Chapter 57: Mangekyō Awakening
Without a sound, without a trace, Uchiha Shisui silently activated his most powerful genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami, against Uchiha Dali.
Even someone like Uchiha Dali, who possessed the Three Tomoe Sharingan and extraordinary perception, failed to notice anything amiss.
However, Shisui never expected that Uchiha Dali's astonishing comprehension ability would allow him to break free.
Not only that, but in the process, Uchiha Dali even awakened his own unique Mangekyō Sharingan.
At this moment, Uchiha Dali was sifting through the flood of information about his newfound Mangekyō Sharingan that had appeared in his mind.
Meanwhile, Shisui, unaware of the truth and assuming that Uchiha Dali had succumbed to his genjutsu and had his will forcibly altered, suddenly broke free from Dali's kunai restraint and turned to face Shimura Danzo with his blade drawn.
Without hesitation, he intercepted all of Danzo's attacks aimed at Uchiha Dali.
"What are you doing?"
Danzo, who had been confident of victory and was about to finish his opponent, was caught off guard when Shisui suddenly intervened.
His face twisted in confusion and anger as he questioned him in a low, harsh tone.
The surrounding Anbu, directly under the Hokage's command, also frowned in surprise.
"Are you planning to rebel as well, Uchiha Shisui?" Danzo pressed further.
"Apologies, Lord Danzo, that is not my intention."
"I just used my Mangekyō Sharingan's power on Senior Dali."
"This is the strongest genjutsu of our clan, called Kotoamatsukami, which can rewrite a person's will without them realizing it."
"Now, Senior Dali is no longer a threat to you… I hope you can spare him."
Shisui hurriedly explained.
But his words did little to quell the flames of Danzo's fury.
Danzo let out a cold snort and turned his gaze toward Uchiha Dali, who stood motionless.
"Spare him?"
"You saw everything he did just now—his defiance, his insubordination. These crimes alone are enough for him to die three times over!"
"The fact that I haven't executed him on the spot is already a favor to the Uchiha clan!"
Danzo spoke righteously, his tone filled with anger.
Whether he actually had the power to kill Uchiha Dali was another matter, but his words successfully made Shisui hesitate.
Wanting to prevent the situation from escalating further, Shisui quickly nodded. "Thank you, Lord Danzo, for your mercy."
"I will personally report this to Fugaku—"
Before he could finish speaking, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.
The entire room fell silent.
Everyone except Shisui, who had his back turned, was now staring at the figure behind him.
"You used Kotoamatsukami on me?"
A cold voice came from behind.
Shisui's body trembled slightly, his face showing utter disbelief.
Danzo's eyes darkened as he tensed up, his mind on high alert.
He knew how powerful Kotoamatsukami was—an unparalleled genjutsu that could rewrite a person's will without them ever realizing it.
He had believed Shisui was telling the truth because he had clearly sensed that Shisui's chakra reserves had dropped by over seventy percent.
That was the price of using Kotoamatsukami.
But then… why wasn't Uchiha Dali affected?
While everyone was still in shock, Uchiha Dali suddenly moved.
BAM!
He punched Shisui square in the face, sending him flying through the wall.
"You fool who can't tell right from wrong."
"Consider that punch a lesson. If you try this again, I won't let you off just because you're my clansman."
Uchiha Dali casually flexed his wrist as he spoke indifferently.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he finally looked up at Danzo and the Anbu, who were frozen in shock.
Now, everyone could clearly see his eyes—once black and ordinary, they had transformed into Mangekyō Sharingan, shaped like a swastika with four crimson dots.
"So you've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan as well…"
Danzo's heart wavered slightly, though he forced himself to remain calm.
Uchiha Dali swept his gaze across the Anbu. "I came here only to seek justice for the Uchiha clan."
"I have no intention of starting a massacre or becoming your enemy."
His words were both an explanation and a warning.
If anyone dared to act against him, they would end up like Shisui.
Finally, he turned to Danzo. "Now, can you issue the order?"
Faced with the overwhelmingly dominant aura of Uchiha Dali, even someone as ruthless as Danzo hesitated.
He was ambitious, but he wasn't a fool.
From Dali's speed, his ninjutsu power, and his newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan, it was clear—Uchiha Dali now possessed Kage-level strength.
Even Kotoamatsukami, the ultimate genjutsu, had failed against him.
Under these circumstances, even if Danzo risked everything, at best, he could only achieve mutual destruction.
There would be plenty of chances to deal with the Uchiha later—throwing his own life away now would be the worst possible move.
After a brief but intense internal struggle, Danzo reluctantly compromised.
"The Uchiha clan has indeed contributed greatly to the village. The people should be made aware of that. I was only following protocol—I was never targeting your clan."
"Since you're so insistent, I will make an exception this time."
"However, let me remind you—releasing information without the Hokage's signature is an act of unauthorized disclosure."
"The consequences will be yours to bear."
Leaving behind these formalities to save face, Danzo ultimately chose to retreat.
And just then—
Two figures appeared at the entrance of the office.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, the two Konoha Elders, had just arrived with more Anbu, having been informed of the commotion.
Just in time to hear Danzo's reluctant concession.
As they stood at the doorway, looking at the chaotic state of the office, their eyes widened in shock.