Chapter 46: Kotoamatsukami
However, Kurama was only vaguely self-aware about his own figure.
"Oh, happy birthday."
Facing Naruto's excitement, it merely nodded perfunctorily, its eyes still fixed intently on the television.
It couldn't be more comfortable here in this seal space; it had absolutely no interest in things outside.
The thing it once desired most was undoubtedly escaping the seal, frolicking across the vast land, freely enjoying the taste of freedom.
But now...
What? You talkin' 'bout freedom to me?
What's freedom? Lying flat, yet still increasing chakra – isn't this comfortable?
It admitted it had become lazy, but lying flat really was comfortable.
Now, even if Uchiha Madara lifted his coffin lid and wanted to summon it out,
It would probably dare to bare its teeth and bite Uchiha Madara.
As for Fox Teacher's perfunctory attitude, Naruto was quite disappointed.
Although his academic level wasn't low, his mental age wasn't yet mature.
"Kurama."
Menma, smiling, leaned close to the Nine-Tails and whispered: "What you're watching now is the last episode of the first season of this anime, you know."
Last episode?
Kurama, engrossed in the anime, froze for a moment.
But only for an instant, then it understood.
This is the last episode of the first season, which means there's a second season?
That guy Menma, wouldn't he...
Instantly, Kurama's expression and tone turned gentle, even carrying a hint of flattery.
"Naruto, happy birthday! You've grown another year older, become even more reliable."
Naruto, who was originally somewhat downcast, instantly beamed, eyes crinkling: "Thanks, Fox Teacher!"
Saying this, he reached out and rubbed (rua-ed) the Nine-Tails' fluffy, soft tail.
Seeing the brat taking advantage, the corner of the Nine-Tails' eye couldn't help but twitch, almost losing its smile.
Damn it, this brat is pushing his luck!
That guy Menma is one thing.
But how could it, the strongest Tailed Beast, be petted by a little brat!
The Nine-Tails really wanted to swat him away with its tail.
But looking at Menma nearby, smiling with narrowed eyes, it could only retract this bold idea.
A fox under the eaves must bow its head.
The two humans and one fox celebrated a simple birthday just like that.
This time, Menma didn't leave Naruto any after-class homework, and Naruto, for a rare change, slept soundly.
When the ANBU changed shifts,
Menma's clone reappeared in little Naruto's bedroom.
"This guy still doesn't sleep peacefully."
Menma picked up the blanket Naruto had kicked off, covered him up, a gentle smile involuntarily appearing on his lips.
"Goodnight, Naruto."
Now, time for me to go get your birthday present.
...
Uchiha Clan Grounds, inside the Naka Shrine.
Looking at the clansmen in the shrine, Uchiha Shisui's face was very grim.
As far as the eye could see, all were Uchiha elites from the Police Force, basically all Jōnin who had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.
Ordinary Jōnin within the clan weren't even qualified to attend this clan meeting.
And Uchiha Fugaku stood at the very front, arms crossed, face serious.
"Has it... reached the limit?"
Shisui had already vaguely guessed the theme of this clan meeting.
But just then.
"Father."
Under the gazes of all the clansmen, Uchiha Itachi actually walked in.
A trace of surprise flashed in many people's eyes.
Clan meetings at the Naka Shrine usually only allowed members who had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan to participate.
And this guy Uchiha Itachi...
But Itachi ignored their gazes.
He greeted Fugaku, then silently came to the corner, beside Shisui.
Shisui frowned deeply, asking: "Itachi! Why are you here?"
Itachi didn't speak, but his eyes suddenly turned red, three tomoe appearing in each pupil.
"This..."
Shisui froze upon seeing this, then said excitedly: "You actually awakened the three-tomoe?!'"
Itachi nodded expressionlessly: "I've also joined the ANBU."
ANBU?
Shisui looked astonished, just about to say something.
"Clan Head!"
Uchiha Inabi stood up, stating bluntly: "Why can Itachi attend the clan meeting? This is against the rules, isn't it?"
His words were forceful and resonant.
As a radical within the Uchiha clan, the theme of this clan meeting was precisely to force Fugaku to agree to the coup.
So naturally, he had to strike first, conveniently using this as a pretext to make trouble.
Other clan members also showed expressions of agreement.
"No."
Fugaku kept his arms crossed, his dark eyes fixed directly on Inabi: "Itachi is already qualified to attend the clan meeting."
He swept his gaze around, announcing loudly before everyone: "Itachi has already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, and furthermore, has joined the ANBU."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire place instantly erupted in an uproar.
"What?!"
Everyone's gazes turned towards Uchiha Itachi and Shisui in the corner.
Naturally, they also saw the three tomoe within Itachi's crimson eyes.
Some Uchiha clan members with weaker pupil power even averted their gaze, avoiding his sharp edge.
Now, everyone was speechless.
After a moment of silence, Uchiha Yashiro suddenly stood up.
"Clan Head!"
His expression was somewhat agitated: "Today you saw it too! That old fox Sarutobi Hiruzen doesn't care about our Uchiha clan's feelings at all, even directly siding with the Sarutobi clan!"
"This grievance, I, Yashiro, absolutely cannot endure!"
Another Uchiha Jōnin from the conservative faction also stood up.
But to Fugaku's surprise, he actually also leaned towards the radical faction now.
He heard him say: "Although Yashiro went a bit too far in this matter, after this incident, it's clear our Uchiha and Konoha can no longer coexist."
"If we don't strike first, we will inevitably face retaliation from the Konoha leadership later."
After this Uchiha Jōnin finished speaking, he turned his gaze towards Shisui in the corner.
"Shisui, you've been in ANBU for some time now. You must have some understanding of ANBU's strength, right?"
Within the entire Uchiha clan, only Shisui knew the most about ANBU.
Therefore, the Uchiha clan could only obtain reliable intelligence about ANBU through Shisui.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Shisui felt utterly helpless.
He understood that the Uchiha coup could no longer be stopped.
Even the Clan Head couldn't stop it.
And beside him, Uchiha Itachi watched everything expressionlessly from beginning to end, a crimson glint flashing in his eyes.
...
When the clan meeting ended.
"Lord Third."
Shisui went straight to the Hokage Tower rooftop that night, kneeling on one knee before Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Shisui reported the news of the Uchiha clan's impending coup to Sarutobi Hiruzen and proposed his own solution.
"I have already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."
A flash of surprise passed through Sarutobi Hiruzen's cloudy eyes.
Mangekyō Sharingan...
He had thought Shisui was hiding some secrets, but never imagined it was the Mangekyō Sharingan.
But before he could say anything, Shisui's next words completely wiped the smile from his face.
"My Mangekyō pupil technique is called Kotoamatsukami. It can manipulate others at will without them noticing, permanently and completely changing a person's thoughts and will."
(End of Chapter)
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