Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Page 248

"Clan leader! Did you hear that? 'Kotoamatsukami'! What an incredible eye technique! If used properly, the predicament facing our Uchiha clan will be easily resolved!"

No, it's not just that! This is the key for us Uchiha to reach the pinnacle of power in Konoha—no, it's the key to making Konoha the Konoha of the Uchiha!

Fugaku's brow furrowed deeply; he was much calmer than Setsuna.

"Elder Setsuna, calm down! This power... is too dangerous, and too... defies common sense, altering the will of others, this..."

"Defies common sense? Dangerous?" Elder Shana interrupted him excitedly:

"Fugaku, wake up! Look at the Uchiha clan now! They're being ostracized from the core of the village!"

"The power of the police department has been repeatedly weakened, and the eyes of those in high positions are full of suspicion and wariness when they look at us!"

"After the Nine-Tails' rampage, this suspicion reached its peak! We were driven to the edge of the village!"

"If things continue like this, what future do we Uchiha have? Are we destined to gradually disappear into history like the Senju clan?!"

He pointed at the still water, his voice fervent: "Now, the opportunity has arrived!"

"Kotoamatsukami! When the Third Hokage returns from the western front and presides over the formal signing with Kumogakure, have Shisui approach him and use Kotoamatsukami on him!"

"So many years have passed, and now is the best time. The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, died young, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is old and frail!"

"All you need to do is get him to genuinely acknowledge the Uchiha's achievements and loyalty, and publicly declare the Uchiha as the preferred successor to the next Hokage!"

"At that time, we will gradually return the core power of the village to the Uchiha!"

"Ha, with the Third Hokage's prestige, as long as he sincerely pushes things forward, coupled with the foundation of our Uchiha clan, it won't be long before Konoha is completely under our Uchiha's control!"

"This... is the path the Uchiha should take!"

"This... is the future worthy of the name Uchiha!"

Elder Setsuna's idea was bold and crazy, full of extreme radicalism of the hawks.

In his view, with the almost bug-like ability of "Kotoamatsukami," all previous forbearance, compromise, and attempts to seek political reconciliation were a joke.

Directly controlling the Hokage, achieving this in one step, is the most effective and fundamental solution!

In fact, this wasn't the first time he'd had this thought. Previously… when the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was in office, Setsuna was imprisoned for many years for launching a rebellion…

Upon hearing this, Fugaku Uchiha's expression shifted repeatedly.

As the clan leader, he bore the fate of the entire clan on his shoulders, and he longed to change the Uchiha's situation and restore the clan's glory.

The blueprint that Setsuna had drawn up held a fatal attraction for him; if he could truly take control of Konoha without bloodshed...

But what about the risks?

What if it fails?

Can Kotoamatsukami really perfectly control a powerhouse like the Third Hokage?

The third generation leader also had advisors, secret agents, and clan leaders around him...

If the truth comes out, the Uchiha clan will face annihilation!

Moreover, is power acquired in this way truly secure? Is it truly... correct?

"Elder Setsuna, your idea... is too radical."

Fugaku spoke slowly, his voice heavy with thought:

"We've only heard Shisui's description of Kotoamatsukami's abilities. Can it even be effective against Hokage-level powerhouses?"

"Even if there is an impact, can the traces be completely covered? Are there any unpredictable side effects?"

"These are all unknowns. If we use them rashly and something goes wrong, the Uchiha will be doomed! We... need to make a more careful assessment and plan."

"Be cautious? When are we going to wait!" Elder Shana slammed his fist on the table in dissatisfaction.

"Fugaku, you're just too indecisive! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us!"

"Shisui possesses such power; this is the will of Heaven! Must we wait until the village discovers and targets this power? We must take the initiative!"

A clear disagreement arose between the two.

He was impulsive in an instant, but cautious in his actions.

However, the focus of their debate seems to have implicitly acknowledged that "using Kotoamatsukami" is one of the future options, with disagreements only on the timing and method.

As Zhi Shui listened to the argument between the two highest leaders of the family, a chill ran through him, and a strong sense of sorrow and powerlessness welled up within him.

He acquired these eyes to protect them, and to find a way for his family and village to live in peace.

But now, in the eyes of the clan chief and elders, those eyes have become a "tool" to achieve their political ambitions, a "weapon" to overthrow the village government and satisfy the family's selfish desires.

This... is definitely not what he wanted!

"Clan leader! Elder!"

Shisui couldn't help but speak, his voice a little hoarse:

"The use of 'Kotoamatsukami' is very limited. With my current eye power, I can probably only use it once, and I will fall into a period of weakness afterward."

"More importantly... using it to control the Hokage, that... that goes against the code of the ninja."

"It also goes against my original intention of joining the Shadow Guard and protecting Konoha. I believe that the future of the clan should not be built on manipulation and deception."

"Morality? Original intention?" Elder Shana's sharp gaze swept over Zhishui, filled with undisguised disappointment and reprimand:

"Zhishui, you're too naive. Political struggles never follow morality!"

"When the higher-ups suppressed us, did they ever talk about morality? Your original intention was to protect Konoha, but is Konoha now fair to us Uchiha?"

"Only by seizing power can you truly protect what you want to protect!"

"Your family raised you and gave you the power of these eyes. Now... it's time for your family to need you! Do you understand?!"

Fugaku raised his hand to stop Setsuna from saying anything even more heated. He looked at Shisui with a complex expression.

"Zhishui, I understand how you feel."

"But Elder Setsuna's words also have their merits; the family's situation is indeed difficult!"

"The power of Kotoamatsukami... perhaps we can find a gentler, more secure way to use it?"

"For example... influencing a key senior advisor, or exerting some influence at some key decision-making meetings..."

"But in any case, there is one point on which Elder Setsuna and I agree!"

He paused, his tone becoming unquestionable: "You must leave the Shadow Guard immediately!"

Shisui's body trembled, and he suddenly looked up at the clan leader, Fugaku.

"The Shadow Guard is directly under the Hokage's command, their missions are dangerous, and they are completely outside the control of their clans," Fugaku said in a deep voice.

“You possess such a crucial ability as ‘Kotoamatsukami’, you cannot afford to put yourself in such an uncontrollable risk.”

"This is for your safety, and also for the future of the family!"

Elder Setsuna stared at Shisui and nodded in agreement:

“That’s right, you can’t stay in the Shadow Guard any longer. That… Senju Seigo may have some skills, but he’s not a member of the Uchiha clan after all. It’s too dangerous for you to follow him.”

“Zhi Shui, you must return to your clan’s territory and, under the strict protection of your clan, focus on mastering and developing this power. We will also provide you with the best resources and guidance.”

Resign from the Shadow Guard? Return to the clan's territory and be "protected"? Shisui's heart sank to the bottom.

This runs counter to his yearning for freedom, to fight alongside his comrades, and to find his own way.

But... can he refuse?

Faced with the combined pressure from the clan leader and the Grand Elder, and under the banner of "for the sake of the clan," his personal wishes seemed so insignificant.

"...Yes, clan leader, Elder Setsuna."

Shisui lowered her head, her voice hoarse, "I...I will apply to leave the Shadow Guard!"

After a pause, as Fugaku and Setsuna secretly breathed a sigh of relief, Shisui looked up and said firmly:

"But please give me some time."

"The captain... has been kind to me, and I need a suitable reason, and I also need to... handle some things properly."

He thought of Qingwu's instructions and his comrades on the front lines, and his heart was filled with struggle.

"As soon as possible." Fugaku nodded, his tone softening slightly.

"Remember, Shisui, you are first and foremost a Uchiha ninja. Your clan will always be your strongest support and should be your first priority."

"Alright, you can go back now. We'll discuss the details about 'Kotoamatsukami' and your arrangements after you leave the Shadow Guard later." Elder Setsuna waved his hand.

Although I was somewhat dissatisfied with Zhishui's "pedantry," at least the first step of the goal was achieved.

Shisui bowed silently, then turned and left the oppressive dark room.

Walking on the dimly lit streets of the Uchiha clan's territory, the winter night wind was icy and biting, but it couldn't compare to the chill in his heart.

The heavy burden of family responsibilities, distorted expectations, the bitterness of separation from companions, and the uncertainty about the future...

A mix of emotions left him feeling more exhausted and lonely than ever before.

"Captain... what should I... do?"

He looked southeast, where... was probably the direction where Qingwu was.

Perhaps only the captain, who always creates miracles and has unique ideas, can understand his current situation and give him some guidance.

But at this moment, he could only bear it all alone.

"Brother Zhishui!"

Just then, a soft call came from behind him.

The water stopped flowing back.

I saw a boy holding an even smaller child standing not far away.

Shisui's face broke into a long-lost gentle smile. "Itachi, it's cold. Why are you still out here with Sasuke?"

"Brother Zhishui, I'm waiting for you."

Uchiha Itachi, who had just graduated from school, had a composure in his voice that was unusual for someone his age.