Shisui had never expected things to escalate this far. He was instantly overwhelmed with panic.
He had always believed that he was doing the right thing, that it was his radical clansmen who were mistaken. But after hearing what Hyuga Kagami had to say, he began to realize that by confessing everything to the village leadership, he may have inadvertently pushed the Uchiha clan even closer to the edge of the abyss.
Shisui bowed deeply to Hyuga Kagami. "Senior, I would never use Kotoamatsukami on my comrades. Please, you have to believe me."
Hyuga Kagami shook his head. "This has nothing to do with belief. When facing someone who can alter your will at any moment, it's natural for anyone to feel fear and suspicion. Even me."
"But I..."
"Regardless of your loyalty to the village or your moral integrity, as long as you possess the power to manipulate others' will, you are seen as an undeniable threat." Hyuga Kagami paused, then added with a sigh, "Ultimately, Kotoamatsukami is just too unsettling a jutsu."
By now, Shisui understood what the real issue was. "Senior, is there any way to fix this?"
Hyuga Kagami rested his chin on his hand, thinking for a while. "At the moment, there isn't a good solution. But for now, don't take any further action. The village's negotiations with the Hidden Cloud are still ongoing, so they won't move against the Uchiha clan just yet. As for the future, we'll deal with that when it comes."
Shisui's problem stemmed from Kotoamatsukami. As long as his Mangekyō Sharingan remained in his eye sockets, the village leadership would never fully accept him.
Shisui nodded silently.
Thinking of the troublemaker lurking outside the village—Obito—Hyuga Kagami warned, "Keep an eye out near your clan compound. Be alert for any suspicious figures."
"You mean...?"
"During the Nine-Tails incident a year ago, I wasn't in the village, but the intel I gathered clearly showed the Nine-Tails was under the control of the Sharingan."
Shisui's expression turned grim. "Senior, are you implying the Uchiha planned the Nine-Tails attack?"
"The facts are there. It's only natural for the Uchiha to be suspected," Hyuga Kagami replied, giving him a meaningful glance. "But even if it was an Uchiha, that doesn't mean it was someone from inside the village."
Shisui's eyes widened as he suddenly recalled several things and fell into thought. The history of the Uchiha clan included many who had left the village or vanished. The most famous among them was Uchiha Madara, who had helped found the village alongside the First Hokage.
So the possibility that Uchiha bloodlines still existed outside the village couldn't be ruled out.
After talking a while longer, Shisui took his leave. As he watched him walk away, Hyuga Kagami shook his head.
As the most talented ninja of the current Uchiha generation, Shisui was nearly flawless in every other respect—but when it came to understanding human nature, he was still too naive.
In the memories of Hyuga Kagami's previous life, someone like Shisui—nearly unbeatable in one-on-one combat—had still met an unceremonious end, largely due to this personality flaw.
—
Inside a small conference room at the Hokage Tower, the Third Hokage was discussing the village's peace negotiations with the Hidden Cloud alongside the three elder advisors. When the topic turned to the secret mission of Anbu Team Eleven, the Third clapped his hands.
Kakashi, who had been waiting outside the meeting room, stepped in upon hearing the cue. He detailed everything he knew about Team Eleven's mission and how it had been carried out, leaving nothing out.
When he finished, the Third said calmly, "You may leave."
Kakashi nodded and exited.
Koharu Utatane commented, "So Team Eleven disrupted the Hidden Cloud's supply lines from behind, forcing them to slow their advance. That means they've made a great contribution to the village."
Homura Mitokado agreed, "Yes, we should consider promotions and rewards for Team Eleven."
Danzo suddenly interjected, "That's not what Root's intelligence says."
Both advisors and the Third turned to Danzo, waiting for him to elaborate.
Danzo said coldly, "The Hidden Cloud didn't just slow their advance—they suffered a massive loss. Rumor has it that over three hundred Cloud shinobi, including elite jonin, were killed in a single night. Even the Fourth Raikage left the village because of it."
"What!?"
Koharu and Homura exchanged shocked glances.
The Third immediately thought of Shisui, who had confessed to awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan just the day before. His face darkened as he puffed silently on his pipe.
Danzo rose and questioned sharply, "Why didn't Anbu Team Eleven report this? Why would they hide such an achievement?"
Koharu asked seriously, "Do they even have that kind of power?"
If four members of Team Eleven wiped out over 300 Cloud nin in one night, it meant at least one of them had Kage-level strength.
The Third reluctantly responded, "Uchiha Shisui has awakened the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan."
Koharu was visibly shocked. She frowned deeply. "That's the cursed power from the legends. Another Uchiha has awakened it?"
Homura murmured, "Could this be another Madara Uchiha in the making...?"
Danzo, unwilling to let the matter drop, added with a sinister tone, "You're still holding back, Hiruzen."
The Third's eyes sharpened as he glared at Danzo.
Unfazed, Danzo revealed, "Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan allows him to use a forbidden technique called Kotoamatsukami. It can alter someone's will in an instant and turn them into a puppet."
"What!?"
Koharu and Homura were utterly shaken.
Seeing their reactions, Danzo sneered, "I propose we take immediate action against Shisui."
After a moment of stunned silence, Koharu and Homura agreed. "We support the proposal."
The Third Hokage shook his head firmly. "Shisui is our bridge to the Uchiha. Using force against him will provoke the entire clan. With peace talks ongoing, any internal conflict could have disastrous consequences."
Danzo, anticipating this, compromised. "Then place Shisui under surveillance—let Root handle it."
The Third considered briefly, then nodded.
Satisfied with this concession, Danzo remembered how Hyuga Kagami had refused his invitation the previous day and said, "Team Eleven concealed critical information. Their loyalty is questionable. I propose putting the entire team under surveillance..."