Chapter 30 While Planning
"Maybe the Forbidden Scroll contains sealing techniques or counter-jutsu that could undo the Caged Bird seal."
"Even if we don't find the exact release method, there's enough knowledge within it—complex fūinjutsu, kinjutsu, and chakra control theories—that we might discover a way to unravel the Hyūga curse mark." Makoto spoke with absolute confidence.
"At worst, the Sharingan itself can tip the scales. Byakugan may track chakra flow with precision, but it cannot defend against the strongest genjutsu of the Uchiha."
"My master is Uchiha Shisui—his Mangekyō Sharingan holds Kotoamatsukami, the ultimate genjutsu. It can alter a person's very will without them realizing it. If he casts it on the Hyūga clan head, the caged bird's tyranny can be ended. With that, you would finally be free."
"And beyond all that, don't you trust me? With the vision I hold, and with your talent, we can make it happen." Makoto's words came out bold, even arrogant, yet to Neji they rang with unsettling truth.
But inside, Makoto's heart wavered. Shisui… He clenched his teeth. Although he left shadow clones to monitor him, they couldn't send real-time warnings. That helplessness gnawed at him. I'm still too weak. Right now I can't protect Shisui—I can only prepare pieces on the board, do what little I can.
Neji hesitated, but then answered firmly. He knew this choice might decide his life, but he resolved to trust Makoto—and himself. Fate did not belong only to the clan.
What Makoto said made sense: if Neji stayed tied to Konoha's system, he might never see the chance to change destiny. Perhaps crossing paths with Uchiha Makoto was also fate.
The corners of Neji's mouth tugged upward—the truest smile since the day the caged bird was branded on his forehead.
"Then I'll leave it to you… Chief."
Neji placed his hand on Makoto's outstretched palm.
"Don't call me Chief," Makoto corrected, smiling faintly. "Just like before—call me Makoto."
Neji stared at the ordinary face before him and suddenly remembered their first academy sparring class, when this same boy had extended a hand with a smile. His stamina and willpower were unbelievable. Perhaps following him meant there would be no missteps on this path.
Even if it meant betraying Konoha.
He began to long for the world Makoto described—a world that sounded almost beautiful.
"Then tell me… what do you need me to do?"
Neji's voice carried resolve now. He understood that such a goal needed a meticulous plan. One misstep, and they would be crushed by Konoha's watchful system.
Makoto finally allowed himself to relax slightly.
To overturn the shinobi world would demand countless sacrifices. And until his strength reached the level where he could face the world as an enemy, caution in every step was survival itself.
That was also why he reached out to Neji.
Neji's life as a branch family gave him the will to rebel. His Byakugan granted long-range sight, chakra tracking, and intelligence-gathering ability—tools that Makoto desperately needed.
It wasn't just because Makoto knew that in the "original story" Neji Hyūga had been little more than a supporting character.
For him, Neji was vital. And perhaps Uzumaki Naruto too, as the unpredictable one, had that same qualification. Tenten and Rock Lee, however, would never abandon Konoha—they had family ties anchoring them.
The road to change the shinobi world is unbearably difficult… Makoto sighed. He had resolved that if Neji rejected him—or worse, reported him—he would have killed Neji here without hesitation. His plan could tolerate no cracks.
But after these days together, Makoto found he had begun to respect Neji. There was no way not to feel something. If Neji had chosen the village, Makoto would now stand on the edge of exposure and death. And then, the Uchiha's fate, his own life, and the shinobi world's decay would have remained unaltered.
Fortunately, Neji chose him.
Unknowingly, Neji had walked right past the gates of death.
Makoto lifted his head, gazing at the clouded night sky.
"It looks like heavy rain will fall tonight. Neji—use your Byakugan. Keep track of chakra signatures in the village. If you notice any great disturbance, report to me. For now… we wait."
Neji followed Makoto's lead, though part of him wished he would simply speak plainly.
He activated his Byakugan. Though his sight hadn't yet extended for kilometers, he faintly sensed a distant, powerful chakra presence pulsing through the gloom.
"What is that?"
In that direction, several corpses of masked ninja from Root lay sprawled on the ground, their black uniforms stained with blood.
"Did something big just happen inside the village?" Neji's pale eyes widened as he stared at Uchiha Makoto's back in surprise.
Perhaps Makoto had already foreseen all this.
Neji's thoughts immediately turned to what Makoto had mentioned earlier about the Uchiha clan. He didn't know much about them; in truth, few outside clans truly understood the weight carried by a bloodline family.
All Neji had ever heard was that the Uchiha clan and Konoha's leadership had long held an unspoken rift, contradictions that no one dared speak aloud.
"Does he also carry that burden on his shoulders, like I do with the Hyūga?" Neji's heart grew heavy. Deep down, he prayed this operation would go smoothly.
Makoto had anticipated tonight's unrest. The Uchiha clan's secret gatherings had grown more frequent in recent weeks, while Shisui's time with him had become scarce.
Just yesterday, Shisui had confided in him with a grave expression—that he was about to undertake a mission.
Makoto hadn't pressed him for details. But at such a critical time, what kind of assignment would the clan's only Uchiha who still embodied the Will of Fire be ordered to carry out?
He feared it could only be tied to the coup.
When Makoto asked Shisui about the location of the next clan assembly, Shisui had not stayed to spar or instruct him as usual. Instead, his figure had blurred and vanished instantly from the training ground.
That had been enough. Makoto formed his own plan.
But careful preparations were still required. He needed to protect the Uchiha from being crushed under Konoha's suspicion, and at the same time ensure he could secure the Forbidden Scroll.
Let chaos descend. If Konoha Village is thrown into disorder tonight, I can move freely. But aside from Danzō and his Root dogs, I must avoid drawing others in. Only then can I strike amidst the confusion.
Even as his true body advanced with Neji, one of Makoto's shadow clones was already heading toward the battlefield where Danzō had confronted Shisui.
Shisui had been warned; he should not fall so easily.
Remembering his mentor's calm, confident smile, Makoto forced the tight knot in his chest to ease.
Name: Uchiha Makoto
Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan (Single Tomoe)
Potential: Susanoo (incomplete, locked)
World Change Progress: 1%
Spiritual Tool: Totsuka Cloud Sword (?)
Ninja Rank: Genin
Ninjutsu Arsenal:
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique
Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique
Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Claw Red
Genjutsu: Sharingan Genjutsu, Demonic Illusion: Narakumi no Jutsu
Shadow Clone Technique
Clone Technique
Transformation Technique
Substitution Jutsu
Concealed Cloak of Invisibility Technique
Shuriken Jutsu
Makoto quietly monitored the mysterious "Chronicle of Ancient Matters," gauging whether the world's rate of change would shift. If the plan succeeded, the numbers should fluctuate.
"Makoto," Neji suddenly spoke, veins bulging as his Byakugan expanded. "A group has left the village. Their chakra signatures are strong—one in particular is immense."
Through his vision, Neji clearly saw an elderly man rushing forward, wielding a massive golden staff that extended at both ends.
His breath caught.
"It's the Third Hokage… Sarutobi Hiruzen!"