Six years had passed since the Nine-Tails' Rampage. That disaster not only took the life of the Fourth Hokage—young and in his prime—but also pushed the Uchiha clan, one of the founders of the village, into an even harsher and more precarious position.
After all, the Sharingan reflected in the Nine-Tails' pupils during the attack was undeniable proof.
Facing clan members who were growing increasingly radical, Uchiha Shisui—whose heart held firmly to the Will of Fire—felt deeply anxious. At this moment, the Uchiha clan resembled a powder keg that could explode at the slightest spark.
Fortunately, Uchiha clan meetings had never been known to reach meaningful conclusions.
Even so, at this moment, Shisui had already made up his mind to use his final, most desperate measure.
It seems… this is the only way.
Leaving the clan meeting, Shisui lifted his head toward the moon and gently touched his left eye.
Time waited for no one. Shisui decided to head to the Hokage Building that very night to report his plan to the Third Hokage.
To avoid drawing suspicion, he planned to circle through the Forest of Death.
However, just as he stepped into the forest, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared before him.
At first, Shisui thought it was an enemy attack. But when he recognized the person's face under the moonlight, he exhaled with relief, his expression softening.
Douhuan? What are you doing here?
The newcomer was no stranger to Shisui: Uchiha Douhuan, a genius of their generation, known to be on equal footing with Shisui himself.
Unlike most Uchiha, who specialized in Fire Release and genjutsu, Douhuan was an anomaly. He had invested everything into Lightning Release. During one battlefield of the Third Great Ninja War, he unleashed Lightning Release: Kirin, calling down a natural disaster that wiped out fifteen Mist shinobi squads in a single strike—earning him the title Cang-Thunder Douhuan.
To Shisui, this slightly younger clansman was one of the rare Uchiha who truly possessed the Will of Fire.
In the Police Force, Douhuan treated villagers with kindness, and he rarely attended clan meetings—something that drew complaints from the more radical members of the clan.
I just finished today's training, Douhuan said with a gentle smile. But Shisui-nii, why are you here in the Forest of Death at this hour?
Couldn't sleep, so I wanted to walk around, Shisui replied.
He obviously couldn't reveal that he was delivering intel on the clan to the Hokage.
Is it because of the tension between the clan and the village? Douhuan asked.
…Yes. Shisui sighed. Douhuan, you should understand—if the clan starts a rebellion, they won't stand a chance against the village. And the village will suffer terribly as well. The fragile peace we've finally regained will shatter instantly.
Shisui held little suspicion toward Douhuan. Douhuan's behavior in the Police Force had long made Shisui consider pulling him onto the same side.
Those who live in peace rarely appreciate its value, Douhuan said. And the clan… their minds are confined to the limits of the Uchiha alone. This outcome was inevitable.
Hearing this, Shisui felt a wave of relief.
Aside from Itachi—whom the Third praised for having the mindset of a Hokage—he hadn't expected another young clansman to possess such a far-reaching perspective.
Still, regarding the clan and village's current dilemma… I do have an idea. But I'll need your help, Shisui-nii.
Moonlight filtered through the branches, falling onto Douhuan's pure white haori, giving him a gentle glow.
What idea? What do you need from me? Shisui asked seriously.
I ask that you lend me your eye.
The moment Douhuan spoke, chills ran down Shisui's spine.
A streak of blue lightning flashed before Shisui's eyes.
The sound of metal clashing exploded through the Forest of Death. In that split second, Shisui drew his own sword and narrowly blocked the fatal strike.
Douhuan?! Why?! Shisui demanded as their blades locked.
"You're planning to side with the village, aren't you? To avoid the clan's suspicion, you even chose to take this long detour to report to the Hokage.
Douhuan's voice was cold as ice.
The two separated in a burst of movement, now standing apart with blades raised, their three-tomoe Sharingan glaring into one another.
So your perspective is limited to the clan after all… And here I thought you too walked the path of the Will of Fire.
Shisui's expression hardened. Douhuan's attack had been a killing blow.
Hahahahaha!
Douhuan threw his head back in manic laughter.
"Ridiculous. You and Itachi consider yourselves broad-minded, with a vision that extends beyond the clan. But your eyes cannot see the true future of either the clan or the village. You're nothing more than frogs staring at the moon from the bottom of a well!"
Blue lightning crackled around Douhuan, arcs of electricity swirling wildly.
My vision has already surpassed the confines of this tiny corner of the world. What I see is far beyond anything you can imagine. This sick world needs a radical, complete revolution!
You plan to start a war? You lunatic! Shisui gritted his teeth.
I thought you avoided clan meetings because you valued peace—never thought you were even more deranged than the elders. I truly was fooled by your act.
No, no. My reason for not attending clan meetings is much simpler: I refuse to associate with insects.
Douhuan's voice was frigid.
"They yell about rebellion day after day, yet cannot devise a single workable plan. How can anything political succeed with such vermin?"
…I see.
Shisui inhaled deeply, as if arriving at a final decision.
Douhuan, your ideas are too dangerous. For the sake of the village… I must stop you!
The tomoe in Shisui's eyes spun rapidly, merging into a pinwheel pattern.
This is your trump card?" Douhuan sneered.
A genjutsu that rewrites a person's will—Kotoamatsukami."
Shisui's eyes widened.
Since awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan, he had never revealed its ability.
How did Douhuan know?
You look surprised? Douhuan laughed. He pointed at his own eyes.
I told you—my eyes see much farther than you think."
As he spoke, the tomoe in Douhuan's eyes began to shift—three sharp lightning-shaped patterns swirling around the pupil.
Mangekyō Sharingan?!
Shisui stared in disbelief. Douhuan had hidden such a power all along.