He snapped his head up, locking eyes with Danzo, the Sharingan in his own eyes already morphed into the shape of a four-pointed windmill.
In that moment, Shisui unleashed the ultimate genjutsu of his Mangekyo Sharingan: Kotoamatsukami. He would completely rewrite Danzo Shimura's thoughts.
The jutsu's effect was undeniable. The Danzo caught in the genjutsu immediately swayed and collapsed. When he reawakened, he would strive for peace between Konoha and the Uchiha… Uchiha Shisui was still naive. Even using his ultimate genjutsu, his goal wasn't to turn his target into a puppet, but genuinely make him a pacifist.
However…
From the other side of the underground chamber, another Danzo Shimura walked out.
"Continue. Subdue him."
Fake? A substitute? Uchiha Shisui looked at the collapsed Danzo before him, then at the one in the distance. He understood immediately. They were merely Danzo's stand-ins, other ninja disguised as him. Danzo feared his ocular jutsu and didn't dare face him directly.
No, wait!
Then, the full realization hit Shisui. The purpose of this charade wasn't just to avoid the genjutsu, but to exhaust his ocular power… They had calculated that he wouldn't kill fellow villagers, and anticipated he would try to alter the leadership's extremist views, hence revealing their hostile stance towards the Uchiha.
He couldn't afford to waste time fighting these people here. Understanding this, a massive surge of chakra erupted from his body. Then, something incredible materialized before the eyes of the Foundation ninja present.
In the next moment, a colossal force swept through the underground space, shattering the tree-root support pillars. Instantly, the cavern collapsed, the ground surface caved in, and dust and smoke filled the air.
By the time the Foundation ninja frantically scrambled out, escaping the fate of being buried alive, Uchiha Shisui was long gone.
The real Danzo Shimura appeared, covered in dust and grime, looking utterly pathetic – an image quite befitting his usual demeanor. He had underestimated Uchiha Shisui's strength.
Like a frog at the bottom of a well, like a summer insect that cannot comprehend ice, Danzo, whose own abilities peaked at the Jonin level, consistently misjudged the power of truly exceptional shinobi.