Kuragami Uchiha's sudden outburst of curses left Shisui momentarily stunned. In his impression, Kuragami Uchiha had always been calm and courteous when dealing with others. Even on the night they clashed, he had never lost his composure like this.
"So... You knew all of this from the beginning, didn't you?" Shisui asked.
"More or less."
Kuragami Uchiha replied as he gradually calmed down. "After all, I have read a lot of files in the Konoha Military Police Force. It is easy to find that some missing cases in the village are problematic, but there was no evidence before."
"So you've always been suspicious of the village's higher-ups, haven't you? Why didn't you—"
Shisui had initially wanted to ask why Kuragami hadn't told him, but when he met Kuragami's gaze, he wisely closed his mouth.
Of course. Given how easily he had been manipulated by those people before, why would Kuragami ever trust him?
At that moment, Shisui suddenly realized that if Kuragami hadn't taken Kotoamatsukami from him and he had successfully cast it on Fugaku Uchiha back then, what terrifying consequences would have followed?
At that point, the clan's children would have suffered the same fate as the missing children recorded in those documents. Worse yet, as the one who set everything in motion, he would have remained oblivious until the entire Uchiha Clan was devoured.
It was Kuragami who had prevented that. It was he who had stopped him from becoming the executioner of his own clan.
"Thank you."
Shisui murmured.
"There's no need for thanks between clan members."
Kuragami knew exactly what Shisui was referring to and waved it off indifferently.
"Kuragami, you once told me that every Uchiha who awakens the Mangekyo Sharingan must face an internal trial, and the Visual Jutsu that emerges from the Mangekyo Sharingan represents their personal answer to that trial. Can you tell me what trial you faced and the answer you found?"
"Me?"
At Shisui's question, a flicker of emotion passed across Kuragami's face.
"When I was nine, the village sent me to the battlefield. At first, my mindset was the same as most Uchiha. I believed I could make a name for myself in war using the power of our clan's Kekkei Genkai."
"But then, the battlefield revealed its cruelest side to me. My Sharingan reached the three-tomoe stage within a year, a level most of our clan never attained in their lifetime. But as you know, Shisui, every advancement of the Sharingan comes at the cost of losing someone important. My teachers, my comrades, my clansmen... they all disappeared in the fire of war."
"Because of certain experiences, I began to question whether this world was even real. At one point, I thought this was just an illusion, a twisted, meaningless world where death could come at any second from an unseen shuriken or jutsu. I wondered if there was any purpose in struggling to survive."
"But then, one day, my uncle, Kaito Uchiha, who had raised me after my parents died, was surrounded by fifteen squads of Kirigakure Jonin. He died covering my retreat, swallowed by their combined jutsu. My parents had passed away when I was still a baby, and Uncle Kaito had always been like a father to me. The pain of losing him was unbearable. And in that moment, I found my answer."
"This world is absolutely real. And in the face of its cruelty, the only thing I can do is lead those I care about, no matter how hopeless the situation, toward that one sliver of hope to change this world."
Kuragami locked eyes with Shisui and spoke each word with unwavering determination. "That is the origin of my Visual Jutsu, Eighty Calamities Amaterasu."
"I see."
Shisui sighed deeply. "You were right. Compared to you, my resolve is truly too shallow. But... What do we do about all this?"
He gestured toward the incriminating documents detailing the treachery of the three clans colluding with Orochimaru.
Kuragami fell silent for a moment before letting out a sigh. "Very well."
Then, he called toward the door: "Leader Shihei!"
Shihei Aburame, who had been waiting outside, immediately entered. When he saw Shisui, a flicker of curiosity passed behind his sunglasses, but he said nothing and merely turned to Kuragami. "Vice-captain, your orders?"
"Go check on the interrogation and see how the prisoners are holding up."
Kuragami asked.
"Understood." Shihei left and returned shortly after.
"The interrogation is nearly complete. Most of the rioters were incited by certain individuals. However, the ones who orchestrated everything, the ninja who infiltrated the mob, belong to the Utatane and Mitokado clans."
"That's all we need."
Kuragami nodded and pushed the incriminating documents toward both Shihei and Shisui. "The Utatane and Mitokado clans are the clans of the Hokage's senior advisors; they have not only betrayed the village by colluding with rebel ninjas but have also conspired against their fellow villagers, even going so far as to slander one of Konoha's heroes, Kakashi Hatake."
"Leader Shihei."
Kuragami turned to Shihei Aburame.
"Yes."
"Take the sixth division and arrest all suspects within the Utatane, Mitokado, and Shimura Clans."
"Shisui."
"Yes."
Shisui's gaze was resolute as he bowed slightly in acknowledgment.
"You will provide support. If they resist, they will be deemed traitors to the village, and lethal force is authorized."
"Understood."
The two men nodded in unison.
"Come back soon. It's been a long night for everyone." Kuragami grinned as they left.
… … …
Shisui and the sixth division set out toward the three clans' compounds.
Having spent the night in reserve duty, the sixth division members had watched enviously as other squads returned with prisoners. Now that they finally had their mission, they were eager for action. Tonight, the compounds of the three clans would not be quiet.
After making all the necessary arrangements, Kuragami downed the last of his tea and rose to leave for the Hokage building.
Just then, Fugaku Uchiha, who had been waiting outside, stepped into the office. He glanced at the sword Swift Thunder resting on the weapon rack and asked: "Aren't you bringing your sword?"
"No need."
Kuragami smiled. "I don't think I'll need it tonight."
"Oh, right, Captain Fugaku, before you clock out, make sure to distribute the bonuses and jutsu scrolls. Everyone's worked hard tonight, and I think they'll sleep better with their rewards in hand."
"I understand." Fugaku chuckled.