Chapter:14

There is no other option.

Just like the White Fang of Konoha back then, no matter how tolerant and great he is, the "strongest Hokage of all time" can never allow the existence of someone in Konoha who is beyond the Hokage's control.

This is a matter of principle. He carries the weight of Konoha on his shoulders.

If Uchiha Shisui had evil intentions, the damage he could cause would far surpass that of the Nine-Tails, potentially turning the Hokage into a puppet.

As the Third Hokage pondered this, an Anbu ninja knocked urgently on the door.

"It's not good, Hokage-sama," the Anbu said.

A slight smile tugged at the corners of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth. Even through the door, he could sense the urgency.

It seemed Danzo had succeeded.

"Come in," Sarutobi ordered, keeping his face expressionless despite the slight joy in his heart.

The office door creaked open, and the Anbu ninja quickly approached, kneeling on one knee before the Hokage. He clenched his right fist and placed it on the ground, keeping his head lowered, only looking up when the Hokage would ask him a question.

"What happened?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked softly, already knowing the answer.

"Hokage-sama, Uchiha Shisui is dead," the Anbu ninja reported.

A brief flash of joy crossed Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, but he feigned surprise, standing up suddenly and widening his eyes in apparent shock.

"What?! Shisui is dead? How did this happen?" he asked, his voice full of pain.

"Reporting to Hokage-sama, Uchiha Shisui is indeed dead. The Anbu ninja in charge of surveillance saw his body with their own eyes. It is said that he committed suicide and left a note, but the cause of death is still under investigation."

The Anbu ninja, seeing the Third Hokage's apparent concern, organized his words and continued, "However, it seems that Shisui's eyes were removed, and it was reported that he was summoned by Danzo's Root earlier today."

"Danzo..." The mention of the name darkened the Third Hokage's eyes. It appeared his old friend had gained something significant, but he knew he needed to give him a warning to prevent any ill intentions towards himself.

Meanwhile, in the Land of Water, in the Hidden Mist Village, Uchiha Obito was controlling the Fourth Mizukage, methodically implementing the Blood Mist Village's policy and his plan to kill the Bloodline Ninjas to avenge Nohara Rin.

Just as Obito was contemplating his next move, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu emerged from the ground.

"Obito, something big has happened in Konoha," Black Zetsu said in his hoarse voice.

"I've told you many times to call me Madara-sama," Obito replied coldly, frowning under his mask.

"Okay, Madara-sama," Black Zetsu responded respectfully, though he secretly harbored disdain, knowing that both Obito and Uchiha Madara were mere pawns in his plan to resurrect his mother.

Obito's tone softened slightly. "Tell me, what happened?"

White Zetsu spoke first, "Uchiha Shisui, known as the strongest illusion user of the Uchiha clan, is dead."

"Uchiha Shisui is dead?" Obito was startled. "When?"

Since the death of the Fourth Hokage, Obito had feared no one in Konoha—Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, Uchiha Fugaku—they were nothing compared to his divine power.

But Shisui was different. The man had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, with abilities that were strange and powerful, even to someone like Obito.

"Yesterday. The Uchiha clan is holding a funeral now," Black Zetsu answered in his unsettling voice.

White Zetsu added, "It's said that he committed suicide."

"You believe that nonsense?" Obito said impatiently.

Black Zetsu continued, "Uchiha Shisui did commit suicide. The Uchiha clan was on the brink of launching a coup, and to prevent a civil war in Konoha, Shisui chose to sacrifice himself to dampen the Uchiha clan's morale and combat power.

But before committing suicide, he attempted to use his Mangekyō Sharingan to control Uchiha Fugaku, reorganize the Uchiha, and stop the coup. However, he was ambushed by Danzo and lost his right eye."

"Hmph, such naivety. A man with such eyes and power, yet he still fell into Danzo's hands. How ridiculous," Obito scoffed disdainfully. "So, is Shisui's eye in Danzo's possession now?"

"No, it seems Danzo did not obtain the Sharingan," Black Zetsu clarified. "According to information from the Root organization, not only did Danzo fail to acquire Shisui's right eye, but a mysterious person suddenly appeared, cut off his left arm, and took the eye."

White Zetsu, grinning, added, "Now Danzo suspects you were behind it."

"Mysterious man? Interesting. It seems Konoha is more complicated than it appears," Obito mused. "And the left eye?"

"We're not sure. However," Black Zetsu hesitated before continuing, "the first person to discover Shisui's body was Uchiha Itachi."

"Uchiha Itachi was a close friend of Shisui's. After Shisui's death, Itachi also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. I believe Shisui's left eye is in his possession."

"Itachi?" Obito frowned. "Another troublesome individual."

"What will you do, Madara-sama?" Black Zetsu asked.

"Although the Uchiha coup was halted this time, it's only a matter of time before it resurfaces. Once we're done here, we'll head to Konoha and find an opportunity to recruit Itachi into Akatsuki," Obito replied. "Anyone from the Uchiha clan who has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan is worthy of this and will be useful in our quest to capture the tailed beasts."

"Also, find out who stole Shisui's right eye. Anyone who could snatch it from Danzo within Konoha must either be a master of space-time ninjutsu or someone from Konoha's inner circle."

"I understand," Black Zetsu replied, merging into the ground and disappearing.

The next day, the news of Uchiha Shisui's death spread like wildfire.

The Uchiha clan, having lost the support of their strongest Mangekyō Sharingan user, was deeply affected.

For the time being, morale was low, and even the hawkish elders of the clan remained silent, refraining from any talk of a coup.

Konoha entered a brief period of peace, but it was only the calm before the storm.

(End of the Chapter).