"What Anbu?"
Menma blinked innocently, his gaze unconsciously drifting elsewhere; he wasn't sure of their attitudes, so he feigned ignorance.
Shisui and Itachi exchanged a look.
Finally, Shisui took a step forward, his voice almost inaudible: "Menma, we just met the Fourth Hokage. Itachi and I... both hope for the peaceful coexistence of the Clan and the Village."
The night wind blew, and the moon shone on their shadows.
Menma's gaze swept back and forth between Shisui and Itachi, then he took a deep breath: "Shisui-nii, Brother Itachi, what do you truly think about the Village and the Clan?"
Shisui gazed at the young man before him, who was the spitting image of the Fourth Hokage, and after a long silence, he spoke: "We have always been searching for a balance, hoping to make the Clan and the Village coexist peacefully..."
Menma listened carefully, gradually understanding their positions.
Shisui was once an idealist, until Danzo's attack shattered his illusions;
And Itachi, while also valuing peace, seemed to have a more resolute attitude.
As the Hokage's son, Menma's stance was naturally consistent with his father's.
He felt a certain respect for the choices of the two before him; if it were him, he would undoubtedly choose the Clan without hesitation.
"I have an immature idea."
Menma suddenly turned and walked deeper into the forest.
Shisui and Itachi exchanged glances and tacitly followed. They knew that Menma, like them, was a genius among geniuses.
His perspective on problems was often unique.
After confirming the surroundings were safe, Menma spread his sensory barrier: "I know the conflict between the Village and the Uchiha is irreconcilable. Besides historical issues, the most crucial factor is the existence of the Police Force; long-term enforcement is bound to incur the resentment of the villagers."
He paused for a moment, then added: "From the many archives and materials I've reviewed, the Second Hokage's suppression policy against various clans in the Village, especially the Uchiha, has, through the continuation of the Third Hokage and Danzo, formed deep-seated prejudices."
Only the rustling of leaves could be heard in the forest.
Menma looked at their solemn expressions, knowing they had listened.
"Shisui-nii."
Menma's voice suddenly deepened.
"Hmm?"
Shisui turned to look at him.
"Kotoamatsukami... what exactly is it?"
Shisui's fingers trembled involuntarily.
After a moment of silence, he said softly: "That is a Mangekyo Sharingan genjutsu of mine; it can change the opponent's will without them realizing it."
Menma's pupils suddenly contracted.
This answer was more terrifying than he imaginedsilently manipulating others' thoughts, such power was simply... He finally understood Danzo's madness.
Anyone who knew such a jutsu existed in the world but wasn't under their control would likely be unable to sleep or eat in peace.
Even he wouldn't tolerate such an ability not being in his grasp. Fortunately, he was immune to genjutsu, otherwise... Menma narrowed his eyes slightly.
"This power..."
His voice was calm, "Unless you become Hokage yourself, no one in power will allow it to exist. Do you understand? The more people who know, the more dangerous you become."
Shisui's face instantly turned pale. Cold sweat dripped down his temples.
He had been too naive before, never thinking about such issues. Now, it seemed that telling everyone about possessing Kotoamatsukami was an extremely foolish act.
"Then what... should I do now?"
Shisui's voice was a little unnatural, "I even thought of using this jutsu to influence the Clan Head..."
"It's useless."
Menma shook his head, "Even if Uncle Fugaku's mind is changed, it won't change those radicals. Now, they won't listen to anything."
The three fell silent.
In Shisui and Itachi's eyes, the light of hope was slowly extinguishing.
The peace they had fought so hard to maintain was now like sand slipping through their fingers, no matter how tightly they held on, it was inevitably flowing away.
"There are three choices now."
Menma held up three fingers, his voice low and clear.
Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi both held their breath, their eyes fixed on the young man before them, who was the spitting image of the Fourth Hokage.
"First, help the Uchiha Clan launch a rebellion!"
Menma's voice suddenly sharpened, "That will inevitably make you enemies of the Village, enemies of my father, and enemies of me!"
A cold glint flashed in his blue eyes, and astonishing Chakra erupted like a volcano.
The violent airflow swept up loose stones from the ground, and the surrounding trees swayed violently.
Shisui had to raise a hand to block the strong wind blowing at him, his Sharingan reflecting the Rasengan suspended in Menma's palm, which had turned a deep black. The destructive energy contained within it made his hair stand on end.
"This Chakra..."
Shisui's throat felt tight, "Even Susanoo would probably find it difficult to resist..."
"Second,"
Menma suddenly reined in his aura, a gentle curve returning to his lips, but what he said made both of them shiver: "For the peace of the Village, you can reach an agreement with the higher-ups to secretly deal with the Uchiha Clan, leave as rogue ninja, and preserve the Uchiha Clan's honor."
Shisui's face instantly turned ashen.
This choice was like a blunt knife, slowly and cruelly cutting at his heart. He had to protect the Village from war, yet also personally... "This..."
Shisui's voice trembled slightly, "Is there really no other way?"
Menma didn't answer immediately, but instead turned his gaze to Itachi, who had remained silent.
In the dim light, he noticed a light in Itachi's eyes that was completely different from Shisui'sit wasn't hesitation and pain, but a kind of almost ruthless resolve.
"Third..."
Menma slowly raised his third finger, but before he could finish speaking, Itachi interrupted him.
"No need to say more."
Itachi's voice was terrifyingly calm, "I choose the second option."
"Itachi!"
Shisui turned sharply, his Sharingan filled with shock.
Itachi looked directly into Menma's eyes: "But you must promise me three conditions. First, Sasuke must be protected; second, the Uchiha's honor must not be damaged; third..."
His voice finally showed a hint of wavering, "I will carry it out alone."
The night wind suddenly stilled, leaving only the heavy breathing of the three in the forest.
Menma gazed deeply at the young man, who was only a few years older than him, and for the first time truly understood what a "truly ruthless person" meant.
"You listen to me first."
Menma said slowly.
"And the third?"
Uchiha Shisui's voice was trembling a little; he was truly scared, not expecting Itachi to be even more extreme than he had imagined, and he hoped to hear a different answer.
Menma's lips curved into a dangerous smile: "Eliminate the Root Organization."
"What?!"
Shisui and Itachi exclaimed simultaneously, their Three-Tomoe Sharingan unconsciously activating in shock.
"This... isn't this going against Konoha?"
Shisui's voice was extremely dry.
Menma gently shook his head, his golden hair gleaming coldly in the moonlight: "Root does not represent Konoha."
His voice was light, yet carried an undeniable power.
"But will Grandpa Sarutobi agree?"
Shisui's Sharingan stared intently at Menma, trying to discern whether this was the young man's own idea or an instruction from the Fourth Hokage.
"Grandpa Sarutobi, huh..."
Menma suddenly showed an innocent smile, "He's a kind and benevolent person who embodies the Will of Fire most thoroughly."
For some reason, that smile sent a chill down Itachi's neck.
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