One day before the Uchiha meeting,
A serious look flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.
Kotoamatsukami!
Unexpectedly, Uchiha Shisui had awakened not only the Mangekyō Sharingan, but also the legendary genjutsu Kotoamatsukami.
It was said that this technique could control a target without them noticing, making them act according to the user's will.
Such a dangerous ability in Shisui's hands was clearly beyond the control of the Third Hokage.
Knock knock.
A knock came from the door.
Hiruzen quickly adjusted his expression, returning to his usual weak and hesitant look.
Shimura Danzo entered the room with his eye wrapped in bandages.
"Hiruzen, I heard the Uchiha clan is gathering again?"
Hiruzen replied helplessly.
"I know about the meeting too, but the Uchiha said it is a clan ritual. I had no reason to interfere."
Danzo looked at him with clear disdain.
"A ritual? They are stirring up hostility inside the clan against the village! They are using that hatred to strengthen their unity! This is preparation for a coup!"
Looking at Danzo's confident expression, the Third Hokage secretly praised him in his heart.
Ah… yes, you are quite smart.
But of course, he didn't say that aloud. Instead, he showed a helpless expression.
"I will deal with this threat, Shisui."
Danzo was shocked.
When he turned around, he saw the door open and Uchiha Shisui standing there.
"Uchiha Shisui?"
Danzo frowned.
We are discussing how to deal with the Uchiha, and you bring one of them here to listen? Ridiculous.
However, after the Third Hokage explained Kotoamatsukami, a storm rose in Danzo's heart.
Such a convenient technique!?
Unconsciously, he focused on his right eye—the Sharingan that once belonged to Uchiha Kagami, Shisui's grandfather.
That eye had helped him many times over the years.
But now he discovered that Kagami's grandson was even more talented.
Not only had he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he also possessed Kotoamatsukami.
Danzo's heart was already burning.
If I could obtain those eyes, wouldn't it be far better than secretly relying on a few Uchiha?
And Hiruzen even planned to use those eyes against the Uchiha.
Did he really think Shisui had not used Kotoamatsukami on him?
Looking at Danzo, Hiruzen secretly smiled, but calmly said:
"I will ask Fugaku to think about ways for the Uchiha clan to coexist with the village."
At this moment, Danzo was already thinking about Kotoamatsukami.
If he could obtain it, even if the Third Hokage didn't willingly give him the Hokage position, it wouldn't matter.
Danzo sneered.
"Changing Fugaku's mind alone won't calm the entire Uchiha clan."
Hiruzen smiled.
"No. If the Uchiha are willing to change, we will also change our attitude. Once the village improves how it treats the Uchiha clan, both sides will soon be able to live peacefully."
"This is my dream. I will have the ANBU watch from behind. I'm counting on you, Shisui."
When Shisui heard that the Third Hokage was willing to improve the treatment of the Uchiha clan, he immediately felt he had made the right choice.
In his mind, he could already see a future where the Uchiha lived peacefully in Konoha.
Shisui bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Lord Third Hokage!"
He left happily.
Seeing this, Danzo quickly stood up.
"Very well. Since you have already decided, so be it."
He also hurriedly left the Hokage building.
The Third Hokage looked at the empty meeting room and silently filled his pipe with tobacco.
His greatest achievement in life was that he had never personally done anything that harmed the village's ninja or civilians.
All he needed to do was appear weak and protect the village.
Root, hidden in the shadows, would naturally deal with the things that troubled him.
Even the incident with the Hidden Cloud Village three years ago.
He had simply told them the situation of the Hyuga clan, and the ninja didn't want war because the Cloud Village was strong.
The choice was left to the Hyuga clan themselves.
He never expected the Uchiha clan to suddenly step forward and cover the Hyuga clan's shame.
That truly surprised him.
Ever since he brought the Hyuga clan and the Jinchūriki together, things had not been going smoothly.
Then he suddenly remembered the whiskers Naruto drew on his face two days ago.
A warm feeling appeared in his heart.
"Hmph! Once I take control of the Uchiha clan, I will deal with the Nine-Tails as well!"
A day passed.
Soon the sun began to set.
In front of the shrine,
the figure of Uchiha Shisui appeared.
Standing opposite him…
was Danzo, wrapped in bandages.
"Is something important, Lord Danzo? The clan meeting will start soon."
In a hidden corner of the shrine,
a small stone moved slightly…