The three of them, including Danzo, were slightly puzzled, not understanding what Hiruzen meant by this.
Shisui explained, "My Mangekyo Sharingan's exclusive pupil technique is called 'Kotoamatsukami', which can invade the target's brain and alter their will without them noticing."
As soon as he said this, Danzo immediately avoided making eye contact with Shisui, his body involuntarily trembling.
Kotoamatsukami, this technique... must be...
At this thought, fear and apprehension disappeared, leaving only fanaticism in his heart.
"I will use this technique to control Uchiha Fugaku's will, turning him into my puppet, and officially announcing the disbandment of the coup d'état. The radicals won't be able to bypass the clan leader to carry out the coup, and their plan will collapse because of it."
Shisui spoke nonchalantly, reflecting his confidence.
Seeing the three of them, including Danzo, fall silent, with none of them taking the initiative to speak, Hiruzen knew it was time to make the decision.
"Shisui, we have agreed to your method. Act according to your will."
Hiruzen agreed, and the three elders gave tacit consent, which was equivalent to the entire top management's approval, bringing joy to Shisui's heart.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I plan to take action at tomorrow's gathering, to avoid delay. Then, I will take my leave."
Shisui took a deep breath and turned to leave the meeting room.
◎
Standing under the eaves, Fugaku crossed his arms, deep in thought.
Behind him, Itachi was just about to walk over.
Fugaku immediately spoke, "Itachi."
Itachi halted and asked, "What is it, Father?"
"Don't forget to attend tomorrow's gathering."
Tomorrow's gathering was very important; it would finalize all the routes for the coup, including the Uchiha ninjas involved, all needing to be strictly planned.
As a powerful force within the Uchiha Clan, Itachi was obligated to attend.
"Tomorrow, I have..."
"You must attend."
Fugaku turned around, looking at Itachi sharply, his attitude unprecedentedly firm.
Itachi looked directly into Fugaku's eyes, his tone unchanged, "Tomorrow, I have an important mission with the Anbu, so I cannot attend. I will apologize later."
Indeed, tomorrow was the day Shisui would take action.
If he appeared there, he would inevitably be suspected by the clansmen for being the one to change his father's mind, thus becoming a target.
Such a situation might ruin Shisui's plan.
Seeing success just within reach, Itachi sincerely hoped that Shisui's plan would succeed.
That way, he wouldn't have to agonize over choosing between the clan and the village.
If possible, he also wanted to think from the clan's perspective, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized how narrow-minded and ignorant it was to think from the clan's point of view.
Especially with the incredibly obtuse adults, who were so extreme and arrogant.
Ignoring Fugaku's gradually darkening expression, Itachi added, "Sorry, Father, I have a date now; I'll be back before dinner."
With that, not giving Fugaku a chance, he walked straight to the entrance.
"Itachi—"
Fugaku angrily chased after him.
He didn't know when the disagreement between himself and his son had started.
Clearly, they had communicated very happily that day, and Itachi had shown no signs of rebellion. Why couldn't he reconcile with the clansmen?
If he lost the support of the clansmen, Fugaku didn't know how Itachi could ascend to Hokage in the future.
The Uchiha Clan should be his first strong backing to unite.
Without the clan's support, how could he stand out as a Hokage candidate?
Those civilians... despite the Hokage being a democratically decided position, reality was not as ideal as it seemed.
The election of the Third Hokage had already set foot on a path of no return.
Because the Third Hokage was not selected by election, but was directly appointed by the Second Hokage, bypassing the public vote, effectively turning the election into a farce.
If Itachi continued to be at odds with the clansmen, he would have to consider replacing the next inheritor.
This kind of Itachi could never become the leader of the Uchiha Clan.
He couldn't even command the Uchiha Clan, let alone the higher position of Hokage.
This was the greatest ignorance.
Why would a son, always so excellent as a ninja, be so foolish in this matter?
He caught up to the doorstep.
Fugaku wanted to stop Itachi and reprimand him at home.
As long as he listened, there was always a chance to make amends.
The Hachida were already very dissatisfied with Itachi's attitude, with a hidden desire to isolate him, even sending people to monitor his movements.
As the clan leader, as a father, he needed to correct Itachi's mistakes.
But when he reached the doorstep, Fugaku was stunned.
Itachi had already stepped outside, with a girl of similar age next to him.
She appeared gentle and frail, with a pristinely clean smile on her face, walking closely with Itachi.
"..."
That girl, Fugaku remembered, was called Uchiha Izumi.
It seemed she was once a classmate of Itachi's, considered a minor prodigy within the Uchiha Clan.
However, what shocked Fugaku was that Itachi actually had a female friend; judging by their demeanor, Itachi didn't seem to mind either.
All along, he thought the only person close to Itachi was Shisui.
Unexpectedly, there was a female friend behind the scenes.
When did they become close?
Fugaku gave a wry smile, suddenly feeling that he had been too negligent as a father.
All this time, he had strictly demanded Itachi to become an excellent ninja, but he seldom provided emotional care, and never truly understood what Itachi's heart yearned for.