Danzō's voice cut through the room like a blade.
"I oppose this."
Hiruzen and the two elders stiffened in surprise.
"What are you saying, Danzō?"
Danzō's gaze was icy. "Using Kotoamatsukami on the Uchiha…"
"Is this your solution, Hiruzen?"
Hiruzen frowned. "What's wrong with it? If we alter their will, we prevent rebellion. Isn't that the cleanest path?"
Danzō's voice darkened. "You're overlooking one critical flaw."
His hawk-like eyes locked onto Shisui Uchiha.
"The man standing before us… is also an Uchiha."
Shisui's heart lurched.
"Danzō-sama… you still don't trust me?"
"I trust no Uchiha. That includes you."
"How can I be sure you're telling the truth?"
"How do I know you'll truly use Kotoamatsukami to make them loyal—and not secretly undo it later?"
"How do I know you won't let the Uchiha bide their time… and revolt when we least expect it?!"
Shisui's face paled. "I would never—!"
"Empty words."
Shisui clenched his fists. After mustering the courage to reveal his last resort… this was the thanks he got?
He turned desperately to Hiruzen. "Hokage-sama! Do you doubt me too?!"
Hiruzen had trusted him implicitly—until now.
But Danzō's words planted a seed of doubt.
Shisui seemed loyal…
But what if?
Kotoamatsukami's power was absolute. There'd be no way to verify its effects.
What if the Uchiha weren't brainwashed…
What if he was the one under control?
The thought sent a chill down Hiruzen's spine.
"Shisui… I believe in your Will of Fire."
"But Danzō raises valid concerns."
"This affects the entire village. How can we be certain the Uchiha are truly subdued?"
Shisui's voice turned hollow. "What must I do to prove myself?"
Before Hiruzen could answer, Danzō interjected.
"It's simple."
"Surrender your Mangekyō Sharingan…"
"To me."
Shisui recoiled in shock.
Hiruzen's eyes widened—then narrowed.
Handing it to Danzō was out of the question. That power was too dangerous in anyone's hands but his own.
"Enough, Danzō!"
"You know that's impossible!"
Danzō's head dipped, shadows masking his scheming gaze.
Hiruzen exhaled. "Shisui… even Kotoamatsukami has limits, correct?"
"No jutsu is invincible."
Shisui nodded. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
"It can affect multiple targets unconsciously…"
"But while it claims to permanently alter will, it can be broken if detected."
(In the original timeline, Danzō's attempt to control Mifune at the Five Kage Summit was exposed by Ao's Byakugan—proving Kotoamatsukami wasn't flawless.)
"And…" Shisui added, "once activated, it enters a cooldown lasting years… even decades."
(Unless one possessed Hashirama's cells, which reduced it to mere hours—a fact only Yoru knew.)
Danzō scoffed. "So it's detectable and has a decade-long cooldown?"
"Hiruzen, you'd stake the village's fate on this?!"
Hiruzen wavered, turning to the elders. "Your thoughts?"
Koharu and Homura exchanged glances.
"It's true—Kotoamatsukami isn't foolproof."
"But if it stops the Uchiha coup, it's worth attempting. Worst case, they rebel as planned."
Homura agreed. "And we can tie this to the Cloud incident."
"If Shisui controls the Uchiha, we can hand Yoru over to Kumo as a scapegoat."
"His Mangekyō alone would satisfy them more than the Byakugan ever could."
Hiruzen grimaced. "The Raikage won't settle for just that…"
Koharu's eyes gleamed. **"Then we give them both—Yoru and his eyes."**
Hiruzen's breath hitched.
Of course.
Kumo had wanted the Byakugan. Offering the Mangekyō instead would be an upgrade.
"The other clans may protest…"
Homura shrugged. "A necessary sacrifice."
"Let Shisui control the Uchiha, surrender Yoru to Kumo, and we solve two crises at once."
"Only one question remains…"
"Shisui—can you do it?"
"Yoru wields the Mangekyō too."
Shisui's voice hardened. "His eyes are newly awakened. They're no match for Kotoamatsukami."
"I will succeed."
Koharu studied him. "You originally planned to control Yoru, didn't you?"
"To turn him into Konoha's weapon?"
"You still have… hopes for him."
Shisui sighed. "In talent and power, Yoru is unparalleled."
"Perhaps even rivaling myself… and Itachi."
"I'd prefer to spare him… but his resolve is unshakable."
Hiruzen understood. Even controlled, Yoru would haunt his nightmares.
Only death would bring peace.
"Then it's decided."
"Yoru dies."
"His corpse and eyes go to Kumo."
"The rest… falls to you, Shisui."
Shisui inhaled deeply—then bowed.
"Understood, Hokage-sama."
"The Uchiha…"
"Will know peace."
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