CHAPTER 304

"I Won't Trust the Uchiha"

Periphery of the Root Base

Danzo Shimura stood in the dimly lit underground hideout, his gaze unwavering as he turned toward the approaching footsteps. Shisui Uchiha emerged from the shadows, his expression unreadable.

"Shisui, you've finally come," Danzo said, as though he had been expecting him for a long time. "I thought you might reconsider."

Shisui, cautious but resolute, lowered his head slightly. "Lord Danzo, I assume this is about the Uchiha coup? I don't have much time—I need to attend the clan meeting soon."

Danzo's expression remained unreadable. "You intend to use Kotoamatsukami on Uchiha Fugaku to prevent the coup, don't you?"

Shisui met Danzo's gaze and nodded. "If I control Captain Fugaku's will, the clan will abandon the idea of rebellion. This is the most peaceful solution."

Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Perhaps. But it would only delay the inevitable. As time passes, another discontented Uchiha will rise to challenge the village. Your solution is shortsighted."

Shisui frowned. "I believe that under Lord Third Hokage's leadership, the Uchiha can gradually reintegrate with the village. You are too suspicious, Lord Danzo."

"Suspicious?" Danzo scoffed. "Hiruzen and the others place their hopes for peace in naïve ideals. I, on the other hand, take action to secure Konoha's future."

Shisui remained silent, unwilling to engage in Danzo's political views. He sighed and said impatiently, "If this is all you called me here for, I must take my leave. I have a coup to stop."

As he turned, Danzo suddenly stepped in front of him. His voice was deep and unwavering.

"You trust the Uchiha too much, Shisui," he said coldly. "But people like me will never trust them."

Shisui's expression darkened, but he refrained from speaking out of turn. Just as he was about to leave, he felt a sudden, hostile movement.

In an instant, Danzo lunged. His target—Shisui's right Mangekyō Sharingan.

Shisui had anticipated an attack. With a flick of his eyes, he cast a powerful genjutsu, trapping Danzo in an illusion.

Watching Danzo freeze under the influence of his Sharingan, Shisui sighed.

"Lord Danzo, I understand your fears, but no one will stop me from protecting the village and my clan," he said calmly. "I won't kill you—I won't add more hatred to this cycle."

With that, Shisui turned and swiftly exited the Root hideout.

But just as he thought he had escaped—

Danzo's form flickered. His body dissolved.

In a flash, he reappeared before Shisui, faster than before. Before Shisui could react, a sharp pain shot through his right eye.

Danzo had ripped his Mangekyō Sharingan from its socket.

Shisui stumbled back, clutching his bleeding eye in shock.

"How?! He was under my genjutsu—"

Then, he saw it.

Danzo's right eye was missing beneath his bandages. His arm was still covered, but Shisui had a terrifying realization.

Danzo had Uchiha Sharingan eyes implanted within him. He had used Izanagi—the forbidden Uchiha technique that allowed him to rewrite reality.

"He's been collecting Sharingan...!"

Fear gripped Shisui's heart.

Danzo, unfazed by Shisui's horror, spoke in his usual cold tone:

"Hand over your remaining Mangekyō Sharingan, Shisui. I will ensure it serves its purpose."

Shisui clenched his teeth. His dream of peace was crumbling before him. Danzo would never allow the Uchiha to integrate—he was determined to eliminate them.

His grip on his remaining eye tightened.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive fireball shot toward Danzo. But before it could land, several masked Root ANBU appeared, countering with Water Release techniques.

Shisui's eyes widened. Danzo planned for this.

He needed to escape.

Using the rising steam as cover, he activated Body Flicker Technique, vanishing into the dense forest.

The Pursuit

Shisui didn't get far before Root ANBU caught up. He was outnumbered, his vision blurred from blood loss, but he had no choice but to fight.

As their attacks closed in, he pushed his chakra to the limit.

"I have no choice."

Emerald-green chakra erupted from his body.

A half-formed Susanoo materialized, deflecting attacks and sending enemies flying. He gasped for breath, the cost of using it already draining him.

But it wasn't enough. More Root operatives arrived.

Shisui knew he couldn't defeat them all.

He activated Susanoo: 99 Arrows.

A storm of chakra-infused arrows rained down, tearing through trees, rock, and flesh alike. The battlefield was left in ruin.

Panting, barely able to stand, Shisui deactivated Susanoo and fled deeper into the forest. His chakra reserves were almost gone. His body was at its limit.

Danzo had taken his right eye. The coup was still approaching.

And now, he had to make a choice.

The Final Decision

Finding temporary shelter, Shisui bandaged his wounds. His injuries were severe—he wouldn't recover in time to stop the coup.

Going back to the Uchiha now would only provoke them further. His failure would fuel their anger, ensuring conflict.

But if he died…

If he sacrificed himself, the Uchiha's morale would shatter. Perhaps, just perhaps, it would halt the rebellion.

He reached into his clothes, pulled out a small parchment, and began writing.

A suicide note.

Once finished, he tucked it away.

Suddenly, a figure appeared ahead of him. Standing on a tree branch, silhouetted against the moonlight, was someone he recognized immediately.

The figure turned slightly, extending a hand.

Shisui narrowed his eyes—then softened.

"It's you, Itachi…"

His best friend had arrived.

And the final act of Shisui Uchiha's life was about to begin.

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