Chapter 1

  In the 56th year of Konoha, six years after the Nine-Tails' rampage, the disaster not only cost Konohagakure its young and powerful Fourth Hokage but also further isoted the Uchiha cn—one of the vilge's founding pilrs.

  After all, the Sharingan imprinted in the Nine-Tails' eyes during the attack was undeniable evidence.

  As the Uchiha cn meeting grew increasingly radical, Shisui Uchiha, a firm believer in the Will of Fire, felt a deep sense of unease. The cn was like a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment.

  Fortunately, Uchiha meetings were rarely productive. But this time, Shisui had already made his decision.

  "It seems... this is the only way."

  Murmuring to himself, he stepped out of the cn hall. Under the moonlight, he gently touched his left eye.

  There was no time to waste. That very night, he pnned to meet with the Third Hokage and report his intentions.

  To avoid attention, he took a detour through the Forest of Death.

  But as he entered the forest, a shadow flickered before him.

  Instinctively, Shisui tensed, ready for an attack. But as the figure stepped into the light, he exhaled in relief, his expression softening.

  "Makoto? What are you doing here?"

  The newcomer was no stranger—Makoto Uchiha, a renowned genius of the cn, known alongside Shisui.

  Unlike most Uchiha, who specialized in Fire Release and Genjutsu, Makoto was an anomaly—his talent y in Lightning Release. During the Third Shinobi World War, he had annihited fifteen Kirigakure squads in a single battle using Lightning Release: Kirin, earning the moniker Azure Lightning Makoto.

  To Shisui, this cousin—just a year younger—was one of the few Uchihas who truly embodied the Will of Fire. As a member of the Konoha Police Force, Makoto maintained friendly retions with vilgers and rarely attended cn meetings, which often earned him criticism from the radicals.

  "I just finished my daily training," Makoto replied with a calm smile. "But what about you, Shisui? Why are you here so te at night?"

  "I... couldn't sleep. Just taking a walk," Shisui answered vaguely. He couldn't exactly admit he was on his way to reveal cn secrets.

  Makoto studied him for a moment before speaking. "It's because of the tensions between the cn and the vilge, isn't it?"

  "Yeah," Shisui sighed. "You understand, don't you? If our cn rebels, we have no chance of winning. And even if we did, the cost would be unbearable. The peace we've fought so hard for would be shattered."

  Shisui trusted Makoto. His work in the Police Force proved his neutrality, and Shisui believed he might even help prevent the coup.

  Makoto crossed his arms. "People who live in peace rarely understand its value. And our cn… they only think within the confines of their own bloodline. No wonder we're in this mess."

  Hearing those words, Shisui felt relieved. It seemed that, besides Itachi—whom the Third Hokage praised for his wisdom—Makoto also saw the bigger picture.

  However, Makoto suddenly continued, "That said, I do have a way to resolve the conflict between the cn and the vilge. But I'll need your help, Shisui."

  Moonlight filtered through the trees, casting a glow on Makoto’s pristine white haori. His tone was calm, yet something about his gaze unsettled Shisui.

  "...What’s your pn?" Shisui asked cautiously.

  Makoto’s next words sent chills down his spine.

  "Shisui, lend me your eye."

  Shisui barely had time to react. A flicker of blue lightning cut through the darkness.

  Cng!

  At the st possible moment, Shisui had drawn his bde, deflecting a lethal strike.

  "Makoto?! Why?!" He gritted his teeth as their weapons locked.

  Makoto's eyes gleamed in the moonlight. "You were pnning to side with the vilge, weren’t you? That’s why you took this detour—to secretly report to the Hokage."

  The two leapt back, Sharingan glowing red as they stood apart, swords poised.

  Shisui’s expression darkened. "So, in the end, your vision only extends as far as the Uchiha cn?"

  Makoto let out a low chuckle. "How ridiculous. You and Itachi think you see the whole vilge, but your eyes fail to grasp the future of both the cn and Konoha. You’re just frogs in a well, staring at the reflection of the moon."

  Lightning crackled around him as he continued, "My vision has long surpassed this tiny battlefield. What I see is far beyond your imagination. This rotting world needs a complete and utter revolution!"

  Shisui's grip on his sword tightened. "You intend to start a war?! You’re insane!"

  "I thought you avoided cn meetings because you cherished peace," Shisui growled. "But now I see—you’re even more extreme than the elders. I was completely deceived by your act!"

  Makoto sneered. "No, no, no. I didn’t attend the meetings because I refuse to mingle with insects. They rant about rebellion but can’t even devise a real strategy. How can politics thrive among such vermin?"

  Shisui took a deep breath, his eyes sharp with resolve. "Your ideals are too dangerous, Makoto. For the vilge’s sake, I must stop you!"

  His Sharingan spun rapidly—the three tomoe merging into a windmill-like pattern.

  Makoto smirked. "So this is your trump card? The illusion that rewrites a person’s will—Kotoamatsukami."

  Shisui’s breath hitched. How does he know…?

  Ever since awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan, he had never revealed its true power to anyone. Yet Makoto had seen through him instantly.

  "You look surprised," Makoto said, pointing to his own eyes. "I told you—my vision extends beyond yours."

  As he spoke, the three tomoe in his eyes twisted. Jagged lightning-shaped patterns circled his pupils.

  "Mangekyō Sharingan?!"

  Shisui's heart pounded in disbelief. He had never expected Makoto to be hiding a trump card of his own.