The wooden doors of the Hokage's office creaked as they slowly opened. A familiar figure stepped inside — Uchiha Itachi. His face carried the same stoic calm as ever, but beneath his black eyes burned the weight of a secret purpose.
For the sake of the village's future, Itachi had resolved upon a dangerous path: he needed the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, to persuade Shisui. Only Shisui, with his unique power, might control Uchiha Ryosuke and turn his overwhelming strength toward protecting Konoha rather than elevating only the clan.
If successful, the village would remain Konoha — a home for everyone — and not become the private dominion of a single family.
But Shisui… Shisui could not see this. In all of the Uchiha, only Itachi seemed to recognize the larger danger.
Behind his desk, the Third Hokage sat slouched, his eyes dull and tired. His face, lined with age and worry, turned toward Itachi with sluggish weariness.
Once, he had dreamed of doing what even the Second Hokage could not — to completely tame and integrate the Uchiha clan, using their brightest talents as instruments of Konoha's will. He had imagined uniting the village under a single unquestioned authority.
But those dreams had withered.
Yes, Itachi was a genius beyond measure. And Shisui too had risen to renown across the ninja world. Yet the real disruption was Uchiha Ryosuke. According to him, every day of training made him stronger without limit. A month had passed since that claim, and no one could guess what level of terrifying power he had now reached.
For the Hokage, the chance of ever controlling him grew slimmer by the day.
Still, he forced himself to speak, his tone heavy but polite.
"Itachi, you're here. What business do you bring?"
Itachi studied the old man before him. He could see the burden of years pressing heavily on Hiruzen's shoulders, the flame of Will of Fire dimming but still present. For a fleeting moment, Itachi felt pity. Then he lowered his head and spoke.
"Lord Third, I have urgent news to report."
Hiruzen's heart tightened. Urgent news? Was it the worst-case scenario — had the Uchiha decided to move against the village?
He had placed Itachi within his clan as an informant, to deliver warnings of internal stirrings. And now, was that dreaded day here already?
But Itachi's words cut in another direction.
"Recently, Uchiha Ryosuke has been placing the clan above the village in all matters. On behalf of the Uchiha, I wish to apologize to the Third Hokage."
The old Hokage blinked in shock, his heart thumping.
So it wasn't an uprising? Relief flooded through him. For a moment he had feared Itachi's presence was the announcement of his downfall.
Even in these turbulent times, Itachi remained loyal, unwavering in his devotion to the Will of Fire.
Yet the Hokage sighed bitterly.
"Itachi, there is little we can do. That man has already begun to walk the village like a tyrant. No one has been able to stop him."
But Itachi shook his head slightly.
"There may still be a way. Shisui has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan — and within it, his unique dōjutsu: Kotoamatsukami. It is said to be the most powerful genjutsu in existence. With it, he can alter a target's very will and beliefs, all without them realizing they've been controlled. If used on Ryosuke, it could bind his loyalty to Konoha, ensuring his strength serves the village."
Hiruzen's eyes widened, suddenly alight with vigor.
"What did you say? Shisui… awakened the Mangekyō? And that kind of power?!"
The words hit him like divine intervention. For weeks he had felt cornered, powerless. But this—this was a miracle.
If Shisui could bend Ryosuke's mind without resistance, the Third could reclaim the balance of power. His authority in the village, his prestige, his control… all restored.
"Itachi, is this true?!"
Itachi nodded firmly.
"Yes, Lord Third. It is true."
The Hokage's chest swelled with excitement, his tone almost trembling.
"Then summon Shisui at once! This time, both of you will have performed a great service to the village!"
But even as Hiruzen exhaled with joy, Itachi's expression remained somber.
"There is… one complication. Recently, Shisui's thinking has shifted. He has been leaning more toward the clan's perspective. He can no longer clearly see the error of placing clan above village. I fear he may not agree to use his power as you hope. That is why I ask, Lord Third, that you personally persuade him. Guide him back to the path of the Will of Fire, and remind him of his duty to the greater good."
Hiruzen froze.
So Shisui had begun to waver? His strongest pawn — his most loyal child — was being lost to clan ties?
His jaw tightened.
"Bring him here. I will speak to him myself and ensure he understands. He must not stray from the village's true path."
Itachi bowed slightly.
"As you command."
With that, he slipped silently from the office, leaving Hiruzen alone once more.
The Third Hokage sat motionless, mind racing. Shisui's Mangekyō — Kotoamatsukami — was too precious a tool to waste. Even if persuasion failed, he could not allow this chance to vanish.
A darker thought entered his mind, one he quickly tried to dismiss but that only grew stronger with each breath. If Shisui refused… then perhaps he should follow Danzō's philosophy. Perhaps he would have to take those eyes, by force, and wield that power himself.
The idea was monstrous. He thought of Shisui almost as his own grandson. But after so many bitter years watching his authority erode, after suffering the humiliations of being ignored and overshadowed, the temptation gnawed at him.
If seizing Shisui's power could save the village, was it not worth the sin?
The more he considered it, the more inevitable it felt.
Meanwhile, across the village, Shisui received Itachi's summons without suspicion. His loyalty to the Hokage had always been strong; Hiruzen had shown him kindness and trust.
As he walked, Shisui's thoughts were conflicted. Under Ryosuke's leadership, the Uchiha were rising in strength and dignity. Far from harming the village, Ryosuke seemed determined to lift Konoha as a whole.
Where Itachi saw the shadow of dictatorship, Shisui saw the possibility of unity and renewal. Ryosuke had even promised him — the Third Hokage would not be harmed.
Perhaps… perhaps it was time to counsel Hiruzen to step down peacefully, before generational tensions destroyed the balance.
By the time he reached the Hokage's office, Shisui's resolve was firm. He knocked lightly, then entered.
"Lord Hokage, you called for me?"
Hiruzen looked up, forcing a grandfatherly smile.
"Shisui, yes. Come in. I have something important to discuss."
The old man leaned forward, his voice carrying weight.
"You must know that Ryosuke seized the Nine-Tails jinchūriki from me — a power meant to be safeguarded by the village. By claiming it, he has placed himself and the clan above Konoha. Such behavior cannot stand."
Shisui's brows furrowed. His reply was calm, but firm.
"With respect, Lord Third… this too was for the village's sake. The Nine-Tails will live securely among the Uchiha. One day, it can become a protector of Konoha, not a weapon caged by fear. Even the Fourth Hokage's son deserves better than a childhood of loneliness and scorn."
Hiruzen's heart sank. It was just as Itachi had warned. Shisui no longer viewed the situation from the Hokage's perspective.
If the Nine-Tails' power rested with the Uchiha, then his authority as Hokage was nothing but an empty shell.
The old man's hand curled into a fist beneath the desk.
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