Chapter 67 Before the Night of the Clan's Extermination (Three Chapters Combined with Bonus...)
Just like the last time I traveled through time: there was no substantial feeling, just a blink of an eye, and the scene before me had been completely transformed—there was neither a sense of spatial distortion nor a sense of temporal displacement, only a brief moment of darkness before everything around me was different when my vision brightened again.
At the same time, the planetary consciousness of this world transmitted the mission information to his brain: [Prevent the Night of Extinction from happening.]
Open your eyes.
The bustling sounds of people, the familiar architectural style, the outline of the Hokage Rock in the distance... This is Konoha Village.
Yan Sheng stood quietly in the middle of the bustling street, his tall figure standing out from the people around him.
He wore a dark, antique-style robe, made of fine, well-tailored fabric that accentuated his tall, upright figure; his long, jet-black hair was neatly tied back, revealing his smooth forehead and his handsome, sharp face.
His eyes were deep and calm, and he exuded a powerful aura that blended arrogance and majesty, making him stand out like a crane among chickens, even when he was just standing there.
People couldn't help but turn their gazes to him, their expressions a mixture of emotions. Some were curious, scrutinizing this extraordinary man they'd never seen before, while others were wary of his sudden appearance...
"This person seems to have appeared out of thin air?"
"Ninjas are elusive, that's normal."
"Is he the youngest son of the Uchiha clan? His looks and demeanor are unmistakable."
"It's obvious, they're from the Uchiha clan."
"I've never seen it before."
"The Uchiha clan doesn't live in the village, and they've always been xenophobic, so it's normal that you haven't seen them before..."
Uchiha Shisui, who had just returned to the village after finishing a mission, happened to pass through this area and naturally caught the villagers' whispers about "Uchiha".
Listening to the discussions, some open and some subtle, tinged with alienation, wariness, and even prejudice, Shisui couldn't help but feel a trace of sorrow cross her face, even though she already knew what was going on. She sighed softly.
This can't go on... it really won't do.
The villagers' negative views of the Uchiha clan became increasingly apparent, the higher-ups' exclusion and surveillance of the Uchiha became more and more blatant, and discontent within the clan grew ever stronger, like a boiler constantly being pressurized. If this continued, this enormous powder keg would inevitably ignite one day, with unimaginable consequences.
At only sixteen years old, Uchiha Shisui already seemed to be carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders.
The Uchiha clan is inherently a group with sensitive and intense emotions, and Shisui was one of the most meticulous and far-sighted among them.
He not only possessed the renowned skill of "Shisui the Body Flicker" much earlier, making him the undisputed top genius of the Uchiha clan in this generation, but also had a sense of responsibility beyond his years and a desire for peace, constantly trying to find a way for the village and the clan to coexist.
While rapidly considering how to resolve the increasingly deep conflict, Shisui subconsciously glanced at the person being discussed by the villagers.
When his gaze fell on the man, he couldn't help but frown.
This person...
Shisui was absolutely certain that he had never seen this clansman in the clan before.
Although the Uchiha clan has a large population, if he had seen a member with such an outstanding temperament, he would definitely not have been unaware of him.
As for why Shisui was so certain the other person was one of his own, the reason was as simple and straightforward as that of the villagers: the man looked too much like an "Uchiha".
That blend of handsomeness, aloofness, and innate pride is almost a mark etched into the Uchiha bloodline.
After a moment's hesitation, Shisui adjusted his direction and walked towards the tall figure. He habitually wore a gentle yet aloof smile—a mask he often wore when navigating the complexities of the village and his family.
"This...clan member?" Shisui stopped a few steps away from Yan Sheng, asking politely but tentatively, "I don't think I've ever seen you in the clan before. I am Uchiha Shisui, may I ask who you are...?"
Yan Sheng's gaze fell indifferently on the boy walking towards him. What first caught his attention was the boy's "unusual" black curly hair.
This was quite rare among the Uchiha clan members he had ever met, which made Yan Sheng feel a sense of novelty.
Immediately afterwards, his attention was drawn to the boy's name: Uchiha Shisui.
This name was not unfamiliar to him.
Considering that he would need to travel between different timelines and spacetimes to carry out the mission of "saving the world" in the future, in order not to waste any possible opportunity to obtain information, he had a long private talk with Itachi Uchiha from that world before leaving the previous parallel world.
From Itachi Uchiha's narration, which was filled with heavy regret and complex emotions, he learned many secrets about Konoha and the Uchiha clan in that world, including detailed information about Shisui Uchiha.
In Itachi's account, Uchiha Shisui can be considered his guide and mentor on his life's journey. It was Shisui who showed the young Itachi the cruelty of war, guided him to think about the true meaning of peace and protection, and ultimately led him down the path of making a difficult choice between the village and his clan.
It could be said that without Shisui, there might not have been the Uchiha Itachi who carried the weight of everything.
However, the success of this guidance also stemmed from the high degree of overlap in their inner "compatibility." They both harbored a sense of "righteousness" and held a loyalty to Konoha that transcended their families. In order to maintain the peace and stability of Konoha in their hearts, they were prepared to sacrifice everything if necessary.
Including family.
However, in comparison, Itachi Uchiha ultimately went in a more extreme direction. This was not because he was inherently more ruthless than Shisui, but because when fate presented itself to him, the situation he faced was far more severe and desperate than Shisui's.
In Itachi's own words, he "had no choice" at the time, unless he was willing to abandon Konoha and side with his clan to launch a coup.
...When Itachi spoke of Shisui, his tone was filled with respect and regret. He called Shisui a more talented and powerful ninja than himself, both in strength and character. It's just a pity that such a genius was ultimately killed by Danzo Shimura.
Shisui trusted Danzo's "Konoha high-ranking officials" too easily, and was ambushed by Danzo during the meeting, losing his right eye and being poisoned.
Feeling hopeless and realizing his plan had failed, Shisui entrusted his only remaining eye to his close friend Itachi before jumping off a cliff to commit suicide.
Itachi emphasized that Shisui was called a genius not only because he awakened his Sharingan at an extremely early age, but also because the ability he awakened with his Mangekyou Sharingan was terrifying: it was called "Kotoamatsukami".
The ability is to directly invade the mind and manipulate the will of the target without their knowledge, making them act according to the caster's wishes without their awareness.
This is a terrifying ability capable of overturning any situation. More importantly, this ability is not a one-time consumable; although the interval between uses is long, it can indeed be used multiple times.
—Actually, that's not what Itachi originally said. He said it could only be used once every few decades because it was too taxing and required a long time to recover.
But Yan Sheng saw this as meaning that if something is powerful enough, it can be used multiple times, which made perfect sense.
Shisui's original plan was to use "Kotoamatsukami" to influence Fugaku Uchiha (Itachi's father), the then Uchiha clan leader, during a secret clan meeting, so that he would give up the idea of a violent coup and instead seek peaceful dialogue with the village's higher-ups.
Of course, this plan was approved in advance by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi; otherwise, Shisui would not have dared to do it.
However, Danzo Shimura firmly opposed this. He stubbornly believed that the Uchiha clan was inherently "evil" and could never be trusted; any compromise or appeasement policy would only be nurturing a tiger that would eventually turn on them.
So, while outwardly agreeing, he secretly poisoned Shisui, forcibly taking away Shisui's right eye and extinguishing the last hope for a peaceful resolution.
When Yan Sheng heard this story from Itachi, he snorted coldly. He didn't believe that Danzo's actions were truly for the good of Konoha; it was clearly driven by pure selfishness.
Yes, all of Danzo's plans and actions were ostensibly ostensibly "for the sake of Konoha," which sounded quite noble. But was it really for Konoha's good?
Yan Sheng scoffed at this.
Just like some people who always use the guise of "it's for your own good" to force you to do things you don't like or want to do. In the end, they are only satisfying their own desire for control and selfishness.
Forcing what you consider "good" onto people who don't agree with its value is itself a form of arrogance that lacks any bottom line and self-awareness.
Moreover, considering the cabinet full of Sharingan eyes he witnessed at the Root base in that parallel world, soaked in nutrient solution... Danzo's covetousness for the Uchiha power was already obvious.
On one hand, he kept saying that the Uchiha clan was untrustworthy and that their power was evil, showing extreme disgust for them; on the other hand, he greedily collected and used the power of the Uchiha clan. In Yan Sheng's view, this behavior was simply hypocritical and double-standard to the extreme.
If you're only looking out for yourself, why bother waving the banner of "doing what's best for others"? Does the "others" being represented even know that?
These thoughts flashed through Yan Sheng's mind, and when he looked at the young man in front of him, whose brows were filled with worry yet still retained a bright light, his gaze couldn't help but carry a strange meaning.
As mentioned earlier, Uchiha Shisui possessed extraordinary sensory abilities far exceeding those of ordinary people. This inherent trait of the Uchiha clan was fully manifested in him—not only in combat, but also in daily life, he could often see through the emotions, intentions, and even the most subtle information of others.
Therefore, although the unfamiliar Uchiha standing in front of him had a calm and indifferent expression, Shisui did not miss the fleeting emotion in his deep eyes.
The main reason is that Yan Sheng didn't deliberately try to hide it, since in his view it wasn't something that needed to be concealed.
However, this "openness" was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples in Zhi Shui's eyes.
This stranger from another tribe knew him...? The way he looked at him didn't seem like he was looking at someone he was meeting for the first time; it was more like he was scrutinizing someone he already knew.
This feeling of being "seen through" sent a chill down Zhishui's spine. An indescribable unease, like a tiny electric current, coursed through him, giving him goosebumps.
Shisui was certain he didn't recognize the unfamiliar Uchiha in front of him, but the unfamiliar Uchiha seemed to know him.
They've met...? No, impossible. They've just heard about it.
Zhi Shui silently raised his inner vigilance to the highest level.
Even though he maintained a gentle smile on his face, his eyes had become sharp, and his body was in a slightly tense state, ready to react at any moment.
Just as the silent tension was about to solidify, Yan Sheng, as if he had seen enough of Shisui's reaction, finally spoke.
"I am Uchiha Kokusatsu." He first announced his name, and then, under Shisui's focused gaze, uttered those earth-shattering words:
"You could say... I came here for you."
Shisui: "?"
Even with his meticulous mind and extensive experience, Zhi Shui was still taken aback by this unexpected statement.
Coming for him? What does that mean? They've never met before, so why would this person come for him? Is it out of goodwill or malice? And what is their true purpose?
In an instant, countless possibilities flashed through Zhishui's mind, from outside help invited by the radical faction within the clan to a trap set by certain people in the village, or even unknown foreign forces... But no matter which one it was, there were points that could refute this guess, and there were also things that were worth being suspicious about.
Zhi Shui stared intently at Yan Sheng, trying to find any trace of pretense on his face, but to no avail.
The man's behavior was too "normal".
"You came for me?" Shisui repeated the question, his delicate brows furrowing slightly, his tone carrying just the right amount of confusion and wariness. "Mr. Yan Sheng, please forgive my bluntness, but what... do you mean by that?"
As he spoke, his right hand subtly moved closer to the ninja tool pouch on his side.
Despite the fact that the other party claimed to be from the Uchiha clan, Shisui would never lower his guard just because they were from the same clan—especially during this sensitive period.
Yan Sheng took in Zhi Shui's wariness but didn't care. He calmly swept his gaze over the gradually gathering curious eyes around him and said, "This is not the place to talk."
He paused, his gaze returning to Zhishui, and slowly said, "Have you been thinking a lot lately about how to resolve the increasingly sharp conflict between your family and the village? Have you been searching for a way out that would allow neither side to shed blood?"
Shizuku's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
"you......"
“I know many things, Uchiha Shisui,” Yan Sheng interrupted his unfinished questions, saying meaningfully, “including the ‘Kotoamatsukami’ that you have high hopes for, and... the disaster it may bring you.”
The words "Kotoamatsukami" exploded in Shisui's ears like thunder. This was his greatest secret, one he hadn't even revealed to his closest friend, Uchiha Itachi! How could this man—
After the initial shock came a sense of awe.
Shisui immediately realized that the person in front of him possessed far more information than he had imagined. He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
Since the other party has brought it up directly instead of launching an attack from the shadows, there is room for negotiation.
“It seems we really need to find a quiet place to talk.” Shisui released his hand from his ninja tool pouch, the smile fading from his face. “Please follow me.”
He turned and led the way, and Yan Sheng followed calmly. The two walked through the bustling street one after the other, heading towards a certain place.
......
Stepping onto the familiar path, Zhishui's thoughts were in turmoil.
He couldn't help but recall Shimura Danzo's increasingly enigmatic attitude during his recent meetings with higher-ups. Could it be... that his plan had been exposed? But even if it was, it didn't matter; he was bound to tell Shimura Danzo sooner or later anyway.
So, what did Shimura Danzo mean by this?
Just as his emotions were churning, Yan Sheng's deep voice came from behind him, breaking the silence:
"Once trust is betrayed, the price to pay is often one's life." His words were like a prophecy, or a warning. "To be too naive in trusting others will only make you a pawn to be manipulated on the chessboard."
The two had reached the edge of the village near the training ground, where the only sounds were the rustling of leaves in the wind. The setting sun cast long shadows of them, which intertwined on the overgrown ground.
Zhi Shui stopped in his tracks, his back to Yan Sheng. The boy's tall figure appeared particularly slender in the sunset glow, yet it possessed a sharpness as sharp as a blade.
“Mr. Yan Sheng,” he called softly, each word carefully chosen on his tongue, “what do you know? And whose man are you?”
As soon as the words were spoken, the air suddenly became thick, and the cicadas fell silent. The withered leaves at the edge of the training field swayed without wind, swirling between the two men.
Yan Sheng seemed oblivious to the almost tangible hostility emanating from Shisui. He took half a step forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Shisui, his gaze fixed on the distant Nanga River shrouded in twilight, and said calmly:
“I do not belong to anyone.” He turned his head to look at Zhishui’s tense profile. “If you insist on having a place to belong… I have come here on behalf of the ‘world’.”
This answer was clearly beyond Shisui's expectations. He turned his head, his Sharingan appearing in his eyes, trying to see through the truthfulness of the person before him.
However, Yan Sheng's aura remained as still as a deep pool, without the slightest ripple. In other words, he couldn't discern anything.
"'The world'...entrusted to us?" Shisui repeated the overly "mystical" word, his brow furrowed. "What does it mean?"
“That means it.” Yan Sheng turned his gaze back to Zhi Shui, his deep black eyes seemingly reflecting Zhi Shui’s future. “Your original destiny was an unnecessary loss for this world, and the beginning of a tragedy that triggered even greater turmoil.”
His words were spoken slowly and deliberately, yet they carried a strange, compelling power that compelled one to believe them.
“You plan to use ‘Kotoamatsukami’ to change the clan leader’s will in order to resolve this crisis without bloodshed. The idea is good, and it even got the approval of the Third Hokage.” Yan Sheng paused slightly, looking at the surprise that flashed in Shisui’s eyes, and continued, “But you underestimated the darkness of human nature and overestimated the constraints that rules place on some people.”
“Shimura Danzo.” He pointed out the name directly, as if tolling a death knell. “He never trusted the Uchiha, and he would never allow the Uchiha to possess a power like Kotoamatsukami that could overturn the order. Your trust, your entrustment, in his eyes, was nothing more than the best opportunity to seize this eye.”
"You will die, Shisui," Yan Sheng said calmly. "Not on the battlefield, but at the self-righteous 'negotiation' table, at the hands of the 'Konoha' you seem to be protecting. Your right eye will be taken away, you will be poisoned, and in despair, you will entrust your left eye to Uchiha Itachi, and then... jump off a cliff to commit suicide."
This description is so specific and so real, it's as if Yan Sheng witnessed that future firsthand.
Zhi Shui felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, making it hard to breathe.
This is absurd.
Shisui instinctively wanted to refute, to say that it was impossible, that Elder Danzo, though radical, would not go to such extremes... However, when he met Yan Sheng's eyes, which seemed to see through everything, Shisui's throat tightened, and he could not utter a single word in rebuttal.
Seeing Zhi Shui's suddenly darkened face and the intense emotions surging in his eyes, Yan Sheng said calmly:
“I came for you, Shisui, to give you a second choice.” His voice was exceptionally clear in the darkening twilight, “A possibility that doesn’t require sacrificing you or causing the Uchiha to bleed…”
"possible?"
Shisui murmured the word repeatedly, and the pattern in his Sharingan slowly came to a standstill.
Reason was screaming madly—this is absurd! How could I so easily believe a clansman who appeared out of nowhere, a prophecy that defied all reason?
Yet deep down, a certain intuition was stirring within him. Yan Sheng's words were like a key, unlocking the unease he had been deliberately ignoring.
The subtle attitude of Shizuku Danzo, the meaningful silence at the high-level meeting... two thoughts clashed fiercely in his mind, causing his emotions to struggle.
Yan Sheng looked at the doubt and hesitation in Zhi Shui's eyes and didn't want to waste any more time.
"It seems words are not enough to convince you." He stated calmly, then his deep black eyes suddenly changed, a scarlet color spreading out, and a magnificent and complex pattern slowly rotated.
What?! It's a kaleidoscope...?
Shisui's mind went on high alert, and he instinctively tried to look away defensively, but it was too late.
Yan Sheng's pupil power instantly engulfed him like an invisible tide. A crystal-clear memory was projected directly into the depths of his mind—
That was... Itachi's voice? It carried a weariness and despair he had never heard before, a voice so heavy it was almost unbearable.
"Shisui-kun... he's so stupid... he actually believed Danzo would support a peaceful resolution..."
"His right eye was taken from him... He jumped into the Naka River in front of me..."
"He entrusted his left eye and his dreams...to me..."
"But I...I still..."
The images flashed by, accompanied by fragments of sound: Danzo's sinister face, the dazzling light of blood, the howling wind as he fell, and Itachi's devastated expression as he held the eye Danzo had left behind...
"No...this is impossible!" Shisui suddenly took a step back, his face ashen, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
The scenes were so real, every detail was so vivid, especially Itachi's heartbroken eyes, which were like a red-hot iron, burning his very soul.
However, the information conveyed by the Sharingan is difficult to fake, especially memories that contain strong emotions.
His mind was in complete chaos, a jumble of shock, anger, and disbelief that threatened to tear him apart.
Having conveyed the message, Yan Sheng withdrew his eye power, and his Sharingan returned to normal: "Now, do you believe me?"
Shisui gasped for breath, squeezing his eyes shut to try and banish the cruel images from his mind. He gripped a tree trunk, his knuckles turning white from the effort.
The sense of absurdity remained, but the despair and sorrow of the "future" directly transmitted by the Sharingan was too heavy, too heavy for him to deceive himself.
If...if that were true...
Elder Danzo... Itachi... I...
calm!
According to the timeline provided by "Itachi," there aren't many days left until that "ending" happens!
A strong sense of crisis, like ice water poured over my head, instantly suppressed all my chaotic thoughts.
Now is not the time to wallow in confusion. If everything Yan Sheng showed is true, then he doesn't have much time left.
He suddenly raised his head and looked at Yan Sheng. Although there was still a trace of fear in his eyes, there was more of a desperate determination after being driven to the brink: "What... do I need to do?"
Yan Sheng was not surprised by Zhi Shui's reaction and said calmly, "Let's get back to our original topic. There's nothing wrong with your plan itself. The problem is that you chose the wrong partner and revealed your hand too early."
"You mean... we shouldn't have revealed Kotoamatsukami's abilities to Elder Danzo?"
“To show the tamer’s whip to a fearsome tiger,” Yan Sheng nodded, “the result will only be having its throat bitten off.”
Suddenly, the wind picked up on the training field, whipping up fallen leaves all over the ground.
Shisui looked at the withered leaves swirling in the twilight and recalled how, during his recent meetings with Danzo, the latter would always casually inquire about the details of his Kaleidoscope ability.
“But…” Shisui’s voice was a little hoarse, “If we completely conceal our abilities, how can we gain the trust of the higher-ups?”
"Gaining trust?" Yan Sheng shook his head. "You've got one thing wrong. The essence of politics has never been gaining trust, but rather checks and balances."
He took a step forward, his clothes fluttering in the wind: "You possess the power to change the course of the battle, which is your greatest asset. But you've used that asset as a pledge of allegiance."
Zhi Shui stood there, stunned.
These past few days he had tossed and turned, pondering countless solutions, but he had never examined the problem from this perspective. He was always thinking about how to prove the Uchiha's loyalty, how to gain their understanding, but he forgot—it is the weak who need to constantly prove themselves.
“Tell me,” Yan Sheng turned his head to look at him, “If Danzo didn’t know about Kotoamatsukami’s existence, how did you originally plan to carry out your plan?”
Shisui took a deep breath: "On the eve of the clan meeting, I used Kotoamatsukami on Clan Chief Fugaku alone. Afterwards, I pretended that the clan chief had changed his mind..."
“A very good plan.” Yan Sheng nodded. “Then why tell Danzo?”
“Because…” Shisui was speechless. Looking back now, Danzo’s statement that “it is necessary to confirm that you have sufficient ability to control the situation” was full of loopholes.
Yan Sheng didn't press further, but instead said, "Remember, a true hunter never shows his trap to his prey. What you need to do now is continue with your plan. But this time, you'll need a different audience."
"Change the audience?" Shisui seemed to realize something.
“The Third Hokage alone is enough.” Yan Sheng’s voice was soft, yet carried immense weight. “As for Danzo… let him keep guessing.”
As dusk deepened, the last rays of sunlight sank below the horizon.
Shisui gazed at the mysterious clansman before him and asked the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time:
Why are you helping me?
“As I said, I was entrusted by the ‘world’.” He turned his head and looked up at the starry sky. “Besides, it’s a good thing to appreciate a genius who should have fallen continuing to shine.”
After a long silence, Zhi Shui suddenly bowed deeply:
"I understand. Thank you for your guidance."
When he straightened up, the confusion in his eyes had disappeared, replaced by the sharpness of "instantaneous stillness".
"The clan head will attend the meeting three days from now as a representative of the police force." Shisui's speech quickened, clearly already in the zone. "After the meeting, he will, as usual, go to the Nanga Shrine for the clan assembly. There is a route that must be taken from the Hokage Building to the shrine."
He drew several lines in the air: "If I 'bump into' the clan chief there and talk to him alone under the pretext of reporting on the mission, it will only take an instant to unleash the Kotoamatsukami."
“And Danzo,” Shisui paused for a moment, “I remember all the spies he’s recently planted near the clan’s territory.”
A hint of appreciation appeared in Yan Sheng's eyes: "It seems you already have a plan."
“But to ensure everything goes perfectly, we need a catalyst,” Shisui pondered. “A catalyst that will lower the guard of Clan Chief Fugaku without arousing suspicion from anyone.”
Just then, a slight noise came from the edge of the training ground. The two turned their heads at the same time and saw a black-haired boy standing at the edge of the woods, with a hint of hesitation on his face.
"Shisui-nii?" Itachi Uchiha looked at them with some surprise. "And this gentleman is...?"
Shisui's heart stirred, and he suddenly had an idea. He smiled gently and said, "Itachi, you've come at the right time. This is Senior Kokusatsu, a clansman who has just returned from outside."
He stepped forward and put his arm around Itachi's shoulder, saying casually, "By the way, you're going to submit your mission report at the Hokage Building in three days, right? I also have to go to a meeting, let's go together."
Yan Sheng stood aside, watching Shisui naturally set up this scheme. Using Itachi as a cover, he could perfectly explain his "chance encounter" with Fugaku, and also lower Danzo's guards' guards' guards—after all, in everyone's eyes, Uchiha Itachi was always a good boy who could be "trusted".
"A brilliant plan." After Itachi left, Yan Sheng commented calmly, "But are you sure you want to involve him?"
Shisui watched Itachi's departing figure with a complex expression: "This is the best way to protect him. Letting him be an uninformed witness will clear him of all suspicion."
No one spoke after that.
After a while, Zhishui suddenly bowed solemnly to Yan Sheng again: "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I know how to proceed from here."
"Oh, right." Before leaving, Shisui suddenly remembered something and turned back, "Mr. Yan Sheng, what are your plans for the future? Do you need me to arrange accommodation...?"
Huh? Where are they?
The spot where Yan Sheng had just been standing was now empty.
A man's voice, fleeting like the wind, drifted from afar:
"No need. I have some...personal matters to attend to."
***
The river surface shimmered with tiny silver lights under the moonlight, and the gurgling sound of the water echoed in my ears.
Yan Sheng stood by the water, his figure reflected on the clear water, swaying gently with the ripples.
He stared at his reflection in the water, his gaze focused on the eyes—where the once deep black eyes were gone, replaced by a pair of eerie and beautiful Mangekyou Sharingan. Intricate patterns swirled slowly in the water's reflection, like blooming spider lilies, exuding an ominous yet powerful beauty.
However, upon closer inspection, one can discover that a deep purple is faintly mixed within the scarlet background.
The purple hue was not static; it seemed to possess a life of its own, spreading, permeating, and deepening from the deepest part of the pupil extremely slowly.
This is a change brought about by Kaguya Ōtsutsuki purifying his bloodline and activating his potential in the previous world. It is a sign that he is nurturing and transforming towards a higher level of power—the Rinnegan.
Besides the pair of eyes in their sockets that are currently in a transitional phase, Yan Sheng also possesses two other pairs of fully formed and powerful Rinnegan.
Normally, he would keep his two complete Rinnegan eyes hidden to avoid causing trouble for himself.
After all, a normal person only has one pair of eyes, not three.
Undoubtedly, the existence of the Rinnegan has brought him far greater assistance than before—not only a huge increase in his eye power, but also a leap in his understanding of the essence of the world: he sees the world more "clearly," not only in terms of the material level, but also in terms of the flow of chakra, the patterns of rules, and even more easily in terms of analyzing the internal logic and potential causes and effects of things.
Occasionally, when he is highly focused, he can catch a glimpse of a blurry scene from the next few seconds. Although brief, it is enough to secure victory in a rapidly changing battle.
Feeling the power flowing in his eyes, a power capable of shaking the very rules, Yan Sheng couldn't help but raise his hand, his fingertips gently brushing against his eyelids. A cool yet boundless energy pulsated beneath his fingertips.
This perspective... this insight into the essence of the world...
A figure, buried deep in his memory, both the one he pursued his entire life and the source of his pain, uncontrollably surfaced in his mind.
Yoriichi...is this how you see the world?
That younger brother who was born with a "transparent world," able to see through the breath and essence of all things, born to stand at the finish line and look down upon all living beings...
The realm that he had never truly reached, even after a lifetime of devotion and falling into the demonic path, was now beginning to emerge in a different form in these eyes that were gradually transforming into the Rinnegan.
This realization brought Yan Sheng a moment of disorientation and indescribable complex emotions.
Thinking of Yoriichi, Yan Sheng's eyes darkened slightly, and he lowered his hand that was gently stroking his eyelids. With a thought, his left eye's kaleidoscope ability quietly activated: [Yomigayo Vision].
His gaze returned to the reflection in the water, and the colors of the world seemed to fade, becoming more essential. Above his head, two clear strings of numbers appeared.
The black number representing his sins remained unchanged, which reassured him somewhat, indicating that his previous remedial measures had been very successful.
The golden number representing merit reached an astonishing ten digits.
The dazzling golden light almost overflowed, signifying the enormous reward he received for successfully reversing Uchiha Sasuke's fate of destroying the world in the previous world and indirectly preventing the global catastrophe of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
At this rate of accumulation...
Even Yan Sheng's calm and undisturbed heart was stirred by a slight ripple.
Perhaps after experiencing a few more worlds, the accumulated merit should be enough to repay Yoriichi.
***
Uchiha Shisui was a smart man. Once he saw through the fog and realized the traps on the chessboard, his actions demonstrated the decisiveness and efficiency befitting "Shisui of the Body Flicker".
Yan Sheng remained hidden in the shadows and did not interfere with Shisui's plan, but he was prepared to intervene and make amends if Shisui failed—for example, by personally "visiting" Shimura Danzo and having a good talk with him.
......
Shisui knew that time was of the essence and that he had to take action to settle things before Danzo became aware of the situation. So, he used his "dual identity" within the clan and the village, along with the trust placed in him, to begin his operation.
The meeting will be held three days later.
As the captain of the police force, Fugaku Uchiha was required to attend. After the meeting, as was customary, he went to the Naka Shrine to preside over the clan meeting that evening.
Shisui, under the pretext of guiding the younger generation and returning to the clan's territory together, naturally accompanied Itachi.
They "coincidentally" encountered the clan head on the road Fugaku would take to the shrine. With Itachi present, neither Fugaku himself nor the observers would have much suspicion about this brief street conversation.
Itachi became the perfect, unsuspecting talisman in this plan.
After a brief bow and greeting, Shisui requested a private conversation, citing an urgent mission that required a separate report to the clan leader.
Fugaku valued this clan genius highly and, without suspicion, took a few steps away. But in that instant of passing by, when Itachi's vision was briefly obscured and all eyes in the shadows thought it was just a normal exchange, Shisui's Mangekyou Sharingan suddenly activated.
[Kotoamatsukami] activated.
Without any earth-shattering display, only an invisible and intangible, yet terrifying eye power capable of swaying an individual's will, invaded the mental world of Uchiha Fugaku.
The goal was not to control their entire mind, but to implant a firm belief: "A military coup is extremely risky, with a slim chance of success. Failure would plunge the Uchiha clan into utter ruin. We must seek peaceful dialogue with the village's leadership; this is the only rational and most beneficial option for the clan at present."
After using his eye technique, Shisui acted as if nothing had happened, respectfully reported some unimportant details about the mission, and then bid farewell and left with Itachi, who was waiting.
Fugaku Uchiha paused for a moment, rubbed his temples, and a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes, which was then replaced by an unprecedented "clear-headedness" and "decisiveness".
He changed his plans and went straight to the shrine, instead going home first. He needed to rethink his speech for the upcoming clan meeting—he suddenly realized how unwise the radicals' previous arguments had been.
Danzo's spies planted near the Uchiha clan's territory did indeed relay the information that "Shisui and Itachi had a chance encounter with the clan leader and a brief conversation."
At first, Danzo didn't pay much attention to it, taking it as just a normal interaction among clansmen.
However, at the Uchiha clan gathering that night, the tide turned in a way that caught him completely off guard.
Fugaku Uchiha, who had previously taken a hard line, changed his tune at the clan meeting and began to strongly advocate for negotiations with the village, emphasizing the devastating consequences of armed confrontation. His words were so earnest and his logic so clear that it was as if he had become a completely different person.
Although the debate at the clan meeting remained intense, the clan chief's sudden change in attitude undoubtedly poured cold water on the radicals and made it possible for the previously tense atmosphere to ease.
When the news reached Danzo's ears, this usually gloomy man crushed the cup in his hand.
It's Shisui! That kid must have done something!
He tried to contact Shisui, but found that Shisui seemed to have vanished into thin air—he had left the village under the pretext of "carrying out a secret mission" and was impossible to contact.
He wanted to forcefully intervene in the internal affairs of the Uchiha clan, but the change in the attitude of the clan head was "spontaneous," and the debate at the clan meeting was "normal." He had no legitimate reason to directly interfere in the internal decision-making of a large clan.
More importantly, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, also noticed this positive change within the Uchiha clan and began to favor dialogue, which made it impossible for Danzo to openly take hard-line measures.
Before Danzo could even react, everything had become a fait accompli.
Danzo lost his best pretext to launch an attack on the Uchiha clan, and he also lost his best opportunity to seize Kotoamatsukami.
Shisui cleverly evaded his trap, placing a brilliant move on the chessboard that Shisui could not directly counter.
Danzo could only watch helplessly as things unfolded in the opposite direction of his expectations, his anger and murderous intent gnawing at him like venomous snakes, yet he was powerless to do anything about it.
It's all over.
Uchiha Shisui stood alone by the Naka River, and his long-tense nerves finally began to relax a little.
The first person he thought of was the man who had appeared like a mystery. He had considered thanking him in person.
However.
No.
There isn't anywhere.
Just as suddenly as they appeared, they disappeared.
Shisui felt lost, though he didn't know what he was losing. Perhaps it was because he felt the man was very reliable, like a guiding light that could lead him on his path. Now that the guiding light had disappeared, he naturally felt uneasy.
After all, it's hard for people to go from luxury to frugality.
However, Uchiha Shisui was still Uchiha Shisui. He had a strong will and would not indulge in pointless emotions for long.
Recalling the memory fragment of Kokushiro's conversation with the future Itachi, Shisui had a vague guess in his mind.
Yan Sheng knew about the future and had seen Itachi from the future.
...Clearly, he comes from another world. Perhaps, he has simply returned to his own world.
Having figured this out, Shisui's regrets lessened considerably. He raised his head and looked at the twinkling stars in the night sky, as if he could see that figure existing in another time and space through the boundless universe.
—No matter where you come from, Mr. Yen Sheng, thank you.
He silently expressed his gratitude and bid farewell in his heart.
I will not waste this opportunity you have given me. I will continue to protect the future of the Uchiha clan and the future of Konoha in my own way.
Burying this brief encounter and deep gratitude in his heart, Shisui turned and left the riverbank. His gaze regained its clarity and sharpness, turning towards the still turbulent Konoha.
The crisis was only temporarily averted, not resolved; he still had a long way to go and many things to do. Yan Sheng's appearance was merely a flash of lightning that pierced the darkness, briefly illuminating the traps ahead.
Ultimately, he will have to walk the road ahead step by step on his own.
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Author's note: One chapter finished!
Actually, I wrote too much after the night of the massacre, and I felt like there was nothing left to write about TT
The next stop at the Kannabi Bridge [dog head with rose in hand] is here to save you!
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