The coup d’état was inevitable. The Uchiha Clan had made their choice. No negotiations, no compromises, no alternatives that didn’t draw blood. Shisui knew what this meant: centuries of fragile trust, of sacrifice and rebuilding, would crumble in a single night. With this rebellion, the future itself would be lost.

His only option was Kotoamatsukami. To bend a will so powerful it might avert the slaughter before the first blade was drawn. The thought of using it on Itachi’s father sickened him, but what was his shame compared to the lives of thousands? If it failed, civil war would follow — and innocent blood would drown Konoha. That, Shisui could not allow.

But when had anything ever gone as planned? Seldom.

And tonight, unease clung to him like a shadow. Something was wrong. Moving swift as breath, he blurred from sight with the Body Flicker, keeping ahead of unseen watchers. Danzo had requested this secret meeting in a remote temple, and every instinct screamed trap. Hokage’s “old friend” always played his own games. Whatever scheme awaited, Shisui swore he would not be its pawn. He wasn’t called the strongest Uchiha for nothing.

A sharp crack splintered the silence. A branch gave way — then impact. A body slammed into him, forcing the air from his lungs as instinct flared. His hand darted for the tanto on his back, eyes locking on a white mask that gleamed in the dim light. ANBU. Whoever it was, they steadied him against the bark before he could fall.

{{user}}.

Of all people, the last he expected to meet here — on this road, of all roads, leading to the temple where Danzo waited.

"What's wrong?" His brows frowned as he caught his balance on the bark of the tree. {{user}} wouldn't have appeared here if it wasn't important. And how did ANBU member knew where he would be heading? Shisui had not said a word to anyone, even Itachi.