One month passed. Shisui and Kakashi were training Sasuke and Naruto, who were sparring against each other in one of Konoha's training grounds. Things had changed quite a bit within Konoha now. Rumors against the Uchiha Clan and about Naruto were completely subdued, with the truth about Konoha's three advisors — Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane — being publicized. It was also revealed how Hiruzen's lack of leadership qualities had cost Konoha, announcing his official resignation from the Hokage position, fully and finally this time.
Civilians and villagers had mixed reactions to this information. In Naruto's case, it was directly publicized that he was the son of Minato, the Yondaime Hokage. This decision was taken after many considerations; Hiruzen still hadn't agreed at first about it. However, Shikaku convinced him with the same idea Shisui had told them—of putting more Anbu squads for Naruto's safety. This also served to show other Hidden Villages that Konoha wasn't scared of them. Here was Naruto, son of Minato Namikaze, the man once feared by the Great Villages.
Naruto's potential alone spoke for Konoha's future; if any Hidden Village had a problem with this, they could come anytime. Though it wasn't an open challenge, telling the world now that Naruto Uzumaki was the son of Minato Namikaze and the current Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi also directly challenged other Hidden Villages, as Naruto, unlike Killer B and Yugito Nii, wasn't a perfect Jinchuriki who could be proudly announced to the world. While it was obvious other Hidden Villages wouldn't directly attempt to kidnap Naruto, there was still a high possibility.
Naruto's innate potential, even without Ashura's Chakra, was immense, and with him also being the Kyuubi's Jinchuriki, he became a terrifying threat in the eyes of other Hidden Villages. But Konoha would always be prepared now, if anything like what happened in Kushina's case occurred with Naruto. Though Shisui sometimes believed that even those Kumo ninjas were actually Danzo's Root. Since everyone here knew that Naruto was the Kyuubi's Jinchuriki even before thanks to rumours making it preety obvious, but Konoha was currently more prepared than before, no Hidden Village had ever attempted to kidnap Naruto.
But Kushina's status as a Jinchuriki was a hidden secret, known only to the village's higher-ups. Yet, Kumogakure was able to find and try to kidnap Kushina from within Konoha, especially at a time when Konoha was much stronger than currently. Even though Kumogakure could do such a thing, there was still a possibility it was Danzo. Meanwhile, villagers who, after knowing the truth about Naruto, felt guilty, but only a few admitted the mistake for treating Naruto like that, while many blamed Danzo, who was said to be the main culprit behind the rumors of Naruto being the reincarnation of the Kyuubi.
Naruto's life saw a complete 360° turn, from a completely ostracized kid to now having people treat him well. Though many still didn't admit their own shortcomings, they still started to treat Naruto well. Naruto himself was quite surprised at this news—his father was the Fourth Hokage. But the biggest change Shisui found here was in Kakashi. Not that Kakashi left Anbu—Shisui himself did that as well, while Itachi was still pretending to think about it. Rather, Kakashi openly started interacting with Naruto. He had always seen Naruto before, since Team Ro was also on duty to monitor him many times.
But this was different now; even Kakashi personally showed Naruto a picture of his Genin team, whose Jonin sensei was obviously Minato, also showing a picture of his mother, Kushina Uzumaki. While Shisui himself didn't hold back now and had Sasuke befriend Naruto; it was better if they became friends with each other early on. And directly after the funeral of the deceased from the coup incidents from both sides, the process of the Uchiha Clan Compound's relocation also started. It would be completed within this month.
Their new location would be near the Akimichi Clan area, which Shisui and many clansmen also found as good place, since the Akimichi Clan had monopolized the meat business in Konoha, and their barbeque was quite delicious. Meanwhile, Shisui asked Fugaku about his Mangekyō Sharingan ability. At first, Shisui didn't believe it would be much stronger; he even guessed it might be Amaterasu. This also proved true; Fugaku's Mangekyō ability was the same but an upgraded or can be said real version of Amaterasu, called Hinokagutsuchi.
Hinokagutsuchi is actually the precursor to the Amaterasu and was the ability of Indra Ōtsutsuki. It has quite a wide range than Amaterasu and is more potent as well. While Fugaku isn't Indra, nor his reincarnation, plus with the diluted bloodline of the Uchiha Clan, who can't even awaken Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, how could Fugaku's Hinokagutsuchi not have any limitations? It has, and they are very high demanding for Fugaku. Fugaku, just like Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, had a very long cooldown period of use, but unlike Shisui's, which had a fixed period, Fugaku's Mangekyō ability had an unfixed one based on used time.
Once Fugaku used Hinokagutsuchi, he had to stay in activate state of his Mangekyō Sharingan, or it would extinguished slowly for Fugaku's case, unlike Amaterasu's case, and he needed both of his Mangekyō eyes to use it; a single Mangekyō wouldn't activate Hinokagutsuchi in Fugaku's case. Plus, for him, it also had a maximum time limit, like Kamui, from minimum to a second to a maximum of five minutes could Fugaku use Hinokagutsuchi each time, and that would obviously consume a lot of visual power from his eyes. Though Fugaku said that he only used it one time till now, and that too when he awakened it.
When he saw his friend die at the Kumogakure front at the starting of Third Shinobi War, he used Hinokagutsuchi on a complete 32 Kumo ninjas and burned them with the area they were in, leaving nothing, not even their bones and ashes. He at that time had used it for a complete five minutes, reducing his visual power to a quarter, and with a full cooldown of 12 years, which was still not over yet. If he use it for a minute or two than cooldown would be less. Shisui, hearing about this, felt that Hiruzen was really lucky that night, since Fugaku at that time was determined to kill Hiruzen.
If Hinokagutsuchi's cooldown was completed, then Fugaku might have used it and turned Hiruzen into ashes, along with all the Hokage faction forces, Sarutobi Clan and Anbu that night who were in front of him. Shisui now understand why Fugaku wasn't even surprised, when Shisui has told him about his Mangekyō Kotoamatsukami having a decade long cooldown period, heck his own Mangekyō's ability Hinokagutsuchi, itself has very long time and he even keeps it secret for this long. Shisui has to admit that Fugaku is quite good at keeping secrets and important matters hidden unless necessary.
Moreover, in anime, Hinokagutsuchi is also said to be combination of Amaterasu of Itachi and Sasuke's Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi, and more potent than both of them combined. Especially both Amaterasu and Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi are single-target, which means flames can only be ignite at focal point of the user's vision, in simple words, can only target a single person, spot or object. Whereas Hinokagutsuchi has wider and more destructive range and can literally creates ''Sea'' of black flames reducing even a small forest or clan compound to ashes. Fugaku shows with this, why he is the father of Itachi and Sasuke.
Meanwhile, Shisui also asked Obito about Hashirama's cells transplantation, in response, Obito told him how his own had gone. Obito told him that unless one has many pairs of Sharingans, Hashirama's cells easily subdue and kill the host. Madara only survives with at that time even single Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, because of him being Indra's reincarnation with his Yin Chakra. In Obito's own case, Madara had White Zetsu extract the unnecessary and excessive of Hashirama's cells from his body, making the Yin of Obito's Sharingan and the Yang of Hashirama's cells at an equal level and integrating them.
The same could be done to Shisui, but the small problem here was time; it took Obito more than 8 weeks, while additional recovery time also took him months, making the whole process several months long for him. While Obito at that time had his body damaged plus his Sharingan was also at the Two-Tomoe level, making the process more lengthy for him. Plus, Obito was completely integrated by Spiral Zetsu, which Shisui didn't want, neither did Shisui want white areas to appear on him nor Hashirama's face like that on Madara's chest and Danzo's shoulder.
He would rather have basic transplantation like Yamato's case, who only gained Wood Release but no white areas and face of Hashirama. While Wood Release isn't Shisui's priority, gaining that also increases his overall combat prowess. Obito in response also said that since Shisui had no physical damage like he had, and having Mangekyō made the transplantation process for Shisui less than compared to his. He estimated that for Shisui to have basic integration might only need a few days to a week, while ongoing adjustments might take 1-2 more months for full harmony.
But the main process might be completed within a week for Shisui. This also made Shisui consider this seriously, as he didn't want to rush and told Obito to first create purified Hashirama's cells for him, since he didn't want Spiral Zetsu in this matter, as they had somewhat influence on Obito, since Madara had used full Spiral Zetsu for transplantation on Obito. Obito obediently agreed, though White Zetsu was still needed during the extraction of excessive Hashirama's Yang Chakra; a purification of Hashirama's cells was more important here, since Shisui didn't want any complications.
But this wasn't much of a worry, as Orochimaru was still in Akatsuki, and White Zetsu were simply full of Hashirama's cells, so extracting and refining Hashirama's cells wouldn't be difficult for Orochimaru. Especially if Obito have Nagato directly ordered him. Once everything was ready, Obito would inform him, while Shisui himself felt that it would take him more time to mentally prepare for this. And he also had the matter of his Chakra Reserves, which were already enough for him, but he still needed more.
With his current Chakra, he couldn't use S-rank Jutsu easily, plus he even didn't bother learning Rasengan for the same reason, as Rasengan's size also matters with the user's Chakra Reserves. When even Naruto initially only made small or maybe medium-sized Rasengan, compared to Naruto, Shisui felt if he were to start learning and be able to perform it, he might only make a baseball-sized Rasengan. Chakra Reserves were also the reason that he couldn't even use Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu at full potential. As Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu can create 10 Shadow Clones minimum to thousands maximum.
This Jutsu is more complex and demanding than how Naruto was shown in anime, even Kakashi at the Land of Waves saying he was low on chakra but created a small army of Clones. Which at first looks like Shadow Clone but Kakashi with his Chakra Reserves can't use Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu and not make that many Shadow Clones. What he use was bluff, creating several Clones with E-rank Clone Jutsu. And If Kakashi can't use Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu than how could Shisui use it, who has less Chakra than Kakashi, who himself currently has less Chakra than future Kakashi who use bluff of Clone Jutsu at Naruto Brigade.
So from the Scroll of Seals, he was currently focusing on learning the Bringer of Darkness Jutsu, which proved to be quite effective as Shisui was able to learn it very quickly. While his matter for Edo Tensei was also not much troublesome, as Edo Tensei has only three main requirements to use and nothing problematic. One is the need for the DNA of the person whom you wished to summon; second is the need for a sacrifice, which he had, the linchpin Danzo, suffering at the territory of Shisui's summoned Crows, which is a totally dark area, cemetery-like feel with trees without leaves and totally dark as well.
Shisui had only ordered that Danzo shouldn't die; aside from that, the Crows could torture him as much as they can. And the third requirement for Edo Tensei is simple but many hand signs, and then bam, like a Summoning Jutsu. But the one Shisui had was Tobirama's original one, which had a major drawback than what Orochimaru's might solved in his own version. Which is time limit, Edo Tensei summons, unless the sacrifice is Jonin Level, they can't even stay for a single full day, maybe disperse within a few hours.
But Shisui had no problem with this, since he only needed to finish off Danzo completely and not to use Edo Tensei for a much greater cause for now. While he was at it, he even ordered Obito to report him every day, since under Kotoamatsukami's effect, Obito's attitude only changed towards Shisui, so even Black Zetsu wouldn't find anything wrong. Obito even said that Shisui became an informant for Akatsuki on Shisui's order, putting Black Zetsu at ease that Obito was doing as he expected him to.
Moreover, thanks to Obito, he also got his hands on Great Fire Annihilation Jutsu and Great Fire Destruction Jutsu and was learning them now, thinking of even giving them to Itachi and Sasuke later on. The only matter for Shisui currently was his Chakra Reserves. Though he knew if he were successful in transplantation of Hashirama's cells, his Chakra Reserves might also reach Peak Kage Level. But he knew that every so-called Peak Kage Level Shinobi didn't even have Chakra Capacity close to even the Ichibi and Nibi.
Even Kisame, the so-called "Tailed Beast without a Tail" might not have Chakra Capacity same as Ichibi; maybe he has or not would be debatable in his case. Otherwise, No shinobi, even those from the Uzumaki and Senju Clan, can naturally have Chakra Reserves comparable to even low-tier Tailed Beasts. Of course, prime Hashirama, Madara, Naruto, and Sasuke cannot be included in the normal shinobi category. They reincarnated with Chakra of Asura and Indra, so their Chakra Reserves at prime would easily be higher than many Tailed Beasts, maybe comparable to high-tier Bijuus but only be left behind a full-fledged Kurama.
Shisui was contemplating this currently while watching both Naruto and Sasuke sparring with each other, with Kakashi supervising them. They are both currently 7 years old, soon to be 8, and also in next few months, they will join the Ninja Academy. Currently, even Jiraiya was present for the last week; all because of the matters of the Godaime, Hiruzen called him. Plus, even the Daimyo of the Land of Fire was also present today. The meeting regarding this matter would be discussed among Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Clan Heads, and the Daimyo. Kakashi, Itachi, and Shisui weren't included, but obviously, Fugaku was, as the Clan Head of Uchiha.
"Haa..." Naruto shouted, rushing towards Sasuke with a punch, which Sasuke blocked easily and swiftly countered back. Their spars usually resulted in Sasuke winning in the end, though Naruto was also improving little by little. "Blockhead, stop rushing towards me mindlessly," Sasuke taunted Naruto, while also giving a hand to the now fallen Naruto. "Try using your head sometimes; brute strength isn't useful all the time."
Naruto, taking Sasuke's hand, got up and huffed, "Stop being so full of yourself!" he said, sticking his tongue out, taunting Sasuke back. They started bickering at each other, and Kakashi came forward and picked both of them up by their collars. "Stop bickering, both of you..." Kakashi said. "But it was Sasuke who started," Naruto protested. "Stop blaming me; if you are weak, then don't blame others!" Sasuke retorted. Seeing them both like that, Kakashi sighed lightly and then said, "How about I treat you both today, Naruto, your favorite Ramen at Ichiraku?"
Naruto's eyes sparkled at the name Ramen. "Yeah! Ramen!" he said with excitement. Sasuke also remained excited but internally; he didn't show much reaction outward, trying to be like Itachi, but he was still a child currently. He couldn't fake his expressions properly and smiled, seeing Naruto's excitement. Shisui, sitting on the ground under a tree nearby, was still deep in his thoughts, 'Currently, from One-Tails to Nine-Tails are all booked; no Bijuu is left open for me to gain a huge amount of Chakra as a Jinchuriki.' Since Obito was under his control, he wasn't even much worried about Akatsuki, but even then, he still hadn't findeven a single Bijuu who wasn't sealed.
'Full-fledged Kurama, huh?' he thought, looking at Naruto, and suddenly his eyes widened in realization, 'Oh yeah, Naruto currently only has the Yang Half of Kurama. Yin half is still with Minato's soul in Shikigami's stomach. Maybe if I use Orochimaru's method, gaining Yin Kurama and becoming its perfect Jinchuriki wouldn't be much difficult.' While his mind raced with a new idea, a loud voice came, grabbing everyone's attention. "Kakashi, my youthful rival! I got promoted?" This was Might Guy, in his regular green jumpsuit with Konoha's standard attire and headband, and he came and stood in front of them.
Shisui smiled at seeing Guy's bowl-cut hairstyle and his bushy brows, with his attire which no one could even dare to think of wearing and looks funny. "I got promoted to Special Jonin, and will be teaching at the Ninja Academy from next term!" He said with a thumbs-up and a bright smile with a tooth shining. "I will throw a small party today as celebrations at the Barbeque at Akimichi Clan!"
Hearing this, Naruto's excitement rose even further, with this time even Sasuke being excited about this and openly nodding with Naruto. "Akimichi Clan's Barbeque? Barbeque! Barbeque! Barbeque!" They both shouted in unison. "Haha! This is Youth!" Guy laughed heartily upon their reactions.
-- To Be Continued --