The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, fell into silence after hearing Shisui's words. Deep inside, he was torn with frustration.
"Ryosuke… that brat really knows how to make things difficult for me."
Hiruzen clenched his pipe slightly harder. Of course, he had deliberately allowed Naruto, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, to live in hardship. That way, when he eventually showed Naruto kindness, the boy would see him as a benevolent protector, someone irreplaceable in his heart. It was a manipulation designed to secure loyalty.
But Uchiha Ryosuke had disrupted everything. By taking Naruto into the Uchiha compound, the plan was ruined. That opportunity to shape Naruto's destiny had slipped through his fingers.
Suppressing his bitterness, Hiruzen looked at Shisui seriously and asked:
"Even if there were reasons behind it, don't you think Ryosuke's actions are a sign of outright defiance? Not only against me, but against the entire leadership of the village. If such behavior continues unchecked, Konoha will no longer be stable."
Then, Hiruzen's voice lowered, pressing his intent:
"I've heard from Itachi. You've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and your unique ability—Kotoamatsukami. The strongest genjutsu, capable of rewriting a person's will without them ever realizing. If you use it on Ryosuke, you could make him dedicate himself entirely to the village. Don't you agree this would benefit both the Uchiha and Konoha?"
For the first time, Shisui's brows furrowed sharply. He hadn't expected Itachi to reveal that to the Hokage. The thought of being asked to use Kotoamatsukami on Ryosuke made his chest tighten.
"Even Lord Hokage… wants me to do this?"
Shisui's mind raced. Yes, Ryosuke could be forceful at times. But every action he had taken was grounded in reason:
During the Cloud Village incident, Ryosuke had refused to let Konoha shinobi be sacrificed to appease Kumogakure's schemes.
Danzo's death—though bloody—was retribution. Danzo had stolen the Uchiha's eyes, mutilating their clan, a crime that could not be forgiven.
And with Naruto, Ryosuke had merely ended the boy's suffering. Was that truly a crime?
Shisui closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with firm resolve.
"…I cannot accept this request, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"Why, Shisui? Do you also wish to see the Uchiha stand above the entire village? To turn Konoha into a place where no voice can challenge the Uchiha? That would not be peace—it would be tyranny. People would fear your clan's power but never respect it. Such a village would not last."
Shisui shook his head.
"That's not true. Ryosuke has no desire to make Konoha into an Uchiha dictatorship. If that were his goal, he wouldn't have relinquished two-thirds of the Police Force's jurisdiction. That was power given back to the village, proof that he seeks balance, not domination."
His gaze sharpened, a rare defiance in his tone:
"Hokage-sama, I cannot follow your perspective. For that reason, I believe it is time for you to step down. And as for me, I will resign from the ANBU. The Uchiha clan will guide Konoha into an era of true prosperity."
The words hit Hiruzen like a strike to the chest. His breath froze.
"Shisui… you… you want me to step down?"
This wasn't the boy he once nurtured, the loyal prodigy who embodied the Will of Fire. No—Shisui had been poisoned by the Uchiha's ideals, seduced by their arrogance. His eyes narrowed slightly, though his lips curved into a mask of serenity.
"…I see. You may be right. Perhaps it is time for me to consider retirement."
Shisui's face brightened with relief.
"Lord Hokage… if you truly think so, then Konoha's future will shine brighter than ever. With Ryosuke's leadership, the village—"
Hiruzen's thoughts, however, grew icy.
"Shisui… how naïve. Konoha's prosperity under Uchiha leadership? Never."
He stepped closer, gently, as though seeking reassurance. Shisui let his guard down. After all, the Hokage had always treated him like a son.
But then—swift as a viper—Hiruzen's hand lashed out from beneath his robes, gripping a kunai.
With merciless precision, he drove the blade into Shisui's chest.
"—!!"
Blood splattered across the floor. Shisui staggered, wide-eyed, looking at the man he had trusted most.
"Why…?"
He could barely breathe, his words bubbling with blood.
Hiruzen's expression twisted into something bitter, pained, but unwavering.
"Why? Because you wouldn't listen. You dared to tell me… to step down, and let the Uchiha rise above me. That… I cannot allow. You betrayed my trust, Shisui. For that—you must die."
The kunai sank deeper, shredding what little strength Shisui had left. His knees buckled, his Sharingan dimming.
He had never expected this. The Hokage, his father figure, the man who preached the Will of Fire… was nothing more than a prisoner to power, clinging desperately to his throne.
As his vision blurred, Shisui thought only of Ryosuke… of Itachi… of Konoha's future.
And then, he fell.
The office was silent, save for Hiruzen's heavy breathing. He pulled the kunai free, wiping it on his robes with cold calculation.
"…Forgive me, Shisui. You were like a son to me. But your eyes… your eyes will serve the village better in my hands."
His grief was real, but overshadowed by a chilling thrill.
"With Kotoamatsukami, I can control Ryosuke. With his strength under my command, I will not only restore my authority—I will become the greatest Hokage in history."
His mind spun with schemes. He couldn't transplant the eyes himself—like Danzo, his body might reject them. But there was someone else…
Itachi.
Yes, Uchiha Itachi, Shisui's closest friend. If Itachi wielded Shisui's eyes, the jutsu could succeed. And Itachi's loyalty to the Will of Fire was absolute—wasn't it?
Still, Hiruzen's paranoia lingered. What if Itachi discovered the truth behind Shisui's death? Would he resist? Would he betray him?
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.
"If he obeys, then perfect. If not…"
He exhaled slowly, his old face tightening with grim determination.
"…then Itachi will join Shisui."
He rang the bell for his personal ANBU guards.
"Take care of Shisui's body. When the time is right, we will honor him as a hero. Until then, his remains are to remain hidden."
As the body was carried away, Hiruzen returned to his desk. His fingers lingered on his pipe, but his thoughts were ablaze.
The Uchiha's rise must be stopped.
And Ryosuke must be tamed.
His eyes gleamed with ruthless resolve.
"…Summon Uchiha Itachi."
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