Hyūga Clan Grounds, 10:10 AM.
"Quick, relay this to the Hokage Building!"
"The energy density of the Tenseigan is rising rapidly—it's about to reach twice that of a Tailed Beast!"
"Even though Lord Orochimaru is here, his assessment is that with the combat force we have deployed here, it will be nearly impossible to stop it!"
"Has Lord Minato not returned yet?"
"When will Nara Shikaku's battle plan be finalized?"
"Ah! What should we do? Sitting around here, it feels like... like we can't do anything at all!"
"The village... what on earth is the village doing?!"
Amidst a flurry of helpless, urgent complaints, intelligence reports were continuously shuttled back and forth by Anbu back to the Hokage Building beneath the Hokage Rock. That place served as the intelligence nerve center and political heart of all Konoha.
After Nara Shikaku and a few others were taken away, according to explanations from several returning Foundation and Anbu personnel, Minato Namikaze had orchestrated the setup of a wartime operational command center right inside the Hokage Building. The village leadership was currently gathering there to urgently discuss a strategy to counter the Tenseigan crisis.
Yet, five whole minutes had passed. Given Konoha's efficiency, a procedure should have been laid out immediately. But right now, let alone a complete battle plan, they hadn't even drafted the basic guidelines for subsequent actions.
The people present stared into the training ground at that increasingly massive, terrifying surge of chakra, every face heavy with grim anxiety.
Right at that moment—
A figure clad in Anbu attire arrived from the direction of the Hokage Building via the Body Flicker Technique, calling out loudly to the gathered crowd:
"Who is Shisui Uchiha? The Chunin known by the moniker 'Shisui of the Body Flicker'?"
"Please step forward!"
Amidst the surrounding surprise, a small figure within the crowd slowly raised his head, appearing unperturbed by the summons.
A look of firm resolve washed over his young face.
Standing at only one point five meters tall, he was around twelve or thirteen years old, featuring a bulbous nose, short black hair, and dressed in a high-collared black long-sleeved shirt paired with black pants. Over top, he wore a small-sized green Konoha Chunin vest. His features were youthful—not necessarily handsome, but far from off-putting.
This was none other than Shisui Uchiha, who at just twelve years old had already forged the renowned title of "Shisui of the Body Flicker" on the Mist frontlines.
Though he held the rank of Chunin, no one on scene treated him like an ordinary Chunin. With Kakashi Hatake setting the precedent of attaining the rank of Jonin at age twelve, along with Shisui's own stellar combat record on the Mist front and his rising repute within the clan as the "First Among the Uchiha," it was only a matter of time before he was promoted to Jonin or inducted into Konoha's core operational units.
Currently, Konoha's internal leadership was preoccupied with the Fourth Hokage election, and the Third Shinobi World War had yet to fully conclude, leaving Shisui Uchiha among those whose military merit was waiting to be officially recognized and converted.
The crowd turned toward Shisui Uchiha, somewhat bewildered.
Shouldn't the higher-ups be drafting a battle plan at a time like this? Taking Nara Shikaku away was one thing, but why summon Shisui Uchiha, a vital combat asset, right now?
While everyone was lost in thought, Shisui raised his hand and stepped briskly out of the crowd.
"I am Shisui Uchiha!"
"You..." The mask-wearing Anbu ninja stared at Shisui's alarmingly young face, momentarily taken aback. But he quickly recovered and announced his superior's order:
"Very well."
"Shisui Uchiha, Lord Third Hokage and the council of senior elders summon you. Please proceed immediately to the Hokage's office and await further instructions!"
"Understood."
Shisui nodded and pivoted sharply on his heel. In an instant, his entire body transformed into a black streak, vanishing on the spot so fast that he left a residual afterimage behind.
Seeing this, the expressions of the surrounding shinobi shifted slightly.
"As expected of Shisui of the Body Flicker... With speed like that, only Lord Minato in all of Konoha might be faster..."
However, the astonishment lasted only a second. Konoha's elite troops quickly put the matter aside and looked anxiously at the Anbu who had delivered the first command.
A Jonin immediately stepped up to ask, "Do the higher-ups have no other directives?"
"They do."
The Anbu ninja raised his head, looking directly at a tall, commanding figure in the middle of the crowd, shouting, "Orochimaru, you are also to proceed to the Hokage Building immediately! However, not to the Hokage's office, but to the top floor—Minato Namikaze is waiting for you there!"
"Oh?" Hearing his name called out so directly, Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. Catching the familiar scent off the messenger, his brow arched even higher.
"The leadership has determined that you pose an intelligence vulnerability. Minato Namikaze will explain the specifics to you—"
"Heh, understood." Orochimaru let out a raspy chuckle, entirely unfazed by this.
Once it was confirmed that the Giant Tenseigan possessed mind-reading capabilities, the Foundation had been intentionally suppressing intelligence regarding Hyūga Yū. Nara Shikaku, who had previously cracked the mechanics behind one of Yū's forbidden jutsu, was whisked away for that very reason. And with Shikaku's departure, the only person left on the scene with deep insight into Hyūga Yū was Orochimaru, who had recent contact with him at the Foundation base.
Although Orochimaru felt this measure was a bit over-dramatic and knew it wasn't Tennin's doing, he found it understandable enough.
After all, a ninja's battle was a battle of intelligence.
The Foundation—or rather, Danzō Shimura—was likely pinning all their hopes on Tennin right now, striving to engineer an advantageous opening for him amidst overwhelmingly hostile conditions.
Specifically, against the virtually 'omniscient' Tenseigan, they aimed to create a blind spot in its intelligence by artificially manipulating distance and decoupling information streams.
Orochimaru held no real expectations for this scheme, yet he had no reason to stop it either.
Thus, under the watchful gaze of the crowd and following a brief response, Orochimaru's body dissolved directly into a swarm of white snakes that scattered in all directions.
Evidently, the entity standing there had merely been a Snake Clone.
With Minato Namikaze, Nara Shikaku, and Orochimaru leaving one after another, operational command naturally fell upon Fugaku Uchiha, the head of the Uchiha clan—the foremost clan in Konoha.
At this moment, the Anbu messenger remained in place, closing his eyes to sense the surroundings for a few moments. Once he confirmed that Orochimaru and Shisui Uchiha had traveled far out of range, he reopened his eyes.
He looked around at the mid-level elite ninja, focusing his gaze on Fugaku Uchiha—who held the highest status and strength on the scene—as well as Natsu Hyūga, who stood before the hastily assembled group of Branch House Hyūga ninja.
Approaching the group, he pulled a detailed map of Konoha from his vest, spread it out on the ground, and removed his mask.
Only then did everyone realize that the Anbu operative delivering the commands was actually an elderly man!
He had short gray hair, a matching full beard, and deeply lined skin that showed age without a trace of frailty. Wearing light-green round-framed glasses, his stern expression exuded a natural, imposing authority.
Fugaku Uchiha, who had already seen through the disguise with his Sharingan, remained silent up to this point, but now let out a timely exclamation of surprise so the rest of the group would recognize the elder's identity:
"You are... Elder Homura Mitokado?!"
Homura Mitokado waved a hand at Fugaku, taking a deep breath. Facing the gathered shinobi, he solemnly announced:
"Now, I shall formally issue the third directive drafted by the Council of Hokage Advisors, as well as layout the operational plan moving forward—"
He swept a stern, sharp gaze across the clan heads and mid-ranking ninja present—Fugaku Uchiha, Choza Akimichi, Inoichi Yamanaka, Shibi Aburame, Baku Inuzuka, and Shirakumo...
"The code name for this operation is—"
"Kotoamatsukami!"
Kotoamatsukami.
Named after the Kotoamatsukami of Japanese mythology, the term did not denote a single deity, but rather the five heavenly gods born at the instant heaven and earth split, following the creation of chaos by Kunitokotachi-no-Mikoto before time itself.
Ame-no-Minakanushi, Takamimusubi, Kamimusubi, Umashiashikabihikoji, and Ame-no-Tokotachi.
Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan ocular technique derived its name from them, symbolizing its divine stature—a testament to just how terrifying this visual technique truly was.
Inside the Hokage Building, within the Hokage's office.
Shisui Uchiha knelt on one knee before the executive desk. To his left and right stood five figures aligned alongside the table. On the left stood Danzō Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Tsunade.
On the right was Jiraiya, with Nara Shikaku positioned slightly behind him.
Directly in front, standing behind the Hokage's desk, was the hero of the shinobi world—the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He had shed his administrative robes and pipe, donning the full-body armor from the Warring States period once more.
Standing at the front of the left side, Danzō Shimura narrowed his eyes, fixing his gaze on the kneeling Shisui with a flash of wariness in his expression.
Seeing Shisui arrive, Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed the space between his brows and spoke with heavy gravity:
"Shisui, you're here."
"Yes, Lord Third."
"The situation is dire. Please explain the nature of your eye technique to everyone present—"
Shisui raised his head, glanced around at the gathered figures, and nodded.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he opened them again.
A pair of striking, crimson patterns resembling four-bladed windmills manifested within his blood-red pupils!
This was the precious treasure Shisui Uchiha had awakened through evolution during his battles against the Mist in the Third Shinobi World War:
"The Mangekyō Sharingan—the Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha clan, and the ultimate evolutionary form of the Sharingan."
Shisui took a deep breath, facing the group with a solemn expression on his youthful face.
"When the Three-Tomoe Sharingan evolves into the Mangekyō Sharingan, it gives birth to a unique Kekkei Genkai ocular technique."
"And the technique residing within these eyes of mine is called—"
"Kotoamatsukami!"
"Kotoamatsukami is an ocular technique capable of directly altering a target's will without their awareness, completely twisting their logical behavior. It is the ultimate Genjutsu—one that allows victory without ever engaging in conflict!"
"Using this technique incurs a tremendous cost. As usage deepens, it will gradually lead the wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan toward blindness..."
Hearing Shisui's explanation, everyone except Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura exchanged stunned glances. Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Nara Shikaku looked at one another, profound shock written across their faces.
An ocular technique that required no physical contact or direct eye contact—merely gazing at the enemy was enough to overwrite their very will!
Just hearing the description of such a terrifying technique sent a chill down their spines. Unconsciously, their gazes toward Shisui grew noticeably more cautious.
At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long, heavy sigh and added:
"Not long ago, Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan ability was revealed during the conflict between Tennin and the Hyūga Main House. Afterward, he came to me on his own initiative and confessed the full extent of his ocular technique and his Mangekyō Sharingan. He is a child truly worthy of our trust!"
Emphasizing the phrase "child truly worthy of our trust," Hiruzen looked around the room before continuing:
"Only Elder Danzō and I were privy to this. After careful discussion, our original intention was to reserve this technique to heal the growing rift between the Uchiha clan and the village."
"However... the current situation is critical..."
"Shisui, the village needs your strength right now!"
"Understood!" Shisui bowed his head reverently from his kneeling position, responding respectfully, "Lord Third, I have prepared myself for this!"
"Stand up first," Hiruzen said noncommittally, before turning his gaze toward Nara Shikaku.
"Nara Shikaku!"
"Sir!" Shikaku immediately stepped forward from the edge of the group.
"Brief Shisui on the details of the situation."
"The situation?" Shisui stood up in the Hokage's office, turning to face Nara Shikaku, who was holding a thick stack of documents.
He surmised that in the face of this sudden, terrifying Tenseigan—a threat no less grave than the Nine-Tails' rampage—the village might require his power. However, he remained unclear on what his ocular technique could actually accomplish here.
Or rather... could Kotoamatsukami truly work against a massive, ten-meter-radius monstrosity?
Shikaku spoke with a heavy tone:
"Thanks to Tennin's advance warning, we were able to make preparations beforehand."
"After the Tenseigan manifested, the Barrier Squad, Reconnaissance Squad, and Anbu conducted multiple scans immediately. By analyzing its internal chakra structure through sensor ninja, we have roughly deciphered the abilities of that 'Tenseigan' and its 'logic of existence'."
"Logic of existence?" Shisui's eyes sharpened as he caught the phrase.
"Yes," Shikaku explained calmly.
"The power and troublesome special abilities of the Tenseigan are so formidable that conventional means are completely insufficient to suppress it. As it gradually plunders more Byakugan from the Hyūga clan, it will ultimately give birth to a terrifying monster that surpasses the Tailed Beasts... perhaps even surpassing the Nine-Tails itself!"
"We estimate that its power has reached the level of Tennin. Relying solely on raw numbers, conventional unit warfare, or even a coordinated siege by top-tier ninja will have... extremely limited effectiveness against it."
As he reached this point, even Shikaku felt a wave of numbness crawl up his scalp, a look of utter powerlessness crossing his face.
Shisui grew even more bewildered as he listened. Stunned by one of the terms used, he asked in sheer confusion:
"Wait... 'the level of Tennin'? What does that mean?"
Shikaku clarified: "This stems from intelligence shared by Elder Danzō Shimura. Throughout the long history of the shinobi world, individuals of such immense power have emerged... figures who can no longer be measured by the conventional grading system of ninja, whose strength far exceeds the strongest Kage of any village."
"To put it simply... if Konoha were to stand against him, he might not be able to slaughter everyone in Konoha, but even if Konoha committed every single ninja to the field, there is a high probability we could not defeat him!"
"The former 'God of Shinobi,' First Hokage Hashirama Senju;"
"And your Uchiha ancestor, Madara Uchiha, who was known as the 'Shinobi of Legend'—both were powerhouses of this caliber."
Shisui was left flabbergasted, his Mangekyō Sharingan widening in sheer disbelief.
"This 'he' you're referring to... could it be—"
"Tennin, Hyūga Yū?"
Shikaku answered bluntly: "Precisely!"
Shisui recalled the person tied to that name. He had met him once before, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not reconcile the boy who had been pushed to the brink of death by the Hyūga Main House with the near-godlike powerhouse that Shikaku—and effectively the entire senior leadership of Konoha—collectively acknowledged.
Yet another doubt crossed his mind, and he asked:
"If that's the case, why doesn't the village simply request Tennin to step in and destroy the Tenseigan?"
At that moment, Danzō Shimura let out a cold snort from the side, barking at Shisui:
"Tennin went to Mount Myōboku to train in Senjutsu to acquire the power to completely eliminate the Tenseigan crisis, and is currently unable to act."
"Shisui Uchiha, your task is to buy time for Tennin."
"Furthermore, your mindset is deeply flawed! At a time like this, what you should be asking is not what Tennin can do for you, but rather—"
"What can you dedicate to Tennin?!"
Hearing these words, Shisui felt an instinctive wave of discomfort, sensing that something was fundamentally wrong with that logic. Yet, for a moment, he found himself unable to refute it. Realizing who Danzō Shimura was, and for the sake of both the Uchiha and the village's future, he ultimately swallowed his frustration and held back his temper.
"Getting back to the main point—"
Shikaku stepped in to ease the tension, revealing the plan devised by Konoha:
"The Tenseigan's power may exceed our current understanding, but it is by no means without weaknesses!"
"According to our analysis—"
"At present, the core driving logic behind the Tenseigan consists of the vast number of Byakugan swallowed from the Hyūga clan, with Hyūga Hizashi serving as the main host."
"Its intelligence—or rather, the 'soul' forming its thinking core—is actually a composite mental construct composed of thousands of individual wills. These individuals are driven by the foundational evolutionary logic of the Byakugan and the Caged Bird to frantically plunder the outside world to fuel their own evolution."
"In theory, as long as a ninja proficient in Genjutsu can hypnotize thousands of minds simultaneously, they can temporarily hold the Tenseigan in check."
"In other words, the Tenseigan's will is not an indivisible monolith!"
At this point, Danzō Shimura chimed in with a cold, final addition:
"Listen carefully, Shisui Uchiha—"
"As long as you use your Mangekyō's technique to rewrite the underlying evolutionary drive in the Tenseigan's logic, converting it into absolute obedience to Konoha..."
"Konoha might just be able to control the Tenseigan and turn it into our ultimate weapon!"
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