Chapter 21: The Eye Seized

This was also the reason why the Nine-Tails had kept the chakra of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, from the very beginning.

As for Kushina Uzumaki? The Nine-Tails could sense the unique chakra that remained immobile within its seal, a force it couldn't even guide itself.

Unlike Minato, Kushina's chakra had become almost completely one with the seal; she was essentially bound to it. To free her, the sealing technique would need to be undone first...

Suddenly, the Nine-Tails seemed to have thought of something. It cast a glance at Minato, who, sensing the Nine-Tails' train of thought, responded with a radiant smile.

"Hmph, you really are something," the Nine-Tails finally understood why Minato had decided to teach Naruto sealing techniques from the start. His foresight had woven a plan that stretched through countless layers right from the beginning.

From the very start, when nothing was certain, he had already laid a safety net for Naruto!

"Any ninja before him appears utterly mediocre."

This was the most fitting evaluation from others regarding the young Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

...

While Naruto remained lost in his dreams, the dawn was breaking over Konoha Village. In a hidden corner, the Third Hokage, surrounded by his ANBU guards, looked down at Uchiha Shisui, who was kneeling before him, with a look of gratitude. "Shisui, whether the hard-won peace of our village can be maintained rests on your shoulders. Are you ready?"

"Yes, I will not fail in my mission." Uchiha Shisui raised his head, his unique eyes gleaming with the design of a kaleidoscopic pattern—the Mangekyō Sharingan, a testament to his power!

Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan granted him the unique ability known as Kotoamatsukami, which could forcibly alter others' thoughts and implant them deeply in their minds. Even more powerful was that if the target wasn't stronger than him in ocular power, it was almost impossible for them to resist; it was the most formidable genjutsu that guaranteed success!

At that moment, he was the strongest of the Uchiha clan!

This miraculous power lay dormant within Shisui's crimson eyes, serving as his confidence to bring order to the chaos within the village—

He intended to use Kotoamatsukami to modify the thoughts of Uchiha Fugaku and other high-ranking clan members, helping them truly understand the Will of Fire and what Konoha needed to heal from the scars of war, preserving the peace of the village!

"Ah, although Kagami sadly passed away early, he must be proud to have a descendant like you." The Third Hokage looked at Shisui with warmth in his eyes.

Uchiha Shisui was the descendant of Uchiha Kagami, who, like Sarutobi Hiruzen, had once been a disciple and protector of the Second Hokage. They shared a deep bond, akin to blood brothers. Thus, the Third Hokage had watched Shisui grow up, understanding that this boy's intentions were sincere.

For this reason, he had resisted the voices of others advocating for a preemptive strike against the Uchiha clan, prioritizing Shisui's chance and placing the fate of the entire village in his hands—this was indeed a show of immense trust.

"Go forth, young man; the future of the village is in your hands." The Third Hokage adjusted his hat and offered Shisui a reassuring smile. "As for this old man, I will ensure a safe path for you."

"Yes!" Hearing the Hokage's trust, Shisui felt a surge of emotions, a mixture of excitement and the weight of responsibility.

After responding to the Third Hokage, Shisui's figure vanished before Hiruzen and the ANBU behind him.

With the Body Flicker Technique, Shisui's name had become almost synonymous with Minato's Yellow Flash during the Third Shinobi World War.

This was his second trump card; under this capability, no one in Konoha could hope to stop him!

The trees and flowers around him blurred as he dashed towards the Uchiha compound, but suddenly, a shadow appeared in his path.

Instinctively alert, Uchiha Shisui reached for his shuriken, but upon recognizing the figure, he quickly relaxed his guard and halted.

"Danzo-sama?"

His Sharingan could see through ninja techniques and genjutsu, so there was no chance of being deceived by transformation jutsu; standing before him was Danzo Shimura, one of the village's higher-ups.

Danzo was also a comrade who had fought alongside the Third Hokage and Shisui's own elders, someone he held in respect. In his childhood, Danzo had even taken extra care of Shisui's comrades' descendants.

Though some of Danzo's actions regarding Konoha's secret "Root" organization were intolerable in Shisui's eyes, he understood that they were all meant to protect the village. For this, he felt more empathy than resentment.

On this foundation, Shisui even harbored a bit of admiration for Danzo, who was willing to get his hands dirty to uphold the Will of Fire, a fellow strong individual following his own path.

At least at this moment, Uchiha Shisui held no reservations towards Danzo, believing that they were both comrades for Konoha, worthy of trust.

"Shisui, have you confirmed with Sarutobi?" Danzo, half-hidden in his robe, glanced at Shisui, who had lowered his guard. He casually gauged the distance between them before asking, "If you stand against your own family and align with the village, you will face malicious criticism and live under the disapproving gaze of your clan, much like that Hatake Sakumo. Are you truly prepared for this?"

As Danzo spoke soothingly and understandingly, he slowly approached Uchiha Shisui.

Unbeknownst to Shisui, several ANBU members had quietly appeared behind Danzo. However, upon closer inspection, their attire bore distinct differences; the designs on their masks were more menacing. They were members of the darkest organization in Konoha—Root.

While Shisui had sensed the increase in numbers around him, he dismissed any suspicion, reasoning that it was only natural for Danzo, the leader of Root, to be accompanied by guards. He felt no unease.

But this one misjudgment would haunt him for the rest of his life.

"Danzo-sama, I am ready…" Uchiha Shisui, gazing resolutely at Danzo, was about to reiterate his unwavering determination when Danzo's expression turned to one of satisfaction, as if he were about to place a reassuring hand on Shisui's shoulder in encouragement, but...

A sudden twist of fate!

"Ah!"

Everything happened too abruptly. The pain surged as Shisui clutched his eye, emitting a heart-wrenching cry. In a moment of desperation, he hurled his shuriken at Danzo, forcing him back a few steps before instantly using the Body Flicker Technique to escape.

Danzo, unfazed, retreated, landing gracefully. He didn't even spare a glance at his arm, which had been grazed by the shuriken; instead, his gaze was fixed on the bloodied palm of his right hand—the bloody Sharingan.

A cruel smile spread across Danzo's face. "Go, bring him back."

In the next instant, the Root ninjas vanished without a trace, as if they had never existed.