Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Anyone who knew the other party possessed such terrifying abilities would likely find it difficult to feel completely at ease.

"Zhishui, get up first."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was deliberately made gentler:

"It is important and brave of you to come and tell me this. It shows that the Uchiha clan is not all madmen, but also has excellent ninjas like you who are reasonable and care about the village."

Upon hearing this, Shisui's eyes reddened, and she slowly stood up, but still kept her head down.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat down again, lit his pipe, took a deep drag, and let the pungent smoke help him think calmly.

The situation was more serious and complicated than he had anticipated.

The radical Uchiha clan has already considered using "Kotoamatsukami" to control the Hokage, which is tantamount to crossing the final red line.

The village could never tolerate the existence of such an Uchiha clan again.

But how to deal with it? A complete purge? That would trigger a civil war, the cost of which would be too high, and it was not what he wanted.

Only deal with the radicals?

How can we identify them? Would the Uchiha resort to desperate measures?

"Lord Hokage!"

When the Third Hokage came to his senses, he saw that Shisui's eyes were bloodshot as he looked at him, and he instinctively became wary.

However, what Shisui said next left the Third Hokage stunned.

"Kotoamatsukami's eye technique can only be used once, after which the Mangekyou Sharingan will be permanently...extinguished!"

"Lord Hokage, I am willing to pay the price of one eye to change the will of Elder Setsuna or Clan Chief Fugaku and persuade the Uchiha to abandon their coup."

"In that case... could you bypass the Uchiha clan?"

The Third Hokage was shocked. Shisui... did he really have to go to this extent?

To sacrifice one's own eyesight to forcibly end the rebellion in exchange for the survival of the entire clan?

At this moment, the Third Hokage began to truly trust Shisui. If this child had any ill intentions, why would he have gone to such lengths?!

“Shisui, you…”

Looking at Shisui's pained yet resolute eyes, the Third Hokage felt a pang of pain in his heart. This choice was far too cruel for Shisui.

But... right now, it seems there's no better way.

However, just as the Third Hokage was about to speak and inquire in detail about the limitations and specific operations of "Kotoamatsukami"—

Clang!

A slight noise suddenly came from outside the door.

The Third Hokage and Shisui's expressions changed drastically at the same time!

"Who?!"

The Third Hokage shouted sharply, his figure vanishing from his seat in an instant and appearing by the door, where he flung it open!

"..."

At the office door stood Danzo, his expression slightly taken aback.

The sound came from the cane falling to the ground.

He... was also shocked by the terrifying power of 'Kotoamatsukami' just now, and his cane slipped out of his hand unconsciously while he was thinking.

When the Third Hokage saw Danzo appear at the door, his face instantly darkened.

He didn't look at the cane lying on the ground, but instead stared intently at Danzo's single eye, which was sticking out of the bandage.

The already oppressive atmosphere in the office plummeted to freezing point with the arrival of this uninvited guest.

Shisui opened his mouth, his body tensing slightly.

He knew Danzo, and he also knew that the captain didn't get along with this person, and the person the captain disliked must not be a good person.

But... he didn't know exactly when Danzo arrived, or how much he had overheard.

Logically, with the Anbu guarding the area around the Hokage Building, no one should be able to get close, but Danzo, given his status, was able to.

More importantly, both he and the third generation were so emotionally charged that they didn't notice anyone outside the door.

Danzo suddenly moved.

He suppressed his slightly surprised expression, seemingly oblivious to Hiruzen Sarutobi's unpleasant look and Shisui's wary posture, and bent down to pick up the cane from the ground.

The cane struck the floor with a crisp sound.

Danzo, leaning on his cane, slowly straightened up and walked into the office step by step. His gaze calmly swept over Hiruzen Sarutobi and finally landed on Shisui.

That gaze wasn't sharp; it even carried a hint of... strange, chilling "gentleness."

"Hiruzen, it's past midnight and you're still working. You need to take care of yourself."

Danzo's voice was hoarse yet steady, as if he had simply happened to be passing by.

"And... Uchiha Shisui, is there something important to report to the Hokage so late at night?"

He made no mention of his eavesdropping, instead adopting a concerned and businesslike attitude.

But this made Hiruzen Sarutobi even more wary. He knew his old comrade-in-arms and old rival all too well. The calmer Danzo appeared, the deeper his scheming was often.

"What are you here for?"

The Third Hokage didn't respond to Danzo's words and went straight to asking.

"I originally came to discuss with you some details regarding the coordinated defense deployment between the Root and the Dark Strategists during the visit of the Mizukage."

Danzo, his tone unchanged, walked to the sofa with his cane and sat down by himself.

"But now it seems there are more important things to do."

Given that the Uchiha clan was no longer trusted, and the Security Department did not participate in the village's defenses during this diplomatic mission, Danzo's Root organization did indeed bear responsibility for this matter.

The Third Hokage, somewhat impatient, exposed Danzo: "When did you arrive? How much did you hear?"

Danzo remained silent for a moment, then turned his gaze to Shisui, a glint of indescribable light flashing in his single eye:

"Just now outside the door, I unfortunately overheard some information that shocked even me: Uchiha... Kotoamatsukami?"

"A kaleidoscope eye technique that modifies willpower?"

"And... the Uchiha clan actually dared to attempt to control the Hokage?"

Instead of hiding it anymore, he chose to bring up the topic directly!

Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage's heart sank. Danzo had indeed heard the most crucial part!

As for Shisui... with each sentence Danzo spoke, Shisui's face paled a little more.

"Danzo, this matter..."

The third generation leader attempted to speak up and regain control of the situation.

But Danzo raised his hand to interrupt him, his gaze still fixed on Shisui, and his tone even carried a hint of...approval?

"Uchiha Shisui, you did very well. You are worthy of being a descendant of Kagami," Danzo said slowly.

"Under such immense pressure from your family and the allure of the 'achievements' you could attain, you chose loyalty to the village and you chose to be honest."

"This requires immense courage and unwavering faith. Konoha needs ninjas like you."

This unexpected "praise" left Shisui stunned, and even somewhat at a loss for words.

The anger and questioning he had anticipated from Danzo did not occur; instead, he received...praise? This made him more uneasy than direct hostility.

The third generation leader's brows furrowed even more.

He couldn't figure out Danzo's intentions for a while.

"As for your suggestion..." Danzo continued to Shisui:

"Use eye techniques on the radicals within your own clan to fundamentally change their will, thereby eliminating a potential internal strife without bloodshed..."

"Although it sounds somewhat... shocking, let's be realistic, at this point in time..."

"Faced with the Uchiha's insane ambition, this may be... the solution with the least cost and the least damage to the village."

Danzo actually agreed? Shisui looked up abruptly, staring at Danzo in disbelief. Danzo had actually expressed some degree of "approval"!?

The Third Hokage stared at Danzo with a serious expression, trying to discern his true intentions from his face, which was mostly covered by bandages.

“However…” Danzo’s tone shifted, becoming serious and “earnest”:

"Zhishui, have you considered the risks and potential consequences of this?"

"Kotoamatsukami... Such a powerful ability, once used, will inevitably leave traces. Moreover, the Uchiha clan has long known about your ability,"

"Even if you succeed in changing Setsuna's or Fugaku's will, are you sure no one in the Uchiha clan will notice?"

"If they realize that the clan leader's or elders' will has been 'modified' by someone, how will the Uchiha... react?"

"That could trigger a more violent backlash and suspicion than any political change, pushing the entire Uchiha clan to the opposite side of the village,"

"It might even... force the entire Uchiha clan... to betray the village!!"

His analysis was very logical and insightful, with every sentence hitting the nail on the head regarding potential hidden dangers. It sounded like he was "deeply planning" for the stability of the village and the future of the Uchiha clan.

The glimmer of hope that had just risen in Shisui was suppressed by these words, and her face showed confusion and struggle.

He... certainly didn't think that far ahead.

But it sounds like the consequences for the family are... pretty much the same?

……

Chapter 257 The Hokage's Promise

The Third Hokage suddenly sneered, "Danzo, then in your opinion, how should this be handled?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi figured it out.

Danzo, the old friend, must have had his own purpose, otherwise he wouldn't have spoken to Shisui in that tone.

Admittedly, what he said made some sense, but he didn't mention his own attitude as Hokage.