ALL NOVEL Ch219- Do You Even Know Shisui’s Story?
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Tsunade's gaze shifted between Horyu and Tobirama. "We need to focus on the immediate threat. Hirato and Zetsu are manipulating events to their advantage. We can't let personal suspicions get in the way of our mission."
Horyu shrugged, his demeanor calm yet confident. "There is not much to worry about. First Hokage has already called other villages to Konoha. Once all Tailed Beasts are gathered in one location, all Hirato can do is come to our door. Which won't make any difference. Konoha still boasts around ten Kage-level shinobi. Even if Hirato gathers the rest of the Shinobi World, it wouldn't be enough."
The others nodded in agreement, knowing the sheer power Konoha still possessed. Hashirama and Tobirama, especially in their Edo Tensei forms, were more than enough to make the rest of the Shinobi World tremble.
Tsunade looked at Horyu, her eyes filled with determination. "Still, we need to be prepared for anything. Hirato won't come alone, and we can't underestimate him."
Naruto, still processing the revelation about his brother, clenched his fists. "We need to save him. Hirato might be lost, but he's still family. We can't give up on him."
Himawari placed a reassuring hand on her brother's shoulder. "We'll find a way, brother."
Horyu's vision was filled with two system messages confirming the completion of his quests. He grinned, feeling a surge of satisfaction and power.
[Quest Completed: Trust of a Jinchuriki
Reward: Bloodline Purifying Pill, +500 XP, +50 SP.
Quest Completed: Understanding Will of Fire
Reward: Will of Fire (Title), +1000 XP, +100 SP.]
Horyu glanced around, ensuring no one noticed his momentary distraction. He had to be careful with the system interface, especially in the presence of legends like Hashirama and Tobirama. The Bloodline Purifying Pill was a significant reward. He had already used the first one to purify his Uchiha bloodline, which had significantly enhanced his Sharingan's capabilities. The second pill had purified his Uzumaki bloodline, obtained after acquiring the Seed of Uzumaki. This third pill, however, could be saved for later; he didn't need it immediately.
He closed the system interface, his mind returning to the current situation. The gathered shinobi were strategizing on how to handle the emerging threat of Hirato and Zetsu. The room buzzed with a mix of tension and determination.
Hashirama was explaining the plan. "We will gather all the Jinchuriki in Konoha. It will be easier to protect them in one location rather than spread across different villages."
Tobirama nodded in agreement. "With the combined forces of all the villages, we can create an impenetrable defense. Hirato won't be able to take on such a force alone."
Naruto, his fists clenched, looked resolute. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect everyone. Hirato is my brother, but I won't let him destroy everything we care about."
Horyu shrugged. It wouldn't matter much anyway. He was already searching for Hirato, and once he could hone in on him, he would unleash the First and Second Hokage. At that point, even Zetsu couldn't do anything. He didn't care if Kaguya was resurrected or not. In the anime, the whole resurrection was a big joke. In the end, Naruto and Sasuke sealed her once again. If they stopped Madara from the beginning, it would mean the same thing. In a sense, nothing changed after Kaguya's resurrection and re-sealing, only Naruto and Sasuke became stronger. Instead, Horyu would prefer not to release her at all. He knew he would get bigger quests once Kaguya was released, and the rewards would be quite handsome, but Horyu would rather grow steadily than risk the whole world, although he had quite confidence in himself.
Horyu looked at the gathered shinobi and said, "I know most of you don't have a favorable impression of Shisui, and I was the same. But over the years, I realized he was forced into his position." This immediately broke the unity, as gazes locked onto him. Glares and narrowed eyes locked onto Horyu, each reflecting a mix of anger, suspicion, and curiosity. Naruto and Himawari's parents had died because of Shisui. Hirato's transformation into an enemy could also be traced back to Shisui's actions. Kakashi, Obito, and Rin had lost their sensei, Minato, due to Shisui's manipulation. Even Tobirama, who already had suspicions about Horyu, smirked cynically, muttering, "I knew it."
Horyu didn't care about their gazes. "Do you even know the cause and effect of Shisui's story?" he asked, his voice steady and challenging. The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Naruto stepped forward, his fists clenched. "What could possibly justify what he did? He manipulated people, caused deaths, and now my brother is an enemy because of him!"
Horyu continued, "Shisui wasn't always the way he is now. He was a loyal Konoha shinobi, a true believer in the village's ideals. But circumstances, manipulation, and betrayal pushed him into the role he's in today."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "What are you getting at, Horyu?"
"Let me explain," Horyu said. "Shisui was one of the most talented Uchiha, gifted with the rare Kotoamatsukami ability, which allowed him to control others without them realizing it. Danzo, fearing the power and influence of the Uchiha clan, tried to steal Shisui's eyes."
Tobirama looked at Horyu, his expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism, as if he was proud of Danzo's actions. Danzo was his student, after all. Horyu snorted, "Of course, you see no problem with it." He glared back at Tobirama, who looked at him with a challenging gaze.
"Shisui was loyal to Konoha," Horyu continued, his tone firm. "Even when Danzo and Sarutobi asked him to be a spy in the Uchiha clan, he complied. But when Danzo talked to him about exterminating all Uchiha—old, young, women, babies—he flipped."
Naruto gasped, while Hashirama squinted, "That is too far."
Horyu looked at them mockingly. "You think the world is black and white. If Shisui hadn't stopped Danzo, I wouldn't even be here today. He only defended himself and controlled Danzo. Then, he realized his power could achieve peace. He controlled others as well—not only the higher-ups of the village but also those of the Uchiha clan and stopped their foolish usurping. And didn't that end up with peace and prosperity?"
Himawari looked offended. "What peace?" Her tone was hurt and mocking.
Horyu looked at her and said, "It was Kushina who wanted to free Minato that forced the situation into a full brawl. I'm not defending Shisui's actions, but I'm saying he was forced into that situation to protect most. At the time, it was the only thing he could do. An infighting between the village and Uchiha would have ended in bloodshed."
The room was silent as everyone processed Horyu's words. Tobirama's eyes narrowed. "Even so, using such power to control others is a dangerous path."
Horyu shrugged. "Sometimes, the ends justify the means. Shisui was in a position where any action he took would have had severe consequences. He chose the path that minimized the damage."
Hashirama nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on his face. "While I don't condone his methods, I can understand the desperation that drove him to such extremes."
Naruto still looked conflicted. "But why didn't he try to find another way? Why didn't he trust the village?"
"Trust works both ways," Horyu said quietly. "Shisui was put in an impossible position, betrayed by those he trusted. He did what he thought was best to protect Konoha, even if it meant sacrificing his own integrity."
Naruto and Himawari clenched their fists. While Naruto felt conflicted, Himawari was certain. She hated Shisui. Horyu didn't care; he looked at them calmly and said, "One thing you should all remember is that most of you are here due to me. Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have been able to escape the day you defected. Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, although I failed my promise to you to not let anything happen to the citizens of Rain Country, it was due to Hirato charging with One Tail, which was beyond ordinary. And finally, First and Second, if it wasn't for me, you would still be under Orochimaru's control, destroying the Konoha you were so proud of. Next time you question my motives, remember these."
The room fell silent as Horyu's words hung heavily in the air. Naruto's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions, while Himawari's glare remained icy. Kakashi, Obito, and Rin exchanged glances, acknowledging the truth in Horyu's statement. Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, though visibly pained by the reminder of their lost citizens, nodded in reluctant agreement. Hashirama and Tobirama, too, seemed to weigh Horyu's words, their expressions grim but accepting.
Horyu continued, his voice steady and unwavering, "We are facing a threat that goes beyond our individual grievances and past mistakes. If we want to protect what we care about, we need to put aside our differences and work together."
Tsunade, stepping forward, nodded in agreement. "He's right. Our focus should be on the real enemy, not on old grudges. We need to be united."
Naruto clenched his fists tighter but eventually sighed, his resolve hardening. "Fine. I'll put aside my anger for now. But Shisui will have to answer for what he's done when this is all over."
Horyu looked at Himawari and asked, "May I put you under a Genjutsu? Do you allow me?"
The room turned its attention to her, then back to Horyu, curiosity and uncertainty mingling in their eyes. Horyu didn’t elaborate, just waited for Himawari’s response.
After a moment of hesitation, Himawari nodded. "Go ahead," she said, her voice steady.
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