Several days later, a lone figure appeared at the gates of Konoha.
He was young, calm in demeanor, wearing a Konoha forehead protector, and sporting jet-black hair. On each of his shoulders, the fan crest of the Uchiha clan was proudly displayed — a symbol that immediately drew the attention of the guards.
There was no doubt about his identity.
He was an Uchiha — not just any Uchiha — but the famed Shisui of the Body Flicker, a prodigy of legend whose speed had earned him fear and respect across the shinobi world.
Shisui had just returned from the eastern borders of the Land of Fire. The threat of Kirigakure's invasion had all but vanished. There hadn't been a single sign of enemy movement in days. It seemed that the Mist had finally backed off, allowing Shisui to return to the village.
The moment he stepped through the gates of Konoha, the guards gave him a simple nod of acknowledgment. They didn't dare obstruct him — he was one of the village's most famous shinobi, and more importantly, a trusted member of the ANBU under the Third Hokage's direct command.
But instead of heading straight for the Uchiha compound, Shisui made a beeline for the Hokage Tower.
He had a report to deliver.
When he stepped into the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes immediately lit up with joy.
"Shisui! You've returned. That must mean the situation on the border has finally stabilized," Hiruzen said with clear relief in his voice. "You've done well — your presence alone kept the Mist in check. Without you, we might've seen a very different outcome."
To Hiruzen, Shisui was more than just an elite shinobi. He was the son of Uchiha Kagami — his former comrade. A kind-hearted, level-headed prodigy unlike the more rebellious Uchiha types who constantly clashed with the village leadership. Shisui was different.
Obedient. Trustworthy. Malleable.
In fact, had Shisui not been born into the Uchiha clan, Hiruzen might have even considered grooming him as the next Hokage. But the blood in his veins — and the clan behind that blood — made that future all but impossible.
"I was just doing my duty," Shisui replied with a humble bow. "For the sake of the village, it was worth every effort."
Hiruzen smiled, deeply satisfied. "That's what makes you special. You understand the bigger picture. Unlike certain... others."
He paused, then shifted the topic carefully.
"Shisui, I'm sure you've already heard — your clan managed a major victory against the Hidden Cloud forces. Capturing the Two-Tails jinchūriki... that's no small feat."
"But that kind of power... it can't be left in the hands of a single clan. For the sake of stability and peace, we need to transfer the jinchūriki's custody to the village proper. Wouldn't you agree?"
Shisui had, indeed, heard rumors — even from the borders. Tales that the Uchiha had somehow decimated the Cloud's elite forces, captured the Fourth Raikage, and taken control of not just the Two-Tails, but also the Eight-Tails jinchūriki. The scale of that victory was baffling.
He trusted his clan's power — but this? This was beyond even his expectations.
And yet, Hiruzen's logic made sense. No clan should wield that much unchecked power. Even the Uchiha.
"If it's for the good of the village," Shisui answered carefully, "then I support transferring custody of the Two-Tails to the village."
Hiruzen's eyes crinkled with satisfaction. "Good. Then I leave this matter in your hands."
He conveniently avoided mentioning the internal political move that was already in play — stripping the Uchiha of their position on the Konoha Police Force. That task had already been handed off to Danzo, the man always willing to shoulder the clan's wrath if it meant furthering the village's so-called "peace."
Shisui bowed once more. "I'll do my best to see it through."
Despite his reputation in the wider shinobi world, Shisui's standing within the clan itself wasn't that high. He wasn't a council elder, nor did he have significant political weight. His skill and idealism alone didn't win him favors in a clan defined by pride and power.
Leaving the Hokage Tower, he finally returned to the Uchiha district — and was met with a warm welcome. To most, if Ryosuke hadn't recently emerged as the clan's most fearsome warrior, then Shisui would still be seen as the Uchiha's brightest light.
Even during his missions at the border, his exploits in the Mist's failed invasion had made him a hero in the clan.
But he wasn't here to soak up praise.
Instead of visiting the clan head, Shisui made a direct approach toward a familiar figure — Uchiha Itachi, a fellow ANBU operative and close friend.
"Itachi," Shisui greeted with a rare smile. "Didn't expect to see you so soon. How've things been on this end?"
Itachi's eyes lit up with genuine joy. "Shisui! I didn't think you'd be back this quickly. How's the border situation?"
"All quiet now," Shisui said. "Looks like the Mist has backed off for good — at least for now."
Itachi nodded. That was good news — peace, even temporary, was always welcome.
But Shisui's expression soon shifted into something more serious. He leaned in slightly.
"Itachi... what's been going on here? Since when did our clan become so powerful it could take on the Cloud's entire army? They captured the jinchūriki of the Two-Tails... isn't that a weapon of war, capable of destroying villages on its own?"
Itachi's face darkened with concern.
"It's Ryosuke," he said quietly. "He's... changed."
"Somehow, he's become terrifyingly powerful. Even I can't stand against him anymore. During the battle, he personally captured the Raikage, the Two-Tails, and even the Eight-Tails jinchūriki."
Shisui's eyes widened in disbelief.
That kind of accomplishment — if true — wasn't just impressive. It was mythical. If it had come from anyone else's mouth, he would've dismissed it as exaggerated clan propaganda. But this was Itachi speaking.
And Itachi didn't exaggerate.
"He was never considered that talented before," Shisui said slowly. "Is this some kind of awakening? Or has he been hiding his power all this time?"
Itachi shook his head. "It's more than that. Ryosuke is dangerous. Not just because of his strength — but because of his ideas."
"He's... radical. He once said, 'Without the Uchiha, Konoha wouldn't even exist.' That tells you everything you need to know."
"He values our clan above the village. I think... deep down, he believes the Uchiha should rule Konoha. That we were always meant to."
Shisui frowned.
That was exactly the kind of thinking he feared most.
Powerful. Charismatic. Now wildly influential. If Ryosuke's ideology spread, it could reignite the powder keg beneath the clan — the same one Shisui had spent years trying to diffuse.
But he kept his composure.
"Don't worry," Shisui said calmly. "Even if Ryosuke is aggressive, there are ways to deal with him."
He turned to face Itachi fully, his eyes now sharper — dead serious.
"Itachi, I want to show you something. Something only a few in the clan know exists."
Itachi blinked in confusion.
Shisui slowly activated his Sharingan — and in the next moment, the tomoe began to spin, shifting into something far more complex.
The Mangekyō Sharingan.
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