Itachi Uchiha, having awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, carefully examined his own eyes.
He quickly realized that his ocular power was undoubtedly stronger, and he had awakened his own unique ocular techniques.
The left eye possessed the illusionary art of Tsukuyomi, and the right eye held the flames of Amaterasu.
Since Lord Hokage had asked, there was nothing to hide.
"Lord Hokage, my left eye possesses a genjutsu called Tsukuyomi. It can drag the enemy's spirit into an illusionary space, and anyone who looks into my eyes will fall prey to it."
"The right eye is the Amaterasu technique. It can launch black flames to burn the enemy, and they will not be extinguished until the target is completely burnt to ash."
Hearing his words, the Third Hokage was extremely shocked inside. What a terrifying genjutsu; to affect anyone just by making eye contact—wasn't that essentially an invincible technique?
Furthermore, those flames sounded incredibly fearsome, perhaps even superior to the traditional Fire Style of the Uchiha clan.
The Amaterasu could potentially be dodged, but that Tsukuyomi was truly terrifying.
Although dreadful, and perhaps possessing power surpassing Shisui, it was different from Shisui's Kotoamatsukami which could control the strong. The two operated in different aspects.
Fortunately, such a person had submitted to him and had been brainwashed by his Will of Fire.
However, having a subordinate as strong as Itachi made him happy. If he could use Shisui's Kotoamatsukami to control Ryōsuke Uchiha as well...
With the two greatest geniuses of Konoha under his command, wouldn't his future be magnificent?
The situation ahead looked excellent.
He looked at Itachi, who took out a preservation vial containing a pair of eyes—Shisui's eyes.
"These are Shisui's eyes."
"Itachi, can I entrust you to use these eyes to cast Kotoamatsukami and control Ryōsuke Uchiha, allowing Konoha to return to a normal state?"
"This mission relies entirely on you."
Seeing Shisui's eyes, Itachi felt a mix of complicated emotions.
Once, they were comrades with the same ideals. He hadn't expected Shisui to leave before him.
It was all because his thoughts had been polluted by that guy, Ryōsuke Uchiha.
He had to inherit Shisui's original will.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Although the two ocular techniques he had awakened were somewhat invincible, perhaps even enough to defeat or kill Ryōsuke, controlling him was undoubtedly better. Moreover, this was the Third Hokage's will; let Ryōsuke Uchiha serve the Hidden Leaf to atone for his sins.
Hearing his response, the Third Hokage was overjoyed.
"Itachi, you are truly magnificent."
"I will immediately arrange for someone to transplant Shisui's eyes into you. Once you are accustomed to them, act against Ryōsuke Uchiha immediately. This matter must be done quickly."
He had taken over Danzō's Root base, which was fully equipped, so there was no need to make any special preparations.
This was currently the most important matter.
Itachi answered immediately.
"I will not fail the Third Hokage's trust."
Thus, the Third Hokage brought Itachi into the Root base and arranged for personnel to replace Itachi's eyes with Shisui's.
After the transplant, Itachi was surprised to feel the new eyes immediately connecting with his optic nerves.
He hadn't expected that eyes from a different person of the same clan could adapt so easily.
It shouldn't take long to fully adapt to these eyes.
Perhaps by tomorrow, the adaptation would be complete.
Before then, he had to get used to them as much as possible, because this matter was of grave importance and required caution.
Failure was not an option; there was only one chance.
As for his own eyes, they were placed in the preservation vial and tucked into his ninja tool pouch.
Early the next morning, Itachi and the Third Hokage immediately set off for the small forest where Ryōsuke Uchiha usually trained.
This place was sparsely populated and suitable for making a move.
Ryōsuke Uchiha was currently going for a jog.
Seeing the two people suddenly appear before him, he immediately stopped.
It was actually the Third Hokage and Itachi Uchiha. Why would these two come together?
He was clearly not on the same path as them.
Itachi Uchiha didn't listen to his reasoning at all, and his expression was extremely dark, so there was no need to try and persuade him.
Itachi forced himself to calm down, directly activating Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan. He then poured his chakra into the eyes, causing them to glow with a scarlet light.
He activated the technique: Kotoamatsukami.
"Ryōsuke Uchiha, be loyal to the Leaf Village, be loyal to the Third Hokage."
He projected his thoughts completely to implant them into Ryōsuke's brain.
Ryōsuke Uchiha was startled to see the other party actually activate a Mangekyō Sharingan. However, upon closer inspection, he saw it was four-cornered—wasn't that Shisui's Mangekyō?
Why were they in Itachi's eyes?
And it looked like he intended to use the Mangekyō Sharingan's unique technique, Kotoamatsukami, on him?
However, he wasn't afraid in the slightest. His left Mangekyō possessed the technique of Genjutsu Nullification.
He directly activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. In one smooth motion, a pair of eight-pointed star Mangekyō Sharingan appeared in his eye sockets.
Immediately after, Ryōsuke felt a mental impact assaulting his eyes, but it was completely blocked, unable to enter his brain at all.
It seemed the Kotoamatsukami Itachi cast couldn't modify his thoughts.
But in Itachi's eyes, Ryōsuke Uchiha stood motionless.
Undoubtedly, his Kotoamatsukami had successfully manipulated the target.
He instantly relaxed.
"Lord Hokage, mission complete. The target is under control."
The Third Hokage was overjoyed. Was it successful already?
It had only taken a few seconds.
Although he felt a bit dissatisfied that Itachi had modified Ryōsuke Uchiha's thoughts to be loyal to the village first and then to him, he represented the village, so it wasn't a major issue.
He shouted to Ryōsuke Uchiha, who was not far away.
"Come over here."
Ryōsuke Uchiha felt depressed. He didn't expect the Third Hokage to still dare to issue orders to him. It seemed the old man thought he was under control. Without hesitating for a second, he walked over.
Shisui's eyes couldn't be left in the hands of such a traitor.
Seeing Ryōsuke obediently walking toward him, the Third Hokage thought Itachi was right; it had indeed succeeded.
Itachi was also happy. Shisui's death was worth it. From now on, the clan would be loyal to Konoha, and Konoha would return to its normal state, rather than being the Uchiha clan's Leaf Village.
But unexpectedly, when Ryōsuke Uchiha arrived in front of the two, he suddenly reached out with both hands, gouged out both of Itachi Uchiha's eyeballs, and followed up with a kick that sent Itachi flying.
On the side, the Third Hokage's expression changed drastically, completely failing to understand what was happening.
After kicking Itachi away, Ryōsuke turned and kicked toward the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage subconsciously reached out his hands to block.
Immediately, a heavy pressure and pain were transmitted through his arms.
His eyes were filled with confusion.
'Ryōsuke Uchiha didn't fall for the Kotoamatsukami? And without opening the Eight Inner Gates, his taijutsu is already superior to mine? How is this possible?'