"You're talking nonsense! There's no way Itachi would ever slaughter his own clan!"
Shisui immediately shot down Naruto's claim.
If Naruto's earlier deductions about Konoha's leadership had some truth, this one—about Itachi leading a massacre—was impossible to believe.
He knew Itachi better than anyone. Even at just ten years old, Itachi was mature, steady, kind, and overflowing with love for both his clan and the village.
For the sake of that love, Itachi would sacrifice himself without hesitation.
There was no way he would ever walk down the path of genocide.
"Yes," Itachi added firmly. "I refuse to believe your so-called deduction. Even if it cost me my life, I would never—never—raise my hand against my family, my friends, or my clan."
His voice was resolute. His eyes, sharp as stone.
Naruto didn't argue. He simply shrugged. "Believe what you want. Time will prove it either way."
Then his gaze shifted back to Shisui.
"Shisui, I don't know exactly when Danzo will move against you—but most likely, it'll be soon. When you meet him, you'd better use a clone. Stay cautious."
"Is it really that serious…?"
Shisui faltered, his mind torn. Logic told him Naruto's warning made sense. But his heart resisted.
Konoha's leaders, turning on their own loyal shinobi just because of the Sharingan's power?
It was too much. Too absurd. A betrayal of the village's very foundation.
"You can test it if you want. Won't cost you anything," Naruto pressed. "But I'll warn you—Danzo's after your eyes. If he makes a move, he'll strike for them first. You'd better prepare a decoy, or he'll never stop coming. Got it?"
Shisui froze at the words.
"Why would he…? If Danzo really tried that, I'd report everything to the Hokage! Lord Third would deal with him fairly!"
Naruto just gave him a pitying look. "You're too naïve."
The so-called Uchiha prodigy—unmatched in battle, yet when it came to politics, utterly blind.
Shisui bristled at the insult. "Where exactly am I naïve?"
"Do you know Orochimaru?" Naruto asked.
"Of course. One of the Sannin. The Third Hokage's student. Konoha's traitor."
"He defected because of his human experiments—experiments he performed on people from the village. Do you know how the Third handled it?"
Shisui frowned. "Orochimaru was powerful. He broke through the village defenses and escaped."
Naruto sneered. "That's what they told you. Truth is, the Third fought him—had him right there—and let him go. Showed mercy to his old student. Couldn't bring himself to finish it."
Shisui fell silent. Deep down, he could believe it. After all, the Third and Orochimaru had a long history as teacher and disciple.
"Now consider this," Naruto went on. "Danzo's known the Third even longer than Orochimaru has. Word is, he even took part in those experiments. Yet Orochimaru was branded a traitor, while Danzo still sits as an elder, untouchable. Cozy as ever."
"So if you die, Shisui, what'll happen? The Third might shed a few tears, maybe say some words at your funeral—but punish Danzo? Never. You'll never outweigh him in value."
Shisui exhaled heavily, words failing him.
Itachi's expression grew darker by the moment. Naruto's analysis stripped away every illusion they held about Konoha's leadership, laying bare its corruption.
"Shisui," Naruto said flatly. "Stop clinging to false hope. Danzo will be the first to strike. If you resist, they'll brand you a traitor. If you surrender, you'll just be another problem erased. Either way, he wins. Don't expect the Hokage to save you."
Shisui's shoulders sagged, despair creeping in. "Then… what am I supposed to do?"
He wanted peace. He wanted the village safe. He wanted the clan to survive. But between these crushing choices, there seemed no way forward.
"You fake your death," Naruto said without hesitation. "Stay hidden, stay alive, and watch how things play out. And you, Itachi—you'll see for yourself what happens when Shisui disappears and the burden shifts onto you. Then you'll understand where that path leads."
Naruto smirked as though the whole thing amused him.
Itachi, however, remained calm. "But if we do that, won't it play right into your prediction? The Uchiha will still be doomed. What's the point?"
Naruto waved it off. "The clan doesn't have to fall. You already know what's coming—so if you still walk into annihilation, that's on you. Don't blame fate. Blame your own lack of wit."
He leaned back casually, unconcerned.
A solution hadn't come to him yet. But one would. And if not, he still had the Wishing Statue. With luck, he'd force the outcome to change.
For now, he wasn't worried.
His eyes gleamed with quiet confidence.
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