"In front of Shisui, one can never be too careful."
At the school, Masahiko breathed a long sigh of relief.
The plan was proceeding as scheduled, and he hadn't let Shisui see too much of his Chakra status.
Previously, he had never been observed by Shisui's Sharingan.
As long as the other party didn't suspect him, even if he saved Shisui, his identity wouldn't be exposed to him.
The only problem was—
He also couldn't expose himself in front of the Root Organization.
He planned to use the river, employing Water Release to cover up his rescue of Shisui.
The advantage was that... before making a move, he wouldn't be targeted by Kikaichu or the Yamanaka Clan's secret techniques, and he could quickly isolate himself and retreat after acting.
The many steps in between were rehearsed repeatedly in his mind.
This time, there must be no mistakes!
...Uchiha Clan Compound.
At Clan Leader Fugaku's home.
"Have you heard about the situation in the Village and within the clan?"
"I just returned today and haven't heard yet. What happened?"
Shisui looked up.
Fugaku gave a brief description.
Afterward, he said, "Shisui, I am caught in a dilemma. What do you think?"
"Clan Leader, I think... Konoha might be prepared. If we rashly launch an action, we will undoubtedly be defeated."
Shisui still wanted to try.
Although Kotoamatsukami was strong, it was still a 'technique' after all. If the incident could be resolved directly through persuasion, that would certainly be best.
Fugaku sighed softly.
"How could I not know that?"
After a few seconds of silence, he added, "Since you're back, attend the next clan meeting as well."
"Yes!"
Shisui nodded.
This fit perfectly into his plan.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he bid farewell and left Uchiha Fugaku's home, his heart filled with hesitation and doubt.
The Clan Leader was not a stubborn person.
He couldn't help but think of the words on the note—
"I know your plan, but it cannot save the Uchiha."
It can't save them...?
Shisui looked at the sky, and his originally firm heart couldn't help but feel a bit lost.
Who exactly was the person who left the message?
And what did 'Beware of Danzo' mean?
He frowned, completely unable to figure it out.
Shisui walked home, and as soon as he pushed the door open, he sensed something was wrong. The three-tomoe immediately appeared in his eyes as his gaze swept around.
Very soon.
A person appeared inside the doorway.
"Danzo-sama requests your presence to discuss some details that weren't covered today."
"Danzo-sama?"
Shisui was already thinking about the warning on the note, and hearing Danzo's invitation, his heart skipped a beat.
"Yes, Danzo-sama said the matter is very important and asks you to be there in person."
The person nodded.
To go or not to go?
Shisui couldn't help but hesitate.
After weighing it for a few seconds, he took a deep breath and said, "Fine, are we going now? Where is it?"
"By the stone wall outside Konoha's Ryuto Street, one of the former bases of the Anbu training department. You should know it. Danzo-sama will be waiting for you there."
"Alright, I'll head over immediately."
Shisui nodded, showing no outward sign of anything unusual.
"Mm."
After the person finished speaking, their figure dissolved into a swarm of insects and dissipated.
Shisui held his breath, only breathing gently once the insects had completely dispersed, as the location of that spot surfaced in his mind.
Ryuto Street was a night market district in Konoha, located on the edge of the Village. It was relatively remote, but a river flowed alongside it, making it a famous scenic area.
The old base Danzo mentioned was located in the middle area between the river and the Hokage Rock mountain range.
That place was quite far from Ryuto Street.
If it weren't for that note and the precise prediction of Danzo's invitation, he might not have given that place much thought.
But now—
That place was an old Anbu base with many traps and secret passages, making it far too suitable for Anbu ambushes and concealment.
Shisui's mind was in a mess.
On one hand, he vaguely felt there was something wrong with this invitation.
On the other hand, Shisui felt... this might be an opportunity.
With the Uchiha situation at this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't possibly be unaware of the reasons. He had clearly agreed to let him execute the plan... perhaps Danzo really just wanted to discuss some details?
Shisui was wavering, yet he felt that since the Hokage had made things very clear during the day, Danzo wouldn't go so far as to disobey the Hokage's orders.
Furthermore—
If he didn't go, Danzo would have more of an opportunity to use it as an excuse to pressure the Uchiha.
By then, his plan would be completely ruined!
"I have to go!"
The Uchiha had reached the brink of survival, and Shisui had no other choice... On the side of Ryuto Street near the mountain wall, in front of a house halfway embedded into the rock, a figure had been waiting for a long time.
The setting sun cast its slanting light.
A "whoosh" sounded from behind. Danzo opened his eyes and said calmly, "You've come."
"Danzo-sama!"
Shisui greeted him with a polite bow, showing no disrespect.
Danzo nodded slightly.
"I called you here to add some details to your plan. After all, your clan could meet again at any time; some things must be rushed."
"Yes, please go on."
Shisui responded.
Danzo turned around, staring at him with his single exposed eye, and then said softly:
"I heard about your technique from Hokage-sama. It is indeed incredible, but do you really think controlling a single clan leader can change everything?"
"Perhaps not, but as long as the Clan Leader doesn't defect, he can imprison the radicals just like before. Internal conflict won't happen, and the Uchiha Clan will remain loyal to the Village after this cleanup."
Shisui replied sincerely.
This was the result of his careful consideration on the way there.
Sacrificing a portion of the clansmen in exchange for the continuation of the entire clan, as well as Konoha's recognition and coexistence... this was the best plan in the worst-case scenario.
Danzo was silent for a few seconds, then sighed softly, "Your thinking is still too naive."
Shisui felt something was wrong. A crimson color flooded his eyes as three tomoe appeared within them.
At that moment, he felt a sudden sharp pain in his body.
Poison?
When did... Shisui's eyes widened as he thought of that Anbu Ninja from the Aburame Clan earlier.
It was him!
The tomoe in his eyes immediately began to spin.
Genjutsu activated!
Danzo immediately retreated, but he had already fallen into the Genjutsu. His body went limp, and his head slumped.
Shisui's blade left its sheath, and several clones appeared around him, each pointing a weapon at Danzo, his face contorted in pain: "Cough, cough, cough! Where is the Aburame clansman? Hand over the antidote!"
The Anbu from before appeared.
He was silent for a moment, then flicked his finger. Several special Kikaichu flew out, landing on Shisui and sucking the toxins from his body.
In just a moment, Shisui felt his condition improve.
But.
At that moment, Danzo's figure distorted and vanished from where he stood.
Shisui instantly felt a sense of dread. Just as he was about to use the Body Flicker to escape, he saw the other's figure flash past, and a sudden sharp pain erupted in his eye.
This is... He looked up, his face filled with shock and bewilderment.
In the next second, Shisui grabbed the smoke bombs and explosive tags at his waist and threw them all out together.
Smoke filled the air.
At the moment Danzo seized his eye, Shisui's figure retreated, maintaining his Body Flicker Technique with his remaining eye, followed immediately by—
His hands rapidly forming seals.
Boom!
The explosive tags detonated, completely obscuring the area previously covered by smoke. Danzo flickered out from the flames and smoke.
But at the same time, a massive fireball erupted from Shisui's mouth.
Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!
The Anbu Ninja hidden in the shadows immediately flickered in front of Danzo, using Water Release to counter the flames.
Above, countless insects gathered into a cloud, heavily surrounding Shisui.
At this moment, Shisui felt another surge of sharp pain.
The poison from the Kikaichu hadn't been completely removed!
Enduring the pain, Shisui's mind instead became increasingly calm—
The warning note had told him that in a desperate situation, he could stay close to the river!
No matter who the other party was, the river was safer than the shore!
...
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