Shisui's position within the Uchiha clan was unique.
Whether it was the clan head, the other elders, or the Jonin, there was a tacit understanding of Shisui's special status.
Previously, the decision to have him join the Anbu was driven by the Uchiha clan's exclusion from Konoha's high-level decision-making circles. Many critical pieces of intelligence were sealed off from the Uchiha.
This estrangement from the upper echelon's decision-making made some far-sighted members of the Uchiha deeply concerned.
As a result, Shisui was assigned to leave the clan's police force system and join the Anbu, acting as the clan's eyes within the village.
This arrangement wasn't taboo but rather an unspoken agreement between Konoha's leadership and its ninja clans.
The clans would provide their most talented members to serve the village. In return, any intelligence encountered in this capacity that related to their clan could be selectively shared.
Both Sarutobi Hiruzen and the three elder advisors understood this and tacitly permitted it. As long as it wasn't made explicit, it remained within the bounds of acceptable practice.
Shisui was chosen in part due to his lineage—his ancestor, Uchiha Kagami, had once been a close ally of Konoha's higher-ups. This connection minimized obstacles.
Indeed, Shisui successfully entered the Anbu. While he didn't become a trusted bodyguard for the Hokage, he did become a subordinate of Orochimaru.
Especially after the establishment of the Technology Development Department, the Uchiha clan, closely tied to Orochimaru, began to feel that their initial decision was a fortunate one.
"Stop making excuses, Hiruzen! Summon Shisui back to the village for questioning by the Root division," Danzo demanded.
Initially, he intended to say "interrogation," but after some thought, he softened his tone, using "questioning" instead.
Clearly, he was mindful of how dubious this request appeared and the potential complications with Orochimaru.
"Can the Root division arbitrarily interrogate a member of the Uchiha clan? Shisui hasn't betrayed the village! Or are you implying, Hokage Assistant Danzo, that you now have the authority to strip a Konoha ninja of their rights in place of the Hokage?" Uchiha Fugaku's expression darkened instantly, and his tone bristled with dissatisfaction.
"Shisui is currently on a mission outside the village. There's no need to summon him back for such matters. Ninja have their secrets, and concealing one's abilities is both normal and appropriate," the Third Hokage finally spoke.
Rebuking Danzo's suggestion, he made his stance clear to Fugaku.
In any ninja village, probing the secret techniques of a clan without sufficient justification was a delicate matter. Even for a Kage, acting without a solid excuse would be overstepping boundaries.
Even though the ninja clans in Konoha had been gradually weakened by the Second Hokage and his policies, they were still an indispensable and important force in the village.
Over the years, many remarkable ninja had emerged from among the commoners, and even smaller clans had produced strong individuals.
However, the large clans with inherited traditions still held considerable influence and respect within the village. They also occupied significant roles in the various departments of the ninja system.
Given his current approach to governance, Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally preferred stability, especially during wartime.
"Don't blame Danzo for being so sensitive; there is a reason behind his reaction," Hiruzen said apologetically after reprimanding Danzo. He then turned to Uchiha Fugaku with a gentle explanation.
"Does it have something to do with the Uchiha?"
Although most Uchiha were known for their impulsiveness, Fugaku had served as clan leader for many years. He could tell that the Third Hokage and Danzo were playing a game of good cop and bad cop. Analyzing their words, he began to make some guesses.
"Uchiha Madara might still be alive," Hiruzen said after taking a drag from his pipe, his face showing signs of exhaustion. When he first heard this from Danzo, it nearly caused his heart to leap out of his chest.
While many in the village hailed him as the strongest Hokage, Hiruzen was well aware of his own limits. He could perhaps live up to the title in terms of his vast knowledge of ninjutsu, but compared to the First and Second Hokage, he truly didn't feel worthy of being called "the strongest."
Especially when it came to the First Hokage, who had ended the warring states period and reformed the ninja system from clan-based to village-based. Hiruzen had witnessed the First Hokage's power firsthand.
His so-called "strongest" reputation only applied among the current generation of Kage. The First Hokage, on the other hand, was called the "God of Shinobi."
And Uchiha Madara was a rival who stood on equal footing with the First Hokage. Though Madara was the loser of their legendary battle at the Valley of the End, even in defeat, his strength would have easily overwhelmed Hiruzen.
Konoha's current situation was far from ideal. The frontlines were running out of manpower, and the dire reality was forcing Hiruzen to consider having the students at the Ninja Academy graduate early and send them to the battlefield.
At this critical moment, if Uchiha Madara were to reappear and stir up trouble, the future of Konoha would be nothing short of despair—Sarutobi Hiruzen could feel it even with his eyes closed.
"This is impossible! He's already dead!" Uchiha Fugaku instinctively refuted upon hearing the name and news.
It was common knowledge among Konoha's upper echelons and the ninja clans that Uchiha Madara had died at the hands of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
Now, with the Third Hokage claiming that Uchiha Madara was alive, didn't that mean the Second Hokage's examination of Madara's corpse was a sham?
Uchiha Fugaku, having read the clan's historical records, found it hard to believe that the Second Hokage would have let Uchiha Madara go.
"We don't want to believe he's still alive either! But now, there's someone—or rather, a mysterious organization—acting in the ninja world under his name.
The intel on forbidden technique Izanagi, as well as the Mangekyō Sharingan awakened by Shisui, both originated from members of this mysterious organization.
According to Danzo's intelligence, the group has a particular focus on and deep knowledge of the Uchiha clan.
As for their stance toward Konoha, it's difficult to say whether it's benevolent or malicious.
What's certain is that the organization has a spy within Konoha, someone of considerable status who has access to confidential information! This cannot be allowed!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen also didn't want to believe that Uchiha Madara was still alive. But once he recovered from his panic and shock, he reasoned that even if Madara were alive, he would likely be a frail, powerless old man by now.
This assumption brought him some measure of relief.
"You suspect that the organization's mastermind has ties to the Uchiha clan?" Uchiha Fugaku began to understand Sarutobi Hiruzen's words.
"Perhaps the organization itself was founded by the Uchiha," Danzo interjected with a cold snort, his icy gaze fixed on Uchiha Fugaku.
For a moment, Fugaku fell silent. If the possibility of Madara being alive was ruled out, then only a select few within the Uchiha clan could have access to a forbidden technique like Izanagi.
"I understand your concerns. Once I return to the clan, I will immediately begin an investigation," Fugaku offered proactively.
****
Support me on my ko-fi account and read upto 15 early chapters,
https://ko-fi.com/pirateking24/tiers