(T/N: Sorry about the lack of updates last week, I was a little burned out so I took a break. I will start regular updates from today.)
"Ever since that incident," Danzo said, "I've understood one thing—Konoha cannot survive without someone like me dwelling in the shadows."
"But it also needs someone like you to stand in the light."
"That's why there's one thing I will never do—and that is lie to you."
"My hand only holds Shisui's right eye."
Danzo locked eyes with Hiruzen, his expression more sincere than ever before.
Yet deep inside, he couldn't shake a growing unease.
Because based on Hiruzen's reaction, it didn't seem like he was lying either.
Which meant—Shisui's left eye had truly vanished.
It wasn't in Danzo's possession.Nor was it in Hiruzen's hands.
So who took it?
The answer was obvious.
It had to be someone from the Uchiha clan.
Fugaku, Kaze, and even that boy Itachi—all were potential suspects and beneficiaries of this incident.
Especially Kaze.
He wasn't as weak-willed as Fugaku…Nor did he carry the Will of Fire like Itachi.
Kaze was sharp-edged, overflowing with talent—especially in Lightning Release.
Regardless of whether he was the one who took Shisui's eye, Danzo already reached a conclusion:
This person… could not be allowed to remain.
For a moment, Danzo seriously considered making a move against Kaze.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen had gone quiet.
His mind was rapidly sorting through the clues, trying to connect them into a coherent picture.
Danzo was indeed a dark figure—but his loyalty to Konoha had never wavered.On issues this serious, he had no reason to lie.
Which led to the next question:
Who took Shisui's left eye?
"Even with just one eye left," Hiruzen thought, "Shisui was still an elite shinobi. Unless the enemy was overwhelmingly strong, he would've been able to escape…"
And whoever could operate inside the Naka Shrine without alerting the Uchiha clan…
Would almost certainly have to be from the Uchiha clan.
Then, factor in the requirement of being equal to or stronger than Shisui…
That eliminated most suspects.
Only three names remained:Fugaku, Itachi, and the newly promoted jōnin—Kaze.
"Itachi and Shisui were extremely close," Hiruzen mused. "Itachi even thought like a Hokage. He'd never turn on Shisui."
"Fugaku? As clan head, he always trusted Shisui."
"And Kaze… he doesn't seem like the type either."
Hiruzen went through each possibility again and again, but none of the three felt truly convincing.
In the end, he took a deep breath and changed the subject.
"Danzo, do you remember the masked man from five years ago—the one who triggered the Nine-Tails attack?"
Hiruzen spoke slowly, bringing up the past.
That masked man didn't just possess the Sharingan—he also knew Konoha's barrier system inside and out, able to enter and leave undetected.
According to Namikaze Minato's final words before his death, the masked man was very likely Uchiha Madara.
"You mean… Madara?" Danzo raised an eyebrow. "That possibility does exist…"
Back then, the man had even known about Kushina's childbirth—clear evidence of top-tier intelligence-gathering capabilities.
If he'd seized the chance to snatch Shisui's eye this time, it wouldn't be far-fetched at all.
But Danzo couldn't figure it out—Why would Madara want Shisui's eye?
When it came to Susanoo, Madara should be far more powerful than Shisui.
Could it be… that Shisui's eye held some other secret?
"In any case," Hiruzen said after a brief pause, "we need to determine the whereabouts of Shisui's left eye as soon as possible."
"Until the truth comes to light, I suggest you avoid appearing in front of others."
Although Hiruzen had been furious at Danzo's unauthorized actions, now that he understood more of the details, his emotions had calmed significantly.
This wasn't the time to hold Danzo accountable.
On one side, there was Shisui—already dead.
On the other, Danzo—still very much alive.
Between the two, the choice was clear in Hiruzen's mind.
If he publicly condemned Danzo now, not only would Konoha lose a key military asset…It might also give the hidden Madara an opportunity to strike.
"…Sigh."
Hiruzen let out a long sigh."For the sake of the village's peace, the Uchiha will have to suffer a little more. I'll bear the blame."
With those words, Hiruzen didn't spare Danzo another glance. He turned and left the room.
"...Hiruzen…"
But as he watched Hiruzen disappear through the doorway, a flash of venom crossed Danzo's eyes.
Shisui's left eye… he had to get it.
After leaving the secret chamber, Hiruzen didn't pause for even a moment and headed straight for his office.
Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Uchiha Fugaku were all already waiting there.
"Lord Hokage."
The moment Hiruzen walked in, Fugaku stood from his seat and respectfully greeted him, hoping the Hokage would seek justice for the Uchiha in Shisui's death.
"I've already spoken with Danzo."
Hiruzen returned to his seat behind the Hokage desk and began to speak calmly.
Fugaku furrowed his brow, quietly waiting for what came next.
"Danzo admitted everything—he did attempt to take Shisui's Sharingan… but he failed."
"Not only did Shisui escape unharmed," Hiruzen said, "he even used genjutsu to control Danzo."
"In response, Danzo's men pursued him in an attempt to seize his Sharingan."
Hiruzen had subtly altered the version of events Danzo had told him.
"But when we found Shisui," Fugaku immediately interjected, sensing Hiruzen was trying to protect Danzo, "his eyes had already been taken."
"Is it not possible," Hiruzen reasoned, "that someone else manipulated Danzo—killed Shisui and stole his eyes—just to make Danzo look guilty?"
"Absolutely impossible."
Fugaku's voice rose in frustration, realizing Hiruzen was clearly taking Danzo's side."Shisui was attacked near the Naka Shrine. That area is covered by our clan's barrier. Aside from Uchiha, no one can enter undetected."
"Anyone approaching would be sensed immediately."
"And the only ones who entered that area… were those Root ninja."
From Fugaku's perspective, it was obvious: those Root members must've taken Shisui's eyes and delivered them to Danzo by some other means.
"The barrier, huh?" Hiruzen nodded. "Yes, aside from the Uchiha clan, anyone else would've triggered it the moment they entered."
"But Fugaku… have you forgotten the masked man from five years ago?"
"He entered Konoha without a sound or trace."
Fugaku could never forget that day.
Because of that masked man, the Uchiha were blamed and pushed to the outskirts of the village.
Now that Hiruzen brought it up again, Fugaku was momentarily speechless.
Not because of the masked man himself—But because it was now painfully obvious: Third Hokage was deliberately protecting Danzo.
He didn't know what had been said behind closed doors…But he understood one thing clearly:
The current Hokage had already made up his mind not to punish Danzo.
Even so…
To prevent the Uchiha clan from reacting too strongly, Hiruzen didn't fully pin the blame on the masked man either.
"But," Hiruzen continued, "these are only my personal speculations. The truth about what really happened, and the whereabouts of Shisui's Sharingan—"
"We need a full investigation before coming to any conclusion."
"Fugaku, as the head of the Uchiha clan and Captain of the Konoha Police Force, I'm placing this matter in your hands."
Hiruzen's voice softened slightly."As for Shisui's body, and the corpses of those Root shinobi… let's leave them under the care of the Anbu for now."
By protocol, the Konoha Police Force had no authority over Anbu operations.
But to avoid further conflict between the Uchiha and the village,Hiruzen decided it was better to let Fugaku take the lead.
(T/N: As I expected. Now he even hid the fact about Danzo's Sharingan. Anyway hope you all enjoyed the chapter.)
50 Stones = One Extra Chapter
100 Stones = Two Extra Chapters
200 Stones = Three Extra Chapters
Keep the power stones coming.