Naruto: Eating Kaido's Azure Dragon Devil Fruit-Chapter 346: The Uchiha’s Choice

Uchiha Fugaku gestured for Shisui to sit down, and after a moment of silence, slowly spoke.

"Why do you think I urgently called you back?"

"Please enlighten me, Clan Leader." Shisui said respectfully.

"The situation is not optimistic."

Uchiha Fugaku sighed. "Although the Fourth succeeded in taking office, we were still too optimistic before."

"Lord Third... Sarutobi Hiruzen, he hasn’t truly relinquished power. Core departments like the Anbu, the Sealing Team, and the Barrier Team are still firmly in his grip."

"The forces the Fourth can directly mobilize are quite limited."

Shisui frowned slightly; it was clear that Sarutobi Hiruzen’s desire to control power was too strong.

Although he was old, as the Hero of the Shinobi, he was still hale and hearty. It wasn’t impossible for him to hold power for another decade.

He could fully be called the "Grand Emperor" of Konoha.

"How could this be? The Fourth is the legitimately appointed Hokage."

"Being legitimately appointed doesn’t mean you can control everything."

Uchiha Fugaku’s tone carried a hint of sarcasm. "Sarutobi Hiruzen has managed Konoha for many years, his foundations are deep. Coupled with the support of the two elder advisors, the Fourth, who comes from a civilian background, faces numerous obstacles in truly taking the reins of power."

"You must also be clear about the situation within the clan."

"Many clan members have grown impatient. They believe our investment in supporting Namikaze Minato’s rise has failed, and Sarutobi Hiruzen’s suppression of the Uchiha won’t change."

"Radical voices... are starting to appear again."

Shisui’s heart tightened. He naturally understood what "radical voices" referred to—a coup d’état.

That was the most dangerous, and final, option.

"Clan Leader, what is your intention?" Shisui asked carefully.

"I still do not advocate taking that step now."

"That would drag the entire Uchiha into an abyss of eternal damnation."

"I choose to increase our support for the Fourth! He needs power he can trust, and we Uchiha can become that power!"

Uchiha Fugaku’s eyes burned intensely as he looked at Shisui. "We need to help the Fourth, step by step, seize back the rights that belong to the Hokage from Sarutobi Hiruzen’s hands!"

"This requires time, and also... suitable personnel."

Shisui seemed to understand something. "Clan Leader, you mean..."

"Correct."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "I plan to dispatch elite members of the clan to enter the Hokage’s direct Anbu, or serve as the Fourth’s personal bodyguards."

"On one hand, it demonstrates the Uchiha’s sincerity and capability. On the other, it provides additional strength for the Fourth, while also allowing us to gain more intelligence and influence."

"Originally, the most suitable person was Takumi..."

Mentioning Uchiha Takumi, a trace of helplessness flashed in Uchiha Fugaku’s eyes.

"I secretly summoned him a few days ago, hoping he would step up and take on more responsibility for the clan, but... he refused."

"His reason was that his eyes had been overused, his eyesight severely deteriorating, nearing blindness."

Shisui’s mind stirred. He knew he was referring to the Mangekyō, but was there such a thing as going blind from it?

Shisui subconsciously touched his own eyes, a shadow falling over his heart.

"I know, this might just be an excuse."

Uchiha Fugaku’s tone was calm, his emotions unreadable. "Takumi’s mind has never been on the clan’s grand ambitions. In his eyes, there’s only his younger brother, Ryota."

"Forget it, you can’t force it."

His gaze refocused on Shisui.

"Shisui, you are the most outstanding genius of the younger generation in the clan. Although you are still young, your strength has already surpassed many of your predecessors."

"I plan to recommend you, along with three other clansmen, to go to the Fourth’s side and serve as bodyguards."

Shisui’s heart shook.

Because of the series of recent events, he had lost some of his original naivety.

Serving as the Hokage’s bodyguard, while seemingly an honor, was actually a heavy responsibility, and it would easily make one the focus of attention from various factions.

His greatest secret—Kotoamatsukami—once he was asked to use it at a critical moment, or if it were carelessly exposed...

Thinking of this, a hint of hesitation appeared on Shisui’s face.

"Clan Leader, the responsibility of the Hokage’s bodyguard is immense. I worry that I am young, inexperienced, and my strength may be lacking, making me unable to handle such an important position..."

Uchiha Fugaku looked deeply at Shisui and slowly spoke.

"Shisui, there’s no need to be modest."

"I... trust in your strength."

He deliberately emphasized the word "trust," his gaze sweeping meaningfully over Shisui’s eyes, which appeared to be merely Three Tomoe Sharingan.

"Your ’Body Flicker Technique’ is unrivalled in the shinobi world, enough to handle most sudden situations. Moreover, I believe that at critical moments, you possess the power to turn the tide."

Shisui’s heart sank heavily.

The Clan Leader knows!

He must have sensed it, or deduced through some channel, that he had already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!

These words were both a sign of trust and an invisible pressure.

Silence spread within the secret room.

After a long moment, Shisui took a deep breath and looked up. The hesitation in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a firm sense of responsibility.

"I understand, Clan Leader."

"For the future of the Uchiha, I am willing to go to the Fourth’s side and give my all."

A smile finally appeared on Uchiha Fugaku’s face. He nodded.

"Very well. I will communicate the specific arrangements with the Fourth as soon as possible. Rest within the clan for these few days and prepare."

"Yes."

...

A few days later.

On a remote, uninhabited islet within the Land of Water’s territory, perpetually shrouded in sea fog.

Sora’s figure appeared on the beach. He looked around and quickly formed hand seals.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Accompanied by a massive plume of white smoke, the White Snake Sage’s serpentine body, shrunk to several meters long but still exuding authority, coiled before Sora.

Unlike her previous arrogance, the White Snake Sage now lowered her head, her serpentine pupils filled with awe and submission.

The binding force of the master-servant contract reached deep into her soul, leaving her unable to conceive a single thought of defiance.

"Master."

Sora gave a slight nod and instructed.

"White Snake, I’m entrusting you with a task."

"Use all the snakes of Ryūchi Cave in the Land of Water to find a child with the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai. His name should be ’Haku’."

"He’s about four or five years old. His features should be black hair, a delicate appearance, and a personality that is likely timid and gentle. He’s probably living in some slum or village, and his situation won’t be good."

He paused for a moment, then added.

"After you find him, keep him under close surveillance and ensure his safety, but don’t approach him for now. Report to me immediately through reverse summoning."

Haku was crucial to the Mizu Bunshin in Sora’s plans.

That pure Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, born from the perfect of Water and Wind Release, was the ideal source of Kekkei Genkai for constructing the powerful Mizu Bunshin he envisioned.

Although the White Snake Sage was somewhat puzzled by the task of finding a human child, she dared not harbor any doubts.

"I shall obey your command, Master."

"I will immediately mobilize all my serpentine children and grandchildren. Even if I have to search every corner of the Land of Water, I will surely find this child named ’Haku’ for you."

"Go." Sora waved his hand.

The White Snake Sage bowed in deference once more, then vanished with a "poof" in a cloud of white smoke, heading off to mobilize Ryūchi Cave’s network of snakes.