Shisui’s Death

Without a good excuse, Uchiha Itachi would have had no way to lure Uchiha Fugaku out, especially when Fugaku was swamped with affairs and barely even returned home.

Moreover, Itachi and Fugaku had recently had an unpleasant falling-out over the matter of monitoring the Anbu, creating a rift between father and son.

Still, if Itachi put his mind to it, he would have a chance. It would just take some time. After all, Fugaku generally returned home late at night these days, and calling him out in the middle of the night would be far too suspicious.

Several days later, the first batch of the Support Unit had all been dispatched to the front line. After confirming the news through its own intelligence network, the Uchiha Clan also began to act.

Distributing weapons, increasing patrols, strictly preventing anyone outside the Uchiha Clan from entering the compound, and so on.

All these actions showed that the Uchiha Clan was preparing for something major. None of their movements could escape the Anbu’s surveillance, especially since the Anbu was stationed within the Uchiha Compound.

Before leaving, Sarutobi Hiruzen had divided command of the Anbu into three parts. The largest portion was controlled by his eldest son and daughter-in-law, while the rest were commanded by Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

With those people keeping them in check, Danzo’s Root could not stir up much trouble within the village either.

Inside the Hokage’s Office, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Danzo summoned Shisui Uchiha. Since Itachi needed to keep an eye on Uchiha Fugaku at home, Shisui was the only one who came this time.

Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses and said to Shisui Uchiha, "Shisui, the Uchiha Clan has been very restless lately. When will you be able to make your move?"

"Distributing weapons and tightening patrols are already signs that they are preparing to act. Starting today, the Anbu will cancel all non-emergency missions and devote themselves entirely to monitoring the Uchiha Clan."

Utatane Koharu spoke calmly. A trace of coldness surfaced on her aged face as she continued.

"Shisui, the village cannot tolerate civil unrest right now. If this is not resolved soon, the Anbu and Root will act in advance. For the sake of the village, we have no choice."

The Uchiha Clan was not weak. If the Anbu and Root alone faced them while both sides were prepared, even if they could wipe out the Uchiha Clan, their own casualties would not be light. They had to strike first and catch the Uchiha off guard.

When the time came, the three of them, along with some Ninja stationed behind by other Ninja Villages, might all have to take action together.

"Advisors, Lord Danzo, please give me a little more time. Itachi is already watching the Clan Head. Once an opportunity arises, I will immediately use Kotoamatsukami on him."

Shisui Uchiha took a deep breath and spoke to them with determination.

Mitokado Homura glanced at the other two before saying to Shisui, "We are not trying to force you, but the village’s current situation simply cannot allow for war. If the Uchiha Clan abandons the coup d’état, that would be a good thing for Konoha. I believe Hiruzen will also try to accept the Uchiha Clan through negotiations."

"I understand, Advisor. I will change the Clan Head’s mind as soon as possible."

Shisui Uchiha made that promise. As someone serving in the Anbu, he naturally understood some of the Anbu’s strength.

Yet what Shisui valued most was Uchiha honor and the hard-won peace. He had inherited his grandfather’s ideals and did not want the Uchiha to bear the stigma of rebellion. Besides, if the Uchiha rebelled, Konoha would be in danger. Other Ninja Villages might launch another attack on the Land of Fire.

Afterward, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu asked Shisui about the Uchiha Clan’s recent situation. Once Shisui Uchiha answered truthfully, they allowed him to leave. Before he departed, however, Utatane Koharu reminded him to hurry. Konoha’s current situation would not allow them to waste too much time on the Uchiha Clan’s matter.

After leaving the Hokage Tower, Shisui Uchiha felt a faint heaviness in his heart.

He did not know the situation on the front line, but only a few days had passed since the troops were dispatched. Even if the Third Hokage’s forces had reached the front line, they could not possibly begin fighting immediately. Besides, the Uchiha Clan would not be so impulsive as to stage a coup d’état the moment the Third Hokage left.

There was still some time, but Shisui Uchiha’s mood grew increasingly heavy. If Itachi could not find an opportunity, then Shisui would have to forcefully act against the Clan Head himself.

"Shisui Uchiha, Lord Danzo wants to see you."

As Shisui Uchiha was heading back, a Root Ninja suddenly stopped him.

Shisui Uchiha calmly said, "Lead the way."

Then, under the Root Ninja’s guidance, the two arrived before a secluded forest. Shisui Uchiha looked around and saw several Root Ninja nearby. There were not many of them, so he assumed Danzo had called him here to discuss resolving the Uchiha Clan matter as quickly as possible.

After he arrived, the Root Ninja around them withdrew to a distance to stand guard, seemingly leaving Danzo and him room to talk.

"Lord Danzo."

Shisui Uchiha bowed. Danzo then turned around, narrowing his one exposed eye at Shisui Uchiha as he said, "Shisui Uchiha, how long has it been since you said you would act against Uchiha Fugaku? Why have you still not acted?"

"Lord Danzo, there has been no opportunity—"

"No opportunity? You are the famed Body Flicker Shisui of the Uchiha Clan. Could you really fail to find a chance to speak privately with Uchiha Fugaku?"

Danzo’s tone turned slightly cold. "Are you hesitating, or were you never planning to use Kotoamatsukami on Uchiha Fugaku at all?"

Shisui Uchiha was startled. He had not expected Lord Danzo to suspect him so deeply, so he explained, "There truly has been no opportunity, Lord Danzo. I will definitely act as soon as possible."

"Act? If you never find an opportunity against Uchiha Fugaku, will you act against Hiruzen? Or against me? A power like Kotoamatsukami cannot remain in the Uchiha Clan’s hands. It would be better for me to safeguard it!"

During their earlier conversation, Danzo had already used Izanagi. As he spoke those words, he suddenly attacked Shisui Uchiha.

But Shisui Uchiha reacted even faster. He was an Uchiha expert who had earned the name Body Flicker Shisui on the battlefield, and he responded in an instant.

"Illusion Technique: Sharingan!"

The three tomoe spun. The moment Danzo saw the tomoe in Shisui Uchiha’s eyes, his entire body seemed to be bound by a paralysis technique, unable to move.

"This Illusion Technique is not very binding. Stay here quietly for a while."

After saying that, Shisui Uchiha sighed and turned to leave.

Danzo was part of Konoha’s Radical Faction, and many of his methods were incomparably dark. Shisui had simply not expected Danzo to attack him and even try to seize his Sharingan.

The Uchiha Clan’s attempt at a coup d’état, the Konoha Higher-ups’ pressure, and Danzo’s ambush—all of it combined to leave Shisui Uchiha feeling utterly powerless.

Could Kotoamatsukami truly settle this matter?

That question suddenly arose in Shisui Uchiha’s heart. It was the first time he had ever doubted himself so deeply.

But just as Shisui Uchiha was preparing to leave, Danzo’s figure suddenly appeared before him like a phantom bubble.

"What!?"

Bam!

Thud!

Before Shisui Uchiha could react, Danzo launched a rapid series of attacks. His right arm had been transplanted with Hashirama Cells and Sharingan; it was not, as rumored, seriously injured and forced to remain bandaged.

Under the Chakra-infused Taijutsu strikes, Shisui Uchiha was sent flying into the air. The intense pain and shock left him unable even to use the Body Flicker Technique to escape.

Splat!

Danzo then seized the opportunity and directly tore out Shisui’s right eye.

"Argh!"

Taking advantage of the brief pause after Danzo tore out his eye, Shisui Uchiha immediately widened the distance between them.

"There is still one eye left. Why not hand them both over to Old Man? Only in Old Man’s hands can such power truly protect Konoha."

Danzo spoke indifferently, then lifted the bandages from his face and removed the Sharingan that had gone blind from using Izanagi.

"Sharingan…"

Shisui Uchiha panted heavily as he saw the empty socket in Danzo’s eye. In an instant, he understood that Danzo’s target from the very beginning had been his Sharingan.

Even now, Shisui Uchiha could only think that without a complete pair of eyes for Kotoamatsukami, he could no longer stop the Uchiha Clan’s coup d’état.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique."

Shisui Uchiha expelled a massive fireball toward Danzo. At that moment, Root Ninja leaped out from the forest one after another. Some moved to protect Danzo, while others charged at Shisui Uchiha.

Seeing that things were going badly, Shisui Uchiha hurriedly used the Great Dragon Fire Technique to force back the Root Ninja, then immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.

Since Danzo had decided to ambush him, he had surely gathered plenty of manpower. Staying here would only mean death. He had already lost one Sharingan, and nothing could happen to the other.

So Shisui Uchiha instantly decided to leave. He would find Itachi. In the entire Uchiha Clan, only Itachi could understand his thoughts.

At the Tea Country Base, Hyuga Mirai came here once again. Tsunade’s research seemed to have made considerable progress, and since Hyuga Mirai needed her help, he brought some gifts to visit her.

As soon as he entered the base, Hyuga Mirai ran into Shizune carrying a stack of food boxes. Seeing the cheerful smile on her face, she was surely planning to return to her room and enjoy the food alone again.

"Hyuga Mirai!?"

Shizune saw Hyuga Mirai as well and could not help crying out in surprise.

"You really have quite an appetite, Shizune." Hyuga Mirai looked at the food boxes she carried—twelve in total—and said with a smile, "I’ll go find Tsunade first."

"Mm, Tsunade-sama is either doing research or in the training room…"

Having been seen displaying her enormous appetite, Shizune felt a little embarrassed. She quickly pointed out the two places Tsunade might be, hoping to send Hyuga Mirai away sooner.

"Thanks, I understand."

After greeting her, Hyuga Mirai left and headed directly toward where Tsunade was.

The entire base was under Android 18’s surveillance. Hyuga Mirai could be said to know Tsunade’s location even better than Shizune did. If he wished, he could even learn everything Tsunade had done during this time.

After opening the training room’s door, Hyuga Mirai saw a figure rush at him in an instant.

But he remained unhurried, raising the liquor in his hand before him as he calmly said, "There are only three bottles of good liquor left. If they break, there won’t be any more."

The moment Hyuga Mirai finished speaking, the figure that had rushed before him stopped abruptly. Then a pale jade hand swept out and snatched all three bottles away.

"You haven’t come by in so long, and you only brought three bottles of liquor? You don’t want me to drink my fill at all, do you? Damn kid."

Tsunade complained with practiced ease, but when she saw those familiar bottles, her face blossomed with a blissful expression.