Knock, knock, knock.
The door to the Hokage's office was struck three times.
Hiruzen, who had been puffing on his pipe, sharpened his gaze. "Enter."
The door swung open, and Shisui walked in. Upon entering, his eyes swept over Danzō, Koharu, Homura, Shinnosuke, and Shikajin. A flash of surprise, and a seed of worry, flickered in his heart. He turned his gaze toward Hiruzen and spoke softly. "Lord Third."
"Mmm. Thank you for your hard work. Sit," Hiruzen nodded.
Shisui acknowledged the command, closed the door firmly, and took a seat next to Shinnosuke. This time, they weren't waiting for anyone else.
Hiruzen got straight to the point. "You sent word that the Uchiha held another meeting this afternoon, correct?"
Shisui responded immediately. "Yes. It was a secret assembly, and I attended."
"What is the situation?" Hiruzen asked.
"The situation is extremely grim," Shisui said, pausing briefly before adding, "Under immense pressure, the Council of Elders has aligned with the radicals. They now support an armed coup to seize power in Konoha. Fugaku-sama remained silent in the end, maintaining a stance of tacit consent."
As soon as Shisui finished, a look of profound gravity crossed Shikajin's eyes. "It seems Fugaku has completely lost control of the Uchiha."
Homura chimed in, "We truly cannot afford any further delay. Kumogakure is restless; they even sent men tonight to try and steal the Byakugan from the Hyuga. War could be their next step. The village's internal crisis has reached a critical tipping point, Hiruzen..."
Shisui was slightly taken aback. "Kumogakure? The Byakugan?"
Shinnosuke explained, "Yes. Kumogakure attempted to forcibly seize the Hyuga's Byakugan. Based on this plan, once they secured the eyes, they likely intended to flee Konoha immediately. Konoha would surely demand accountability, and given the current climate, Kumogakure would never respond favorably, they might even use it as a pretext to launch a war..."
Shisui's heart went cold. In such a scenario, what would happen to the Uchiha?
Predictably, before his thought even finished, a sinister smile played on Danzō's face. "Since things have come to this, we can no longer harbor any illusions. I propose we purge the Uchiha before they can launch their coup..."
Just then, Koharu spoke up. "It is right to seize the initiative, but to what extent should the purge of the Uchiha go?"
"To the very roots. Our relationship with the Uchiha is already abysmal. If we strike now, it will inevitably lead to a blood feud. No matter how we try to cover it up, that is the reality. Therefore, I suggest we abandon naive thoughts like 'only removing the radicals.' That would only leave endless trouble for the future. I imagine none of you want this wretched cycle to repeat itself in a few decades? Since we are acting, we must do it cleanly!" Danzō said without a shred of hesitation.
Shisui countered him instantly. "The Uchiha are also members of this village! Even if the radicals intend to do something wrong, it shouldn't involve the entire clan. What do you mean by 'to the roots'? Are you going to kill me too? Are you going to kill Fugaku-sama as well?"
A cold glint flashed in Danzō's eyes, but he didn't answer the question directly. Instead, he asked, "If you have a better solution, feel free to speak. We are all listening."
Shisui was momentarily at a loss for words. If I had a perfect solution, would I have waited until now?
He instinctively looked toward Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, hoping the leader would speak up for him.
Hiruzen's gaze flickered with uncertainty, yet he only said, "Such a method is unfeasible. We cannot solve every problem with slaughter. We need a more rational approach... it's just... we need more time."
It was the same old rhetoric.
But this time, Shisui caught the flicker of guilt and hesitation in Hiruzen's eyes. And in that moment, Shisui suddenly understood something.
The Lord Third was already powerless. He said these things only because, as the Hokage, he was obligated to say them in this setting. That wavering gaze and this secret meeting itself already represented his true stance, didn't it?
Need more time. A more rational approach.
Yes, but there was no more time, and in all these years, no "rational approach" had ever been found.
I really am a fool for only realizing this now.
"Lord Third!" Shisui suddenly interrupted Hiruzen.
Hiruzen blinked in surprise. "Speak."
"If we are forced to do such a thing, it will surely be the most shameful decision this village has made in decades. The prosperity and glory of a village should not be forged through such despicable means. Blind slaughter only removes the people who bring the problems; it doesn't solve the problems themselves. Today it's the Uchiha, tomorrow, will it be the Hyuga? Will it be the Sarutobi?" Shisui asked in a low, heavy voice.
Before Hiruzen could respond, Danzō growled, "Don't get it twisted, Shisui. This is a problem only the Uchiha would cause!"
"Your prejudice and hatred for the Uchiha have long since robbed you of any sense of justice. You simply want to use this incident to gain the benefits you desire. Any person in this village likely loves Konoha more than you do, Danzō!" Shisui snapped, finally dropping all pretenses with him.
"Presumptuous! Do you know who you are talking to!?" Danzō barked in fury and shame.
Shisui ignored Danzō and looked directly at Hiruzen. "Lord Third, if you ask if there is a way better than slaughter, I say there is. I haven't been able to make up my mind until now because this, too, involves 'dealing with the people' rather than the problem itself. But at the very least, it is better than a massacre..."
Hiruzen hesitated, but his mind quickly raced. "If there is a better way, I will certainly support you."
Those were his honest words.
Shisui nodded and closed his eyes. When he reopened them, the gazes of everyone in the room turned to shock.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan..." Shinnosuke whispered.
"That's right. The Mangekyō Sharingan!" Shisui said solemnly. After a pause, he continued, "These eyes exist to change this wretched future. My Mangekyō ability is called 'Kotoamatsukami.' In my view, it is the ultimate genjutsu. Once I activate it, I can permanently alter a person's way of thinking. Its power is immense, and the victim remains entirely unaware they are under its influence. Because of this, the side effects are also great; once used, it cannot be cast again for at least a decade. Now, I intend to use this jutsu to modify the wills of the radical leaders and Fugaku-sama. If the Uchiha can reach an internal compromise and unite, they can integrate with Konoha under their leadership... right?"
Shisui's words left everyone around him stunned.
Immediately and instinctively, Hiruzen and the others avoided direct eye contact with Shisui. Even if they didn't know if Shisui was exaggerating, they assumed he wasn't; lying now would be meaningless. If the power of this Kotoamatsukami was real, it was terrifying.
To control a person's will without them knowing, to turn a victim into a puppet, anyone would instinctively recoil from such power. The stronger the individual, the more they loathed it.
Because in the face of this jutsu, a lifetime of convictions and efforts could be reduced to nothing in an instant, turning them into a mere marionette.
The first thought that flashed through Hiruzen's mind was: What if Shisui used this to control my will and hand the position of Hokage to the Uchiha?
Danzō was also startled, but his shock was immediately followed by exhilaration!
He had to have Kotoamatsukami! If he could obtain those eyes, he could control Hiruzen at any time. He could become Hokage whenever he pleased!
It wasn't just Hiruzen and Danzō; everyone present realized the implications. They harbored a deep-seated dread of Shisui's eyes. Even Shikajin felt it.
One could not blame them, for Kotoamatsukami was a taboo power. Its very existence was a mistake. Whoever held it would be the enemy of everyone else.
Even Diarmuid, who had no personal grudge against Shisui, was at this very moment plotting how to skillfully seize or destroy Kotoamatsukami.
Seeing everyone instinctively avoid his gaze after he spoke, Shisui gave a bitter smile. "I have never used this power on any of you, otherwise we wouldn't be sitting here discussing things. I have never intended to use this power on my comrades in the village. If things hadn't reached this point today, I would never have told anyone about my Kotoamatsukami. I know its very existence is an original sin. But today, I must use it. I will return to the Uchiha now. Once I have finished what needs to be done, I will destroy my own eyes. Then, no one will have to worry about this power ever again. Isn't that so?"
Hiruzen felt a slight sense of relief. He still possessed some modicum of a moral compass and could control his own desires; thus, he did not covet Kotoamatsukami. If Shisui was willing to destroy the eyes afterward, it would be for the best. At that time, they could transplant a new pair of eyes for him, and everyone would be "happy" once more.
Hiruzen agreed with Shisui's plan; it was certainly better than eradicating the Uchiha, wasn't it? Konoha's strength wouldn't wane; instead, by truly becoming one with the Uchiha, the village would reach new heights. Then, whether it was Kumogakure or anyone else, let them try to provoke Konoha!
With that thought, Hiruzen didn't speak, but he looked up and met Shisui's eyes directly.
This single movement restored Shisui's confidence and trust. The disappointment he had felt toward Hiruzen was partially mended. Being able to look him in the eye under these circumstances proved that the Third Hokage trusted him.
It proved he truly did not want to resort to the final, bloody option.
"I'm going now!" Shisui said firmly. He stood up, opened the door, and walked out.
About three to five breaths later, Danzō stood up. "I can never trust the Uchiha. Let me follow him and see what he actually does."
Before Danzō could leave, Hiruzen spoke. "Shinnosuke. Go. Watch him like a hawk."
"I am enough on my own," Danzō frowned.
"I said for Shinnosuke to watch you, Danzō!" Hiruzen said sternly.
Danzō's expression darkened. With a cold snort, he pushed the door open and left.
Yes, how could Hiruzen not anticipate what Danzō might try to do? That was Kotoamatsukami!
One can only wonder how, in the original story, Danzō managed to obtain Kotoamatsukami right under Hiruzen's nose, and how Hiruzen managed to remain Hokage for so many years afterward. Was it because Hiruzen had found a way to counter Danzō's Kotoamatsukami? Or was it something else?