Even though these revelations weighed heavily on him, Shisui didn't allow his personal feelings to cloud his judgment when it came to Yan.
Even after Yan had aimed his blade at the elder Shisui respected most, even after he'd spoken words laced with disrespect, Shisui remained detached, determined not to judge him emotionally.
"If…"
Fugaku's calm demeanor didn't falter, but the words that slipped from his mouth struck Shisui like a bolt of lightning, jerking him into an upright posture.
"What if… his goal isn't just that? What if he's aiming for my position—to become the head of the Uchiha and take control of the entire clan?"
"…"
Shisui felt a sharp ringing in his ears, a moment of vertigo overtaking him. He wondered if he'd misheard or if his mind was playing tricks on him. The words seemed too unbelievable.
Stunned and overwhelmed, Shisui sat there, his thoughts spiraling, as if he had been struck by a thousand thunderclaps.
"Patriarch… I… I don't think Yan has such intentions… he's not…"
Shisui's voice faltered, his tongue tripping over his own disbelief. He forced an awkward chuckle, hoping to dissolve the tension in the room.
"No. He does."
Fugaku's tone left no room for argument. His eyes held unwavering conviction as he poured himself another cup of tea.
"Looking at his actions—step by step—it's evident. His next move will be to challenge the hardliners and slowly dismantle that faction. He's already laid the groundwork. Many of the younger members of our clan are inspired by his vision. They will gravitate toward him."
"And once he wins over the youth, he'll begin consolidating power until there's no one left to oppose him."
"And then, Shisui… what do you think Uchiha Hiko will do next?"
"…"
Shisui's thoughts shattered under the weight of implication. Fugaku's words painted a vision too real to deny.
"At that point, I'll be the last obstacle in his path."
"If he wants to rule the clan, he'll have to eliminate me—remove the one thing keeping his ambitions in check."
"When the clan's power converges in his hands, do you think I'll still be able to sit as Patriarch?"
"I'll stop him."
Shisui jumped to his feet. The gravity of the situation filled him with dread. If Yan's ambition was truly that deep, he had to act—perhaps even use Kotoamatsukami if necessary.
"Sit down."
Fugaku's voice echoed through the room, icy and commanding. Shisui, though trembling, froze and then slowly returned to his seat, shame and helplessness tightening around his chest.
Fugaku let the silence linger before he spoke again, sipping his tea with a calmness that unnerved Shisui.
"I'm not telling you this to stop him."
"Patriarch?"
Shisui's voice quivered.
"Despite the clan's misconceptions about you, I trust you. I've always believed in your judgment."
"Then what… what do you want me to do?"
Shisui asked through gritted teeth, his head bowed.
Fugaku's next words shattered his world.
"Join the Anbu."
"And when necessary, share select information with the village—but simultaneously, I want you to assist Yan in secret. Help him, quietly. As long as he proceeds the way I foresee, don't interfere."
"What?"
Shisui's head snapped up, disbelief twisting his features.
"But… why?"
He struggled to breathe, each word scraping his throat. The very idea felt like betrayal—treason against the Uchiha, against his beliefs.
Fugaku looked into the distance, his voice soft, yet steady.
"Because at that point, it won't matter who holds the title of Patriarch. What will matter is that the Uchiha rise again."
There was a flicker of excitement in his usually stoic eyes. And for Shisui, it was as if the hammer of reality had crushed his chest.
The meeting ended shortly after. Shisui walked out like a man in a trance, each step heavy with doubt and disbelief.
He wandered through the village, eventually perching on a telephone pole. There, he sat like a shadow, blending into the night sky. The cool wind kissed his skin, but his heart was in turmoil.
Fugaku's words echoed endlessly in his mind. They were too real—too vivid to be a dream.
After what felt like an eternity, he pulled himself together and returned home.
There was much to prepare. His entry into the Anbu would be far from smooth, and tomorrow would bring new chaos.
—
The next day, Yan remained confined to his office, barred even from routine patrols.
Even Izumi, newly inducted into the police force, had taken leave from active duty to serve as his secretary—pouring tea, cleaning the space, and organizing documents.
Having spent so long among brash, brawny men, Yan found the sudden presence of a composed, efficient girl unsettling. It was a change—one he wasn't quite ready for.
Being stuck indoors meant he couldn't tail Sasuke or Naruto.
He still ran into Sasuke on his way to the academy, but keeping tabs on Naruto had become impossible.
The upper echelons were monitoring him too closely now. Any use of his golden finger on Naruto would risk exposure.
"Copy."
Since he hadn't used today's golden finger chance, Yan decided to try it on Izumi.
"Copy successful. Partial Sharingan pupil power obtained. Fuse now?"
He blinked in surprise. Of all things, he hadn't expected that.
Izumi had given him a rare reward—part of her Sharingan's pupil power.
He had gradually unraveled Goldfinger's rules: Lucky draws could yield mental or pupil power, or rare chakra like Indra's or Asura's. Unlucky draws gave common jutsu or taijutsu experience.
If the reward description said "a little," it meant it was minimal. But "a part" was significant.
And Izumi's potential? Evident.
In the original timeline, she awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at thirteen—no small feat.
Unfortunately, due to her low standing in the clan, no one properly guided her. She had power, but no direction.
"Fuse."
He chose to integrate it immediately.
He expected a slight impact—not the sudden burst of agony that followed.
"Ugh—!"
The fusion hit him like a tsunami. Pressure swelled behind his eyes, then spread into his brain.
Yan gasped and staggered, blood leaking from his eyes.
"Captain!?"
Izumi turned, alarmed by the sound, only to see Yan bent over the desk, bleeding, veins throbbing violently across his temple like twitching snakes.
"Captain, please—don't scare me!"
Panicking, she dropped everything and rushed to him.
Yan collapsed, and she caught him just in time, her small frame barely enough to support him.
She screamed for help.
Fugaku arrived moments later with Itachi and two guards. He had brought his son to tour the department, preparing him to take over from Shisui.
The moment he heard Izumi's cries, he dashed to the office.
"Patriarch, the captain—he collapsed!"
Fu Yue approached swiftly, helping Izumi steady Yan and guiding him into his chair.
Blood covered Yan's face. Fugaku's eyes narrowed.
It was a familiar sight—similar to his own reaction after overusing the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Or the early stages of awakening it.
Could it be…?
"Does he already have the Mangekyō?"
He dismissed the thought quickly and composed himself.
"He's fine. He just overused his Sharingan. He needs rest. Fetch him some water."
"Okay!"
Relieved, Izumi nodded and rushed out.
Just before she exited, Fugaku issued a sharp order—his tone cold and commanding.
"No one must hear of this. I'll issue a formal announcement soon."
"Yes, sir!"
Izumi stiffened, nodding quickly. The guards and Itachi echoed her.
Not a word of this would reach beyond the room.
"Patriarch… I'm fine."
Bloodied, weak—but still conscious—Yan finally spoke.