"What? The Hidden Mist Village actually attacked the Fire Country's border outposts and declared war on Konoha without a formal declaration?!"
An uproar erupted in the Konoha conference hall. The assembled senior shinobi wore expressions of astonishment, confusion, and flat-out disbelief. Had this information not been delivered by the Hokage himself, few would have believed it.
The major hidden villages had only signed an armistice agreement a few years prior. Furthermore, considering Kirigakure's isolated geographical location... why would they attack Konoha? What was their goal?
Doubt and confusion hung heavy in the air. However, those present were all battle-hardened Jonin, and they quickly regained their composure. Following the Hokage's instructions, the senior ninjas whose names were called departed to pack their gear and prepare for the front lines.
Both Aizen and Shisui were named among the deployed Jonin. After all, the "Konoha Twins" had risen to fame on the Hidden Mist battlefield; they possessed the requisite skill and experience to dismantle Kirigakure's forces.
Yet, at this moment, Aizen was clearly not as calm and collected as he had been during their last deployment. His brow was furrowed, and his expression betrayed a flicker of anxiety. Uchiha Shisui, with his keen senses, even overheard his friend muttering under his breath.
"Are you really going to go this far?"
What does he mean?
Shisui was startled, a look of surprise crossing his face. He didn't ask rashly in the hall, however. Once the meeting adjourned, he simply followed Aizen out of the conference room.
Heavy-hearted, the two walked through the long streets of Konoha until Shisui pulled Aizen into a secluded side alley. "Aizen, do you know something? Was this invasion by the Mist premeditated?"
"As expected, you noticed it after all." Aizen looked startled for a moment. His eyes behind his glasses were filled with a complicated light. "Please forgive me, Shisui-kun. I didn't mean to involve you in this."
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Shisui gripped Aizen's shoulders in dissatisfaction, his eyes wide. "Aren't we close friends? As friends, we should share our burdens!"
"Ah, precisely because we are friends..." Aizen took a half-step back and whispered, "That is why I don't want you dragged into this. I will bear this heavy darkness alone."
Shisui stared into his friend's eyes, sensing an unspeakable sadness hidden beneath the surface. "Aizen, you—"
Swish.
Before he could finish, two ANBU wearing animal masks suddenly materialized, flanking Aizen and Shisui.
"Are you Root ninjas?" Shisui instantly identified them, his tone turning sharp and angry. "What are you doing here?"
The shorter Root ninja glanced at him before turning his gaze toward Aizen. "Aizen Sosuke, the Master has issued a recall order for you."
Recall?
Uchiha Shisui seemed to realize something, and his expression shifted drastically. Aizen, however, appeared to have expected this. He nodded naturally. "Yes, I understand."
As he turned to follow them, Aizen's lips moved slightly toward Shisui. The latter's pupils shrank instantly, and the movement he had originally intended to make to stop the escort froze in its tracks. The two Root ninjas failed to notice the secret signal and departed with Aizen in tow.
Watching them leave, Shisui's expression flickered through a dozen different emotions. Finally, he gritted his teeth, turned around, and walked rapidly in the opposite direction.
In the "Pure Land" Base:
A black rift opened out of thin air, and the figures of Aizen and the two Root ninjas stepped out of the void.
"Welcome back. Thank you for your hard work," Aizen said, seating himself in a reclining chair and speaking in a soft, melodic voice.
The two ANBU removed their masks, revealing themselves to be Konan and Uchiha Itachi. Their eyes turned simultaneously toward the fourth monitor on the left. The image displayed Uchiha Shisui, who had returned home and sat in heavy silence.
Aizen propped his cheek on one hand, his gaze fixed on the screen, a slight smile curling his lips. "The choice is yours, Shisui-kun. What will you choose?"
This entire scene was transmitted back to the group by Konan in the form of a memory share.
Curly-Haired Boy: "I feel like I'm witnessing a tragedy in the making. It's so cruel! Gin-san is going to go eat a strawberry sundae just to calm down!"
Book Artist: "He took advantage of Shisui's trust and their bond to set traps for both Shisui and Danzo at the same time. This isn't a human being... this Aizen guy is truly a monster!"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "It isn't just the trust and the bond; it's also Shisui's curiosity and keen perception. Aizen took every single trait into account."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "So scary! I felt the danger of Aizen right through the screen! He can manipulate people into walking right into his constructed reality without them even realizing it, making it impossible to break free."
Book Artist: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Come here, Ruiko-chan, I'll give you a hug."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Yeah, hold me."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Humph! Gin-san's chest is also quite broad, so I'll reluctantly let you girls hug me. Don't get too ahead of yourselves."
Book Artist: "Get lost, perverted uncle."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Uncle, you have panties on your head. They have a bear pattern on them."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Pfft."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Gintoki, stop harassing the children."
Curly-Haired Boy: "I..."
Heaven help him, all he wanted was a comforting hug! Why did it turn out like this? Was he really as perverted as his group chat persona suggested? Sakata Gintoki, with the bear-print panties still perched on his head, fell into deep, existential thought.
This is an Actor: "Am I the only one who thinks his acting is also quite horrible?"
Aizen wasn't just bragging; he was giving them a hint. Haven't you noticed there is another actor in this group?
Book Artist: "I'm more curious about what Aizen meant by the 'right to choose' than I am about his acting. Also, what was the codeword he gave Shisui?"
Eriri's message immediately derailed the topic. Aizen's hint was like winking at a blind man. If Aizen weren't so composed, he might have actually cursed.
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "I'm not entirely sure about the choice he mentioned, but the codeword should be some kind of clue."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Tsk. Aizen always says things that are so cryptic it's impossible to figure out what he means! It makes me angry!"
Book Artist: "Then go beat him up. Do you dare?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Huh? What are you talking about, you little brat? Is there anything in this world that Gin-san wouldn't dare to do?"
Book Artist: "Eat feces."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Become a eunuch."
This is an Actor: "Hug a cactus."
Curly-Haired Boy: "??? Are you guys the devil?"