CHAPTER 40

I Will Not Trust Uchiha

At the Root Base Periphery

Hearing footsteps behind him, Danzo turned to see Shisui approach, his expression cold and calculating. "Shisui, you've come. I thought you'd choose not to show up."

Shisui, though wary, lowered his gaze and responded, "Danzo-sama, I came as you requested, but only because I must attend the Uchiha clan meeting soon. What is it that you want to discuss?"

Danzo wasted no time. "Are you planning to use Kotoamatsukami on Uchiha Fugaku to suppress the coup?"

Shisui's eyes narrowed slightly but remained calm. "Yes. By controlling Captain Fugaku, the clan will abandon its plans for rebellion. It's the only way I see to maintain peace between the Uchiha and the village."

Danzo's lips curled into a faint smirk as he shook his head. "Controlling Fugaku may stall a rebellion, but only temporarily. Sooner or later, another Uchiha will rise, unwilling to accept the status quo, and Konoha will face the same threat again."

Shisui frowned. "I believe in Hokage-sama's leadership. Under his guidance, the clan can adapt and integrate with the village. Your skepticism about the Uchiha is unfounded, Danzo-sama."

Danzo scoffed. "Skepticism? No, Shisui. I understand far better than the Hokage. While others trust blindly, I take action to secure peace for the village."

Shisui clenched his fists, trying to maintain his composure. "If that's all you wanted to tell me, then excuse me. I have more pressing matters."

As Shisui turned to leave, Danzo blocked his path, his voice lowering to an ominous tone. "You're naïve, Shisui. You think peace can be achieved by entrusting your will to the clan. But understand this—men like me will never trust the Uchiha."

Shisui glared at Danzo but refrained from escalating the confrontation. He stepped around Danzo and began to walk away.

Suddenly, Danzo lunged forward, his hand reaching for Shisui's face. Shisui, having anticipated this, countered swiftly. With a single glance, Danzo was ensnared in Shisui's Sharingan-induced genjutsu.

"I expected this, Danzo-sama," Shisui muttered, his tone heavy with disappointment. "But no matter your intentions, I will not kill you. Hatred only breeds more hatred, and Konoha doesn't need that."

He turned and left Danzo frozen in place. But just as Shisui thought he was safe, Danzo's body flickered and vanished. Before Shisui could react, Danzo reappeared, his hand striking with surgical precision. A searing pain erupted as Danzo ripped Shisui's right eye from its socket.

Shisui staggered backward, clutching his bleeding eye. He stared at Danzo in disbelief. "Izanagi…" he muttered, recognizing the forbidden technique that allowed Danzo to rewrite reality at the cost of a Sharingan. "You've been collecting Sharingan… all this time?"

Danzo, now wielding Shisui's eye, sneered. "Hand over the other one, Shisui. I'll put your eyes to proper use—something you seem incapable of doing."

Realizing the danger he was in, Shisui gritted his teeth and formed hand seals. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!" he shouted, unleashing a massive flame.

Danzo's root operatives appeared from the shadows, countering the fire with coordinated Water Release techniques. The clash created a thick mist, which Shisui used to disappear with his Body Flicker Technique.

"Let him go," Danzo ordered, watching Shisui's retreating figure. "He won't last long. The Sharingan I've taken is enough for now."

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In the Forest

Shisui darted through the trees, blood dripping from his wound, his chakra reserves dwindling. He soon found himself cornered by a squad of Root operatives. Summoning the last of his strength, Shisui activated Susanoo. The ethereal green construct shielded him from attacks, forcing his pursuers back.

Shisui then unleashed a barrage of chakra arrows, decimating the surrounding area. Trees, rocks, and the operatives themselves were reduced to rubble. Exhausted, Shisui dispelled Susanoo and fled deeper into the forest.

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At the Cliff

Shisui arrived at a familiar spot overlooking the Naka River, the cliff where he often trained with Itachi. His body trembled as he tore a piece of cloth from his uniform to bandage his wound.

"I can't stop the coup like this," he whispered, his voice shaking with regret. "But if my death can protect the village… perhaps that's enough."

Shisui penned a short note, tucking it into his clothes. He turned as a shadow appeared behind him.

"Itachi…" Shisui breathed a sigh of relief, recognizing his friend's familiar presence.

Itachi stepped forward, his face solemn. "Shisui… what happened?"

Shisui smiled faintly, though his face was pale. "I'm entrusting my dream to you, Itachi. Protect the village… and our clan."

As the wind carried his final words, Shisui's figure blurred against the setting sun.