Chapter 19
She knew that the answer to their problems was obvious. They needed more people on their side. People who had power.
Hisako even with her expanding power within the civilians, was not yet up to the point of being able to connect with the traders and merchants who had been in the business for years before her. She could not utilize them without making herself seem suspicious. Her position in the clan itself was weak, the only power she had was Mikoto's backing and being Shisui's wife. Even that was not yet solidified, as she only had her support in certain things and she had not yet officially been wedded.
And who could they even trust?
Who was someone powerful enough to distract Danzo for a few months, if not an year?
No matter who they asked for help, they will care more about their own position. Clan heads would care about their clan more, with Danzo's army luring about and the amount of control he had in every area of the village. Any other high ranking shinobi would have to be suicidal or have a hero complex to want to put himself in their problems. Nobody would be crazy enough to even believe half of their story without sufficient proof.
Danzo had them cornered and trapped like helpless mice.
She realized then that he really was a master at this game they played. He had experience, power and the players right in his hands. They practically had nothing.
She needed power, she concluded.
Power will have allies rushing in. Power will tilt this game in their favor.
"Shisui, lets have Itachi seize the clan's power."
She smiled at him as though she had already solved all of their problems. He looked at her in the eyes, knowing that she was either going to make them all survive along with the village and clan, or, she'll destroy the damned village and make them them survive. He sighed and simply nodded at her demand. After all, what else was he to do? She always has him under her control.
"Tell me your plan."
Her smile turned even wider at that as she recited her new plan to him. That had wanted to keep Itachi away from the political mess this was but, in the end, they all knew he was too involved for him to be hidden away. So, they will make him work and protect him at the same time. Shisui wondered for a brief moment how things would have been like if Hisako had not been there for them. If he had not reconciled with her. If Hisako did not see Itachi for the child he was.
He stopped thinking about it soon after. He knew just how important she was to all of this.
His smile dimmed as his thoughts turned back to Danzo. He wished he could trust the man like he once did. As though the man only had the best wishes for the village at heart. He supposes that he would have continued to do so if he had not chosen to hurt Hisako. But the move had been made and the victim was his precious Hisako. The scars on her body still made his heart hurt and he knew that he was being consumed by the Uchiha blood in him but, he would be damned if he didn't make him pay for what he had done.
He will destroy Danzo Shimura, he decided then. He will make him suffer just as he had hurt Hisako. And he was sure, that Hisako would support him in that decision as well. After all, just as he was under her control. She was under his too.
"I'll talk to Itachi and tell him what he needs to do. And also speak to Kakashi-senpai. You'll prepare for Itachi's decisions till then and continue training."
Hisako almost pouted at the mention of training. Shisui was not very kind in training. He looked at her in warning and she conceded at that. Shisui was willing to throw her around and fight her till she willingly trained. She shuddered thinking of the last time they trained.
"Yes."
She was smiling, she knew. But moments like these just had a certain fondness in them for her.
Itachi was confused at the plan before he understood why they had took to it. He was anxious as well.
How would this even work? He couldn't handle such a thing. But, he looked at Shisui's serious eyes, he would have to do it. If he could save them all then that would be the best possible scenario. Sasuke wouldn't have to grow up filled with hate. Shisui could live happily with Hisako. Izumi and he could-
The image of Danzo and his orders came to mind.
He was scared.
"We should tell the Hokage-"
"No. Its too dangerous, especially with Danzo at his side. We'll make our moves within the clan first and if we see the results, we'll report those then. We can't-"
Shisui looked at him and the brightness of his expression faded when he saw Itachi's own face.
"Itachi. You don't need to worry, Hisako and I will support you in the clan. Even Mikoto-san will not be opposed to this idea. The Hokage will not do anything aside from maintain false relationships with the Uchiha, we need to be the ones to secure our own position in the village."
Shisui paused here, taking a moment to gather his thoughts.
"And if you have power you could support Sasuke in the future as well. He's the second son of the clan head, he'll suffer if he doesn't have some strong backing."
It was a low move of Shisui to bring Sasuke in. They both knew that. But Sasuke was the only one who was able to influence Itachi to a point where it would be seen as obsession from the older brother. They both knew that as well.
"Alright. Please tell Hisako-san that I will be depending on her then."
Shisui smiled at him getting caught in his lie of making the plan. He should've known that Itachi would see through him.