Kawasaki glanced at Itachi, then turned to Danzo and demanded, "Where is Shisui's left eye!"
Uchiha Itachi stood to the side, his lips twitching slightly, but he remained silent. He even placed a hand on Shisui to stop him from speaking.
Danzo was practically fuming. "Kawasaki, don't push your luck!"
"I only managed to get Shisui's right eye! I truly have no idea where his left eye is!"
Fugaku and Kawasaki both turned their gazes to the Third Hokage, their expressions clearly saying, "You handle this."
The Third Hokage sighed. "Danzo, hand over Shisui's left eye."
"I…" Danzo trembled with rage.
At this point, it was like having mud splattered on his pants—it might not be shit, but he'd have to treat it as such. Who would believe him if he said he hadn't taken Shisui's left eye?
"The left eye isn't with me…" Left with no choice, Danzo had to bite the bullet and deny it.
Uchiha Kawasaki knew full well that Shisui's left eye was in Itachi's possession. His actions were intended to secure some benefits for the Uchiha clan.
Just then, Shisui used his chakra to confirm that the eye was indeed his right one before transplanting it back into his socket. Having endured multiple battles, the removal and re-implantation of his eye, and the surgery, the exhausted Shisui finally succumbed to fatigue and fell into a deep sleep.
Uchiha Itachi stood by, silent and brooding. Shisui had run himself ragged trying to preserve peace for both the clan and the village, only to be ambushed by Danzo. And his father, who had never shown such a forceful side, had actually stood up for Shisui, willing to risk tearing relations with the village apart.
In his mind, Elder Kawasaki was merely a spokesman his father had pushed to the forefront. His father likely didn't want to completely sever ties with the village, which was why he had Elder Kawasaki take the lead.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for successfully influencing Uchiha Itachi's perspective and significantly altering his life's trajectory.]
Congratulations to the Host for acquiring: Tsukuyomi x1, Amaterasu x1.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for significantly altering Uchiha Fugaku's life's trajectory.]
Congratulations to the Host for acquiring Dojutsu: Genjutsu x2.
Oh? So changing someone's life gives me abilities? Too bad they're single-use.
Fugaku has a genjutsu in each eye? So I get two uses? Just like Shisui, but the effect can't compare to Kotoamatsukami.
[Ding! Positive Change ending has been achieved.]
Congratulations to the Host for acquiring: Dojutsu Amplifier x1: Greatly enhances the power of dojutsu.
What kind of trash system is this? Why is everything a one-time use? Are you even trying, System?
Kawasaki complained inwardly, but the system, like an unfeeling machine, continued its announcements.
Host has acquired the position: Uchiha Clan Vice-Chief.
Uchiha Clan Vice-Chief: All members of the Uchiha clan now recognize you in this role.
Heh, so my nominal title of Vice-Chief has been made official? No, wait, was the title of Vice-Chief really something Fugaku just came up with on the spot?
[Ding! The Host has obtained the status of a Faction Leader. Faction framework now loading...]
[Ding! Development Goal! Break free from Konoha's control and achieve independence. Rewards will be given based on the degree of completion.]
Kawasaki accepted his new reality. As the string of system prompts echoed in his mind, he looked over his rewards and new mission, lost in thought.
…
The Third Hokage gave his assurance that Danzo would immediately send over Shisui's left eye upon his return.
At this, Kawasaki's gaze shifted to Fugaku. Fugaku's heart sank. Why did he feel like he was being set up to be the fall guy?
But in front of outsiders, Fugaku played his part with perfect coordination.
"In that case, I will await the good news in the clan compound. I want to see Shisui's left eye before dawn." Fugaku snorted coldly and waved a hand, signaling for the Uchiha members to disperse.
Many of the Uchiha wore expressions of discontent, murmuring among themselves. Had the entire clan been mobilized just for this anticlimactic ending? But with so many outsiders and elites from other clans watching, they kept their discussions private and followed Fugaku, departing.
As the heavy gates of the Uchiha compound boomed shut, the Third Hokage finally let out a sigh of relief.
Exhausted, he waved a dismissive hand. "Thank you all for your support. The village's state of emergency is lifted. You may all disperse."
The various clan heads exchanged glances, each with an unusual look in their eyes. They offered their farewells, but their words no longer carried the same reverence for the Third Hokage.
With a few flashes, the members of the other clans swiftly departed, leaving only those from the Hokage's faction.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was in no mood to speak. The day's events had brought immense shame upon his faction. It had also driven a huge wedge between many in the village and the Hokage's leadership.
Everyone was now on high alert against Danzo. And it was common knowledge that Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi were on the same side. For all they knew, Hiruzen himself might have sanctioned this incident.
Everyone in the shinobi world knew the Sharingan was a treasure, but no one had ever dared to make a move on the Uchiha. To think that one of their own high-ranking officials would covet a clan's prized possession was simply unbelievable.
The Third Hokage was mentally drained. Danzo usually handled a lot of the dirty work for him. But this time, it was purely Danzo's own initiative; he had nothing to do with it.
It wasn't just Danzo; the entire Hokage faction's reputation had been dragged through the mud, their credibility hitting rock bottom.
…
The Hyuga Clan Compound.
Upon returning to his clan, Hiashi Hyuga immediately summoned the elders of the Main House.
"Elders, what are your thoughts on what happened with the Uchiha today?" Hiashi, seated at the head, looked toward the assembled elders.
The Main House elders glanced at one another.
The First Elder was the first to speak. "Hiashi, I believe we should be more wary of the Hokage's faction."
The Second Elder continued, "The Hokage has long been dissatisfied with our clan's Main and Branch House system. This incident with Uchiha Shisui serves as a warning to us as well."
Because of the Hyuga clan's system, their combat strength was primarily concentrated in the Branch House members. And due to the Caged Bird Seal, all Branch House members were unconditionally loyal only to the Main House. Consequently, the Hokage's faction had very little control over the Hyuga. On the surface, they were one village, but any discerning person knew that in a crisis, the Hyuga Branch House would only follow the orders of the Main House.
Hiashi Hyuga nodded. "Over the years, Danzo has been operating from behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, and who knows how many operatives he has secretly trained. His ambition is growing by the day. It's hard to say whether this incident was his own doing or if the Third Hokage gave his tacit approval."
The First Elder said calmly, "That's not what's important. The key is that the Uchiha's forceful counterattack this time shows a change in Fugaku's thinking. He may be leaning toward the hawk faction now. And a new, young Vice-Chief has emerged. How interesting…"