"There are no true clansmen or family here. All I see are webs of conspiracies, underhanded schemes, political alliances, power struggles, and endless infighting."
As Shisui spoke, he rubbed his temples with a frown, clearly exhausted.
He had once thought the internal conflicts of the Uchiha clan were complicated and toxic enough—but now, looking back, they were nothing in comparison.
Compared to this, the internal politics of the Uchiha were child's play.
The Daming Mansion was something else entirely—its darkness suffocating.
What surprised him the most wasn't the schemes themselves, but the sheer lack of intelligence behind them.
Who tries to suppress a faction immediately after failing to win them over?
Wasn't that just pushing the other party to the opposing side?
And yet, Shisui wasn't angry. If it were someone else, they might have caused a storm—walked out, raised hell, flipped the table in outrage. If it were someone else, maybe even killed out of spite.
But Shisui, with the patience born from immense strength, endured.
He could erase all these petty conspirators in a single night if he wanted. In the face of absolute power, every hidden move becomes meaningless.
"Yes, conspiracies fester everywhere—within the family, the village, and especially here at the Daming Mansion," Yan said quietly, his gaze lifting toward the heavens. "But lately, I've noticed something about Itachi. He's changing. He can smile around others now. The burden that once crushed him... it doesn't weigh him down as much anymore."
He turned toward Shisui, his voice softer, almost reproachful.
"You put too much on him. He's still a child, and there are responsibilities he shouldn't be forced to bear."
"Maybe I was wrong..." Shisui murmured, voice thick with regret.
He was glad to see Itachi smile, to see him breathing easier—but a sharp pang of guilt accompanied that joy.
"Yes, you were wrong. You've always been kind, selfless. You'd throw everything away for your family and village without hesitation," Yan said gently. "But you're also stubborn. Once you believe in something, it's nearly impossible to sway you. You cling to ideas like 'family' and 'village' as if they alone can fix everything."
Yan's gaze grew heavier.
"But what you don't see is that your actions, no matter how noble, don't ease the tension between the clan and the village. In fact, they've only made things worse."
He took a step closer to Shisui.
"Uchiha is sick—very sick. I used to believe that the elders and patriarch were our best hope. That they could heal Uchiha, guide it back to glory... but I was wrong. Everything they've done has been disappointing."
Yan laughed bitterly at himself.
"I didn't stand up because I wanted power—I stood up because I couldn't find any hope in our leadership. I hate this political game. But if no one else will act, then I will."
His voice grew stronger, more resolute.
"If there's no doctor, I'll become one. If we have no scalpel, I'll forge one. I'll cut away Uchiha's rot and let it stand proud again."
"But I can't do it alone. One person's strength has limits. That's why I need allies. We are family, and we should be united."
He looked at Shisui with a complicated expression—a mix of longing and disappointment.
"Unfortunately, you've always been too stubborn."
Shisui lowered his head. His teeth clenched. His fists trembled.
Every word Yan spoke pierced into him like a dagger. The pain was suffocating.
"You're a man of duty, Shisui. I've always known that. You'll do anything for Uchiha—for Konoha."
Yan slowly extended his hand.
"So please, my comrade, my brother—can I trust you again?"
"I..." Shisui looked up with bloodshot eyes, his gaze falling on the outstretched hand in front of him.
His emotions surged. Memories of everything he had done, every choice he thought was right, collided with his doubts and regrets.
And yet, here was someone—someone he once thought reckless—reaching out again.
A hand, not for blame, but for unity.
"The responsibilities that the elders and patriarch can't shoulder—we will."
Yan's voice grew resolute.
"For the family. For the village. Will you bear everything? Even if it means becoming a sinner in everyone's eyes? Even if it means being remembered in infamy?"
"I can accept that."
Shisui reached out with both hands, grabbing Yan's hand tightly. Their grip was so firm that their hands turned pale.
"If that's what it takes for the family and village, I will shoulder everything. Even if I must walk through the abyss and embrace the darkness. Thank you—for trusting me again and giving me another chance."
During these past days, Shisui had been tormented with questions.
Had everything he done been right?
He always believed it was. But Yan had called him stubborn.
He believed in peace—but reality had shown him another path.
Yan had taken steps Shisui once thought were radical, even dangerous.
And yet, those actions bore results.
The situation for the clan had clearly improved—sometimes through pressure, sometimes through confrontation, sometimes by striking at enemies like the Shimura clan without hesitation.
The truth became clear:
If the rift between clan and village was to heal, then Uchiha needed to change first.
And before that could happen—Uchiha had to be healed.
"I'm glad to hear that," Yan said, visibly pleased. "I, Uchiha Hiko, swear on the honor of our clan—everything I do is for Uchiha and for Konoha. I have no hidden agenda."
He looked Shisui dead in the eyes.
"Don't disappoint me again, Shisui."
"I'll do my best," Shisui answered.
Those words were simple, but the weight behind them was immeasurable.
All the changes in the clan, all the darkness he'd seen in the Daming Mansion, everything Yan had shown him—it all culminated in this moment.
Trust. Loyalty. Resolve.
"Then here is your first mission, Shisui."
"I await your orders."
Shisui bowed formally, following the traditional Uchiha hierarchy.
"Retrieve what rightfully belongs to our clan," Yan ordered. "Uchiha has lost enough face. We can't continue like this."
His eyes narrowed.
He was curious to see how the Copy Ninja would fare against Shisui of the Body Flicker.
Truthfully, Yan didn't think much of Kakashi anymore.
After receiving Obito's Sharingan, Kakashi's original strengths had gradually diminished.
He still clung to that eye—but it was the swordsmanship and Lightning Release techniques from the Hatake line that once made Kakashi dangerous.
One only needed to look at his father, Sakumo Hatake, to understand that.
If Kakashi had stayed on that path, he might have surpassed even his father.
But now?
He was just average—a "fifty-fifty" match for anyone.
"Why?" Shisui asked, stunned. "You want me to go after... Kakashi?"
It wasn't that he had to kill the man. But just taking back the Sharingan—it felt like attacking an ally.
Wouldn't this offend Lord Hokage?
Yan raised his hand, grasping at the sky as if pulling down stars.
"Shisui, taking back what belongs to our clan has nothing to do with harming the village. The two are not the same."
He looked Shisui in the eyes.
"We are part of the village. We'll always be part of it. But isn't it ironic that an outsider wields Uchiha's Sharingan and is called the 'Copy Ninja'?"
"As for the Hokage—don't worry. Nothing will happen."
If Fugaku had been firm years ago, Kakashi would never have kept that eye.
But Fugaku had chosen to remain passive.
Even if Uchiha took the eye back now, the Third Hokage wouldn't dare escalate things—not with the political balance so fragile.
And without Danzo pulling strings in the background anymore, the danger had decreased even more.
"As long as no one can prove we were involved, how could the Hokage blame us?"
"This isn't about killing anyone. This is about reclaiming what is ours. So you must act with precision."
Taking something back is not the same as taking a life.
Shisui couldn't justify murder. But this? This was reasonable.
If he refused now, what did that say about all his promises?
He might as well find a cliff and throw himself off.
"I understand."
It was just about the Sharingan. No one had to die.
Yes, Shisui was stubborn—but at least now, he had direction.
Yan had foreseen this. He could work with stubbornness—as long as it was pointed in the right direction.
Besides, Itachi was far easier to manage than Shisui.
Itachi was obedient, smart, and rarely questioned orders now. He stayed focused and didn't cause unnecessary friction.
Yan turned away and left, but not before leaving one final, chilling instruction:
"If necessary... use your Mangekyō."
Shisui froze. His heart trembled.
He didn't expect that. How did Yan even know?
And it wasn't the clan head who told him...
So what now, Uchiha Shisui?
He stood motionless for a long time in the grove, staring at his hand, then finally exhaled.
"So... he knew all along. I'm such a fool."
Sorry, Kakashi.
Yan was right.
Uchiha needed unity. Uchiha needed defenders.
If he couldn't change the situation from within, then he would follow Yan into the darkness and fight for change from the shadows.
Fugaku knew—by allowing Yan to act, he had given silent consent.
And so, with no burden left in his heart, Shisui prepared himself.
Even if he didn't want to use his eyes, he would.