---
"I wanted to use Kotoamatsukami to prevent the Uchiha from launching a coup, but Danzo didn't believe me at all!"
"Danzo took your eye?"
Behind him, Uchiha Itachi's expression darkened.
For the sake of Konoha's stability, they had sacrificed their reputations and taken countless risks to delay the coup from within the clan. But now, his best friend had lost one of his precious eyes. How could he accept this outcome?
"It wasn't Danzo," Shisui said, shaking his head. "It was someone else—someone I've seen before. His ninjutsu is strange, completely unknown. He controls gravity with ease. Itachi, be careful. Don't act rashly until you know his objective."
After a pause, he added, "Itachi… I'll entrust my remaining eye to you."
"Shisui—!"
"Don't refuse. I know what kind of person Danzo is—he won't give up easily. Rather than letting it fall into his hands, I'd rather it help you. Please, my friend… use it for the good of the village and the Uchiha."
Without hesitation, Shisui reached into his own socket and dug out his remaining eye, blood flowing freely.
The summer evening breeze was warm, but at that moment, Uchiha Itachi felt a deep chill seep into his bones.
In the end, he accepted Shisui's remaining eye. After witnessing Shisui's death that night, Itachi awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
---
The next day.
The atmosphere in Konoha was tense.
Both the Konoha authorities and the Uchiha clan had mobilized for a large-scale search.
To the Uchiha, Shisui was not only a liaison to the higher-ups of the village—he was one of their greatest assets. At such a critical moment, Shisui's sudden disappearance raised alarm. The clan was desperate to find out what had happened and who was behind it.
On the other hand, Konoha's leadership was equally shaken by the events of the previous night.
Both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura awaited reports from the ANBU and Root units.
But no matter how much they searched, there was no sign of the mysterious assailant—he had vanished like a ghost.
"He couldn't have just disappeared. He must still be inside Konoha."
Danzo's expression was grim.
Last night's outcome was unacceptable. Root had suffered heavy casualties. Worse, Danzo's right arm—filled with stolen Sharingan—had been damaged beyond repair, and his right eye, which used Izanagi, was now blind. Those were all valuable Mangekyō Sharingan—irreplaceable assets.
So many died, and so many Sharingan were lost, yet the enemy escaped. And worse—he failed to obtain Shisui's other eye.
"I won't let him go. We must find him."
"Alert the patrols," Sarutobi ordered. "Keep watch over everyone entering and exiting the village. Notify the barrier team—if there's even the slightest fluctuation, report immediately."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was no longer kind. His eyes were cold, sharp.
"I don't care what it takes. Turn the village upside down if you have to—find him!"
---
[Top Secret: High-Bounty Notice]
While the leadership was in turmoil, the civilian population remained unaware.
The investigation was kept under wraps by the ANBU and Root to avoid panic.
Meanwhile, in the black market of the ninja world, a new bounty notice appeared.
No name. No origin. No confirmed identity.
Only a masked photo and a description of his unusual gravity-based ninjutsu.
Yet this vague bounty caused a stir across the underworld—for his head was worth an astronomical 100 million ryō.
For reference, Asuma Sarutobi—the son of the Third Hokage and a member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja—only had a bounty of 35 million ryō.
This unknown ninja's bounty was nearly three times that.
Such a high price naturally caught the attention of bounty hunters, rogue ninja, and mercenaries.
But those with true experience and inside knowledge hesitated.
They knew this was a Konoha-issued bounty, and if Konoha couldn't handle the target, it meant he was dangerous beyond measure. No ordinary assassin would risk it unless they were sure they could survive.
---
As for the target himself—
Ye Dou awoke from a restless dream, his consciousness slowly returning.
As he opened his eyes, he felt something soft and warm resting against his hand—a small, delicate palm.
"Ah, Ye Dou, you're awake!"
"…Why are you here?" Ye Dou frowned slightly.
"I… I came to check on you. Teacher Guy said you were sick and asked for leave on your behalf."
It was Hyuga Hanabi.
That morning, Might Guy had discovered that Ye Dou, who had been sleeping at his place, was burning with fever. After checking on him, he rushed to the Ninja Academy to report Ye Dou's illness and request time off.
Originally, Guy had wanted to stay and take care of him, but was urgently summoned by the Third Hokage. With no other trusted student to turn to, he asked Hanabi for help.
Though she rarely skipped class, Hanabi didn't hesitate. Out of genuine concern, she left the academy mid-lesson and rushed over.
"What time is it now?"
Ye Dou pulled the damp towel off his forehead and sat up with effort.
He looked pale, almost ghostly—his body was still reeling from the aftereffects of the [Potential Release], a technique that had pushed him far beyond his limits. The wounds left untreated had taken their toll, and now it felt as if his strength had been completely drained.
His body may have survived the night, but the price was steep.
---