The conversation between Sasuke and Naruto made Uchiha Shisui smile knowingly, reminding him of the time he once trained alongside Uchiha Itachi.
When he first met Itachi, the boy was around the same age. Through training again and again, Itachi gradually grew into the lonely ninja he is now. He joined ANBU, worked tirelessly, and devoted himself to protecting the village and the Uchiha clan.
Naruto and Sasuke—those two troublesome yet earnest brats—would likely walk the same road as him and Itachi in the future, continuing to guard Konoha.
This was the inheritance of the Will of Fire, and also the belief Shisui had dedicated everything to.
After observing quietly for a while, Shisui chose not to step forward and disturb Naruto and Sasuke, instead leaving silently like a professional stalker with a conscience.
The relationship between the clan and the village was already tense. If his contact with the Jinchūriki were misunderstood by the Third Hokage, things could turn ugly—he might even lose the Hokage's trust. That would be a real pain in the ass.
But when did I start believing in the Will of Fire?
Was it during my time at the Ninja Academy?
Or after becoming a shinobi, carrying out missions with comrades?
Or on the brutal battlefield of the Great Ninja Wars?
…Can't remember.
Shisui narrowed his eyes slightly, his vision blurring for a moment, but he quickly shook off those pointless thoughts. There was no time to get sentimental.
He still had important business to handle.
Stopping Uchiha Fugaku's coup—that was what truly mattered.
...
Seemingly sensing Shisui's disappearance, Sasuke raised his head and looked around, but saw nothing.
Feeling uneasy, Sasuke asked Naruto,
"I feel uncomfortable. It's like someone was peeping at us just now. Did you feel that too?"
Naruto grinned casually.
"You're imagining things. Why didn't I feel shit?"
Hearing this, Sasuke felt he might really be overthinking it. After all, the two of them were just Ninja Academy students. Who would be so bored as to secretly watch a pair of kids sparring?
As the sky gradually darkened, Sasuke said,
"Let's stop here for today. We'll continue tomorrow. That Shadow Clone training method you taught me is really useful. Sooner or later, I'll defeat you."
"I'll be waiting for that day."
Naruto replied casually, though his mind was already replaying that strange gaze from earlier.
What Sasuke said wasn't wrong. While they were training, they were indeed being watched—by ANBU, and by that old Third Hokage who liked to spy on people like a damn pervert.
But the gaze from earlier wasn't ANBU, nor the Third Hokage. That one gave him a faint sense of danger, enough to make his heart thump.
Shimura Danzō?
Or Uchiha Obito?
Naruto immediately thought of these two. Both had the strength to threaten him. One was a Wind Release expert whose power rivaled the Five Kage; the other possessed the Kamui Sharingan, the bastard responsible for the Nine-Tails incident.
They could be called the true crouching dragon and hidden phoenix of chaos—top-tier troublemakers who deserved all the blame.
"Naruto, the person who was peeping at you earlier appeared near the Uchiha clan. He came from the direction of the Hokage Building and headed toward the clan."
Kurama suddenly spoke.
"…Thanks, Kurama."
After thanking him, Naruto narrowed down his guesses and quickly locked onto Uchiha Shisui. Relevant memories surfaced in his mind.
Shisui was a rare Uchiha who genuinely believed in the Will of Fire. He hoped for harmony between the clan and Konoha until his death.
But due to Danzō's sneak attack, he lost one of his Mangekyō Sharingan. To prevent a war between the Uchiha and Konoha, he ultimately chose to jump off a cliff near Naka Shrine, entrusting his ideals—and his remaining Mangekyō—to Itachi.
Mangekyō Sharingan.
Kotoamatsukami.
Both were abilities capable of threatening him.
If Shisui had been spying on him, Naruto's sense of danger made perfect sense. After all, Mangekyō could control tailed beasts, and Kotoamatsukami could tamper with free will—either one was dangerous as hell.
But Kurama just said Shisui came from the Hokage Building?
Naruto fell into deep thought. Shisui wouldn't seriously confess Kotoamatsukami to the Third Hokage, would he? That'd be like cutting his own cock off and asking for applause.
And pupil techniques that mess with free will? No sane person would tolerate that kind of power in someone else's hands.
Especially not the Third Hokage—a man who had ruled for decades. He'd be a ghost if he wasn't afraid.
Thinking of this, Naruto glanced toward the pitch-black forest and sighed softly.
Looks like my sleeping hours are about to get brutally murdered.
Although he knew Shisui would eventually commit suicide by jumping off a cliff, he had no idea which cliff it was.
All of this needed preparation—well in advance.
...
A few weeks later, outside the Uchiha Police Force Headquarters.
Shisui looked toward Fugaku's office and sighed quietly.
During these days, he had remained among the clan, witnessing firsthand how some members violently mistreated villagers and offended civilian shinobi, pushing more and more people to stand against the Uchiha.
The more he learned, the heavier his heart became.
Even if he managed to control Fugaku, it would only slightly delay the outbreak of conflict.
As time passed, new clashes between the police force and villagers would inevitably occur—unless the clan was willing to abandon the police force altogether.
What troubled him even more was that he couldn't find any chance to be alone with Fugaku and gradually alter his will.
And tonight, the clan would hold its final meeting at Naka Shrine, officially announcing the coup.
This would be his last chance.
How could the conflict between the clan and the village be completely avoided?
Shisui was deeply conflicted.
After walking for some time, he headed toward the outskirts of the clan. He had arranged to meet Itachi and planned to directly control Fugaku during the clan meeting.
At that moment, a sneaky figure appeared behind him.
Shisui sensed the gaze and instantly used Body Flicker Technique, reappearing behind the intruder. Upon seeing the ANBU mask, he relaxed slightly and said:
"ANBU? Please inform the Third Hokage that I will stop the Uchiha coup."
The masked ninja shook his head.
"I am not under the Hokage's command. I serve Danzō-sama. I belong to Root, the organization that protects Konoha. Danzō-sama requests your presence."
Shisui frowned.
"Danzō wants to see me? Sorry, I don't have the time."
He knew Danzō well—the leader of Root, Itachi's superior, and a former comrade of his grandfather.
The Root ninja replied,
"Danzō-sama understands your thoughts and wishes to discuss the Uchiha's future with you. If you refuse, he will not force you."
After saying this, the Root ninja made a gesture as if preparing to leave.
Shisui hesitated, but for the sake of the clan, he followed. Though Danzō had a terrible reputation among the jōnin, he was still part of the village's top leadership—and his grandfather's comrade.
Besides, I'm still under the Third Hokage's command. Nothing should go wrong… right?
Not long after, Shisui arrived at the outskirts of the Root base.
At the entrance, he saw Shimura Danzō, his body wrapped in bandages, standing with his back turned.
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