Mastermind of the Akatsuki

"Danzo-sama invited me to discuss the future of the Uchiha?" 

Shisui was momentarily stunned before showing a hint of surprise. 

The Root ninja did not elaborate further. He left behind a cold warning, "You'd better arrive on time," before disappearing into the depths of the forest. 

After the Root ninja left, Shisui opened the handwritten message from Danzo. The note detailed the time and location of their meeting. Judging by the handwriting, it was undoubtedly written by Danzo Shimura himself. 

As soon as Shisui finished reading the contents, the scroll abruptly ignited and turned to ashes. 

Watching the scroll burn, Shisui fell into contemplation. 

He had only reported the Uchiha's plans for a coup to the Third Hokage this morning, and by the afternoon, Danzo had already sent someone to invite him to a meeting. Wasn't Danzo's intelligence network a little too efficient? 

And what did Danzo want with him? Was he really interested in discussing the Uchiha's future? 

Based on the relationship between Danzo and his grandfather, Kagami, there was a possibility that Danzo genuinely wanted to help the Uchiha. However, deep down, Shisui couldn't shake the feeling that this private meeting had ulterior motives. 

Otherwise, the meeting wouldn't have been scheduled near the Root's headquarters. 

While Shisui was lost in thought, Byakuya, who had only recently departed, reappeared—this time holding an apple. After taking a bite, he casually said, "Stop overthinking it. Danzo clearly doesn't mean you any harm. He just wants to steal your Sharingan and send you to the Pure Land. What could a kind man like that possibly be up to?" 

"…" 

Byakuya's sarcastic tone rendered Shisui speechless, but it also hit the nail on the head, directly exposing Danzo's intentions. 

'But how did Danzo know about Kotoamatsukami?' Shisui thought. I only shared its details with the Third Hokage. 

As if reading his thoughts, Byakuya said calmly, "Shisui, don't tell me you actually believe the Third Hokage hasn't conspired with Danzo? The Root exists to handle the dirty work the Hokage can't openly touch. The ability of Kotoamatsukami threatens the Hokage. Naturally, he'll look for someone to deal with you. Otherwise, the Third Hokage won't be able to sleep at night." 

Hearing this, Shisui let out a quiet sigh. 

He had always believed in the Third Hokage—believed that his suppression of the Uchiha was only because the clan had acted inappropriately. He had also trusted that the Third Hokage was earnestly trying to resolve the conflict between the village and the Uchiha but in hindsight, it seemed he had been naive and one-sided. 

Fortunately, he had already chosen a new master to serve. If he had continued to blindly trust Konoha's leadership, both he and the Uchiha would eventually have been destroyed at the hands of the village elders.

Clearing his distracted thoughts, Shisui looked at Byakuya and asked, "Byakuya-sama, should I decline the invitation or attend this meeting with Danzo?" 

Byakuya glanced at Shisui, his mind recalling how things had unfolded in the original timeline. 

In that world, Shisui had gone to Danzo seeking his help to stop the Uchiha coup. Instead, Danzo seized Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan. Disheartened and betrayed, Shisui ultimately chose to throw himself off a cliff, ending his life. 

However, that was the naive, idealistic Shisui of the original timeline. 

Under Byakuya's guidance, Shisui had long abandoned his blind faith in Konoha and had shifted his priorities to the survival of the Uchiha clan. 

After a brief pause, Byakuya said, "Of course you should go. I'm curious to see what methods Danzo will use to deal with you. Don't worry—go boldly. I'll be there to clean up any mess that arises." 

"Yes, Byakuya-sama." 

… 

After Byakuya disappeared once more, Shisui turned and walked toward the designated meeting location. 

Soon, Shisui arrived at the meeting location, which was a dilapidated shrine. At the entrance, two grotesque statues stood, and in the open space in front of them, Danzo, wrapped in bandages from head to toe, had been waiting for quite some time.

Upon seeing Danzo's figure, Shisui immediately lowered his head and urgently said, "Danzo-sama, did you call me here to help resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and the village?"

Danzo scanned Shisui with cold, calculating eyes, like a venomous snake eyeing its prey from the shadows.

When his gaze landed on Shisui's eyes, he paused for a moment. Danzo longed to possess Shisui's Kotoamatsukami—if he had that ability, he could become the Fifth Hokage.

Pulling his gaze away with some effort, Danzo lightly shook his head. "Shisui, you are a smart boy. You should understand that the conflict between the village and the Uchiha cannot be resolved. Itachi has reported to me about the recent events within the Uchiha clan. The Uchiha aren't just planning a coup—they're already preparing for one. For the peace of the village, neither I nor the Hokage can sit idly by."

Shisui's expression darkened, and he anxiously said, "I've already told you, I will use Kotoamatsukami to control Clan Leader Fugaku. As long as Fugaku gives the order to cancel the coup, the clan will not rise up."

Danzo sneered, looking at Shisui with a pitiful expression. 

"Shisui, your thinking is too naive. The conflict between the Uchiha and the village cannot be mediated. Even if you control the current Uchiha leader, Fugaku, other radical Uchiha will still step forward. You may be able to control one Uchiha, but can you control all of them?"

At Danzo's challenge, Shisui fell silent. After a long pause, he said, "Danzo-sama, I may not be able to control all of the clan members, but is there really no way for the Uchiha and the village to coexist peacefully?"

Danzo paused intentionally, then said, "Well, there is a way..." 

Shisui stared into Danzo's eyes, seemingly desperate for a concrete answer. "Danzo, what is the solution? I really need the village's help."

As Danzo walked toward Shisui, he spoke again. "If you're willing to hand over your Mangekyo Sharingan, I will resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and the village."

Before he finished speaking, Danzo suddenly lunged at Shisui.

Shisui's face shifted slightly, and he immediately created distance between them. He briefly glanced at Danzo and, using his Sharingan, took control of him. With a sigh, he said, "Danzo-sama, please take a nap for now. Once I stop Fugaku, I will come back to apologize."

However, just as Shisui turned to leave, Danzo, who had been under the influence of the Sharingan genjutsu, suddenly smiled faintly. In the split second when Shisui wasn't looking, Danzo used the Body Flicker Technique.

Before Shisui could react, Danzo landed a powerful punch to his abdomen, then reached for Shisui's eyes.

Danzo had never expected to steal the Mangekyo Sharingan with mere words. His earlier remarks and the behavior of being controlled by the genjutsu had all been part of a strategy to lower Shisui's guard.

As Danzo's right hand reached Shisui's cheek, intending to gouge out his Sharingan, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

With a loud bang, the Shisui he had attacked vanished in a puff of smoke.

From a distance, the real Shisui, who had evaded the attack, spoke with a calm expression. "Danzo-sama, what exactly are you planning? How did you manage to break free from my genjutsu?"