"Is it because of the Mangekyō Sharingan that you're capable of such feats?"
As her initial shock subsided, Mei Terumi contemplated the sudden transformation in Shisui's ocular prowess. This evolution explained the dramatic increase in his abilities.
Yet despite the legendary power his eyes now represented, there wasn't the faintest trace of joy in Shisui's expression. Only profound sadness and pain reflected in the Mangekyo pattern of his Sharingan.
"Is this the prerequisite for awakening those eyes?" Mei wondered, her heart constricting at the implication.
Though the conditions for awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan remained a closely guarded secret of the Uchiha clan, Mei recalled incidents from the Third Shinobi World War. Uchiha Yoruki had awakened his Mangekyō despite being at a severe disadvantage, subsequently defeating several members of the Seven Swordsmen and turning the tide of battle in Konoha's favor.
His transformation had occurred when his father, had intercepted a fatal blow from Shinpachi that was meant for him.
Given the circumstances of Shisui's awakening, Mei had already formed her suspicions about the pattern: witnessing the death of someone deeply cherished. This was the terrible price one paid for obtaining the Mangekyō.
If Shisui hadn't detected her presence nearby, she had no doubt he would have eradicated every Kirigakure shinobi present. Despite their opposing allegiances, Mei couldn't have remained idle while Shisui slaughtered her village's ninja—regardless of how justified his rage might be. After all, she remained a shinobi of the Hidden Mist.
The murderous intent that had surged through Shisui was now visibly suppressed, held in check by his iron will. He acknowledged Mei with a slight nod before speaking softly.
"You remained here because you were concerned for our safety."
"I'm sorry," Mei replied, her expression clouded with regret. "I couldn't provide any real assistance."
"You were right not to intervene," Shisui assured her. "Otherwise, all your efforts until now would have been rendered meaningless."
He paused briefly, his gaze shifting toward the eye-patched commander lying unconscious nearby, trapped in genjutsu. "However, I fear that man has already detected your presence on this island."
"What?" Mei's eyes widened in alarm.
"The eye beneath his patch is a Byakugan from the Hyūga clan," Shisui explained. "Its visual range extends approximately one kilometer in diameter. From the beginning, virtually everything occurring on this island was within his sight."
Shisui's implication was clear—under the penetrating gaze of the Byakugan, conventional methods of concealment were futile.
"So that's how it is," Mei whispered, her face paling at the revelation.
She frowned deeply as the implications sank in. Though the Mizukage's suspicions about her loyalty remained unconfirmed, this man had witnessed her meeting with Shisui. Even if Shisui spared his life, failing to eliminate this witness would not only endanger her personally but would collapse all her carefully laid plans.
The entire Terumi clan could face annihilation as a result. Secret collaboration with foreign shinobi, regardless of justification, constituted an unforgivable taboo in every hidden village.
Yet Mei found herself unable to eliminate a shinobi from her own village—at least not at this moment. She was trapped in an impossible dilemma.
Meanwhile, Shisui silently assessed the new power flowing through his awakened Mangekyō. Within his scarlet eyes, the four-pointed windmill pattern rotated almost imperceptibly.
Returning his attention to Mei, he spoke with renewed purpose. "This Byakugan user who led the operation against us—he must be a close confidant of the Mizukage, correct?"
"I—yes," Mei confirmed after a moment of surprise at his insight. "Fourth Mizukage Yagura rarely appears in public. Usually, it's the individual code-named Shō who executes his orders."
Under the Mizukage's strict regime, neither Mei nor anyone else in Kirigakure knew Shō's real name or background. He was identified solely by his single-character code name.
"If you had his assistance, could you expose the Mizukage's true manipulator?" Shisui asked suddenly.
His question cut to the heart of the matter. Since Shō acted as the reclusive Fourth Mizukage's proxy, he must have cultivated significant status and authority within Kirigakure over the years.
"What are you suggesting?" Mei asked, startled by the implication. Shō was a confidant the Fourth Mizukage had cultivated for years; his loyalty seemed beyond question.
Yet Shisui wouldn't raise this possibility without reason.
"I can use the power of these eyes," Shisui said deliberately, "to fundamentally alter Shō's allegiance—to make him your ally instead."
"What?!"
Such a claim would naturally be met with disbelief, but through their recent interactions, Mei understood that Shisui's words likely held truth. Especially now that he had awakened the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan.
"This is an ability of your eyes?" she asked, her voice steadier now though still betraying her astonishment.
Shisui nodded solemnly, his gaze briefly shifting to Kimura's lifeless form. "This is the power bestowed upon me by my best friend's sacrifice. I will use it to complete our mission."
After absorbing his words, Mei paused thoughtfully before responding. "The chances of success may be high, but the theory that the Mizukage is being manipulated remains speculative. We can't afford to act rashly."
"It's simpler than you might think," Shisui replied with a grim smile, glancing toward the unconscious Shō. "We can utilize this man's Byakugan abilities to our advantage."
He continued, his analytical mind piecing together the puzzle. "Anyone capable of controlling the Fourth Mizukage—who is a perfect Jinchūriki—must possess extraordinarily powerful ocular abilities. Even with the Mangekyō Sharingan, maintaining such control wouldn't be trivial. The controller must remain within a certain proximity to the Mizukage whenever exerting influence."
Mei quickly grasped the implications of Shisui's reasoning. If they could genuinely alter Shō's allegiance, they could use his Byakugan to confirm whether someone was indeed manipulating the Mizukage from the shadows—and then take decisive action.
It was an elegant solution, almost perfect in its conception.
After careful consideration, Mei nodded her agreement. "I accept your proposal."
"Thank you for your trust," Shisui said solemnly, recognizing the immense courage and resolve required for Mei to embrace such a risky plan. One misstep, and she would be branded a traitor to her village.
"No," Mei countered with a slight smile. "If our suspicions prove correct, then it is the ninja of Konoha who will have saved the entire Hidden Mist Village. I am the one who should express gratitude." She offered Shisui a respectful bow.
The Fourth Hokage's original intent in authorizing this mission extended beyond merely assisting Kirigakure—more critically, it aimed to dismantle the conspiracy of whoever manipulated the village from the shadows. With Kirigakure being one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, enemy control of its resources and shinobi would pose a significant threat to the balance of power.
Acknowledging Mei with a nod, Shisui pivoted toward Shō. In the blink of an eye, he materialized before the man still trapped in his genjutsu.
Forming a hand seal, Shisui released just enough of his illusion for Shō to regain consciousness. The man's eyes opened, unfocused and disoriented.
Shisui stared directly at him, the power of his Mangekyō penetrating the restrictive seal beneath the black eye patch, striking directly at Shō's consciousness—at his very soul.
The four-pointed windmill pattern within Shisui's eyes spun violently before suddenly freezing in place.
"Kotoamatsukami!"
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