"The Third Hokage won't just sit by and let this happen."
"If the Uchiha and Konoha clash, it will only severely weaken Konoha. The Sandaime will definitely find a way to mediate."
As a dove, Shisui quickly spoke up.
He didn't want the situation to escalate. If Tamahiko really intended to lead the Uchiha Clan to flee, even if it was only a portion, it would only exacerbate the conflict.
He didn't want to see such a situation.
"The possibility of escaping Konoha is too small. Even if we truly escape, there might be very few Uchiha left, which is no different from total annihilation."
Fugaku, on his part, seriously considered the possibilities Uchiha Tamahiko had mentioned.
Then he calmly judged.
The success rate was too low!
Under pursuit by Konoha, there would undoubtedly be countless casualties along the way. In the end, perhaps only dozens, or even a mere dozen people, would manage to escape.
In such a situation, would the Uchiha still be the Uchiha?
"The one who instigated this was the Third Hokage."
"If it was for Konoha's stability, during the Nine-Tails Disturbance, he should have helped the Uchiha clear their name, instead of tacitly allowing Danzo to slander the Uchiha."
"He just didn't expect things to turn out this way, with no suitable person to take over as Hokage and Danzo's power skyrocketing. For stability, he could only watch Danzo fan the flames, tacitly approving this matter, preparing to make the Uchiha a sacrifice to resolve internal Village conflicts."
"The losses suffered by various clans during the Nine-Tails Disturbance, they want to reclaim from the Uchiha, just as these people bled the Senju Clan dry back then."
"If the Uchiha do not respond, they will die a more tragic death than the Senju Clan!"
Uchiha Tamahiko mercilessly shattered Shisui's illusions.
That's just how it is!
The Senju Clan suffered the most deaths in the war.
However, the clans that have recently risen in power are the Sarutobi Clan, the Shimura Clan, and their hangers-on, the Ino–Shika–Chō.
Konoha was originally a tripartite balance of the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga.
But now, the Senju Clan has vanished, the Uchiha are ostracized, and the Hyuga have become tools.
The several clans dependent on Konoha have, instead, begun to grow stronger.
Is it really because their foundations are stronger?
No!
It's merely because they have absorbed enough nutrients from the remains of the Senju Clan.
Otherwise, why would Tsunade have left Konoha in a rage?
"How could this be?!"
Disbelief was etched on Shisui's face.
But he also felt that Uchiha Tamahiko was not speaking idly.
What he said was indeed happening, and what he found most unacceptable was that the Sandaime was playing a role of tacit approval, rather than being a judge trying to mediate the conflict between the two sides.
"Has it really come to this?!"
Uchiha Fugaku, on his side, had long considered such a possibility.
But now that Uchiha Tamahiko had laid it out so clearly, he knew that this matter could no longer be avoided.
Those greedy individuals would not give up the Uchiha, that prime piece of meat.
If they continued not to resist, the Uchiha would simply perish!
As the clan head, he naturally did not want to see this happen, but if a fight truly broke out, it would come down to who was more ruthless and willing to make sacrifices.
"There's no turning back."
"The Konoha higher-ups, they used the hope of peace to deceive you, making you an informant for the Uchiha Clan, providing them with intelligence, right?"
"But after all this time, have they taken any measures to de-escalate the situation?"
"They're just watching the situation unfold, while Danzo secretly fuels the Village's animosity towards the Uchiha!"
"Give up those childish fantasies, Shisui."
Uchiha Tamahiko unhesitatingly exposed Shisui's identity.
This visit was for negotiations, and inviting Uchiha Fugaku was also to suppress Shisui.
However, Uchiha Tamahiko still hoped that Shisui would stand with the Uchiha, as his strength could greatly assist the clan and himself.
"You knew all along?"
"Tamahiko!"
Shisui looked at Uchiha Tamahiko with a complicated expression.
However, he showed no immediate intention of acting.
Fugaku, beside him, looked at Shisui with some shock, clearly surprised by Shisui's true identity, having never imagined he would be an informant for the Konoha higher-ups.
"Seeing as you are also working towards the coexistence of the Uchiha and the Village, I will not attack you."
"I have no interest in attacking the Village; I only want to lead my clansmen away. Will you help me?"
Uchiha Tamahiko directly stated his stance.
If Shisui refused, then he would have to join forces with Fugaku to attack Shisui!
He also possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan.
But Uchiha Tamahiko was very clear about the extent of the Mangekyo's power; it was merely Kage-level.
It was simply not enough to change everything!
Running away himself was easy, but taking the entire Uchiha Clan with him was still a long way off!
"Shisui, have you awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Fugaku was shocked again.
He felt as if he, as the clan head, knew nothing at all.
These young people, instead, were each more formidable than the last.
His heart was incredibly complex at this moment!
"Yes!"
"My Mangekyo's genjutsu is called Kotoamatsukami, and it can modify others' memories."
"I originally planned to use this ability to mediate the conflicts within the Village. If I use it on the Sandaime to make him mediate the conflict, would that work?"
Shisui nodded, then continued to voice his fantasy.
"Foolish!"
"If you tell the Konoha higher-ups about this ability, they'll probably lose sleep every night, terrified you might use it on them!"
"They will only feel at ease when they have complete control over such an ability themselves. It seems Danzo will be coming for you soon."
"Time is running out, Shisui. You must give an answer today: help the Uchiha leave to avoid war with Konoha, or continue to cling to these foolish ideas, leading to the destruction of the Uchiha."
Uchiha Tamahiko reprimanded him without hesitation.
Uchiha Tamahiko wasn't entirely clear on the exact timeline.
He had tried to change the situation, but his Uchiha identity was too problematic; he couldn't even get close to the Fourth Hokage.
The Mangekyo had only awakened recently, and during the night of the Nine-Tails Disturbance, he could only watch.
Finally, he had found an opportunity, and he would not miss this chance to save the Uchiha!
"I…"
Shisui's face was conflicted.
He still harbored illusions.