Chapter 137: The Third Pair of Mangekyou

Looking at the numb‑faced boy before him, the Third Hokage sighed; he hadn't expected Danzo to have left him a surprise.

Wood Release—back then he wasted so much effort only to fail, the cost was too great and he had to give up; he didn't expect Danzo to quietly achieve results.

However, he also knew that darkness must be involved, which made his mood somewhat complicated.

He was clear about his and Danzo's positions: one is the Hokage in the sunlight, the other the Hokage in darkness; many tasks inconvenient for him were handled by Danzo, and the two partners have gotten through many difficulties together.

Thus, even if he knows Danzo acted behind his back, as long as it doesn't become known to the whole world, he will not punish Danzo.

This time is the same; unfortunately Danzo is increasingly unwilling to stay in the shadows, but how can a root long buried underground break through the soil to bathe in sunlight? Zhuan Qin Xiaochun and Mizuto Monen sat quietly beside him, having worked with Danzo for years; they knew what kind of person he was and had long anticipated this assassination, feeling no surprise.

At this moment they calmly awaited Danzo's arrival, preparing to use this incident to restrain Danzo and get ready for Tsunade's return to take over Konoha.

Danzo didn't keep the three waiting long, and slowly walked over, leaning on his cane.

The Third Hokage glanced sideways; Danzo's eyes were clouded, an unmistakable despondency, which struck him as odd—just a Wood Release ninja, Danzo's temperament shouldn't be so.

"Danzo, why are you doing this?"

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun seized the floor first, asking sharply.

But unexpectedly Danzo sat very calmly beside him, eyes closed, ignoring it.

This surprised the three, and Zhuan Qin Xiaochun felt as if a punch had hit cotton, leaving her rather bewildered.

The Third Hokage thought briefly, coughed twice, and said softly: "Danzo, this child cannot remain in darkness; hand them over to Kakashi, and keep them in the ANBU to serve the future Fifth Hokage."

As he spoke, encouragement still shone in his eyes.

When the Hokage was mentioned, Danzo showed a slight reaction; he ignored those eyes, his single eye opening slightly to look at the pale‑faced Third Hokage on the bed.

Even after a period of recuperation, the Third Hokage's body showed no signs of recovery; unsurprisingly, his condition will only worsen over time.

Danzo felt conflicted, involuntarily recalling the day that decided his fate; he had the resolve to die, yet lacked that courage, causing his steps to be slow and hesitant.

However, he does not resent Rizhan; he only hates his own cowardice, and this time is the same. After calming down, he recalled the ninja clan's reaction in the Village; he no longer resents Rizhan's deception, only his own foolishness.

His thoughts drifted, taking a long time to gather back.

"Danzo, don't you think you've gone too far this time? First you used your authority to act against the Village's people, and now you brazenly do this; you're becoming more extreme. I think you're no longer fit to wield the Village's power, it's time you take a proper rest."

Danzo remained silent, and the Third Hokage also said nothing; Zhuan Qin Xiaochun could no longer hold back and spoke again.

"What does Rizhan think?"

Danzo ignored Zhuan Qin Xiaochun and continued looking at the Third Hokage, asking.

The Third Hokage was startled; he vaguely sensed Danzo's impropriety, withdrew his gaze, closed his eyes to contemplate for a moment, then sighed and said: "My principle does not permit me to harm more people; this incident will not be pursued. Where there is light, there is darkness; without either side the world cannot function."

The Third Hokage does not wish to pursue Danzo's actions this time, even if the target of the assassination were himself.

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun and Mizuto Monen were startled, exchanged a glance, then remained silent; the four have always shared a tacit understanding.

This time they understood the Third Hokage's thinking.

Danzo also understood; he looked deeply at the Third Hokage, as if that sentence defined their positions.

He is destined to be the Root in darkness, never the Hokage bathed in sunlight.

"If only that had been said earlier."

Danzo sighed softly in his heart, then rose slowly and left; he received no punishment, Root remained in his hands, and he could continue overseeing Konoha's affairs.

The Third Hokage watched Danzo's departing figure and coughed a few more times; his body is too fragile to intervene much, and had Danzo not overstepped recently, he wouldn't have summoned the three.

"Rizhan, get some rest; we've already received word from Tsunade, and soon we can call her back."

With matters at this point, the two could not linger and rose to leave.

News that Danzo faced no punishment quickly spread among the ninja clans; although there was some discontent, it wasn't considered strange, as the Third Hokage has always protected Danzo.

Shisui also learned of the news, but he has no time to attend to it now, because another person has replied to him.

Within the clan grounds, Shisui took a scroll from the little white snake's mouth, then retrieved the letter Orochimaru had sent him.

Last time Orochimaru delivered some experimental data, then took fifty million taels of funds from him, along with his blood and the method to awaken the Mangekyou.

However, Shisui also took the opportunity to raise some questions, hoping Orochimaru could help solve them.

After waiting over a month, Orochimaru finally replied.

Shisui opened the letter and read it carefully; it first told him that a portion of the experimental data is here, and the rest will be sent gradually later.

It then bluntly stated that his experimental funds are insufficient, hoping Shisui can provide additional financial support.

Additionally, the blood Shisui supplied last time was insufficient; if convenient, he could give more, and preferably send an Uchiha clan member over.

Finally, these are Shisui's two questions.

The first concerns the Mangekyou's aftereffects; Orochimaru already has a theory and tells Shisui it may be due to rapid Copy Wheel Eye power consumption without timely recovery. Perhaps transplanting First Generation cells could help, but this is only a preliminary guess and requires further verification.

The second is a suggestion for awakening the Mangekyou; since its awakening requires extreme stimulation, Shisui could use genjutsu or artificially stage a false scenario that the clan cannot accept, thereby helping the clan awaken the Mangekyou.

If the clan members still do not awaken, their memories can be erased, repeatedly trying until success.

At the end of the letter, Orochimaru again tells Shisui that if a ninja with an awakened Copy Wheel Eye comes to help, and more funds are added, his experimental progress will accelerate.

If Shisui comes in person, that would be even better—Lick~. Finally, Orochimaru hopes Shisui can look after his foolish disciple.

After reading the letter, Shisui was amazed; setting aside the rest, the method for helping the clan awaken the Mangekyou truly intrigued him.

He only knows that awakening the Mangekyou requires extreme stimulus; if one's parents, beloved, or close friends die before one's eyes, the chance of awakening increases, but he never imagined it could be fabricated.

When this method emerged, Shisui felt somewhat foolish.

His face flushed bright red; he looked around, saw Yan Shifan still reading in the study, with no one else nearby, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Grandfather was right; Bie Tianshen giving Orochimaru is definitely not a loss."

Having said that, he again gave some blood and fifty million taels to the little white snake, and then sent another letter.

The letter stated that the Uchiha's funds were running low, with only this amount for now, and sending clan members to assist with experiments was impossible.

However, he was very interested in Orochimaru's proposed awakening method and would give it a try; if successful, he would inform the other party.

He then again mentioned the Mangekyou aftereffects, hoping Orochimaru could think of another solution.

From Orochimaru's letter, Shisui learned a bit about transplanting First Generation cells, knowing the success rate is low, and he is somewhat repulsed by human experimentation, especially using the corpse of the First Hokage, which he finds highly disrespectful.

Finally, Shisui clarified that Mitarashi Hongdou is safe staying in the Police Department; he will find a chance to release her, so Orochimaru need not worry.

After finishing the letter, Shisui shoved the item all at once into the little white snake's mouth; because the item was too large, the snake's mouth was completely filled, it widened its eyes and its fluids spurted.

Fortunately, the snake bred by Orochimaru was very resilient; after swallowing it steadily, it twisted its body and left.

After the little white snake left, Shisui thought briefly and summoned Jin Huo and Ying Shu, ordering: "You set off at once and summon Dao Huo and the others; I have instructions."

"Understood."

When the two departed, Shisui went to the study and told Yan Shifan about the awakening of the Kaleidoscope.

Yan Shifan set the book down, thought for a moment, and suggested: "Before acting, you can give some hints, provide guidance; perhaps the chance of success will be higher."

Shisui nodded, half‑understanding.

Seeing this, Yan Shifan simply came with him to the backyard.

Jin Huo and Ying Shu moved quickly; Dao Huo, Tie Huo, Ba Dai, Shi Liu Ye, and Gong Ping—five people—received the order and promptly arrived at Shisui's backyard.

As for Yang Zhe, she didn't want to idle in Leaf Village, so she went with the Support Troops to the Hot Springs Country front line.

"Clan Leader, a midnight summons—has Tuan Zang done something again?" Dao Huo asked with a puzzled expression, being the first to speak. Though Shisui did not intervene, the Police Department was under his command, yet he had received no news. Shi Liu Ye was also puzzled; he oversaw the covert intelligence network and likewise had heard nothing.

Shisui gave no explanation—otherwise he would later have to erase that part of their memory—so he simply looked at Yan Shifan.

Yan Shifan immediately furrowed his brows, sighed, and said gravely: "The Clan Leader and I have received word that a great enemy is approaching, and enemies within Leaf Village are beginning to stir; this time the Uchiha may not be able to escape."

Yan Shifan's overly serious expression made the five instinctively believe him, and then they looked at Shisui with surprised faces.

Shisui's complexion turned sour, but he merely gave a slight nod.

Ba Dai, being the oldest, was shocked yet fairly calm, and immediately wanted to ask for details.

However, Yan Shifan was already prepared and cut in, speaking directly.

"Ask no more, think no more; time is short. The Clan Leader will assign each of you a secret mission. Whether the Uchiha can survive this crisis, whether we can protect our clan, depends on you!"

Yan Shifan, who has long held a high position, exudes an astonishing aura when serious; combined with his incredible conviction, he appears wholly righteous, making doubt difficult.

The five felt a tremor in their hearts, their expressions solemn.

Shisui stepped forward at the right moment, led the five outside the secret room, and said, "Uncle Ba Dai, come in with me first."

Ba Dai immediately followed, already prepared to sacrifice himself for the clan at any moment.

When he entered the secret room, Shisui suddenly turned back, opened three tomoe and locked eyes with him, then pulled him into an illusion.

It turned out that time was urgent, and many matters could only be spoken within the illusion; after Shisui told Ba Dai about part of the clan's crisis, he sent him with the scroll north to find the Second Elder, Uchiha Yi.

He added that only when the northern army returns will they have a chance, but the enemy is likely already prepared; this journey is a nine‑to‑one chance of death.

Ba Dai nodded and said outright, "I will risk my life to deliver the scroll."

After the illusion was dispelled, Ba Dai took the scroll and slipped away under cover of night.

He escaped Leaf Village through a breach in the Leaf Village Barrier, then traveled north toward the Hot Springs Country front line, encountering several assassinations along the way.

But relying on his extensive combat experience and stubborn will, he pressed through, successfully handed the scroll to Uchiha Yi, and returned to Leaf Village with the clan troops.

However, when he returned to Leaf Village, he found flames shooting skyward on the outskirts and smoke swirling.

Ba Dai rushed to the clan grounds, only to see Shisui dead in battle, fewer than one in ten clan members surviving, and three assistants with ANBU were collecting bodies for them.

Some clan members had their eyes gouged out.

Ba Dai roared; a strange chakra surged into his eyes, and he felt his visual power strengthen, but only that. He was soon captured by ANBU, and Tuan Zang slowly approached and gouged out his eyes.

As darkness filled his sight, a pair of crimson eyes occupied his view; when he regained consciousness, Ba Dai realized he was still standing inside the secret room.

Shisui, with a complex expression, looked at him, a hint of disappointment still in his eyes.

"Clan Leader, what's going on?"

Ba Dai was stunned; his Copy Wheel Eye had unintentionally activated, and he could clearly feel his visual power intensify.

Shisui did not conceal anything and stated the purpose.

Upon hearing this, Ba Dai sighed, instantly relaxed considerably, and then gave a self‑deprecating laugh.

"The Kaleidoscope? I've only heard of it from the Great Elder; I didn't expect such a method. I indeed feel my visual power improve, but it seems I have not awakened the Kaleidoscope's ability."

Shisui shook his head and reassured, "Perhaps the method is wrong, or the illusion scenario I chose is unsuitable; after all this is the first time. We need multiple attempts. If we truly succeed, the benefit to the clan would be incalculable."

Ba Dai nodded, his heart ablaze; faced with the possibility of awakening the Kaleidoscope, not only he but even the Great Elder standing here would leap up to try.

"However, you already know the purpose and will be guarded. To facilitate the next experiment, I need to seal your memory of tonight."

Ba Dai naturally would not refuse; Shisui's sealing technique was already partially mastered, and once he agreed, they acted immediately.

Then Ba Dai, with a bewildered expression, walked out of the secret room; Yan Shifan, seeing this, knew the other had likely failed and stepped forward, saying, "You go to the study first; I have something to tell you later."

"Understood, Third Elder."

Ba Dai left; next was Dao Huo, followed by Tie Huo, Gong Ping, and finally Shi Liu Ye.

Dao Huo and Tie Huo entered the secret room one after another; Shisui repeated the previous procedure, but both failed as well.

With Dao Huo and Tie Huo's failures, Shisui realized the method might not be as simple as he thought.

He began adjusting the illusion, so Gong Ping's mission was no longer to seek aid north but to stay in the clan grounds and fight the upcoming enemy to the death.

Unfortunately, Gong Ping's parents had long since died in battle; he was raised by an elder, and those elders had been back‑stabbed by him during the last Coup and sent to guard the shrine.

Shisui also didn't know who he cared about most; he could only let clan members keep dying before him, including Shisui himself, who fought to the death.

In the end, no Uchiha remaining in Leaf Village escaped; only Gong Ping was surrounded.

Gong Ping likewise felt a strange chakra surge into his eyes; his visual power seemed to reach a limit, and Shisui clearly sensed his eyes had approached the edge of evolution.

Nevertheless, he was still lacking something; however, Shisui was not discouraged—at least it showed the method was sound and his reasoning correct; the content of the illusion can greatly affect the outcome.

But after Gong Ping learned the truth, he was very disappointed and regretful, and Shisui could only offer some comfort.

Finally came Shi Liu Ye; Shisui deliberately kept Shi Liu Ye for last.

He thought that if this method truly could help someone awaken the Kaleidoscope, then among the five, Shi Liu Ye was the most likely.

Because he knew what Shi Liu Ye valued most.

When Shiliuyue entered the secret room, Shisui likewise pulled him into an illusion; the same opening, Shiliuyue's task was also to hold the fort.

But the place he was to hold was his own home.

Due to Shisui and Yan Shifan's hints, Shiliuyue sighed day and night, and as he looked at the two children he silently swore in his heart to protect them no matter what.

Yet the more he feared, the more it came; one night, chaos suddenly erupted in the clan land, formations rose at the four corners, and the clan land was besieged.

Shiliuyue held his ground at home, then he saw Shisui leading clan ninjas in a fierce fight with the enemy, but the enemies were too many and too strong, and clan members kept dying.

He hesitated for a moment, hid the two children in a secluded spot, and then went to help.

However, as Uchiha warriors kept dying, more and more clan members were slaughtered.

Shisui fought to the death to hold back the enemy, allowing Shiliuyue to lead some children out of the clan land.

Though Shiliuyue was in pain, he knew the situation was set, so he could only agree, then left the battlefield and returned home.

But when he reached the children's hiding place, he saw a masked ninja brandishing a katana, slashing at the necks of the two children.

"Dad~"

The fearful call spurred Shiliuyue; he felt his blood rush backward and his hair stand on end.

"Stop!"

Shiliuyue let out a roar and charged forward, but it was useless; the masked ninja ignored his shout and swung the blade down.

In an instant, blood gushed out, spraying everywhere.

A familiar face rolled to his feet, and Shiliuyue stood dumbfounded, opening his mouth but unable to speak.

He looked up at the masked ninja, and only one thought remained in his mind.

"If only I could change all this."

At that moment, Shiliuyue's world was utterly silent; the Copy Wheel Eye responded to his inner call, the three tomoe slowly rotated, merging into a spindle shape.

Shisui was startled in his heart—it's done!

Eleventh National Day, many people should be out having fun and have no time to read novels. I originally wanted to give everyone a break, so I only started writing after eight o'clock, thinking I'd post it once I finished coding; if I couldn't finish, I'd just drop it. Unexpectedly I actually finished—what a pity~ (End of chapter)