"Could it be that Uchiha Fugaku plans to target the Daimyo? "
The Third Hokage's expression changed dramatically.
The daimyo—the ruler of the Land of Fire—held a status that technically surpassed even his own.
Although the daimyo did command some ninja forces, his power was nowhere near that of a kage, who ruled over an entire village.
In practice, the Hokage held more say in the village's affairs.
Still, the daimyo was the nominal ruler of the Land of Fire, and his opinions had to be treated with the utmost seriousness.
Now, with Uchiha Fugaku heading for the Daimyo's residence, could the Daimyo himself be the true target?
The Uchiha Clan were masters of genjutsu. If the daimyo were to fall under their control, the consequences would be catastrophic.
A cold sweat trickled down the Third Hokage's forehead, his face grave.
Seeing his sudden change of expression, Uchiha Itachi grew nervous.
"Hokage-sama, is something wrong? "
"I suspect that Fugaku's visit to the friendly clans is just a pretext. His real goal is the Daimyo—he might be planning to put the Daimyo under his control."
The Third Hokage had never looked so severe.
"What? Father's target is the Daimyo—to control him? " Itachi's face went pale.
"There's a strong possibility," the Third said grimly.
"What should we do, Hokage-sama? "Itachi asked anxiously.
If his father truly managed to control the Daimyo, the outcome would be unimaginable.
"Go and find Shisui immediately. Bring him to me! "
"Yes, sir! "
Itachi sprang to his feet and hurried to where Shisui Uchiha lived.
Moments later, a blur approached at incredible speed, leaving afterimages in its wake.
It was Shisui, famed for his instantaneous body flicker. Having heard the urgency of the matter, he had arrived in full force, leaving Itachi far behind.
"You've heard from Itachi, haven't you? " the Hokage asked, his tone deep.
"Yes, I've already been briefed," Shisui replied.
"Considering the Uchiha Clan's recent movements, I suspect Fugaku intends to secretly bring the Daimyo under his control."
The Third Hokage's gaze hardened.
"Shisui, I'm assigning you a mission: eliminate Uchiha Fugaku."
"Eliminate…?"
Shisui's eyes widened, shocked by the order.
He had expected to be tasked with preventing Fugaku from controlling the daimyo—not to assassinate the Uchiha Clan's head outright.
"Yes."
The Hokage nodded, then sighed.
"Fugaku's recent actions have set the Uchiha Clan in open opposition to the village.
Combined with the clan's long-standing murmurs of a coup, I suspect Fugaku intends to start an uprising, with controlling the daimyo as his first step."
"Clan Leader Fugaku's ultimate goal is a coup d'état? "
Shisui was shaken to the core.
He had long known that talk of rebellion existed within the clan, but hearing it from the Hokage—and connecting the dots—stirred a storm within him.
"For the safety of the village, Fugaku has become far too dangerous. Shisui, the decision is yours: please eliminate him—for the sake of Konoha's peace! "
The Hokage's words were earnest, tinged with regret.
"I'll stop the coup! "Shisui replied firmly.
Whether it succeeded or failed, a coup would bleed the village's strength and invite attacks from other nations, shattering the hard-won peace.
He would never allow it to happen.
"However, Hokage-sama, I wish to spare Fugaku's life."
"What do you intend to do? " the Hokage asked, frowning.
"I plan to use my eye technique to control him and change his mind about the coup," Shisui explained.
"Very well," the Third Hokage agreed after a moment's thought.
In truth, he would have preferred Fugaku's death, leaving the Uchiha leaderless and vulnerable, making it easier to slowly dismantle the clan.
But Shisui's resolve was firm. Refusing might push him to reject the mission entirely.
So the Hokage relented, patting Shisui's shoulder with deliberate solemnity.
"Remember the importance of this mission. Don't let me down."
"Yes, sir," Shisui answered, his voice heavy with resolve.
The peace of the village would be his to protect.
The next morning, Uchiha Fugaku departed Konoha, accompanied by two of his trusted guards: Uchiha Hao and Uchiha Wei, the same duo who had assisted him during the operation to dismantle the underground black market.
Having bonded during that mission, Fugaku had chosen them again for this task.
"I've never been to the daimyo's estate before. I'm going to enjoy this trip," Hao said, visibly excited.
Konoha was bustling and lively, but it couldn't compare to the Daimyo's residence—a grand city, the most prosperous in the entire Land of Fire.
"Always thinking about fun. We're here on a mission! "Wei scolded.
"Mission…"
At the mention, Hao's smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
Fugaku had already told them the true nature of their assignment.
They were bait—and the journey ahead was fraught with danger.
A single misstep could cost them their lives.
Still, when given the choice, both had accepted without hesitation.
Hao, a close friend of Shisui, had learned from Fugaku that Shisui was an informant for the Hokage. But he couldn't bring himself to believe it.
He wanted to see the truth with his own eyes—was Shisui really the Hokage's spy?
"I wonder if we can draw him out…"
Fugaku glanced at his companions.
He had done all he could. The Third Hokage was enraged beyond reason and would stop at nothing to have him eliminated.
The only question was whether this would be enough to lure out Shisui.
Knowing the Hokage's cautious nature, Shisui—an elite of near-Kage level—was the most likely to be sent.
But there was always a chance the Hokage would dispatch someone else from the Anbu.