After watching Hiruzen and Danzo leave, Chinya used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished on the spot.
Uchiha Itachi was still waiting on a large rock in the forest near Naka Shrine, leaning against it as he waited for Uchiha Shisui.
Suddenly, several leaves fell from the branches above.
Uchiha Itachi raised his head and looked up. "Shisui?"
A somewhat tired and hoarse voice came from above. "Follow me!"
Uchiha Itachi removed his mask. His expression darkened as he caught the scent of blood.
Itachi followed Uchiha Shisui to the edge of the Nankawa Cliff.
Seeing the wounds on Shisui's body, Itachi frowned and asked, "What happened?"
Shisui stood with his back to Itachi and spoke, "The Uchiha rebellion can no longer be stopped. Once Konoha descends into civil war, other nations will surely seize the opportunity to invade. War is unavoidable. I originally wanted to use Kotoamatsukami to prevent the coup, but Danzo stole my right eye."
Shisui turned his head toward Itachi. "He doesn't trust me at all. He insists on protecting the village through his own means. I'm afraid he's coming for my left eye next."
Itachi looked at Shisui's bleeding right eye socket. His pupils slightly constricted.
Shisui continued, "The Third spoke to me earlier about one feasible solution to stop the rebellion and integrate the Uchiha clan into Konoha.
That method involves having the Uchiha members accept the Cursed Seal and subject themselves to control. While certainly not all clan members would agree, if led by Fugaku, some would willingly comply. Then, the Third promised that he would improve the living conditions of those bound by the Cursed Seal, gradually convincing the remaining members to accept it as well.
This way, Konoha could come to trust the Uchiha clan again, eliminating any suspicions. Once both sides reestablished mutual trust, the Third agreed he would remove the Cursed Seal.
Originally, this plan seemed like the only viable option we had. But now, there's nothing I can do to stop the changes anymore."
Hearing Shisui's words, Itachi's expression shifted dramatically.
Because just earlier, Chinya had told him the only way to resolve this conflict was for the Uchiha clan to serve Konoha like obedient puppets—only when they became little more than chattel, their lives entirely controlled by Konoha, where people like Hiruzen could decide life or death over them arbitrarily, would Konoha truly feel secure around the Uchiha.
Wasn't accepting the Cursed Seal and being restricted exactly what Chinya meant by reducing the Uchiha to slavery?
Although Chinya insisted such a plan wouldn't succeed, if Shisui used Kotoamatsukami to control Fugaku's mind, some clan members would certainly go along with his decision.
Then, over time, others who saw improved living conditions for those under the Cursed Seal would gradually come around as well.
But… could peace between the Uchiha and Konoha really only be achieved by turning the Uchiha into nothing more than slaves?
Sighing deeply, Uchiha Shisui said, "I know how hard this must be for you to hear, but after all, our Uchiha Clan did make the first mistake. Now we're still trying to launch a coup. How could we possibly regain the Third's trust without paying a price?"
Itachi Uchiha fell silent for a moment, murmuring in confusion, "Shisui... But hasn't it always been us who were oppressed? Maybe there's another way..."
Shisui Uchiha shook his head. "Itachi, our clan has become too arrogant. The Uchiha are part of The Village—we mustn't do anything to betray it. Even though this village has many flaws, we're first and foremost Konoha ninja. Being Uchiha comes second!"
"Itachi," Shisui continued, "Right now, you're the only one I can trust. I entrust this eye to you. I can only rely on you—my closest friend—to protect the village and uphold the honor of the Uchiha name."
Shisui smiled faintly as he pulled out his left eye and opened his palm.
A crow flew onto Shisui's hand, transforming into strands of black feathers that scattered into the air. His left eye vanished from his palm.
Itachi's initially perplexed expression gradually turned resolute. "I understand, Shisui. I'll protect the village, and I'll protect the name of the Uchiha." He accepted the eye and asked, "So what will you do now?"
Shisui began backing away step by step. "If I die, the situation will surely change. I've already written my last letter."
Seeing Shisui retreating, Itachi panicked. "Wait, Shisui!"
"Don't stop me, Itachi. If you're still my friend."
Shisui leaned back and fell off the cliff.
Itachi reached out but couldn't catch Shisui's arm. He plunged down the ravine into the fast-flowing river below.
"Shisui..."
Tears of blood streamed from Itachi's closed eyes. When he opened them again, both had transformed into Mangekyo Sharingan.
...
Two days later, news of Shisui Uchiha's death had spread like wildfire through the Uchiha Clan Headquarters.
Itachi walked silently toward home when several Uchiha members blocked his path.
"Itachi Uchiha! You did this to Shisui, didn't you!"
"You and Shisui were the only ones missing from the Gathering!"
"You killed Shisui, didn't you!"
Itachi stared at the few Uchiha confronting him with an emotionless expression and replied coldly, "I didn't do it."
"If you didn't, then explain it! Why weren't you at the Gathering that day!"
After simply muttering "Top-Secret Mission," Itachi walked past them without another word.
The few Uchiha members clenched their teeth in fury as they watched Itachi leave, glaring at him as if ready to tear him apart.
Inside the Root Base:
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down at Danzo, who lay on the bed with his right arm in a cast and his right eye bandaged, and scolded him angrily, "Danzo, this time you've gone too far!"
Danzo's voice was hoarse with resentment. "I'm acting for Konoha's sake. Shisui Uchiha was one of the Uchiha—if he was a spy sent by the clan to gather intelligence on us?"
Hiruzen snapped back, "Don't let your prejudice against the Uchiha cloud your judgment! He, just like Kagami, was a Konoha ninja who embraced [Will of Fire]!"
"Now, because of your unauthorized actions, the plan has failed, and Shisui is dead!"
Danzo's left eye snapped toward Hiruzen Sarutobi in shock. "Shisui Uchiha is dead?!"
"That's right! He committed suicide and left behind a suicide note."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sharpened as he asked, "Danzo, tell me, is the eye of Shisui that you stole now in Chinya's hands?"
After a brief pause, Danzo recalled the scene where Chinya squeezed that Mangekyo Sharingan to pieces. His face twisted in rage, yet he truthfully replied:
"I only took Shisui Uchiha's right eye, but that eye was destroyed by Chinya."
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