Late at night, within the Uchiha Clan compound, Clan Head Fugaku and his eldest son, Itachi Uchiha, were engaged in a conversation.
So you mean to say someone is deliberately targeting the Spider Lily Chamber of Commerce and the Uchiha Clan?
Uchiha Fugaku looked at his calm and composed eldest son under the dim light. He did not know when it had started, but it seemed even he could no longer understand the boy's thoughts.
Itachi Uchiha did not seem to notice his father's gaze. He remained respectful and polite as he spoke. Yes, Father.
Before the Spider Lily Chamber of Commerce opened, the village's pharmaceutical industry was basically monopolized by several major clans led by the Nara Clan. The Food Pills sold by the Spider Lily Chamber of Commerce this time are powerful and have already severely impacted their industry. It is only natural for them to find a reason to cause trouble.
The other party should have also expected the Uchiha Military Police Force to intervene. It would not be difficult for them to push along with the current and make the Uchiha's reputation even worse.
Itachi spoke eloquently and with great logic. He suddenly raised his head and spoke seriously to the head of the Uchiha Clan. Furthermore, I believe you should restrain the behavior of the clansmen, Father. In this environment, we should try not to use violent law enforcement. Otherwise, it will only further arouse the suspicion of the village higher-ups.
Also, be wary of those clansmen who want to incite a coup.
This was what Itachi worried about the most. The atmosphere within the clan was becoming increasingly heated. Many held resentment toward the village higher-ups. Itachi had heard talk of rebellion more than once or twice. If his father truly listened to those people's suggestions, Itachi would undoubtedly fall into a dilemma.
On one side were the relatives and the clan that had raised him. On the other was the village he had loved since childhood. What was certain was that no matter who won in the end, the glory of the Uchiha Clan would be ruined because of "rebellion." This was something Itachi absolutely did not want to see.
Uchiha Fugaku naturally understood this logic as well. He said in a deep voice, Itachi, you must understand. Although I am the head of the clan, I cannot control the thoughts of every clansman.
Itachi's expression changed slightly, but he eventually said, Please rest assured, Father. Shisui and I have already tried our best to communicate with the village higher-ups. We will definitely find a path that allows the clan and the village to coexist harmoniously.
Mm.
Uchiha Fugaku closed his eyes and said nothing more. Itachi slowly stood up. In that case, I will take my leave.
Just as Itachi was about to turn and leave, Fugaku called out to him again.
Itachi, although you are in the Anbu, never forget that your surname is Uchiha.
Hearing this, Itachi paused. His eyes flickered slightly before he finally spoke. I understand.
Mm, go then.
The moonlight spilled across Itachi's melancholy face, making the boy, who was only thirteen years old, look even more somber. His father's words kept echoing in his mind.
Although I am the clan head, I cannot control the thoughts of every clansman...
Itachi, don't forget your surname is Uchiha...
Could it be that Father is already preparing for a coup? Was that last sentence a warning to me?
Itachi felt a sense of confusion. He did not understand why people always had to fight, nor did he understand the significance of a coup. If a coup were truly launched, the Uchiha's long-standing honor would be destroyed. Not only that, but what if they failed? The Uchiha Clan would surely be slaughtered to the last person, and even Sasuke would...
He grew increasingly agitated. Without realizing it, he had walked to the Naka River. He simply walked to the riverbank and splashed his face forcefully with water. Just as he finished washing his face, he turned to look at the nearby woods.
Why are you here?
A young man with short black hair and a bright appearance, dressed similarly to Itachi, walked out of the woods.
I just finished a mission and was passing by. I saw you here and decided to check in.
Shisui looked at Itachi's haggard expression and gave a warm, sun-like smile. What's wrong? Encountered more troubling matters?
Itachi gave a bitter laugh. It's just the usual things.
Although Shisui was several years older than Itachi, the two were indeed the closest of friends. One could even say Shisui was Itachi's mental guide. When Itachi was at his most confused and doubting the world, Shisui was the one who appeared before him. Thus, as soon as Itachi spoke, Shisui basically understood.
He stared at the Naka River flowing slowly under the moonlight and said quietly, Itachi, no matter what, we must not be bound by narrow clannishness and let the Uchiha bear the infamy of rebellion.
He turned his gaze to Itachi, staring into his eyes as he spoke seriously. Don't worry. Lord Third Hokage has already promised me. As long as we can prevent the clan's rebellion, he will definitely persuade the other higher-ups to accept the Uchiha.
Hearing this, Itachi's mood lightened slightly. After all, in the eyes of him and Shisui, at least the Third Hokage, who held the village's supreme power, still had expectations for their Uchiha Clan.
In other words, our most important task now is to stop the clan's coup?
Shisui nodded and added, Exactly. And regarding this matter, I already have a lead.
Itachi's eyes lit up. Then, he saw Shisui suddenly activate his Sharingan. One tomoe, two tomoe, and then the familiar three tomoe...
After the three tomoe, something occurred that even startled Itachi. The three black tomoe in Shisui's eye sockets actually fused together during high-speed rotation, condensing into a black dot in the center. Then, centered on that black dot, a pattern similar to a Fuma Shuriken emerged in his eyes.
Feeling the terrifying visual power released by Shisui's eyes, Itachi almost involuntarily activated his own Three Tomoe Sharingan. His own Sharingan felt a terrifying suppression in front of Shisui. It was like the natural pressure an upper-ranking being exerts on a lower one.
Itachi felt that if he were to duel Shisui now, the power his Sharingan could exert would likely be less than half! This was practically the natural enemy of the ordinary Sharingan!
What is this? Itachi asked in disbelief.
Shisui gently touched his eye, a trace of sadness on his face. This is a realm above the Three Tomoe Sharingan, the Mangekyo Sharingan, obtained in exchange for endless pain and life.
Hearing this, Itachi instantly thought of the first time he awakened his eyes. His two teammates had died tragically before him. Under that grief, pain, and fear, his Sharingan had activated.
After that mission ended, every clansman congratulated him, celebrating the appearance of another genius in the Uchiha Clan. Even his father was so excited, expressing how proud he was of him. But no one cared that the price for this power was his two beloved partners.
Itachi did not feel that awakening the eyes was something to be happy about. If he could trade them back for those two partners, Itachi would gouge out his Sharingan without hesitation. Therefore, at this moment, he could also feel just how much pain Shisui had endured to awaken these Mangekyo Sharingan, which were even stronger than the ordinary Sharingan.
Shisui... Itachi hesitated to speak, because he knew that no words in this world could alleviate such pain.
Instead, Shisui was the first to give a carefree smile. Don't worry, Itachi. I'm fine now. He lowered his palm and gently clenched his fist. All that past pain will turn into the power I use to protect the village.
Seeing Shisui like this, Itachi once again felt the confidence to protect the village and the clan ignite within him.
Itachi, you should have felt it too. The Mangekyo Sharingan possesses an extremely strong suppressive effect on ordinary Sharingan. One could say that with the Mangekyo Sharingan, I can easily defeat the vast majority of ordinary Sharingan users, including you.
Shisui's tone was full of confidence, a confidence brought to him by the Mangekyo Sharingan in his eyes.
Indeed, in front of your Mangekyo, my Sharingan is greatly restricted.
Itachi did not deny Shisui's point. Faced with such terrifying visual power, he feared that even the Genjutsu he prided himself on would become ineffective. Furthermore, Shisui's mastery of the Body Flicker Jutsu and Taijutsu was not at all weaker than his own. There was now a significant gap in their strength. And this sudden gap was precisely because of those eyes.
In other words, as long as the Uchiha clansmen have not awakened the Mangekyo, you possess an absolute advantage when fighting them, correct?
Itachi roughly understood Shisui's plan. Having awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, Shisui possessed the power to easily defeat any Uchiha clansman. Even if his father truly wanted to rebel, Shisui could stop it in time.
Shisui nodded and added, Not only that, I feel that these eyes also contain even greater power. It might be a specific visual jutsu, but I cannot control it yet. Once I can use these eyes proficiently, my strength should increase by another level.
Upon hearing this, a trace of regret flashed across Itachi's face. It is clearly a dream for both of us, yet now we can only rely on you alone to achieve it. If I also had enough power...
Itachi's words were interrupted by Shisui. He deactivated his Mangekyo Sharingan and stared seriously at his best friend. If possible, I hope you never obtain this power, Itachi.
Itachi understood his meaning instantly. He exhaled deeply and showed a smile. I understand, Shisui. I believe we will definitely achieve our dream and let the clan and village coexist in peace!
Mm, I believe this day will surely come!
Shisui spoke with equal confidence. He seemed to have a certain feeling about the visual jutsu brewing in his eyes, even though he could not yet control it skillfully. If it truly was as he thought, then the clan and village living in peace would absolutely not be a dream!
In the shadows, unknown to Shisui and Itachi, a Black Beetle stepped silently into the ground. At the same time, someone currently in solitary confinement suddenly opened his eyes.
So the Sharingan isn't as simple as it looks on the surface. Above the Three Tomoe Sharingan, there is the Mangekyo Sharingan?
He gently rubbed his chin. In his current "Leaf Plan," the value of the Sharingan was undoubtedly ranked very high.
Ranked first was, of course, the complete remains of Hashirama Senju. Simu was quite interested in why Hashirama Senju was able to end the Warring States Period with Wood Style and earn the title of God of Shinobi. Especially now that he also mastered Wood Style.
Admittedly, Wood Style is a powerful Kekkei Genkai with strong vitality and field control capabilities. But from Simu's current experience using it, it was still somewhat far from the level of the "God of Shinobi." Therefore, there must be some secret about Hashirama Senju that he did not yet know.
Ranked second was the Sharingan. In the eyes of ordinary people, the function of the Sharingan could be divided into three points: the ability to cast powerful Genjutsu through the eyes, possessing stronger dynamic vision, and the ability to copy others' ninjutsu through observation.
However, to be honest, none of these three points were enough to attract Simu. After all, they were not actually very useful to the current Simu. Genjutsu, dynamic vision, and copying ninjutsu—Simu could do all of them through other means.
Of course, using the Sharingan might make it a bit simpler, but that was not why Simu ranked it second. The real reason Simu ranked it second was because of that man. The legendary ancestor of the Uchiha Clan, the man who could stand on equal footing with Hashirama Senju—Madara Uchiha.
Although the village had tried its best to erase his existence, Simu had still learned of his existence through the conversations of the Uchiha Clan and knew of his rumored world-destroying power. And such power was clearly not something a mere Three Tomoe Sharingan could achieve.
Therefore, Simu only felt a sense of "as expected" after hearing the conversation between Shisui and Itachi. If the upper limit of the Sharingan was only three tomoe, how could Madara Uchiha possess power that could rival the God of Shinobi?
Naturally, after the Sharingan came the Tailed Beast held by the Leaf, the Nine-Tails. This demon fox, who did not get along with little Shukaku at all, had the most tails among all the Tailed Beasts. As for its strength, Simu did not yet have a direct experience of it. However, since its rampage resulted in the death of the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze and caused such massive losses to the Leaf, its strength was likely not inferior to Shukaku's.
Aside from Hashirama's remains and the Tailed Beast, what ranked highest for Simu were the various forbidden jutsu stored by the Leaf. Below the forbidden jutsu were Kekkei Genkai like the Byakugan. Finally, there were the secret techniques of each clan and samples from some excellent ninjas.
If time permitted, Simu also planned to use the Black Beetles to gather data on the Leaf's main ninjas and establish a database for targeted deployments in future wars. In battles between ninjas, intelligence is of the utmost importance.
There was no helping it; since the Hidden Sand Village's strength was insufficient, if Simu didn't help, how could he weaken the Hidden Leaf to a greater extent? In the end, the great Lord Jashin was simply too conscientious.