Chapter 6: One-Eyed Susanoo
The village was in an uproar as rumors spread that the Uchiha clan was preparing to rebel. Even the highest-ranking officials of the village were becoming alarmed.
Within the Uchiha clan, tensions were rising as the clan elders grew increasingly impatient.
"Leader, rumors are circulating everywhere that we're about to revolt!"
"We do have those thoughts, but why are they being spread now?"
"Sasuke is only five years old… isn't it too soon?"
"The village is pushing us too far! Shouldn't we fight back?!"
In the back of the crowd stood Shisui and Itachi, their faces filled with concern and sadness.
''Is the conflict between the village and the Uchiha truly irreconcilable?'' Shisui wondered silently.
Fugaku, the clan leader, stood up and addressed the clan members. "I understand your frustration, but I urge you all to be patient. I will negotiate with the village leaders," he said calmly, trying to ease the tension.
---
That evening, at the Hokage's office, the top leaders of Konoha gathered in a secret meeting room. Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, sat alongside Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane—the village elders and advisors.
An ANBU operative wearing a crow tengu mask knelt before them, silent.
After a moment, Hiruzen spoke, "Shisui, take off your mask."
The masked figure was none other than Uchiha Shisui, serving as a double agent for both the village and his clan.
His mission had always been to maintain peace between the two sides, even at great personal cost.
Shisui removed his mask and spoke respectfully, "Lord Hokage, for now, the Uchiha have no intention of rebelling. However, the recent rumors have made the clan uneasy."
Danzo scoffed, his voice cold. "How can we be sure you're telling the truth?"
Shisui hesitated before answering, "I swear on my loyalty to the village. If the Uchiha were to rebel, their chances of success would be no more than ten percent."
Hiruzen nodded, his tone calm but serious. "Shisui, I trust you. But tell me, if the Uchiha do rebel, what will you do?"
"If it comes to that," Shisui replied solemnly, "I will use my Kotoamatsukami to control the clan leaders and make them abandon the idea of rebellion."
Danzo's eyes gleamed with interest. "Would you truly use genjutsu on your own people, even if it means carrying the burden of infamy?"
Shisui's gaze hardened with determination. "Yes, if it's the only way to maintain peace between the Uchiha and the village, I will do whatever it takes."
The Third Hokage glanced at Danzo, understanding his dark intentions.
Danzo would prefer to annihilate the Uchiha completely, but Hiruzen was not willing to resort to such extreme measures. Doing so would upset the balance of the village.
"Very well," Hiruzen said. "We'll proceed with your plan."
---
Shisui left the Hokage's office with a rare sense of relief. He had bought the Uchiha some time, and now he only needed to convince the clan leader to reconsider any plans for rebellion.
Sasuke was still young, and Fugaku seemed more interested in nurturing his youngest son than pursuing a dangerous coup.
But as Shisui walked through the forest, his senses suddenly sharpened. A barrage of kunai came flying at him from the shadows.
Shisui quickly used the Body Flicker Technique to evade the attack, only to realize that his assailants were members of Danzo's Root division.
Shisui's heart sank as Danzo himself emerged from the trees.
"Lord Hokage just agreed to my plan," Shisui said, his voice edged with disbelief. "Why are you attacking me?"
Danzo's voice was icy as he replied, "Your Kotoamatsukami is too powerful to be wasted on the Uchiha. Besides, I don't trust you. The existence of the Uchiha clan is a threat to the village, and no matter how you try to postpone it, their rebellion is inevitable."
Danzo stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with malice. "The best way to protect Konoha is to eliminate the Uchiha. That has always been my belief. And I can't risk you using your Kotoamatsukami on me. Your eyes... they belong to me now."
In an instant, Danzo lunged toward Shisui, reaching for his eyes.
Shisui quickly cast a basic genjutsu, paralyzing Danzo for a brief moment. "This is just a simple illusion," Shisui said quietly. "You'll wake up soon, and I'll follow the Third Hokage's orders."
As Shisui turned to leave, Danzo suddenly dispelled the genjutsu. He had activated Izanagi, the forbidden Uchiha technique that allowed him to rewrite reality at the cost of losing one of his Sharingan. Before Shisui could react, Danzo struck, gouging out Shisui's right eye.
Shisui recoiled in pain, his hand clutching his empty eye socket. ''I can't fight back,'' he thought desperately. ''If I attack Danzo, it'll mean open war between the Uchiha and Konoha. I can't let that happen.''
In a flash of determination, Shisui used the Body Flicker Technique to escape.
But Danzo wasn't done. "He's injured!" Danzo barked at his Root operatives. "He won't get far! After him!"
The Root agents pursued Shisui relentlessly. Though Shisui was one of the strongest shinobi in the Uchiha clan, he had been poisoned during Danzo's earlier assault. His body was growing weaker with each passing second.
Suddenly, a hail of kunai flew towards him. Shisui knew he couldn't afford to die—not yet. He had to warn Itachi.
In that moment of desperation, Shisui's left eye glowed with green chakra, and a massive, ethereal figure began to form around him. It was Susanoo, a giant, spectral warrior that shielded Shisui from the incoming kunai.
With his remaining strength, Shisui used the Body Flicker Technique once more and vanished from sight.
Danzo arrived moments later, frustrated. "Didn't you catch him?" he demanded.
One of the Root agents replied, "Danzo-sama, he used Susanoo to protect himself and escaped with the Flicker Technique."
Danzo's brow furrowed in thought. ''Susanoo... with just one eye? Shisui is even more formidable than I thought. But at least I managed to take one of his Sharingan. That alone is a valuable prize.''
---