Chapter 39: Mangekyō 

Itachi was in a daze, walking home. He couldn't remember how he had parted ways with his uncle, Uchiha Dan, or how he had returned to the clan's territory.

"Your uncle, I just want to watch the world burn," Dan's words echoed in Itachi's mind, causing him to shiver in the heat, his hands and feet cold.

It took a while for Itachi to regain his composure. He decided not to tell his father about his uncle's crazy idea because his father had never understood him. He wanted to tell Shisui, the one he trusted the most.

At night, on the cliff by the Nanhe River, Itachi sincerely asked his friend, "Shisui, please, at the clan meeting tomorrow, if my uncle behaves out of line, you must stop him."

"I understand, Itachi. I didn't expect Dan to have such dangerous thoughts," Shisui gasped, then solemnly promised Itachi.

Then, Itachi told Shisui everything he knew about his uncle, including Dan's battle with the mysterious masked man at the Naka Shrine, and how Dan had evaded the assassination attempt by Root, leaving Yūgao Aburame empty-handed.

"Uchiha Dan is a man who only respects power. The only way to stop or change his mind is to defeat him publicly, making him realize that he is not invincible," Itachi advised Shisui, hoping that the latter would not show mercy when confronting Dan.

"Don't worry, I will win. Because, like the masked man you mentioned, I also have the Mangekyou Sharingan," Shisui patted Itachi's shoulder, showing a confident and warm smile.

In Itachi's surprised gaze, Shisui's dark pupils first transformed into a three-tomoe Sharingan, then rotated again, turning into a new pattern. Unlike the masked man's triangular pinwheel eyes, Shisui's Mangekyou was a four-pointed shuriken.

"Based on your description, the masked man only has one Mangekyou Sharingan, so he was defeated by Uchiha Dan with a three-tomoe Sharingan due to his carelessness. The Mangekyou is much stronger when both eyes are activated, and it can unleash its true power. That power is known as the power of God," Shisui said mysteriously.

The power of God? Itachi was shocked by these words, but also felt much more at ease. After all, Shisui had never let him down.

At the same time, Itachi couldn't help but yearn for the Mangekyou. Whether it was the masked man or Shisui, these Mangekyou users were beings that Itachi could only look up to. His dream was to become the strongest ninja, become the Hokage, and then eliminate the wars in the world. To achieve that, he probably needed the Mangekyou.

Seemingly seeing Itachi's thoughts, Shisui smiled and encouraged him, "Itachi, I believe you will be able to activate the Mangekyou Sharingan in the future. Each pair of Mangekyou has a different pattern and different abilities. Perhaps your ability will be even stronger than other Mangekyou." However, he did not tell Itachi how he had activated the Mangekyou, because Shisui really didn't have the courage to bring up that past.

The night passed without a word. The next day, in the afternoon, at the Hokage Building.

Danzo barged into the Hokage's office, finding the Third Hokage looking

out the window at the Leaf Village, puffing on his pipe.

"Lord Hokage, what are you doing gazing at the scenery at a time like this?" Danzo coldly said, tapping his cane on the ground to express his dissatisfaction.

"What's the matter?" The Third Hokage turned around slowly, his face calm.

"There's a man named Uchiha Dan, you should know him. This man lured my four subordinates to a remote area outside the village and attacked them, brutally killing them all!" Danzo glared at the Third Hokage, his voice stern, "The people of Root are part of the Anbu, your subordinates. Uchiha Dan's actions are undoubtedly instigated by his brother-in-law, Uchiha Fugaku, as a declaration of rebellion against us!"

The Third Hokage quietly watched Danzo's performance. He exhaled a puff of smoke, calmly sitting in the Hokage's chair, tapping the ash from his pipe.

"I've already heard about this from Itachi. It's clear that you tried to win over Dan and failed, and he even sprayed you with bitter tea. Out of anger, you sent people to assassinate him, but you failed, right?" The Third Hokage spoke slowly, his eyes sharp.

After hearing the Third Hokage's words, Danzo's face stiffened. That little brat Itachi had told the Hokage about his humiliation at the tea house.

However, Danzo had a thick skin. Since he had been exposed, he decided to turn the page and act as if he had never mentioned it. He snorted coldly and continued to advise the Third Hokage, demanding that he make a decision:

"Even if you plan to ignore Uchiha Dan, don't forget that tonight is the Uchiha clan meeting. We both know that this clan is becoming increasingly dangerous. At this critical time, we must send the Anbu to surround the Uchiha clan's territory. If there's any movement from the clan, we can respond immediately. Even, if necessary..." Danzo's eyes turned cold, the meaning behind his words clear.

"Are you trying to teach me, the Hokage? Danzo, you're overstepping," the Third Hokage frowned, looking displeased.

Danzo didn't back down, but instead took a step forward, pressuring the Third Hokage across the desk, "Lord Hokage, everything I do is for the Leaf Village. This time, you must listen to me!"

Bang! The Third Hokage stood up, slapping his hand on the desk, shouting at Danzo, "You're too presumptuous, Danzo. I am the Hokage!"

"You'll regret this," Danzo didn't give any face, turning around and storming out.

After a while, "You can come out now," the Third Hokage sighed.

Uchiha Shisui came out from behind the screen. He had listened to the entire argument between the Third Hokage and Danzo, and was now silent, lost in thought.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, Shisui. I'm not doing a good job as Hokage, I can't control my subordinates," the Third Hokage said self-deprecatingly.

Shisui looked serious, and said sincerely, "Lord Third, you are the greatest Hokage in history. Without you, there would be no Leaf Village today."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had been Hokage for nearly 40 years, leading the Leaf Village through two Great Ninja Wars, and finally bringing peace and prosperity to the village. His prestige in the village had long surpassed that of the First and Second Hokage.