Hokage Tower – Hokage's Office
Shimura Daisuke, Aburame Shibi, and several clan heads allied with the Shimura clan had gathered here.
"What brings you here?"
The Third Hokage asked coldly, puffing on his tobacco pipe, clearly in a foul mood.
The operation to eliminate "Uchiha Madara" had ended in a total failure eleven elite jōnin were killed in action. That alone had dampened his mood.
What made it worse was that although Uchiha Shisui survived, one of his eyes had been permanently blinded.
Shisui was the strongest shinobi under his command, and his power heavily relied on the Mangekyō Sharingan. With one eye permanently lost, his strength would undoubtedly suffer.
He had urgently summoned Tsunade back, but whether she would return to Konoha out of old master-disciple loyalty to heal Shisui's eye he wasn't confident.
Over the years, his own power-consolidating tactics had driven a wedge between them.
"Hokage-sama, twelve elite jōnin were deployed, yet only Uchiha Shisui returned alive. We find this highly suspicious and formally request an investigation into Uchiha Shisui," said Shimura Daisuke, looking expectantly at the Third Hokage.
He believed that given the Hokage's well-known distrust of the Uchiha clan, he would certainly approve an investigation into Shisui.
"You've all disappointed me."
Contrary to Daisuke's expectations, the Third Hokage's expression darkened instead of agreeing. His tone was stern.
"Casting suspicion on a comrade without any evidence, harboring doubt toward our own people—this is a grave mistake."
Uchiha Shisui was his key informant within the Uchiha clan. How could he possibly allow anyone to investigate Shisui and jeopardize his position?
"But… Hokage-sama, even though I lack direct evidence… everyone else died, and only Shisui survived. It is suspicious."
Daisuke quickly tried to explain, unnerved by the unexpected reaction.
He couldn't understand it. He had practically handed the Hokage a golden opportunity to suppress the Uchiha clan—why wasn't he seizing it?
The Third Hokage's response was completely opposite to what he had anticipated, leaving him flustered and confused.
"Hokage-sama, we too believe this matter is highly irregular."
Despite sensing the Hokage's displeasure, retreating at this point was out of the question. Aburame Shibi and the other clan heads also spoke up.
"Instead of being grateful a comrade survived, you grow suspicious of him—this is not the conduct befitting Konoha shinobi."
The Third Hokage's eyes were sharp as he stared them down, his face cold and filled with reprimand.
"I don't want to hear another word of this. Nor do I want to hear such rumors circulating in the village."
If an investigation into Shisui uncovered anything compromising, it would take significant effort to cover up. The best solution was to prevent the investigation from happening at all.
Under the Third Hokage's piercing gaze, Daisuke and the others involuntarily trembled.
They had countless doubts and questions, but in the end, all they could do was respond:
"Yes… we understand."
"We will ensure no such rumors spread outside."
Though the Third Hokage usually appeared kind and approachable, they knew well that behind that façade was a chilling ruthlessness.
Once angered, he was absolutely terrifying.
"You may go."
The Third Hokage's expression returned to its usual warm composure, as if the sternness from moments ago had never existed. He waved them off.
"Yes, sir."
The group quickly left the Hokage's office, visibly shaken.
Once outside, they exchanged glances, each filled with lingering confusion and frustration.
It was an open secret that the Third Hokage did not favor the Uchiha clan. For years, the village leadership—him included—had clearly oppressed the Uchiha.
They simply could not understand why he would suddenly go out of his way to shield Uchiha Shisui.
Not long after Shimura Daisuke and the others visited the Hokage Tower, Uchiha Fugaku had already received word.
One of the benefits of controlling the Konoha Police Force was having access to any developments within the village almost instantly.
"They must be fuming right now."
Fugaku sneered inwardly.
There was no need to ask—Shimura Daisuke and the others' request to investigate Shisui must have been rejected outright. They were likely even reprimanded by the Hokage.
The Third Hokage would never allow an investigation into Shisui. Using Shisui as a tool to suppress the Uchiha clan simply wouldn't work.
Fugaku could already picture their frustrated expressions.
"Keep an eye on those people. Report to me immediately if any of them leave the village."
He turned to Uchiha Yakumi in the office.
"Yes, sir."
Yakumi responded, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.
He understood exactly why his captain wanted Shimura Daisuke and Aburame Shibi monitored.
White Zetsu's Base
Buzz—
With a ripple of space, Uchiha Obito's figure emerged from a vortex.
His chest was torn open, the fabric slashed and still stained with fresh blood.
"You actually got hurt?"
Black Zetsu's half-face spoke, sounding surprised.
He knew Obito's strength well—wielding both Wood Release and the Mangekyō Sharingan, inheriting Uchiha Madara's legacy, and mastering a range of forbidden techniques.
His power was near the level of a Super Kage. Even against multiple Kage-level enemies, he could retreat unscathed.
To think he would be injured in a battle against a squad of twelve elite Konoha jōnin.
"I was careless. I didn't expect Uchiha Shisui to possess Izanagi. I was ambushed."
"Once I recover, I will kill him."
Obito's voice was calm, but filled with deadly intent.
Since assuming the identity of Uchiha Madara, he hadn't suffered such a setback in a long time.
The last time was during the Nine-Tails incident.
His former teacher, the Fourth Hokage, had used the Flying Thunder God Technique to give him quite a beating. But the Fourth Hokage paid an even steeper price—he and his wife both died that night.
"We may have to put this matter on hold. Word from Kirigakure is that, because you haven't reinforced the genjutsu recently, the Fourth Mizukage is showing signs of breaking free from your control."
White Zetsu's half-face spoke.
"Signs of breaking the genjutsu?"
Obito's brow furrowed beneath the mask.
He had spent a very long time preparing to control the Fourth Mizukage through genjutsu. If the Mizukage broke free now, reapplying the technique would be nearly impossible.
"I need to head there immediately. At most, we have two or three days before he's completely free."
Black Zetsu added.
"Let him live a little longer."
Obito said coldly.
Controlling the Fourth Mizukage was crucial for his plan to destroy Kirigakure and avenge Rin. There was no room for error.
Compared to that, everything else could wait.