"Any movement...?"
Even though he rarely stayed in Konohagakure, Danzo always kept the village's affairs under the watchful eye of Root.
The sudden activity among the Uchiha elders, combined with the appearance of the masked man...
None of it was a coincidence.
However, he seemed to be overly cautious this time.
The key figures—Naruto and Uchiha Itachi—had yet to make any moves.
...
In the dimly lit Root base,
Danzo sat on a stone chair, his eyes glinting coldly.
"No matter how you play your pieces... the board belongs to me."
Tap... tap tap...
"Lord Danzo."
Within the dark chamber, Uchiha Itachi stood before him.
"Itachi, you must have sensed the internal unrest within the Uchiha. The masked man's target could be me, you, or even Sasuke..."
"Sasuke?" Itachi's usually calm eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yes, Sasuke. There's something unusual about him." Danzo didn't elaborate but watched as Itachi's expression subtly shifted.
As expected, a brother complex.
"If you truly wish to protect your brother, you need new power. I can help you..."
Danzo's Sharingan spun slowly, the intricate pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan emerging.
"But the process will be excruciating—perhaps even fatal. Are you willing to undergo such a trial, Itachi?"
"..."
"Good. Eliminate the Uchiha elders. They are the root of this chaos. Once it's done, I will personally resolve the conflict between the village and the Uchiha."
"Understood, Lord Danzo."
When Itachi returned, drenched in blood, he once again faced Danzo.
"Well done, Itachi. However, it seems your father has caught on to the situation. He is beginning to harbor hostility toward the village. Kill him. He will become an obstacle to everything."
Itachi's face twisted in shock.
How could Lord Danzo say such a thing...?
Yet, a voice echoed in his mind—
Agree. Agree...
"Shisui intends to lead the Uchiha away from Konoha. This is outright betrayal, Itachi..."
The next time Itachi stood before Danzo, his once calm expression was now void of life.
"Itachi, it seems you have acquired new power. Your brother seeks vengeance against you and the village. He has betrayed the village. For the village's sake... Itachi, what are you doing—?"
In the dark chamber, Shisui glanced at the broken Itachi, a trace of sympathy in his eyes.
"Lord Danzo... isn't this too cruel?"
"I merely suppressed his consciousness for a moment. The genjutsu was yours." Danzo deflected responsibility without hesitation. Observing the changes in Itachi's chakra, he smirked.
"But it seems to have worked. Though I wonder what he experienced..."
Within the illusion, Itachi had fought Danzo to the death, only to collapse in exhaustion afterward.
When he finally opened his eyes, he found himself still in the chamber, Danzo sitting above him.
Instantly, his guard went up. His Sharingan, now transformed into a Mangekyō Sharingan, spun intensely.
"Itachi, show some respect to Lord Danzo. It was only a genjutsu..." Shisui quickly intervened.
"Shisui... genjutsu...?" Itachi froze, his mind drowning in memories.
Killing his clan.
Killing his parents.
Killing Shisui.
Killing Danzo.
Was it all... fake?
None of it actually happened?
If so... that's a relief.
"Go rest, Itachi. Once you've adjusted to your new power, return to me." Danzo watched as Itachi, dazed, slowly nodded.
"Yes... Lord Danzo."
Once Itachi had left, Shisui turned back.
"Lord Danzo, Itachi didn't wake from the genjutsu immediately. My apologies."
"Enough, Shisui. I'm not so petty. Go check on him. Whatever he experienced... it doesn't seem pleasant."
...
Back at the Uchiha compound,
Shisui entered Itachi's room.
Itachi radiated an eerie coldness, exuding an aura that kept others at a distance.
"Itachi... are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Shisui. I'm sorry..."
"Hahaha, what are you apologizing for?" Shisui laughed, patting his shoulder. However, he could feel the stiffness in Itachi's body.
Looking into his eyes, he sighed.
"To awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, one must endure great pain. I don't know what you saw in that genjutsu... but I won't let it become reality."
Slowly, Itachi's rigid body began to relax. As he met Shisui's serious gaze, a warmth spread through him.
This feeling... was comforting.
A flicker of determination flashed in his otherwise emotionless eyes.
"Yes... I won't let it happen."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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