A special thank you to my patrons:
—Cain, Jacob Mooe, HADES, Varun Madhu, Gonzalo Sumalavia, kevin Williams, KD2001, merp., Jose Carrillo, Derek M, Joseph, Jose Sierra, AR3S, Nuro, SPabloS, Nocturnal, Impreux, Florin Durbaca, Salim, Vernan Stapleton, Pasang Sherpa, Edvards Kazlouski.
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kagaya walked through the streets of Konoha, passing through the Uchiha clan grounds, and finally returned to his home. But this time, no one was anxiously waiting for him at the door.
No one rushed over to him. No one spoke words of concern with a cold expression. The house still looked like a house, but it could no longer be called a home. Now, it was merely a "residence," not a "home."
Unbeknownst to Kagaya, after he entered the house, a figure wearing a mask with red markings appeared in a dark corner. Their gaze flickered toward Kagaya's home before they vanished.
'A seven-year-old with a three-tomoe Sharingan. Interesting.'
---
In a dark, shadowy space, three sofas were occupied by three people—two men and one woman.
One of the men was Obito, wearing the red-marked mask. The other two wore black robes with red clouds. The man's face was pierced with black rods, giving him an eerie appearance. The woman had purple hair and a beauty mark near her lips.
Obito spoke first.
"I've taken an interest in someone in Konoha. His experiences are quite intriguing. I believe he must deeply resent the village."
Nagato, in his cold, emotionless tone as Pain, responded.
"If he's someone you've chosen, his strength must be considerable. Should I send someone to invite him to join the organization?"
Obito shook his head.
"No. With his current strength and that three-tomoe Sharingan, he can barely hold his own against a Jōnin. He's not ready yet. We'll wait."
Konan asked curiously, "If we're waiting, why bring it up now?"
Obito chuckled lightly.
"It won't be long. I can see it clearly—it won't take much time for his strength to reach Kage level. And he's only seven. A super genius like him would be a great asset to Akatsuki. But I killed his teammate myself, so if I invite him, he likely won't agree. I'd like you to prepare and choose someone to extend the invitation."
For the first time, Pain's voice carried a hint of surprise.
"A seven-year-old at Kage level? You're not joking?"
"I have no reason to joke about this. But as I said, we need to wait. Right now, he's only at Jōnin level."
"I understand. When the time comes, let me know. A genius like that is worth my personal invitation."
"Mm."
With that, Obito stood and vanished into the darkness. Pain and Konan followed, disappearing as well.
---
Fugaku's House.
"What? Don't you know what tomorrow is?"
Uchiha Fugaku looked sternly at Itachi, continuing, "You still haven't figured out where you stand."
Itachi remained unmoved, eerily calm.
"I have a mission tomorrow."
"What mission?"
"It's classified. I can't say."
At that moment, the relationship between Itachi, Fugaku, and the Uchiha seemed to grow distant. Itachi felt less like a person and more like a machine.
"Itachi, you're also the bridge between the clan and the village's leadership. You understand that, don't you?"
Fugaku scrutinized him.
"Yes."
Itachi's response was as flat and emotionless as ever.
"Remember that well. And you must attend tomorrow's meeting!"
Itachi closed his eyes. This time, he didn't respond.
---
Kagaya's House.
Kagaya looked at Shisui in shock.
"Brother, you're saying I shouldn't go to tonight's clan meeting?"
The Uchiha clan often held meetings, but in the past, Kagaya didn't attend—his father went in his place. Now, with his parents gone, Kagaya might be required to attend.
Shisui nodded.
"At tonight's meeting, I plan to use Kotoamatsukami to alter the clan leadership's mindset and completely eliminate the possibility of a coup."
Kagaya's expression changed drastically. Using Kotoamatsukami to change the clan's leadership? If he remembered correctly, this plot…
"Brother!! Didn't I tell you not to tell Danzō about your Kotoamatsukami? Why didn't you listen?"
Shisui shook his head.
"I didn't tell Danzō. I only told Lord Third. The situation between the Uchiha and the village is growing more dangerous. I have to use unconventional means."
But Kagaya shook his head even more vigorously than Shisui.
"No! No!! Brother, you can't go through with this plan!"
Shisui looked at him curiously.
"Why not?"
"You just can't! It's absolutely not allowed! If you reveal your Kotoamatsukami, Danzō will definitely come after you."
Shisui fell silent, looking at Kagaya with pity in his eyes. To Shisui, it was only natural for Kagaya to harbor the deepest malice toward Danzō after he caused his parents' deaths.
But…
"Trust me, Kagaya. I'll resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and the village completely. Then we can all enjoy true peace."
Kagaya clung to Shisui, tears streaming down his face.
"No, absolutely not. Danzō will definitely target you. If… if…"
Shisui could see Kagaya's fear—fear of losing those he cared about, one by one.
But that very fear strengthened Shisui's resolve. His Mangekyō Sharingan activated quietly. As the Uchiha's greatest genjutsu master, he easily put Kagaya to sleep.
"Don't worry, Kagaya. This time, I won't break my promise. I'll bring peace. From now on, we can live as Konoha ninja without being caught up in the village's internal conflicts. I won't let those eyes of yours evolve any further. Sleep now. When you wake, everything will be better."
Shisui carried Kagaya, gently placing him on the bed, then left using the Body Flicker Technique.
---
In a room, the Third Hokage and Danzō sat on tatami mats, discussing matters.
"Tonight, the Uchiha are holding another meeting," Danzō said.
The Uchiha's frequent meetings demanded their attention.
"I know about the meeting, but they claim it's for a clan ritual. I can't interfere," the Third replied helplessly.
Danzō immediately countered sharply.
"What ritual? They're stoking the clan's hostility toward the village, using that animosity to strengthen their unity. They're preparing for a coup."
"I'll stop it in its tracks. Shisui."
As the Third spoke, the door opened. Standing outside was Shisui.
"Uchiha Shisui," Danzō said, seeming to realize something, his tone tinged with surprise.
The Third continued, "Shisui will attend the meeting. And if Uchiha Fugaku is truly planning a coup…"
"I'll use Kotoamatsukami," Shisui interjected.
"Your eye technique?" Danzō asked, closing his eyes, deep in thought.
"It can manipulate a target without them noticing, making it seem like they're acting of their own will," the Third explained.
"I'll make Fugaku consider ways to coexist with the village," Shisui stated, clarifying his intentions.
Danzō responded coldly, "Changing Fugaku's mind alone won't quell the entire Uchiha clan's discontent."
The Third disagreed.
"No. If the Uchiha are willing to change, we'll change too. We'll gradually improve their treatment going forward."
The Third meant that even if the Uchiha still had grievances, as long as they abandoned their coup plans, the village could adapt and slowly improve their conditions.
"That's my wish," Shisui added.
Achieving peace in the village was indeed Shisui's wish. He didn't want to see tragedies like Kagaya's happen again.
"I'll assign an Anbu to support you from the rear. I'm counting on you, Shisui."
"Yes, sir!"
---
Naka Shrine, the sacred site where the Uchiha worshipped their clan deity.
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto stood at the entrance, seemingly waiting for someone.
"Itachi hasn't come," Mikoto said, her voice carrying both disappointment and resignation.
Fugaku remained silent, his face stern.
In a nearby forest, behind a large rock, Itachi waited, puzzled. He and Shisui had agreed to meet here before the meeting to discuss their plan, but Shisui was late.
'He's so slow,' Itachi thought, confused.
---
At an old, dilapidated temple flanked by two massive statues, two figures stood before it.
Shisui looked at the person before him curiously.
"What's the matter, Lord Danzō? The meeting is about to start."
Shisui couldn't quite believe it. Would Danzō really move against him at such a critical moment?
Danzō's face was calm yet shadowy, the setting sun casting light that didn't reach his profile, leaving it cloaked in darkness.
"If you use your eye technique on Fugaku and convince the Uchiha, but the village doesn't change, what will you do?"
Shisui answered earnestly, "Lord Hokage promised me he would change things."
Danzō remained noncommittal.
"Even with the Third's persuasion, the villagers' suspicions of you won't vanish easily."
"I understand, but with time—"
"And people like me, who are deeply suspicious, won't change their minds easily either. What will you do then?"
"But, Lord Danzō—"
"What if, at that time, you use your Kotoamatsukami on me?"