If Shisui had survived, he would have grabbed Uchiha Itachi by the collar and shouted:
"Your only brother is none other than the co-author of the Uchiha clan, right?!"
The next day, Uchiha Itachi approached the leadership of Konoha to report:
"Uchiha Shisui was the pillar of the younger generation in the clan. His suicide has immediately shaken the morale and combat strength of the Uchiha."
Utatane Koharu nodded in satisfaction, showing not the slightest guilt over Shisui's death.
"In terms of results, it did strangle the rebellion in its cradle."
Hearing this, Uchiha Itachi unconsciously clenched his fists.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing beside them, spoke with a sorrowful expression.
"Was Shisui's suicide really the only way to stop them? Perhaps I pressured him too much."
Hearing the words of the Third Hokage, Itachi felt a hint of warmth.
At least the Third still carried the Will of Fire.
Danzo, standing nearby, cursed in his heart.
"You hypocrite! If the Kotoamatsukami had fallen into my hands, I could have caught them! Yet now you're just pretending!"
Thinking about this, Danzo felt indignant. Keeping an indifferent face, he said to Itachi:
"It seems someone in the Uchiha clan suspects that you killed Shisui."
A vein twitched on Uchiha Itachi's forehead. Danzo had now redirected the suspicion toward him.
Suppressing his anger, Itachi respectfully replied:
"Like Shisui, everything I do is for the sake of the Uchiha. Only those who fail to understand this would say such things. Shisui did not attend the meeting, and I was on a mission, so such rumors appeared."
Danzo nodded expressionlessly.
"You are a suspect because you hide secrets? Let the ANBU officially deliver the news of his suicide. What do you think, Hiruzen?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen slightly raised his eyebrow.
Announcing Shisui's suicide in the name of ANBU did not seem appropriate.
Danzo clearly knew what he was doing. Without anyone guiding him, he had already figured out how to continue sowing discord between the Uchiha and the village.
Quite clever.
Shisui's death forced the Uchiha clan to temporarily halt their plans for rebellion, and Konoha once again entered a strange period of peace.
Uchiha Itachi was assigned to follow Kakashi on assassination missions, while someone else took responsibility for monitoring the Uchiha clan.
It was as if the village had completely trusted Uchiha Itachi.
But none of this had anything to do with Naruto.
At this time, he was lying in a hospital bed, recovering.
Hinata came to take care of him whenever she finished school, which greatly irritated the gloomy Hyuga Hiashi.
Shikamaru's group and Sarutobi Hiruzen also took turns visiting Naruto.
The Third Hokage noticed Naruto's eyes filled with tears, and the empty eye socket looked especially frightening.
He had once specifically confronted Danzo about this matter, believing that this scene had undoubtedly been staged by Danzo to cripple Naruto.
After all, in many people's eyes, Naruto was connected to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Weakening Naruto meant weakening Hiruzen's side.
Unfortunately, Danzo had no idea about this. Like Hiruzen, he had also watched the boy shouting and trying to catch the thief.
Then he even came to Hiruzen to boast about his strength.
His shamelessness toward Sarutobi Hiruzen had reached another level.
Because both of them were full of schemes, an astonishing misunderstanding formed between them.
And none of this had anything to do with Naruto.
The release of the Nine-Tails, combined with the horror of losing an eye, completely isolated Naruto from the civilian villagers.
Even some lower-ranked ninjas shuddered when they saw him.
Rumors about the Nine-Tailed Fox once again spread throughout the village.
Three months later, Naruto recovered and was discharged from the hospital.
At this time, he wore a black eyepatch similar to Zaraki Kenpachi's style, covering his right eye.
The originally warm and handsome boy now looked somewhat mysterious and fierce from a distance.
Because of this injury, he seemed far more gloomy.
"That's a lot!"
Naruto walked out of the hospital, and Shikamaru and the others were waiting at the gate to welcome him.
Even the second pillar stood behind them with his head turned aside arrogantly.
Ino held a bouquet of lilies and handed it to Naruto.
"Welcome back from the hospital. You still look pretty handsome."
Hinata blushed and handed him a bouquet of lucky stars she had folded during his hospitalization.
"Naruto… this is for you."
Looking at this group of friends, Naruto suddenly felt warmth in his heart.
Although Konoha Village was mostly filled with fools who followed the crowd, there would always be people one could rely on.
Naruto looked at them and suddenly smiled.
"Let's go eat ramen. Ichiraku Ramen."
Choji said,
"Hm? Shouldn't we go for barbecue? I always eat grilled meat."
"Eating barbecue every day is too much. I just got out of the hospital. Don't you know you should eat something light?"
"Let's have an eating contest."
"Fine! I'll be the champion!" Choji declared.
With a mischievous smile, Naruto put his arms around Ino and Hinata as they walked toward Ichiraku Ramen.
Feelings really need to be nurtured from a young age, hehe~
Late at night, Naruto returned to his cheap rented apartment.
He removed the eyepatch, revealing his empty right eye.
"Release."
Naruto whispered softly.
Suddenly, a crimson Sharingan appeared in his hand…