Chapter 10

The two turned around and saw a boy with a resemblance to Uchiha Itachi, carrying a single-shoulder backpack, walking over with his head held high and a proud expression on his face.

"Oh, isn't this Katsu?" A playful smile appeared on Chiyonight's face.

With frequent visits to the Uchiha clan, Chiyonight naturally got to know Sasuke.

Facing this future member of the Uchiha Four Maniacs, for some reason, Chiyonight always couldn't help but tease him.

After a few back-and-forths, the two became familiar with each other.

Of course, it was only to this extent. In the future, he would still have to beat him up, after all, this kid always liked to show off and challenge higher ranks.

Each time after getting beaten, he still didn't learn his lesson. When the sky cleared and the rain stopped, Katsu thought he was good to go again.

Sasuke's face turned red. "How many times have I told you, my name is Sasuke, Uchiha Sasuke, not Katsu, you who lost to my brother."

Chiyonight continued to tease, "Alright, Katsu, but you say I lost to your brother, you haven't seen us fight, how do you know I'm not his match?"

"Hmph. No need to say." Mentioning Uchiha Itachi, Sasuke's face was full of pride and admiration. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly realized and said fiercely, "How many times have I told you not to call me Katsu."

"Alright, Katsu." Chiyonight was infuriating.

"You bastard, I'm Sasuke, not Katsu." Sasuke's face turned red again, and he swung his fist and charged forward.

The result was no surprise; Chiyonight easily dodged, and Sasuke nearly fell flat on his face.

Seeing the two figures, one chasing and one fleeing, Uchiha Izumi's gloom instantly vanished. She tilted her head and gazed at the sky, muttering to herself, perhaps she was overthinking it.

......

In the distance, two figures stood atop the highest building in Konoha, looking down.

"Itachi, is this your brother? I can't believe he's grown so much. Who is that student playing with him? He doesn't seem to shun the Uchiha like the other villagers, which is quite rare," said Uchiha Shisui, the strongest genjutsu user of the Uchiha clan.

"He's called Fujiwara Chiyonight. We were in the same class during the Academy. Because he has a good relationship with Izumi, he doesn't look at the Uchiha with the same hostility as the other villagers," Uchiha Itachi replied calmly, but his tone was unnatural.

Uchiha Shisui was taken aback and looked at Itachi with surprise. "From what you're saying, it seems there's more to it. Did something happen?"

Sharingan activated, Uchiha Itachi said, "He is an extremely dangerous person."

"Why do you say that?" Uchiha Shisui almost instinctively activated his Sharingan to observe. The next second, his pupils dilated in shock, "This... this is..."

"Did you notice? Chiyonight is not a jinchūriki, nor is he from the Uzumaki clan, yet he possesses chakra levels far beyond his age. In all of Konoha, there may not be many whose chakra levels surpass his," Uchiha Itachi said with a serious expression.

Uchiha Shisui frowned, "Are you overthinking it? Just because of this, you think he's dangerous? Maybe he was born that way. Judging him as dangerous based solely on his chakra levels is a bit hasty..."

"No... I just have a feeling that Chiyonight is not as simple as he appears..." Uchiha Itachi said solemnly.

"Relax..." Uchiha Shisui patted Itachi's shoulder, "I think you're just too tense because of recent clan issues. Even if this Chiyonight is hiding something, he hasn't harmed Konoha or touched the Uchiha clan's interests. Not everyone likes to show off their talents."

"Maybe..." Uchiha Itachi closed his Sharingan without denying it.

"Did you tell anyone else about this?" Uchiha Shisui asked again.

Uchiha Itachi slowly shook his head.

"Since he doesn't want to draw attention, let's not spread it around." Saying this, Uchiha Shisui couldn't help but sigh deeply, "Sometimes, I really envy these commoners. At least... never mind. Let's go back. We'll meet at our usual spot tonight."

With that, Shisui vanished from the spot.

Uchiha Itachi looked deeply at the already distant Chiyonight, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, and vanished as well.

The moment they left, Chiyonight pressed his hand on Katsu's forehead, who was about to attack him, and turned his head to look in the direction where Itachi had stood, muttering to himself, "They're already gone? The Uchiha clan is indeed not simple, but it's a pity that their emotional intelligence is almost zero."

"Chiyonight, what are you looking at?" Uchiha Izumi followed Chiyonight's gaze.

"Nothing, let's go." Chiyonight shook his head, sighing inwardly. Since Uchiha Shisui had returned, Danzō's eye theft was not far off.

......

On the other side, Shisui had already arrived at the Hokage Tower, kneeling on one knee before Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Hokage-sama."

As in the original story, Shisui first reported the details of repelling the Kirigakure shinobi to Sarutobi Hiruzen, and then, upon learning of the Uchiha clan's impending coup, proposed his solution.

At first, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't take it seriously.

Because he knew that the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha... or rather, the Konoha leadership, had long been irreconcilable.

Until Shisui mentioned the Kotoamatsukami, a hint of emotion flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's old, cloudy eyes.

"Kotoamatsukami? Is that your dōjutsu?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen still faced away from Uchiha Shisui, making it impossible for the latter to read his thoughts.

"Yes, Hokage-sama. It is the dōjutsu I gained after opening the Mangekyō Sharingan. It can manipulate others without them realizing it and permanently and thoroughly change their thoughts and will. However, due to its immense power, it requires a cooldown period of several years each time it is used."

Shisui did not hide anything, openly stating his plan: "I will use this technique on the clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, at tomorrow's clan meeting to prevent the Uchiha clan's rebellion."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was suddenly startled, a deep wariness flashing in his eyes, but he maintained his composure, turning to walk past Shisui, "I understand. Consider this a secret mission assigned by this old man. Go ahead and do it. Come back to me at this time tomorrow, and I will find you a helper."

Only the Sharingan can counter the Sharingan, and he planned to have Uchiha Itachi monitor Uchiha Shisui to ensure everything went smoothly.

"Yes, Hokage-sama." Shisui respectfully responded, using the Body Flicker Technique to vanish.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, upon returning to his office, fell into deep thought.

Clearly, Uchiha Shisui's Kotoamatsukami was far beyond his control.

As the strongest Hokage in Konoha's history, he had to prevent potential threats.

PS: Second update, thank you to [Xiao Han] for the 500 Qidian coins.

Thank you to [***9763] for the 1500 Qidian coins.