Chapter 75: Idealism and Reality
Deep within his darkened consciousness, light gradually began to seep through.
Shisui jerked his eyes open—no, more accurately, he tried to open his eyes. Sharp pain from his empty sockets reminded him of the fact that he'd lost both eyes.
But what shocked him more was that he could still think, still perceive the tatami mat beneath his body, and aside from the poison insects, his injuries had somehow completely healed.
I'm still alive?
This realization made his entire body tense. He'd already chosen to leap from the cliff to his death... why?
"Oh, you're awake?" A cheerful male voice came from his side. "You were unconscious for such a short time—don't you want to rest a bit more?"
Shisui reflexively turned his head toward the sound. Though he couldn't see, he could sense someone sitting there.
"Who are you?"
"You must have many questions." The other person seemed to shift into a more comfortable position, fabric rustling softly. "About identity, or why I saved you—things like that."
Shisui became alert. This clearly wasn't a chance rescue, but premeditated contact.
"This is our first meeting, but regarding identity... you've definitely heard of me."
Shisui's brow furrowed deeply. He tensed every muscle instantly, though his body's exhaustion meant he could barely manage even the most basic Shunshin no Jutsu.
"My name is Uzumaki Menma, I'm a few years older than you." The other continued matter-of-factly. "My current position is leader of the Ember organization... that should be enough explanation, right?"
The air seemed to crystallize.
...What?
Shisui's hollow sockets trembled slightly. Menma? Ember? That terrifying organization leader who single-handedly attacked Konoha and shook the entire shinobi world? But what concerned him more was—why would such a figure save a dying Uchiha? Could this be an imposter?
Seeming to see through his doubts, Menma chuckled softly. "Don't be so hostile toward me. When I attacked Konoha... I didn't kill a single person."
The following conversation exploded like thunder in Shisui's ears. Menma precisely described Kotoamatsukami's existence. He detailed exactly how Danzō had stolen his right eye. He even accurately pointed out—that he'd entrusted his remaining eye to Itachi.
Shisui's expression shifted from doubt to shock to hostility, finally freezing completely. Though he'd lost his sight, he could clearly feel the oppressive aura emanating from across him—the kind of nearly tangible pressure that could only accumulate through countless life-and-death battles.
Right now... I'm absolutely no match for him.
Finally, he slowly relaxed his tense shoulders, shifting to a guarded but non-hostile stance. Now, dialogue was his only option.
---
"So..." Shisui's voice came hoarse and controlled. "What exactly is your purpose in saving me?"
"I no longer have Sharingan."
This statement contained a probe. Shisui deliberately avoided mentioning his most feared possibility—that Menma's target was the Kotoamatsukami entrusted to Itachi.
...He forcibly suppressed that thought the moment it surfaced. If this man capable of opposing the five great nations obtained the dōjutsu that could rewrite will, the consequences would be unthinkable.
"I think you've misunderstood something." Menma's voice carried a trace of laziness. "Sharingan and Kotoamatsukami... aren't my objective."
"I'm not the type obsessed with power. For me, strength is... merely a tool to achieve goals."
"I want to prevent war. Whether it's conflict between great nations or internal village disputes... as long as it's fighting that causes meaningless casualties, I won't stand idly by."
"This matter..." Shisui carefully chose his words. "I've already entrusted it to my closest friend."
He raised his head slightly, and though eyeless, the gesture still carried firm resolve.
"She will prevent conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha... carrying on my will."
This was the polite version. In reality, Shisui was tactfully refusing Menma's intervention—he clearly remembered this man's previous "intervention methods," directly beating the Raikage to near-death. He believed such "mediation" would only bring deeper hatred and turmoil.
"I see..." Menma's voice held a thoughtful quality. "Uchiha Itachi?"
Shisui keenly noticed that when Menma spoke that name, his tone contained a subtle pause. What he couldn't see was that Menma's mind was currently flashing with the image of the black-haired girl he'd witnessed at the cliff.
'So the original's dutiful son became a dutiful daughter...'
This thought flickered through Menma's mind before he quickly collected himself.
"Do you know?" Menma suddenly changed topics. "Sometimes, one person's resolve alone... is far from enough."
Menma studied Shisui's tense jawline, remembering the controversial nature of Uchiha Itachi from the original work—that man called "God Itachi" had experienced what kind of extreme evaluation reversals on the internet in another world.
From initial tragic hero to later questioned extremist—massacring his entire clan, then having Sasuke kill him personally... then using will-altering methods to make his brother return to Konoha.
Every single point was enough to trigger intense moral debate.
Imagine bringing the perspective to those innocent Uchiha civilians from the original work. Ordinary villagers who lived diligently their whole lives, suddenly slaughtered by their clan's genius one night. And when the truth was revealed, everyone exclaimed:
"Wow! So the massacre was for peace!"
"Bearing that darkness alone was truly great!"
The resentment of those who died unjustly became mere background to highlight "God Itachi" nobility.
Naruto believed this twisted value system perhaps originated from Itachi's experience of being sent to war at age five—children exposed to death too early inevitably viewed the world differently than ordinary people.
"You believe she can stop civil war..." Menma's voice carried playful undertones. "Then in your envisioned scenario—"
"How exactly would Uchiha Itachi... take action?"
'How would Itachi act...'
The weight of this question made Shisui's breathing slow. He tilted his head slightly, and though he'd lost his vision, the gesture still conveyed contemplation.
"Itachi's talents..." His voice carried unshakeable certainty. "Are better suited than mine for operating in darkness."
"She'll definitely find a solution that protects everyone."
This statement contained too many unspoken implications. In Shisui's idealistic vision:
Itachi would continue using her ANBU identity to maneuver between leadership and clan members, using precise intelligence manipulation to delay the coup.
If delays proved impossible, she would eliminate the most radical hawk faction members when necessary.
Finally, she would leave as a missing-nin bearing all sins.
She might even use secrets learned during her ANBU period as leverage to ensure the village wouldn't move against other Uchiha.
This plan perfectly embodied Shisui-style idealism—both trusting in his companion's abilities while underestimating reality's cruelty.
"...Alright." Menma suddenly stood up. "Seems you have great confidence in Uchiha Itachi."
Shisui heard rustling fabric, sensing Menma approaching. That oppressive chakra made his skin involuntarily tense.
"I saved you to see how Uchiha Itachi will act." Menma's voice held traces of interest. "You currently have Aburame poison insects in your body, right?"
Shisui's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
"Don't be so wary." Menma had crouched in front of him. "I saved you because the Uchiha clan still needs you."
"Now, can you sense where the insects are in your body?" Menma's voice suddenly became focused. "I'm at least ninety percent confident I can drive them out—"
"Though the process... might hurt somewhat."