The two turned around to see a young boy who resembled Uchiha Itachi by three or four parts, carrying a one-shoulder bag.
With his head held high and chest puffed out, he walked over with an arrogant expression.
"Well, well—if it isn't 'Second Pillar.'"
A teasing smile appeared on Kamikawa's face.
Having frequently visited the Uchiha compound, he naturally got to know Sasuke.
For some reason, whenever he saw this future member of the "Uchiha Laughing Quartet," Kamikawa just couldn't resist teasing him.
Over time, the two became somewhat familiar.
Of course, only to that extent—for now.
In the future, if Sasuke needed a beating, he'd still get one. After all, the kid loved showing off and constantly picking fights above his level.
And no matter how many times he lost, he never learned—once the sun came out and the rain stopped, "Second Pillar" would think he was invincible again.
Sasuke's face flushed red.
"I've told you so many times—it's Sasuke! Uchiha Sasuke! Not 'Second Pillar'! And you're just someone my brother has already defeated!"
Kamikawa continued teasing:
"Alright, Second Pillar. But you've never even seen me fight your brother—how do you know I'd lose?"
"Hmph! Isn't it obvious?"
At the mention of Itachi, Sasuke's face filled with pride and admiration. Just as he was about to continue, he snapped back angrily:
"And I told you—stop calling me that!"
"Got it, Second Pillar."
Kamikawa was relentless.
"You jerk! I'm Sasuke—not the Second Pillar!"
Furious, Sasuke charged forward with a punch.
The result was obvious.
Kamikawa dodged effortlessly, and Sasuke nearly faceplanted into the ground.
Watching the two figures chasing and dodging ahead, the gloom in Izumi's heart quietly faded.
She tilted her head and looked up at the sky.
Maybe… I was just overthinking things.
…
In the distance, two figures stood atop the tallest building in Konoha, overlooking everything below.
"So that's your little brother, huh? Hard to believe he's grown this much already. And that Academy kid playing with him—who is he? Not many villagers treat the Uchiha without prejudice these days."
Uchiha Shisui, the clan's strongest genjutsu user, spoke.
"He's Shimizu Kamikawa. We were in the same class at the Academy. He's close to Izumi, so he doesn't harbor the same hostility as others."
Itachi replied calmly, though there was a hint of unease in his tone.
Shisui paused, surprised.
"Sounds like there's more to it. What happened?"
Itachi activated his Sharingan.
"He's… extremely dangerous."
"Dangerous? Why?"
Shisui instinctively activated his own Sharingan to observe.
In the next instant, his pupils shrank.
"T-this is…?"
"You see it, don't you?"
Itachi's expression turned serious.
"Kamikawa isn't a Jinchūriki, nor is he from the Uzumaki clan. Yet his chakra reserves are completely out of proportion with his age. Even across all of Konoha, very few can surpass him."
Shisui frowned.
"Are you overthinking it? Just based on chakra volume, you're calling him dangerous? Maybe he was simply born with it. That seems a bit too hasty."
"No…"
Itachi's voice was low.
"I just have a feeling… he's not as simple as he appears."
"Relax."
Shisui patted his shoulder.
"You've been too tense lately because of the clan's situation. Even if this Kamikawa kid is hiding something, he hasn't harmed Konoha or the Uchiha.
Not everyone likes to show their talents."
After a pause, Shisui sighed.
"Sometimes… I envy people like him. At least they…"
He stopped himself.
"Forget it. Let's go. Same place tonight."
With that, Shisui vanished in a flicker.
Itachi lingered for a moment, casting one last deep look at Kamikawa's departing figure.
He opened his mouth as if to say something—but ultimately said nothing.
Then he too disappeared.
The moment they left—
Kamikawa, who had just stopped Sasuke's attack by pressing a hand against his forehead, glanced toward where they had been.
They're gone already…
Uchiha really aren't simple. Shame their emotional intelligence is practically zero.
"Kamikawa-kun, what are you looking at?"
Izumi followed his gaze curiously.
"Nothing. Let's go."
Kamikawa shook his head, sighing inwardly.
Since Shisui had returned…
it wouldn't be long before Danzō made his move.
…
Elsewhere, Shisui arrived atop the Hokage Building and knelt on one knee.
"Hokage-sama."
Just like in the original story, he first reported on the situation at the Kirigakure border, then revealed that the Uchiha clan was planning a coup—and proposed his solution.
At first, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't take it seriously.
Because he knew—
the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha… or rather, between the Uchiha and the village leadership…
had already become irreconcilable.
But then—
Shisui mentioned Kotoamatsukami.
A flicker of emotion passed through Hiruzen's aged eyes.
"Kotoamatsukami? That's your Mangekyō ability?"
Still facing away, he gave nothing away.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Shisui spoke honestly.
"It allows me to subtly manipulate others and permanently alter their will. However, due to its power, it requires over a decade to recharge after each use."
He stated his plan without hesitation:
"Tomorrow, during the clan meeting, I will use it on Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku to stop the coup."
Hiruzen was startled, a deep trace of wariness flashing through his eyes.
But outwardly, he remained calm.
Turning, he walked past Shisui.
"I understand. Consider this a classified mission assigned by me. Proceed as you see fit. Come back tomorrow at this time—I'll arrange assistance for you."
Only Sharingan could counter Sharingan.
He intended to have Itachi monitor Shisui—just in case.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Shisui acknowledged respectfully and vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
Back in his office, Hiruzen fell into deep thought.
Clearly—
Shisui's Kotoamatsukami had already exceeded the bounds of his control.
And as the "strongest Hokage"—
he had to prepare for every possibility.