"Uchiha Shisui?!"
Yatsushiro and Inabi took half a step back, and the rest of the Uchiha were also stunned.
In their memories, Shisui had disappeared more than half a year ago, and no body had ever been found. Because of Shisui's "death," the clan had been forced to suspend their last coup plan.
Now that Shisui suddenly reappeared at the clan meeting, their first reaction was simple — impossible.
But both his face and Shisui's unique chakra signature proved that this really was him. If Shisui had truly returned, didn't that mean the clan's coup still had a chance?
After calming himself, Yatsushiro asked steadily, "How do you prove that you're Shisui? Where's your Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Shisui looked slightly embarrassed. He really couldn't show the Mangekyō as proof.
An elder snorted coldly and said, "You're not Shisui. I'm afraid you're just some bastard pretending to be him. Besides, Shisui once betrayed the clan."
Shisui's face darkened. Without another word, he activated the Body Flicker Technique, and dozens of afterimages instantly surrounded Yatsushiro.
Before Yatsushiro could even react, the hilt of a blade slammed into his abdomen. He dropped to one knee in pain, completely losing the ability to resist.
Inabi didn't hesitate and immediately cast a Sharingan genjutsu on Shisui.
But the moment their eyes met, Inabi's face twisted in pain. The illusion shattered instantly. He staggered back, staring at Shisui with fear — his eye power was completely outclassed.
Yatsushiro and Inabi, after getting up, looked at each other and nodded.
Shisui's signature Body Flicker, combined with genjutsu far beyond ordinary three-tomoe jōnin level.
Those two points alone were enough to prove his identity.
But there was still something they didn't understand. If Shisui wasn't dead, why hide in the clan all this time? What was he planning?
Most of the Uchiha were confused, but those who had interacted with Shisui recently wore faint smiles. They had long suspected that the man called Lihuo was actually Shisui in disguise.
Otherwise, why would a newly promoted three-tomoe member be worth their desperate attention?
Yatsushiro, sitting cross-legged, stared deeply at Shisui and said, "So you really are Shisui. Then what are you planning? Are we still launching the coup and taking the Hokage position?"
Shisui gestured to him, leading him behind the statue, and said, "I don't intend to launch a coup."
Yatsushiro frowned. "Why? Does it have something to do with your disappearance? If you use the Mangekyō to control the Nine-Tails, our chances of success would be very high."
Shisui gave a bitter smile. "Sorry. I've lost my Mangekyō Sharingan."
Yatsushiro's eyes widened in shock. Even without it, Shisui's pupil power was stronger than all of them combined — but what they cared about more was where it had gone.
Seeing their thoughts, Shisui said, "Danzō took it. Even if we control the Jinchūriki, the village still has ways to take him back. This coup would only end with the Uchiha getting wiped out."
Understanding the huge gap in strength, Yatsushiro and the others sighed. No one wanted to die for nothing.
At this moment, Shisui spoke again.
"So I plan to lead the clan out of Konoha and find a new place to live. If the village can't accept us, there's no reason to stay."
Yatsushiro frowned. "Why should the Uchiha give up everything? And the village won't let us leave. That's rebellion too. If we're rebelling anyway, why not fight it out?"
Shisui said seriously, "If some people create a distraction, the rest can evacuate. I've already prepared a relocation site — a town near the ninja cats' village."
Yatsushiro and the others hesitated.
But Shisui's expression turned cold.
"This isn't a request. It's an order. Unless you can defeat me, you will obey. I'm not Fugaku. Anyone who blocks my way… I'll personally send them to meet our ancestor Indra."
The icy killing intent in his voice made everyone shiver.
They suddenly realized something.
Shisui had changed.
Before, he always talked about the Will of Fire and reconciliation.
Now…
He felt more like Uchiha Madara.
The two sides reached a consensus and walked out from behind the statue. Shisui stepped onto the stage and officially reopened the postponed clan meeting.
"By decision of the elders and myself, Fugaku is dismissed as clan head. He is no longer qualified to lead the Uchiha. From today onward, I will lead the clan toward a new future."
...
Ichiraku Ramen.
After finishing his bowl, Naruto took another sip of the steaming soup.
He patted his stomach in satisfaction and said to Teuchi, who was busy cooking, "Uncle Teuchi, thanks for taking care of me all this time. You're one of the few people who isn't hostile to me."
Teuchi clapped his hands and smiled. "We'll spend more time together. I'm sure everyone else will understand you someday."
Naruto scratched his head, chuckled, and left Ichiraku.
Only Teuchi and Ayame remained, looking at each other, confused about what had gotten into the kid.
Walking down the street, Naruto headed toward the city wall while talking to the Nine-Tails inside him.
"Kurama, did you notice? No patrol guards today. That means the Uchiha are about to clash with the Third Hokage. Perfect time for us to slip away."
Kurama yawned lazily. "Yeah… finally getting out. About damn time."
Soon Naruto arrived at the base of the Konoha wall. He only needed to climb a ten-meter obstacle. Beyond it lay the vast forest and freedom.
Just as he reached the top and prepared to jump—
Two ANBU suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Naruto Uzumaki. The village is under martial law. For your safety, please cooperate with us. We'll escort you home."
"Okay, okay, I'll listen. You're Grandpa Hokage's guards anyway."
Naruto looked disappointed and followed them away from the wall.
After passing through a forest—
Poof.
The Naruto beside them turned into smoke.
The two ANBU froze, their faces turning ugly.
"Shadow Clone?! That brat tricked us! Normally it's fine, but today the Third Hokage specifically warned us!"
"If this mission fails, our promotion to Special Jōnin is screwed. Hurry up!"
After speaking, one ANBU activated his concealment technique and vanished to search for Naruto, while the other rushed off to report to Captain Kakashi.
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