The Forest of Death.
Shisui stumbled forward, moving deeper into the woods with extreme caution, fleeing for his life. Along the way, he snatched up some medicinal herbs to apply to his empty eye socket, hoping to staunch the bleeding and accelerate the healing process.
Finally, he reached his destination—an abandoned Anbu training facility deep within the forest.
This base had served the Anbu years ago, but for reasons unknown, it had been discarded. Danzō had taken the entire training division and relocated from this stronghold, leaving it to rot. Despite its abandonment, the dilapidated structures remained standing, offering shelter far superior to the open wilderness. The only pressing concern was food. However, Shisui still had a supply of food pills; he wouldn't need to hunt anytime soon, which would allow him to lay low during the most critical period of the search.
Shisui tried to sleep, but rest eluded him. The moment he closed his remaining eye, his mind was flooded with visions of the Uchiha clan's massacre. The despair of a lifeless future suffocated him, yet the multitude of dangers surrounding him forced him to pull himself together. He had to survive.
Unable to sleep, he rose to explore the base.
He didn't know much about this place, only vague rumors that it had been abandoned following a scandalous operation involving Danzō years ago—an event that had caused Danzō's influence within the Anbu to wane. It was only after that shift in power that Shisui had been able to join the Anbu ranks.
Shisui analyzed his situation: 'In the short term, Danzō will prioritize searching the Uchiha district and the Naka River. After that, he'll likely monitor the borders and nearby areas. Once the initial heat dies down, even if Danzō searches again, he won't start with the Forest of Death.'
Furthermore...
'That person... he will likely cover for me.'
A flicker of curiosity passed through Shisui's mind as he thought of the black-robed figure.
'His Water Style was exceptional. Almost enough to make me mistake him for a member of the Hōzuki clan. But I've met shinobi from the Hōzuki clan before...' Shisui shook his head internally. 'The Hydrification Technique doesn't look like that. He used standard Water Style ninjutsu, yet he clearly possessed the true teachings of the Second Hokage.'
He mentally cycled through every Jōnin currently in Konoha, but no one fit the profile. There was, perhaps, one possibility—the Third Hokage's disciple, who had once served in the Anbu: Orochimaru.
'Is he one of Orochimaru's subordinates?'
Nighttime.
The moon was bright, the stars sparse. Yet, Konoha was anything but peaceful.
As Masahiko trained in his courtyard, he could hear the woosh-woosh-woosh of silhouettes flickering past the perimeter. The Third Hokage had begun cleaning up the mess.
It was approaching 8:00 PM. Masahiko hadn't lingered on the streets. He had returned home by 8:10 PM. Summoning the light screen, he was immediately greeted by a massive wave of scrolling text.
[Bullet Comments]:
"Holy sh*t, the update is so fast!""High production quality AND rapid updates? Who said the prequel was bad? This is god-tier!""What does Kishimoto know about Naruto? This is the canon!""Kishimoto, take notes on this speed!"
Masahiko looked surprised, then let out a low chuckle. 'The Kishimoto of the Real World is probably getting a headache wondering how to write the story now.'
He turned his gaze to the screen.
The episode picked up exactly where Episode 7 left off: Shisui entering the Hokage Residence. It aligned closely with Masahiko's memories. Before Shisui arrived, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura were already conversing inside. When Shisui entered, the Third Hokage only spoke regarding Kotoamatsukami.
The next moment, the comments exploded.
[Bullet Comments]:
"WTF! It can control other people? That's OP!""This power could wipe out a clan?""More like, having this power is the reason the clan gets wiped out. Look at Danzō's face...""Don't do it!"
Through the screen, the audience could practically smell the conspiracy. They began to worry for Shisui en masse.
The scene shifted to the Uchiha district. Shisui appeared on screen, warmly greeting his clansmen one by one.
[Bullet Comments]:
"So wholesome.""The more wholesome it is, the harder the knife will hit later.""I can already picture it. Shisui standing tragically in front of Itachi, face covered in blood, eyes gouged out...""Damn! This generation of viewers knows how to forge their own blades of angst!"
A little later, the text density increased significantly. Although Shisui hadn't had much screen time, this single sequence proved his popularity was genuinely high.
However, it wasn't long before the scene of the kunai "assault" played out. A shadow flickered past overhead.
Then... the contents of the note and Shisui's reaction were displayed clearly on the light screen.
The bullet comments were even more anxious than Shisui himself. Completely immersed in the drama, viewers frantically speculated on who threw the kunai and how they knew about Danzō.
Masahiko, who hadn't stayed to observe earlier to avoid exposure, could now watch the scene with perfect clarity. Confusion, shock, and tension flashed across Shisui's face in quick succession. It was a marvelous performance.
'Tsk.'
Masahiko watched the plot unfold, unsurprised by the subsequent developments. His mind, however, was calculating.
'The protagonist of this episode is obviously Shisui. Does that mean I can track Shisui's movements through the screen even after he leaves? If so, meeting him again when necessary might deepen the impression that I am unfathomably all-knowing.'
While he pondered, the screen advanced to Shisui's meeting with Danzō. The two stood conversing before the pavilion.
Listening to Shisui's proposal, Masahiko couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. Compared to Itachi, Shisui wasn't an extremist. He understood the contradictions and positions of both the Uchiha and the Village. He understood the logic of sacrificing a part to save the whole in a worst-case scenario.
Unfortunately, as the bullet comments pointed out:
[Bullet Comments]:
"If Shisui hadn't revealed Kotoamatsukami, this plan might have actually been approved.""Danzō is definitely going to make a move.""Shisui trusts the Third too much. Why isn't the Third protecting him?""Sigh, he's truly too naive."
Sure enough.
In the next moment, Shisui's expression froze. The scene flashed back to his earlier encounter with the Root agent. His reaction speed was incredible, but...
Danzō had Izanagi.
The screen was flooded with curses. Danzō's villain status was fully cemented, played with an open hand. Fortunately, this didn't affect Masahiko's reputation. Naturally, in this episode, there had been no discussion targeting him yet. He wondered if the final edit would include him at all.
Masahiko watched in silence.
Once the battle broke out, the comments actually thinned out; perhaps everyone was too focused on the fight.
Until...
Danzō suddenly used a bizarre "flash" to steal Shisui's eye.
A wave of "Despicable!" and similar insults filled the screen.
Masahiko scoffed. If he were Danzō, facing a troublesome enemy, he would also use any means necessary. There was no shame in that. The shame lay in the fact that this battle could have been avoided entirely.
However, just as Shisui faced a desperate dead end, Masahiko intervened. The massive surge of water swept Shisui away, causing the bullet comments to instantly blow up:
[Bullet Comments]:
"Holy sh*t! He's so OP!""Yes! Saved!""Black-robed Bro, I want to have your babies!""Don't celebrate too early. I feel like... this guy might not be a good person either."
Some worried, some rejoiced. Masahiko smiled but said nothing.
To his surprise, after the water swept them away, the next scene was not of him and Shisui. Instead, it cut to the Naka River.
The screen showed Itachi standing by the riverside, waiting. His expression and emotions shifted turbulently.
Suddenly, in the distant night sky, crows filled the air, circling a specific spot above the river before diving down.