"If the clan head still intends to plot a coup, I will use Kotoamatsukami to make the clan head change his mind and instead consider seeking a way to coexist with the village."
Just as Shisui spoke these words, outside the Hokage Office.
Danzo lifted the cane he had been leaning on, his steps slightly hurried yet silent, as he turned and quickly departed.
If anyone were to see Danzo's only exposed eye from the front right now, they would notice that his cloudy eyes were now bloodshot, filled with greed and madness.
Kotoamatsukami! I must obtain it!
Inside the office, Hiruzen spoke again to confirm, "Shisui, are you sure?"
Shisui lowered his head, requesting sincerely, "Yes, I hope to do something for the village and my clan. I trouble Hokage-sama."
"I understand."
Hiruzen adjusted the brim of his Hokage hat and said, "I will publicly state that you have gone to execute a top-secret mission. If you encounter anyone who tries to obstruct you, tell them you are acting on my orders. I will bear all responsibility."
Even though Hiruzen knew Shisui's idea was naive, he held onto the hope that Shisui could succeed. This way, perhaps the village could avoid another war.
The Uchiha clan's rebellion, whether successful or not, would be a major blow to the village. If it could be resolved so silently, it would perhaps be the best outcome.
— — —
Morning.
By the stream next to the training ground, Shinji was smoothly baiting his hook, then casting his line into the water.
Having not had much to do for a long time, he couldn't think of anything else, so he came alone to fish. As for his disciples like Naruto, he estimated they were still sleeping in. Starting today, they would have a few days off.
A gentle breeze blew, and small fish occasionally leaped out of the stream, then fell back into the water.
The years were peaceful.
Shinji sat cross-legged, entering training state, nourishing himself with Yang Attribute Chakra. His body, covered in a thin golden halo of Chakra like liquid, was fully circulating and nourishing every cell within him.
Shinji unconsciously closed his eyes. This feeling was like breaking through the body's restraints step by step.
At this moment, he suddenly sensed something and stopped his actions, turning his head to look behind him. He saw Kakashi, dressed in Anbu attire with a standard long sword sheathed on his back, leaning against a large tree with his arms crossed.
"Captain?"
Shinji was a bit surprised to see Kakashi here, as he had confirmed there were no missions today.
"Is there a mission?"
Kakashi nodded and said, "Indeed, an urgent mission. You will be participating in this mission for the next few days."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Shinji put away his fishing rod. To be honest, sometimes he wanted to ask Hiruzen if everything was pre-arranged.
Otherwise, why was the timing of every mission always so perfectly coincidental?
"What kind of mission is it?" As he spoke, Shinji took off his Chunin vest, revealing the Anbu attire he wore underneath.
He reached into the ninja tool pouch on his back, pulled out a fox mask, and put it on.
Seeing Shinji ready, Kakashi stood firm and said, "Anbu Kyouka, from now on, you are to closely monitor the movements of the Uchiha clan's gathering."
"If there are any abnormalities or intel, contact me immediately."
Uchiha, gathering?
Shinji frowned slightly, he hadn't heard any rumors recently.
Had it already reached this point in time?
"Captain, what counts as an abnormality?" Shinji asked casually.
Kakashi, who was about to leave, turned his head to look, and after a while, said, "If anyone not belonging to the Uchiha or Anbu appears there, that is an abnormality."
Upon receiving this reply, a hint of understanding flashed in Shinji's eyes beneath his mask, and he nodded.
After understanding the mission, he quickly left the training ground and soon arrived at the outer perimeter of the Naka Shrine forest.
He touched the ground with his fingers, activating Chakra Perception with all his might. In his perception, no less than a hundred Chakra signatures were gathered underground at Naka Shrine.
Shinji understood. These were likely the influential or powerful members of the Uchiha clan at present.
Moreover, besides the Third Hokage's Anbu, there seem to be quite a few rats.
The Uchiha clan was currently in the position of being prey. On top of that, two geniuses with clearly abnormal thought processes had emerged.
Shinji moved swiftly, avoiding the hidden people one by one based on his perception. Finally, he stopped on a treetop.
He turned his head to look in one direction, his gaze seemingly able to penetrate the dense forest, seeing through to a patch of grass only about a hundred meters away. There, he detected a Chakra signature he was very familiar with.
Moreover, many large and small Chakra light points were distributed near this Chakra. It was those bugs again, Danzo's people.
Shinji held his breath. If there was anyone who gained the most before the Uchiha clan's downfall, it was Danzo. After all, that old geezer had seized one of the Mangekyo Sharingan, said to possess the strongest Genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami.
And in doing so, he also caused Hiruzen to lose an Uchiha spy who possessed the Will of Fire.
Excellent, you're the one!
Having confirmed his target, Shinji did not proceed further. Instead, he squatted down and observed his surroundings. After confirming there were no special circumstances, he raised his hands and quickly formed hand signs.
Earth Release: Camouflage Hiding Technique!
As the Ninjutsu activated, Shinji's body gradually assimilated with the surrounding environment.
After confirming the successful activation of the Ninjutsu, he then regulated his Chakra to avoid being detected, and remained quietly in place.
Earth Release: Camouflage Hiding Technique's biggest weakness was the need to remain still after activating the Ninjutsu, any movement would expose the user. It was a Ninjutsu that was neither useful nor entirely useless.
However, there was no other way. In the months of training, this was the only reward Shinji had received that allowed for stealth and invisibility. Using it here, it was at least just right.
— — —
In the grass, Torune, who was lying on the ground, suddenly felt a tightening in his heart. He looked around with some hesitation.
Beside him, Fu, who immediately noticed Torune's unease, asked in a low voice, "Is something wrong, Torune?"
"I'm not sure, but for a moment just now, my Chakra insects were a bit agitated, as if they were being watched."
"Watched!"
Upon hearing this, Fu immediately became vigilant.
"Did you sense who it was?"
Torune released a Chakra insect and shook his head. "No, it was just for a moment, like someone passing by casually glanced, and then disappeared."