I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Awakening of Shisui

After leaving the Forest of Death, Shisui Uchiha returned to Konohagakure.

Standing atop the Hokage Rock, he gazed down at the peaceful village below. The sight stirred a complex mix of emotions within him. Once, he believed the village was everything. The idea of leaving it had felt unthinkable—he believed life outside would be aimless.

But after being betrayed by those he trusted and experiencing a metaphorical "death," Shisui began to see the village for what it was: small, both in scope and vision. His own thinking had been confined to its borders, trapping him within its ideals. Even his ultimate technique, Kotoamatsukami, remarkable as it was, had been limited by his perspective at the time.

Sighing softly, Shisui donned a concealing robe and a crow-shaped mask. He had no intention of revealing his identity until he could meet Itachi Uchiha, but first, there were other matters he needed to address.

Though his strength was still above most Jōnin, the loss of his Mangekyō Sharingan had diminished him. The Three-Tomoe Sharingan could barely sustain advanced genjutsu, and techniques like Susano'o were now beyond him. Activating Izanagi, while possible, would come at a steep price—the sacrifice of his clan's treasured eyes. Shisui resolved not to desecrate his ancestors' legacy unless absolutely necessary.

Disguised as a nondescript Chūnin, Shisui infiltrated the Uchiha clan compound and made his way toward the police force headquarters. Before seeking out Itachi, he needed to identify the mole within the clan—someone had leaked critical information to Danzo Shimura. Shisui knew this betrayal had enabled Danzo to ambush him, confident in his actions during the coup discussions. Danzo had known too much, too soon, for it to be a coincidence.

Walking into the security building, Shisui greeted his clansmen warmly. As an unassuming Chūnin, he was popular within the clan, a new experience for someone typically reserved. His squad leader soon dragged him out for routine patrols. For most of the day, Shisui worked as a street officer, enforcing village law and observing the attitudes of his fellow clan members.

At one point, his partner used harsh methods to resolve a dispute among villagers. Afterward, the man grumbled, "It's exhausting keeping a straight face all day. Can't these people behave for once?"

Shisui asked, perplexed, "Isn't strict enforcement about upholding justice?"

His partner gave him a sidelong glance. "Sure, that's part of it. But really, who has the energy for that every day? It's more about deterrence. If they know we don't tolerate nonsense, crime drops. Otherwise, even buying vegetables could turn into chaos with inflated prices and fights over scraps."

Shisui fell silent, realizing he might have misunderstood his clan all along.

His partner continued, "Still, compared to civilian ninjas risking their lives on missions, this isn't so bad. Sure, people resent us, but the work is stable."

"Then why support a coup?" Shisui asked bluntly.

The man stiffened, his Sharingan flickering to life in his agitation. After a moment, he composed himself. "It's not about wanting a coup. It's about fairness. Why should Sarutobi and the Ino–Shika–Cho families hold the best positions while the Uchiha are relegated to police work? During the last war, we and the Hyūga stopped Kirigakure's assault. After the Fourth Hokage's death, we became scapegoats for the Nine-Tails' attack. And restricting the police force to Uchiha? That wasn't our choice—it was an order from the higher-ups."

Shisui placed a reassuring hand on his partner's shoulder. "If life in the village is so unfair, have you considered leaving it?"

The Chūnin gave him a startled look. "Leave? And go where? Even if the village allowed it, the clan leaders wouldn't. They want a coup to seize power."

"Exactly," Shisui replied firmly. "Their ambition will destroy us all. But not everyone in the clan agrees with them. There must be others who, like you, don't want bloodshed."

The Chūnin hesitated, glancing at Shisui. Something about his companion felt unfamiliar, almost unsettling, but the sight of Shisui's Sharingan eased his doubts. "Lihuo, when did you awaken your Three-Tomoe Sharingan?"

"Not long ago," Shisui lied. "It made me realize we don't need to cling to past glories. We should focus on surviving the present."

The Chūnin nodded reluctantly. Many clan members were quietly opposed to the coup, but the voices of extremists drowned them out. He whispered, "Even if we wanted to leave, how could we hide it from both the village and the clan?"

"That's why we need numbers," Shisui said. "We prepare in secret, and when the time comes, we leave together."

As he spoke, Shisui subtly activated his Sharingan to cast a low-level genjutsu. The Chūnin's doubts melted away, replaced by a glimmer of hope.

Over the following weeks, Shisui continued working undercover, using his role to gauge the clan's true sentiments. He discovered that many Uchiha opposed the coup but felt powerless to act against the leadership. Slowly, he built an invisible faction of like-minded individuals, preparing them for an exodus from the village.

During this time, Shisui identified the mole within the clan—a Chūnin involved in logistics, who operated with the help of an accomplice. Using his genjutsu, Shisui neutralized them both before they could alert Danzo.

As for his original plan to meet Itachi, Shisui postponed it indefinitely. He wanted to test his protégé's perceptiveness. If Itachi truly understood the situation, he would notice the subtle shifts within the clan. Yet Itachi seemed fixated on the extremists, ignoring the discontent simmering among ordinary Uchiha. It was a mistake Shisui had once made himself.

Complicating matters further, Shisui observed the movements of a mysterious masked man within the clan. The man's space-time abilities suggested he wasn't a minor player. His interactions with Itachi hinted at an unknown agenda.

Weaker than before and surrounded by enemies, Shisui knew he had to tread carefully. But with every step, his resolve grew. He would protect his clan—not through violence, but by offering them a path to freedom.

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