The Foundation's underground headquarters wasn't completely destroyed by a single impact. In truth, Uchiha Shisui's destruction was limited, confined mostly to that specific level.
Meaning, the Foundation wouldn't suffer public humiliation. They could keep this embarrassment internal and slowly digest it – an experience sure to leave a lingering aftertaste.
Shimura Danzo was furious. The prey, practically already in his grasp, had actually flown away. Utterly foolish! He had coveted Shisui's Sharingan for so long, yet at the most critical moment, his attempt to snatch it had failed.
Fortunately, Uchiha Shisui was now effectively isolated, a scapegoat taking the fall. Even though he had escaped, he couldn't tell anyone what had happened here. He could only swallow this bitter, hidden loss.
As Danzo seethed in the darkness, unsure who exactly to direct his anger towards, a raspy voice spoke from behind him.
"It seems your plan didn't proceed quite as smoothly as expected, did it?"
Danzo whirled around to see Orochimaru standing not far behind him. It had been a while, but this powerful ninja still exuded that same peculiar, distinct feeling… cold and serpentine.
"Just a minor issue, irrelevant to the overall situation," Danzo asserted stiffly.
He would certainly never admit his failure. Orochimaru's arrival both alarmed Danzo and brought him a measure of secret relief. He rose abruptly, meeting Orochimaru's gaze levelly. "Everything will proceed according to plan."
ANBU had assigned Habara to monitor the Uchiha alone. This arrangement seemed based on recognition of his strength; when necessary, he could exercise his own discretion. Additional ninja around him would likely just be a burden; he operated most efficiently by himself.
That was the official explanation given by ANBU, and Habara himself believed it. What he didn't know was that this, too, was part of "the plan."
There weren't many places offering a panoramic view of the Uchiha Compound. After wandering around, Habara ironically ended up at the same spot Uchiha Obito had previously used to spy on the clan. He settled down there and began his quiet watch.
A worker works. His current task wasn't much different from being a security guard watching over a property. Just watch. If something actually happened down there, how this particular guard should react… well, that would require careful consideration.
Regardless, for at least the past half-day, Habara had been acting alone, rarely seen by other Konoha shinobi.
Meanwhile, after returning to Konoha, Kakashi Hatake hadn't been sent out on any missions by Kushina Uzumaki. Instead, he remained guarding the Archive building. Kushina had gathered all her available forces close, consolidating their strength. The organization's combat power, when concentrated, was not to be underestimated.
Besides everyone maintaining high alert, Daigo had already mobilized a massive reserve of chakra, ready to deploy this potent energy into any potential conflict at a moment's notice. As the saying goes, "taken from the people, used for the people." This chakra, essentially a 'tax' collected from Konoha's shinobi over time, now seemed ready for redistribution, regardless of the cost.
Overall, although the Archive contingent kept a low profile, they packed a serious punch. If necessary, they could serve as a crucial reserve force for the Hokage.
Evening arrived, the sun completely sinking below the horizon. Uchiha Shisui dragged his exhausted body back to the Uchiha Compound.
Just as Danzo Shimura had anticipated, after being attacked, Shisui had nowhere to appeal. The consequences of such a vicious act of hostility by fellow villagers now fell solely upon Shisui himself to bear.
When he arrived back at his home, he immediately saw Uchiha Itachi waiting for him.
"Itachi? Is something wrong?" Shisui asked with concern, noticing Itachi seemed to have been waiting for a long time.
Uchiha Itachi shook his head. "I should be asking you that. You look exhausted. Did something happen?"
"I tried communicating with the village elders today. It backfired. Instead, I discovered their previously hidden anti-Uchiha sentiments. They deliberately exposed their views to me this time… I'm fine, but I can no longer use that channel to communicate with the village leadership," Shisui explained.
He didn't mention the attack he had suffered. He felt there was no point telling Itachi; some burdens were his alone to carry.
Itachi looked at Shisui's evident fatigue and could guess that something more than just a failed communication attempt had occurred. He stated calmly, "The current problems between the Uchiha and Konoha can no longer be solved through communication or negotiation."
Shisui had been about to invite Itachi inside to talk further, but these words stopped him in his tracks. He stood still, waiting for Itachi to continue.
"Setting aside the long history of rights and wrongs, focusing solely on the present situation, the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha is deep-rooted. As long as the Uchiha remain as they are, reconciliation is impossible. The reason is simple: the Uchiha clan will not change, and Konoha certainly won't change for the Uchiha's sake."
"Shisui, your ideal – where no one is sacrificed, where everyone understands each other, where the Uchiha and Konoha restore peace – it all lacks a basis in reality. That goal is far too idealistic, merely an illusion, like flowers in a mirror or the moon reflected on water."
Uchiha Itachi viewed the problem through the lens of cold reality. Shisui, by contrast, was far more driven by emotion, believing hard work would inevitably yield results. One couldn't definitively say who was right or wrong in their perspectives. The issue was, human nature rarely withstands such tests. Countless historical examples and experiences show that realistic problems can only be solved by realism. Those guided by emotional idealism often meet swift ends.
Considering this aspect alone, Itachi was more realistic, and therefore, arguably more correct.
"Itachi, if one focuses too much on the ground beneath their feet, they cannot see the path ahead."
"Shisui, one who only looks far into the distance is bound to eventually step into emptiness."
Uchiha Shisui sighed. He knew he couldn't persuade Itachi. He could only ask, "Then Itachi, how do you view the Uchiha clan's current crisis? What do you think we should do next?"
Since Itachi was here, it meant he already had an answer.
"Assuming the conflict is inevitably going to explode, your idea of escape cannot succeed. The ninja village system has been established for many years. Once separated from Konoha, the Uchiha clan will become rootless weeds. On one hand, Konoha will not let the Uchiha simply leave; they will undoubtedly retaliate. On the other hand, other villages covet the Uchiha's power and will join in as hunters."
This era was no longer one where a single clan could stand alone in the shinobi world. The moment the Uchiha declared secession from Konoha, they would immediately understand what it meant to be enemies with the entire world. Someone as strong as Shisui might be able to protect himself, but playing the mother hen in a game of 'eagle catching chicks' – honestly, the difficulty was immense. There was only one mother hen, but the eagles outnumbered the chicks.
An individual ninja becoming a rogue was possible. An entire clan defecting from its village was impossible.
"If we choose to oppose Konoha, it signifies the end of the Uchiha clan. We both know confrontation cannot preserve the Uchiha. Reintegrating into Konoha is the only correct path."
Shisui interrupted Itachi. "Your premise is flawed. Why are you certain the conflict will inevitably explode? The friction between the Uchiha and the village has persisted for many years, yet through our efforts to maintain balance, no major problems have occurred all this time."
"Shisui, can you truly not see this, or do you refuse to see it? If not this time, then the next. It will simply continue. The conflict won't disappear; it will only grow. Therefore, an eruption is inevitable."
"..."
Shisui found himself somewhat speechless. No matter how much he wished otherwise, he couldn't ignore reality, and the reality was that the rift between Konoha and the Uchiha was incredibly difficult to mend.
Seeing Shisui's silence, Itachi continued, "Once the conflict erupts and Konoha and the Uchiha clan enter a state of combat, everything will be irreversible. Therefore, if we are to do something to save the Uchiha clan, we must act before that happens."
"Do something? To protect the clan…"
"Simply put, we cannot allow Konoha to take targeted action. Since certain events are unavoidable, the resolution can only come through Uchiha self-determination."
"Self-determination?"
Uchiha Shisui felt a ringing in his ears. Those two words sounded terrifyingly like self-destruction, like suicide.
"Shisui, the ninja gathered around you have always been perceived as the pro-Konoha faction, both within the clan and by the village. Therefore, the answer to solving the Uchiha problem can only be this: a portion of the Uchiha rebelled, and another portion of the Uchiha quelled the rebellion. Thus, the Uchiha remain Konoha's Uchiha."
A chilling coldness spread through Shisui. He realized Itachi truly meant it, because Itachi's idea possessed a horrifying practicality.
If such an event occurred, the remaining Uchiha would pose little threat. After this "self-determination," the Uchiha would have fulfilled their obligation to Konoha in the eyes of the greater good. Yes, the Uchiha caused problems, but the Uchiha also solved those problems. Konoha's leadership, including the Third Hokage, would surely be willing to accept such an Uchiha clan.
By framing it this way, placing Konoha's authority paramount, the Uchiha's rebellion wouldn't be against Konoha itself, but rather an internal clan struggle. Still a major event, but far less egregious than rebelling against the village.
However, the Uchiha ninja aligned with Shisui were ultimately a minority. If Itachi's plan were implemented, the vast majority of the Uchiha clan would die. This was something Shisui could never accept. Even if the situation were reversed, if Shisui's faction were the majority, would he lead them to eliminate the minority? Even less likely. If he held the majority, the methods for solving the problem wouldn't need to be so rigid… Ultimately, this wasn't some abstract Trolley Problem.
To trade the blood of the majority of his kin for a 'reborn' Uchiha clan – how could Shisui possibly accept such a thing?
"Itachi, do you know how many people would have to die? Those are our relatives! I could never do such a thing!"
For Shisui, everyone living was the only good ending, the only one he could accept.
Itachi knew Shisui wouldn't do it. "It would only be in name. In reality, the ninja around you wouldn't need to act. I would be the one to do it… The outcome might fill them with grief, sorrow, and perhaps lingering regret, but they wouldn't need to feel any deep sense of guilt. I will eliminate one faction, and then become the target of the other faction's hatred."
The Uchiha dilemma, solved.
Afterward, the Uchiha clan's object of hatred, and Konoha's target for pursuit, would both be Uchiha Itachi. Everyone united against a common enemy.
Uchiha Itachi would become the executioner, yet from the perspective of clan continuation, he would also have "saved" the Uchiha. Some would sacrifice their lives; he would sacrifice the rest of his life and his honor. Uchiha Shisui and his supporters could simply "reap the benefits."
But would Uchiha Shisui accept such a method? He was Uchiha Shisui, after all.
"No, Itachi! I will absolutely not allow you to do something so extreme!"
Itachi was like a younger brother to Shisui. He would neither let Itachi stain his hands with blood nor allow his clansmen to die in such a manner.
Objectively, the solution Uchiha Shisui sought was idealistic, bright, but as unattainable as a castle in the air. Uchiha Itachi's idea, conversely, was realistic, bloody, but lay directly underfoot.
Then why didn't the two join forces to eliminate Konoha's leadership and make the Uchiha masters of the village? Setting aside whether they could succeed, it wouldn't solve any fundamental problems either.
Even if they replaced the Hokage and the entire leadership, the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha wouldn't be resolved; it might even intensify, unless they could slaughter every other Konoha ninja… which was impossible.
From the most objectified perspective, the combined value of Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui themselves likely surpassed the value of all other Uchiha combined. They didn't need to make sacrifices for the rest. But could things really be calculated that way? Superheroes, ultimately, are meant to protect civilians. Otherwise, why be superheroes at all?
"Shisui, I have already made my decision," Itachi stated flatly.
They were best friends, yet they walked two incompatible paths. Both firmly believed they were doing the right thing, yet their two versions of 'right' were fundamentally opposed.
"For your ideals, I am an obstacle, Shisui. If you cannot even remove me, this obstacle, then everything you speak of is merely empty talk."
The reverse was also true. For Itachi, who sought to 'save' the Uchiha clan, the overly idealistic Shisui had now become the greatest obstacle.
Itachi wished Shisui could achieve what he himself could not – resolve the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha without bloodshed. But this was just a wish. In reality, he saw not even the slightest possibility of it happening.
Perhaps this conversation should never have taken place. Itachi could have carried out his plan without Shisui's knowledge. But inevitably, Shisui would have intervened midway, drawing his faction into the conflict as well.
Or perhaps, Itachi wanted Shisui to stop him. In this moment, he even desperately wished Shisui could overcome him.
The clash between ideal and reality was unavoidable. One path had to be closed off to walk the other.
The dark clouds in the sky parted, and cold moonlight spilled down onto the silent pair of best friends.
Uchiha Itachi knew that he had either just spoken as a dead man, or he had been speaking to a dead man.
Last night, for whom did Uchiha Itachi's tears fall…?
His lowered eyelids slowly lifted, revealing the pair of crimson Sharingan eyes beneath.