Despite knowing Shisui's death could be used to topple the Third Hokage and propel the Uchiha clan to the peak of power, Yatsushiro couldn't help but feel conflicted. Shisui was still Uchiha—one of their brightest geniuses. Losing him was a steep price.
But then he remembered: Ryosuke had a way to revive Shisui. With that, his heart eased a little.
When Hyūga Hiashi heard the news, his shock was genuine.
"Shisui… truly dead?"
He, too, had respected the young prodigy. Even as head of the Hyūga clan, Hiashi admitted to himself that few could match Shisui's brilliance. If not for the meteoric rise of Uchiha Ryosuke, Shisui would have been hailed as Konoha's greatest genius—second only to Namikaze Minato.
And now, such a shinobi had perished within the village walls.
Hiashi clenched his fists, then made a solemn promise:
"Rest assured, I will mobilize the entire Hyūga clan to aid in the search."
After all, the Uchiha had upheld their promise and delivered the hefty ransom paid by Kumogakure. That sum alone was enough to strengthen the Hyūga for years. Following Uchiha meant meat on the table—strength and security for their clan.
The risk of offending Hiruzen Sarutobi by searching his territories was real, but what could the Hokage even do now? Shisui's death gave them legitimate cause.
Satisfied with Hiashi's pledge, Yatsushiro handed over one of the Root locations that Kabuto had revealed, assigning the Hyūga to investigate it. He himself prepared to march on the Hokage's building.
Soon, the entire Guard Force was on the move. Uchiha police, the allied four clans, and even unaffiliated shinobi all joined in. Their sheer numbers sent a wave of shock through the villagers.
The Uchiha weren't just patrolling—they were mobilizing en masse. And the search targets? Root facilities and even the Hokage's own offices.
Fear spread.
Was this an Uchiha coup? Were they about to strike down the Third? Was Konoha about to fall into chaos?
Those with sense barricaded themselves inside their homes. The reckless, however, crept to the streets to watch from a "safe" distance, hearts pounding at the sight.
Inside the Uchiha compound, Fugaku had already secured Hiruzen and Itachi. Then, leading his clan, he marched to the Hokage's tower to meet Yatsushiro. Together, they pressed forward with their search.
If Shisui truly had been murdered, then his corpse—or evidence of it—had to be hidden inside.
Hundreds of Uchiha Guards advanced, but were quickly confronted by squads of masked ANBU. The Hokage's loyal shadows stood firm.
"This is the Hokage's Tower. The Guard Force has no authority here," one ANBU declared.
Fugaku's eyes were cold.
"Move, or be moved."
The ANBU's voice wavered, though he tried to remain strong.
"Clan Head Fugaku… at least let me inform the Hokage and await his word."
But Fugaku scoffed.
"There is no need. Resisters will be restrained. Guards, proceed with the search."
Inform the Hokage? Hiruzen was already in Uchiha custody—who would they be reporting to?
The Uchiha surged forward, anger boiling at the thought that another of their prodigies had fallen victim to theft—just as Danzō once tried to steal their kekkei genkai.
Some ANBU foolishly drew weapons to block their path. They were instantly overwhelmed, bound in ropes, and tossed aside. Outnumbered, the rest of the ANBU quickly realized resistance was pointless.
Fugaku and Yatsushiro led the way into the tower, scouring every floor, every hidden chamber. If Shisui's body was here, exposing it would shatter Sarutobi's standing forever.
Meanwhile, the other four clans—Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Inuzuka—moved on one of Root's bases.
As expected, resistance awaited them. Danzō's old subordinates, now under Hiruzen's command, blocked the entrance.
"Without the Hokage's permission, you cannot pass," one declared.
Akimichi Chōza turned to Nara Shikaku.
"Shikaku, what now? Do we force our way in?"
Everyone looked to him. As always, the four clans deferred to Shikaku's judgment.
After a moment's thought, Shikaku's voice hardened.
"If they refuse, we take them down. Step aside—or be subdued."
The Root shinobi held their ground, unafraid. They trusted in Sarutobi's authority, convinced these clans wouldn't dare trample over the Hokage's name.
But with Shikaku at the lead, the clans pressed forward.
The Root guards tried to resist—yet within moments, they were pinned by the Nara clan's Shadow Binding. Powerless, they were bound and restrained.
Rather than charging recklessly into a base laced with Danzō's traps, Shikaku had Yamanaka Inoichi probe one of the captives with mind-reading jutsu.
Inoichi's expression darkened.
"There are indeed traps. But I have the correct route. Follow me closely."
With care, the clans advanced inside.
The deeper they went, the more horrors they uncovered: jars of preserved organs, shelves of body parts. Gasps filled the air. Even hardened shinobi shuddered at the grotesque experiments Danzō had left behind.
Then, in a hidden chamber, they found him.
Shisui Uchiha.
His body lay cold, untouched by decay. Blood-stained hollows marred his eyes. His Sharingan were gone.
The Inuzuka clan head crouched, examining carefully.
"Both eyes are missing… and look here—only a single fatal wound. Pierced straight through the heart."
The room fell silent.
Akimichi Chōza frowned deeply.
"One strike? That's impossible. Even the three of us together—Ino-Shika-Chō—would struggle against Shisui. Who could have felled him in a single blow?"
The others exchanged grim glances.
There was only one obvious suspect.
A shinobi whose speed and power could rival, even surpass, Shisui's own.
Uchiha Ryosuke.
But the thought chilled them. Would the Uchiha really slaughter their own prodigy? What purpose would there be?
And if that were true… why send them here to find the body at all?
Confusion hung heavy in the air as the clans wrestled with the unthinkable truth.
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