Elsewhere, Yatsushirowas already moving with urgency. He had just received Ryosuke's command and wasted no time. Summoning a few trusted Uchiha, he went directly to the orphanage where Yakushi Nonō resided.
This orphanage, after all, was now under the full sponsorship of the Uchiha clan. Nonō had long since severed ties with Danzō and Root, and in this timeline, she had even shared a personal connection with Ryosuke. She understood well enough where her loyalties had to lie.
When Yatsushiro arrived, he explained bluntly:
"Nonō, this comes as a direct order from Uchiha Ryosuke. We require the precise locations of Root's facilities—the headquarters, hidden labs, and any storage chambers you know of."
Nonō's eyes flickered, but she quickly nodded. She had no reason to refuse. After Danzō's death, the cursed seal binding her tongue—the Binding Tongue Curse—had dissipated, leaving her free. And if helping Ryosuke meant strengthening the clan that now supported her orphanage, she would comply.
She quietly handed over maps and detailed descriptions of Root's bases: underground chambers beneath Konoha's training grounds, medical labs hidden beneath abandoned shrines, and supply caches scattered across the village. Yatsushiro bowed deeply, feeling a surge of triumph.
With this information, he immediately made his way to the Police Force's central headquarters.
This headquarters was no longer purely Uchiha-controlled—it now housed the allied divisions of the Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka (the Ino–Shika–Chō trio), and Inuzuka clans. These clans had recently distanced themselves from the Third Hokage and had been drawn into Ryosuke's orbit through the Police Force reforms.
Inside, the four clan heads were waiting: Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Chōza, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Inuzuka Tsume.
Yatsushiro wasted no time.
"I've come to inform you all. A grave matter has occurred—Uchiha Shisui has been murdered. His body is missing, and we believe it may have been hidden in Root's facilities… or perhaps even within the Hokage's own building."
The air turned heavy.
Shikaku's brow furrowed immediately. "Shisui? The Shisui of the Body Flicker? That's not possible."
Chōza slammed his meaty fist against the table. "Who in the entire village could even kill that boy? He's faster than anyone alive!"
Inoichi's eyes narrowed. "Unless it was a trap… a carefully coordinated assault. But even then—"
Tsume, arms crossed, growled low. "If it wasn't an S-rank team effort, it doesn't make sense. That kid was famous across the entire ninja world. Even the Raikage himself spoke cautiously about Shisui's abilities. You're saying he's just dead?"
Yatsushiro nodded grimly.
"I understand your doubts. But the evidence we have is undeniable. His eyes… his Mangekyō Sharingan… were taken. No one would willingly give those up. And now, Ryosuke has ordered a full-scale search for Shisui's remains."
The four clan heads exchanged uneasy glances.
Shikaku spoke first, voice calm but carrying weight:
"You're saying Root facilities and… the Hokage Tower are to be searched?"
Yatsushiro inclined his head. "Correct. Every chamber, every vault, every laboratory. We cannot allow this injustice to be hidden."
The words made Tsume stiffen. "Searching the Hokage's tower? That's practically accusing Hiruzen-sama himself. Do you realize the line we'd be crossing?"
Chōza grunted agreement. "I don't like it either. Hiruzen's been our ally for decades."
But Shikaku… Shikaku leaned back, eyes sharp.
"Think carefully. If the Uchiha are serious enough to risk this, then they must already have damning evidence. The death of Shisui isn't just a clan matter—it shakes the entire balance of Konoha. If this is real… then things are about to change."
There was silence. Shikaku had essentially spoken for them all. If he agreed, the others would follow.
Finally, he gave a small nod. "Very well. We'll cooperate with this search. But I'll say this now—if this ends up being a move against the Hokage himself, then the village will split in two."
Yatsushiro allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. "Understood. Your cooperation is all that's required."
Once Yatsushiro left, the four clan heads remained behind, tension lingering in the air.
It was Tsume who broke the silence. "So what, are we really just going along with this? Searching Root is one thing—but the Hokage Tower? That's asking for war."
Chōza sighed heavily. "I hate to admit it, but Shikaku's right. If Ryosuke is pushing this, he already knows something. And… let's be honest. Our ties to Hiruzen aren't what they once were."
Inoichi frowned. "But if this points to the Hokage's involvement, then Konoha itself is in danger of tearing apart. Shisui was Hiruzen's most trusted supporter. Why would he ever want him dead?"
Shikaku closed his eyes, his usual calculating tone masking a deeper unease.
"That's exactly what worries me. If Shisui truly has been killed, and if evidence points toward the Hokage's administration… then either Hiruzen has lost control, or darker forces were pulling the strings all along. Either way… this will not end quietly."
Leaving the Police Headquarters, Yatsushiro made his way directly to the Hyūga clan's district. Like the others, they had established their own branch of the Police Force, though the Hyūga remained more cautious and politically conservative.
When Yatsushiro informed Hyūga Hiashi of Shisui's death, the clan head's expression was one of shock.
"Shisui… dead? Impossible. That child was a genius the likes of which even the Hyūga rarely produce. His reputation in the Third Shinobi War was legendary. I had thought him the future pillar of Konoha…"
Hiashi's normally composed tone wavered. As much as the Hyūga often held pride against the Uchiha, he had respected Shisui. His talent, his speed, his loyalty—few shinobi embodied the Will of Fire so clearly.
Yatsushiro bowed his head. "I assure you, Hiashi-dono, there is no doubt. His Mangekyō eyes were taken. That alone proves he is gone. We now seek his remains, and Ryosuke requests the Hyūga clan's cooperation in the search."
Hiashi closed his eyes for a long moment before finally nodding.
"Very well. The Hyūga will lend their Byakugan to the search. For someone like Shisui to vanish without a trace… it is an insult to every clan in Konoha. His body must be found."
By the time Yatsushiro left the Hyūga compound, the plan was set in motion. All five clans—the Ino–Shika–Chō trio, the Inuzuka, and now the Hyūga—were officially committed to a full-scale search of Root and even the Hokage's stronghold itself.
The ripples were undeniable. For decades, Hiruzen Sarutobi had ruled Konoha as the wise, unshakable Hokage. To question him was unthinkable. To search his headquarters under suspicion of murder was rebellion in all but name.
Yet the truth had been set loose. Uchiha Shisui—the prodigy, the "Shunshin no Shisui"—was dead. And the storm his death would bring was only just beginning.
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