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The Third Hokage, accompanied by Danzo and elite shinobi from the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, hurried to the Forest of Death. Upon arrival, they found Kakashi and his team locked in combat with a giant serpent, while Uchiha Itachi was entangled in a fierce battle with Uchiha Shisui.
Given Shisui's special place in Itachi's heart, the latter found it difficult to fight him with full strength.
However, the mindless Shisui showed no such hesitation. A relentless barrage of attacks forced Itachi into retreat, leaving him wounded.
Hiruzen's mood darkened as he observed Shisui's lifeless state.
If there was one Uchiha whom Hiruzen trusted without reservation, it was undoubtedly Shisui.
But Orochimaru's use of the Impure World Reincarnation on Shisui had not only wounded the Uchiha clan—it had enraged Hiruzen as well.
Meanwhile, the giant serpent, despite being assaulted by over a dozen shinobi, still held the upper hand.
Hiruzen formed hand signs and summoned Enma, the Monkey King.
"Handle that serpent," Hiruzen ordered.
Enma scoffed—dealing with a mere snake was beneath him. But since Hiruzen needed to focus on Shisui, he held his tongue and charged toward the beast.
"Lord Hokage, Shisui—"
"I know." Hiruzen nodded grimly.
The most straightforward way to undo the Impure World Reincarnation was for the caster to release the technique. Other methods were far more difficult.
Destroying Shisui's reanimated body was another option, but that required Yin-Yang Release and risked damaging his soul.
Given Shisui's past contributions to Konoha, Hiruzen refused to resort to such measures. The best alternative was to seal the reanimated body.
"We'll restrain him. Danzo—!"
Hiruzen called out to Danzo, startling him.
Danzo's mind had been preoccupied with Shizune.
Earlier, he had wanted to kill her, but Orochimaru had insisted that Tsunade be the one to do it…
How foolish he had been to listen.
Now, Shizune had escaped and reunited with Tsunade.
What would she say? Would she expose him? Had she recognized ROOT? Should he cut ties with them now?
Or should he feign ignorance?
Countless thoughts swirled in Danzo's mind. This situation was not part of his plans.
Hearing Hiruzen's call, Danzo stiffened. "Wh-What is it?"
"Prepare the sealing team! We're sealing Shisui!" Hiruzen barked.
"Understood." Swallowing his unease, Danzo ordered nearby jonin to summon the sealing squad.
Hiruzen and Itachi moved to engage Shisui, who exploited his blinding speed to pressure even the Hokage.
"Lord Hokage… perhaps you should support me from the rear?" Itachi quickly intervened when he saw Hiruzen stepping forward. "You don't have the Sharingan, and his genjutsu is formidable. If you were caught…"
Ordinary genjutsu might not affect Hiruzen, but this was Kotoamatsukami.
If Shisui struck the Hokage unawares, Itachi would have to fight his leader next.
Konoha's elders already distrusted the Uchiha. If the Third Hokage fell under genjutsu, it would only reinforce their belief: "See? The Uchiha are dangerous."
And that was the last thing Shisui would have wanted.
The more Itachi thought about it, the more his fury toward Orochimaru burned—so intense that he nearly lost himself to the urge to kill the snake Sannin.
Of course, Itachi wasn't sure if a reanimated Shisui could even use Kotoamatsukami. Few Uchiha had ever been reanimated, and the Impure World Reincarnation had been sealed away as a forbidden technique long ago. Very few understood its mechanics, let alone how to counter it.
Even Itachi only knew the basics. The extent of its effects on Shisui remained a mystery.
"Can you handle this alone?" Hiruzen asked, eyeing Itachi skeptically.
Itachi was a prodigy, but so was Shisui—a veteran who had made his mark in the Third Shinobi World War.
Compared to him, Itachi still seemed inexperienced.
"Lord Hokage, this isn't about whether I can. It's about what I must do!"
Itachi formed hand signs, and his Susanoo erupted around him.
The colossal armored warrior swung a massive fist at Shisui, who dodged effortlessly—only to reappear instantly in front of Itachi, striking the Susanoo with both hands.
Yet the Susanoo didn't budge.
What?!
Itachi was stunned. When his eyes met Shisui's, he realized—
Shisui's eyes weren't the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Just the ordinary Sharingan.
How?!
There was no time to ponder. Itachi swung again. Shisui leapt back, but the Susanoo's other hand smashed into him, sending him crashing into a tree.
Hiruzen, already prepared, signaled the sealing team.
Within moments, Shisui was sealed away.
On the other side of the battlefield, the giant serpent, unable to endure Enma's brutal assault, retreated into the earth, leaving the Forest of Death in ruins.
Itachi dispelled his Susanoo, panting heavily. Seeing Shisui sealed felt surreal—like a dream.
When he turned, he found Hiruzen smiling at him.
"Lord Hokage, I—"
"You did well." Hiruzen clasped Itachi's shoulder.
"No, I mean… Shisui, he—"
"This wasn't his fault. It was Orochimaru's." Hiruzen's expression hardened. "I never imagined Orochimaru would go this far—reanimating Shisui. If he could do that, he could reanimate others. Orochimaru is now an enemy we cannot ignore."
His gaze turned icy.
Orochimaru had once been his student, a hero of the Second Shinobi World War. To see him fall so low weighed heavily on Hiruzen's conscience.
Danzo, meanwhile, stared at the sealed Shisui, his face pale.
To obtain Shisui's body, he had desecrated his grave and even sacrificed an Uchiha as a vessel.
He hadn't handled the technical aspects—Orochimaru had taken care of that.
And now, Shisui had been sealed away.
Orochimaru… what the hell are you playing at?!
Danzo seethed internally, but he dared not speak, terrified of being exposed.
This question haunted not only Danzo but also Hiruzen.
With this sudden crisis, the Chunin Exams were suspended. Medical teams rushed to treat the wounded, while ANBU—led by Kakashi—scoured the Forest of Death once more.