"Shisui, introduce yourself to the Hokage," Fugaku said calmly.
Minato glanced at the Uchiha jōnin standing behind him and gave a slightly awkward smile.
Shisui bowed respectfully."Hokage-sama, I am Uchiha Shisui, currently serving as a squad leader in the Police Force."
Minato scratched his head, looking embarrassed."I only ever heard of your reputation on the battlefield—Shisui of the Body Flicker. But then you joined the Police Force, so we never crossed paths directly…"
He let out a breath and raised a hand."Wait a moment, both of you."
Minato unfurled a scroll and rapidly formed hand seals."Barrier—seal!"
The glow of chakra shimmered around them as he lowered his hands. Fugaku's shoulders stiffened at the precaution, but Minato smiled lightly."This is a barrier that blocks outside sensing. I don't know if the enemy has allies, and with that strange phasing ability that can bypass the village's barriers, I can't risk being overheard."
His smile faded, replaced by a sharp seriousness."So before we go further, I need to know—have either of you awakened the Uchiha clan's legendary eyes? The Mangekyō Sharingan?"
The barrier fell silent.
Fugaku finally sighed and stepped forward."The Mangekyō Sharingan has only ever been awakened by Uchiha Madara and his brother Izuna. For you to ask if Shisui or I possess such a thing, Hokage-sama… you honor us too much."
Minato frowned and thought for a long moment before speaking again."Since I succeeded the position of Hokage from Lord Third, I've gradually come to understand the strain between the Uchiha and the village. I know your concerns, Captain Fugaku. But the enemy I mentioned earlier—it is not the Uchiha of Konoha."
He drew in a breath, his voice firm."This time… it's an opportunity for Konoha. And it may also be the Uchiha clan's final chance. That's why I ask sincerely—do either of you possess the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Fugaku had no answer.
Then, after a long silence, a voice spoke."Hokage-sama… can I trust you?"
Minato's eyes snapped toward Shisui.
The boy slowly raised his gaze, and his Sharingan shifted. The three tomoe blurred, their tails connecting until they formed a unique pattern resembling a spinning shuriken.
Gasps filled the barrier. Not only Minato, but also Fugaku and Kakashi stared in shock.
Such a young age—and he had awakened the eye of legend.
As Hokage, Minato knew the cost of awakening the Mangekyō. He understood the agony this boy must have endured. To gain love… only to lose it.
Most Uchiha drowned in darkness at that threshold. A rare few, like Uchiha Kagami recorded in history, instead turned to an even deeper yearning for love.
And now, before him stood such a youth: Uchiha Shisui. If the shadowed enemy's words were true, then Shisui was one of the very few of his kind.
Minato exhaled softly."You can trust me. And I promise—I will do everything in my power to maintain the bond between the Uchiha and the village, and even, one day, to truly unite the clan into Konoha's heart."
Fugaku looked as though he wished to speak but held his tongue.
Minato turned to him."Trust must be mutual. Tonight, Kushina will give birth to our child. And you both know… Kushina carries the Nine-Tails within her."
The words struck Fugaku and Shisui speechless.
Kushina's pregnancy was known only to a select few. She had confided in Mikoto, Fugaku's wife, but the exact timing of the birth was classified.
And yet Minato was sharing this secret openly.
The Nine-Tails—once controlled by Uchiha in the past. To offer such trust was a clear gesture of sincerity.
At this time, years before Shisui's eventual death, the Uchiha had not yet reached the breaking point of rebellion. His Mangekyō, too, was something he had spoken of to no one. Not until six years later, when Itachi was eleven, did Shisui finally reveal the existence of Kotoamatsukami—a genjutsu so powerful it was practically a cheat. In the end, thanks to Danzo, Shisui was forced to give his life, delaying the clan's coup for only two years.
But now, in this moment, things were still different.
Fugaku bowed slightly."We entrust everything to you, Hokage-sama."
Beside him, Shisui clenched his fists tight, his expression betraying the storm within. With the Fourth Hokage's support, perhaps… perhaps the rift between clan and village could still be mended.
And if so—maybe Kotoamatsukami could truly serve as a bridge.
"Then, Hokage-sama," Shisui said respectfully, "what can I do to help?"
Minato turned to glance at Kakashi."I've learned that Kakashi's Sharingan—the one he received from Obito—has already awakened the Mangekyō. But he doesn't know how to use it, nor can he control it. I want you, Shisui, to help him harness that eye's power."
He raised a hand quickly."It's not that I doubt you. But the intelligence I've received is clear: Kakashi's eye has the one ability that perfectly counters the enemy—phasing."
He paused, letting the weight of the words settle."An ability to render part or all of one's body intangible, slipping into another dimension to nullify attacks. Against such power, almost no ninjutsu or taijutsu can prevail. That's why…"
Shisui understood without needing to hear more."I believe in you, Hokage-sama. And my Mangekyō's ability lies in genjutsu. I can cast it even without direct eye contact. The technique is called Kotoamatsukami."
"Kotoamatsukami?" Minato repeated, puzzled.
Shisui continued smoothly."It plants a single thought deep within an enemy's mind, so subtly that they believe it their own. The target will act as if it was their natural decision, unaware of any manipulation. Almost no one realizes they've been placed under genjutsu. But…"
He hesitated."…the weakness is that it requires constant chakra output."
He left the rest unsaid. But he noticed the faint relief on Minato's face.
Of course.
No matter who you were, such a power would inspire fear. Among leaders and politicians, it was less a jutsu than a threat.
And so, Shisui did not speak of his left eye—the one that had already used its Kotoamatsukami. That secret had to remain buried, at least for now.
At dawn, the sound of clattering dishes woke Uchiha Shion.
For five years now, his mother had risen at daybreak, preparing breakfast before heading out to work, never once resting. And yet, she always carried her chores with a smile. She did it all for him and his younger sister, Izumi—for their growth, their future.
"Mother," Shion asked as she moved about the kitchen, "can you come home early this afternoon?"
Uchiha Hazuki turned, puzzled."Why? Do you need something?"
Shion shook his head."Not really. I just want to eat your tempura again. Could you make it for me?"
Hazuki chuckled softly. She reached to ruffle his hair, then pulled back—remembering her son's maturity, his dislike for such gestures."If my Shion wants tempura, of course. I'll ask the shopkeeper for time off and pick up ingredients at the market. But you must also come home early today. Izumi and I will go together."
Shion nodded."I'll be back after noon. I'll tell Uncle Teuchi as well."
After breakfast, Shion left for Ichiraku Ramen. His purpose: to resign from the job.
He had much to do today. He needed to visit the Nara clan grounds, then the Tatsumi Shelter, and, if time allowed, climb the mountain behind the Hokage Monument.
The details of the Secret Scroll's clone technique had proven too difficult to test last night. He needed more experiments to truly understand how to maximize its potential.