"Shisui, what happened? Why are you suddenly like this?"
Itachi looked at Shisui in disbelief. Shisui, who had been so firm before, was convinced by Bai Ye after just one afternoon.
He had even voluntarily sided with Bai Ye. Is your Dojutsu Kotoamatsukami or is his Dojutsu Kotoamatsukami?
For a moment, Itachi felt like he couldn't tell who had awakened Kotoamatsukami.
It wasn't like this before!
"Itachi, what do you think the katon: the will of fire is?"
Shisui asked Itachi a sudden question. Itachi was first stunned, then looked at Shisui with some surprise and replied, "Where the leaves dance, the fire burns!"
He believed Shisui knew about the katon: the will of fire, so why would he ask that?
"Then Itachi, I ask you, is letting children go to war part of the katon: the will of fire? The katon: the will of fire seems to be about protecting the next generation with one's own life. Since when did it become about protecting the power holders of the previous generation with the lives of children?"
Shisui's words were like a sharp bayonet, instantly piercing Itachi's heart.
Since when?!
A trace of recollection flashed in Itachi's eyes. It seemed to be since the end of the Second Shinobi World War, right?
Initially, Konoha had many talented people, but not long after the Second Shinobi World War ended, the Third Shinobi World War came. Konoha was constantly being attacked by surrounding Ninja Villages. Without active forces, students from the Ninja Academy also began to graduate early and go to the battlefield. In the later period, Itachi also went to the battlefield with Uchiha Fugaku.
"Itachi, you should have the answer in your heart, right? Also, there's another point: our Uchiha Clan is always on the front lines in every war, but after returning, we are still ostracized by others in the Village. We even receive less than the Mito and Utatane Clans, who are responsible for logistics. Don't you think the Clan members would overthink it? In fact, we were just looking from other perspectives before, just like everything we are doing now is not recognized by the Clan members. Wouldn't there be other thoughts in their hearts?"
Shisui surpassed his teacher.
Not only did he learn all of Bai Ye's previous theories, but he also transformed them into his own words.
After parting ways with Bai Ye, the more he thought about it, the more something felt wrong. He felt as if he had really been fooled, just as Bai Ye had said.
Clearly, they were increasingly dissatisfied with Konoha because of Konoha's pressure, not because the Uchiha Clan initially wanted to rebel and Konoha retaliated against the Uchiha Clan.
The cause and effect of this had been reversed. After re-evaluating everything, Shisui realized that their Uchiha Clan had actually been compromising all along, always trying to integrate into Konoha, but Konoha seemed to not accept them at all.
"But Shisui, have you forgotten that Hokage-sama always said he was working hard to ease tensions? If you follow Bai Ye now, wouldn't all our previous efforts be in vain?!"
Itachi still wouldn't give up. In his heart, he always believed that the Hokage could do it and was always trying his best.
It was just because the Uchiha Clan indeed had problems that the situation seemed to be stagnant, or even increasingly tense and deteriorating.
But no matter what, he couldn't side with the radical faction at this time!
"Itachi, Hokage-sama keeps saying, keeps saying, but he never acts. Why doesn't he act? Because he doesn't want to! He keeps telling us he's solving it, but then he turns around and lets Danzo target us. He's the Hokage, can't he control Danzo? Clearly, he just doesn't want to; he's just trying to use us!"
After jumping out of that strange loop, Shisui's intelligence regained the upper hand, and he quickly understood.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had always made promises to them, just a string of promises, but he never delivered.
He said he wanted to improve the tense relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha, but he always disagreed with the Uchiha Clan's demands, and he wouldn't even communicate with the various factions within the Uchiha or the Clan leader at the time. He would only tell them to gather intelligence and then comfort them, saying he was already trying.
But was that useful?
The Clan became more and more suppressed, and the relationship with the Village became more and more tense, even worse than what Bai Ye brought. Even if it's tense with the Village now, at least the Clan isn't suppressed anymore. The happy expressions of the Clan members are always overflowing. This afternoon, he saw many people who used to always have a stern face towards him smile kindly at him when they passed by.
Isn't this change?
The conservative faction, the neutral faction, and the radical faction used to have small meetings every three days and large meetings every seven days, and all they did was argue. But recently, a strange balance has been achieved.
Because of what?
Because Bai Ye is truly changing the Uchiha, truly bringing benefits to the Uchiha. Everyone has gained something, and all the past grievances have turned to ashes at this moment.
With such a capable Clan leader who can analyze the current situation of Konoha and the Uchiha more thoroughly, more clearly, and better understand who is truly responsible, isn't following Bai Ye better than following Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others before?
They never gave any tangible benefits. On the contrary, Bai Ye, at least, made his living place much better than before. As for this land under his feet, if he had bought it before, he wouldn't know how many missions he would have to do to afford it. And it was originally their Clan land, and now he still needs to buy it, which is truly disgusting. But Bai Ye spent a very small price, just some money given to the Ino–Shika–Chō and the Hyuga Clan, and got it back.
Isn't that enough?
"Shisui, don't you know the vast difference in combat power between the Uchiha and Konoha? While Bai Ye has indeed gained some benefits now, it has deepened the rift between us and Konoha. Afterward, the relationship will only become more tense. Once we make a move, our entire Clan will be led into the abyss by Bai Ye. At this time, you're not thinking of changing Bai Ye's mind, but you're actually following him?"
Itachi didn't understand. Shisui, who was so rational in the morning, was now irrational.
Couldn't he think from the Hokage's perspective?
The Clan, the Clan, it's always been the Clan. Has even Shisui become immersed in this Clan now?
He felt a bit disappointed. Although Bai Ye's words had shocked him, they hadn't shaken his firm resolve.
After all, he knew how vast the power difference between the two sides was.
Shisui, whom he had always admired and considered to have independent thinking abilities, unlike other Uchiha Clan members, seemed to have become increasingly unfamiliar.
"But do you know? Clan Leader Bai Ye told me that Konoha's goal is to make us resist, and the current situation is actually like boiling a frog in warm water. Haven't you noticed that we've been trying hard, and others are also trying hard, but everyone's relationship still feels increasingly tense? Why? Because we've been trying in the wrong direction. And Itachi, trust me this once, this time we can definitely solve it!"
Shisui extended his left hand to Itachi, wanting Itachi to stand with them.
At least it would be much better than following Hiruzen Sarutobi.
That guy had always been giving them false promises, never solving any problems. And at Bai Ye's place, he heard that Danzo's arm was covered with their Uchiha Clan's Sharingan.
However, Shisui wasn't planning to tell Itachi yet, because he wasn't entirely sure if this was true. So, he planned to tell Itachi after confirming it later, believing that once he knew the truth, he wouldn't insist on siding with Konoha anymore.
Looking at Shisui's outstretched left hand, Itachi's expression kept changing. He seemed unable to continue as before at this moment.
"Shisui, do we really have to do this? Do we really have to give up what we did together before? Giving up now means all our previous efforts will be in vain!"
Itachi still decided to try to persuade him.
"I have made my choice!"
Shisui nodded. He wouldn't change his mind again, even if it meant dying for this matter!
"Then, in that case, I'm sorry, Shisui, I can't continue with you. But I won't tell Hokage-sama for now. I hope you'll think about it more carefully."
Saying that, Itachi looked at Shisui with a complicated expression. Clearly, he still couldn't accept Shisui's invitation.
Even if he had to walk this path alone, he would persevere, because he didn't want to see the entire Uchiha Clan perish.
Fighting would never be a match for Konoha, and Shisui, his best friend, his teacher, seemed to have been blinded by Bai Ye.
"It's alright, Itachi, you should also think about it carefully. In fact, if you think about it closely, you'll know whether what I'm saying is right!"
Shisui waved his hand. Although he was a little disappointed that Itachi couldn't accept his words for now, he didn't care too much. Just like himself, didn't he also have trouble accepting Bai Ye's words at first?
But now he understood, and he believed Itachi would understand this point later as well.
"Then Shisui, let's leave it at that for today."
Itachi lowered his head, a hint of loss flashing in his eyes. He had a lot he wanted to say to Shisui today, but now it seemed unnecessary. He just felt a bit uncomfortable with this feeling of going in opposite directions.
"I understand. Then go back and rest early, Itachi."
Saying that, Shisui patted Itachi's shoulder and left. Itachi stayed there, looking at the moon for a while, then sighed and also left.
After both of them had left, a vortex appeared in place, and a pitcher plant slowly emerged halfway from the ground.
"Tobi, it really looks like what we guessed before. The Uchiha and Konoha are bound to go to war!"
Originally, when Uchiha Fugaku was still in power, they had thought that Konoha might not be able to hold back for much longer.
Don't forget, there's a Danzo here.
And Bai Ye taking over seems to have made the relationship between the two sides even more tense during this period.
It seems that an early move is also within expectations.
"Ah, speaking of which, that guy's methods are really impressive, to actually turn Shisui over?"
Tobi scratched his head, feeling like things were getting a bit bad.
What exactly does Uchiha Bai Ye want to do?!
Shisui's Dojutsu, Kotoamatsukami, was inadvertently overheard by Zetsu, and ever since then, Obito has been very careful and cautious when coming to Konoha. After all, if he were controlled by Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, he would be finished.
"That guy certainly has some tricks, after all, he was able to make the other party spit out all the land that was originally taken away."
Black Zetsu said indifferently. Ever since Bai Ye became the Clan leader, he had paid some attention, but not too much. In Black Zetsu's opinion, these guys didn't need his attention at all.
He only needed to pay attention to two people: Indra and Ashura's reincarnations.
As for the others, they weren't even pawns.
"Then should we do something?!"
White Zetsu felt that this was a great time to join in the fun. Should they do something?
"The Uchiha Clan..."
For this Clan, Obito had complicated feelings. He was born there, but he actually didn't have a very good life growing up, because he was a dead last. Even if the Uchiha Clan wasn't first, they wouldn't be a dead last, but he just happened to be one.
Therefore, Obito wasn't very happy within the Clan.
And Obito also understood the potential of Mangekyo.
The former dead last, after awakening the Mangekyo, had the possibility of fighting Minato Namikaze in just a short amount of time. Although he ultimately lost, he also clearly understood and feared that the Uchiha Clan might produce some heaven-defdefying Dojutsu that would disrupt his plans.
"Tobi, I think a part of the Uchiha Clan needs to be eliminated, but some should also be left behind."
Black Zetsu's eyes flickered. He wanted to eliminate some of the Uchiha Clan members and leave Indra. If Madara's plan failed later, then he would use this generation's Indra.
Of course, in Black Zetsu's opinion, Madara would not fail.
Because this was his closest attempt, and all the plans were designed according to his own wishes.
"En, before acting, let's first contact the people we'll need later. After all, it's inconvenient for me to come here, and besides, I still have to manage Mist Ninja Village. Mist Ninja Village is about to reach its final step..."
Inconvenience was just an excuse. The main reason was Shisui's ability; he was actually a bit afraid.
Of course, it was also because he needed to withdraw from Mist Ninja Village and prepare for action. Naturally, he didn't want to fight on two fronts and disperse his attention. So, it would be better to contact suitable people here first.
Zetsu had no objections to this. As long as it didn't affect the Eye of the Moon Plan, he would let Obito do whatever he wanted.
After speaking, the two quickly left.
Meanwhile, within the Uchiha Clan, Bai Ye smiled as he listened to the notification sound in his ear.
"Ding! Changed Shisui's fate, rewarded with one gacha chance!"