Conversation and Attack

"Clan Head."

At the Uchiha Clan Grounds, Uchiha Shisui, having returned after finishing his training, went to see Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku.

"Shisui." Uchiha Fugaku, who had been teaching a child, stopped at once when he saw Shisui arrive. After handing the child over to his wife beside him, he motioned for Shisui to follow.

Shisui waved to the child, then turned and followed Uchiha Fugaku into the house.

"Itachi likes you very much." Uchiha Fugaku gestured for Shisui to sit and smiled at him.

"I like Itachi too. He's very cute." Thinking of the child in the courtyard, Shisui could not help but reveal a small, sincere smile.

He was a very clever child. Though still young, he already seemed more mature than children his age. His talent was exceptional as well. Shisui believed that he would certainly become a powerful ninja in the future.

"You came today...?" Having opened the conversation with Itachi, Uchiha Fugaku looked at Shisui and asked tentatively. He already had a faint suspicion in his heart.

Sure enough, Shisui hesitated before quickly saying, "I asked someone about what you told me before, Clan Head..."

"Orochimaru?" Uchiha Fugaku picked up where Shisui had left off.

"No, Nara Kagetsu!" Shisui shook his head and named someone Uchiha Fugaku had not expected.

"Nara Kagetsu? I remember he's Nara Shikaji's child." Uchiha Fugaku nodded.

"Orochimaru-sama is very busy. Even when teaching us, he only uses a Shadow Clone. Of the three of us, only Kagetsu-kun receives Orochimaru-sama's greatest attention and can see him whenever he wants.

"After interacting with him these past few days, I feel that he is calm and steady. He has his own insights into many matters." Shisui lowered his head, seeming somewhat apologetic.

"So you wanted to seek an answer from him?" Uchiha Fugaku looked expressionlessly at Shisui across from him.

"I'm sorry. I truly believe Kagetsu-kun can give me an answer." Shisui bowed apologetically.

"And did he?" Rather than becoming angry as Shisui had expected, Uchiha Fugaku continued to ask in the same calm tone.

"He did." At Uchiha Fugaku's gesture, Shisui sat upright again and recounted every detail of his conversation with Kagetsu, word for word.

"Did he really say that?" Uchiha Fugaku had initially been somewhat disappointed and had not expected to hear anything useful from Shisui, but Kagetsu's answer undoubtedly stirred something in his heart.

"Yes." Shisui nodded firmly.

For a time, the two fell into their own silence.

A moment later, Fugaku emerged from his thoughts and saw the young face opposite him, full of anxiety, confusion, and words left unsaid, as though Shisui feared disturbing him. Fugaku smiled unconsciously. "What do you want to ask?"

"Was what Kagetsu-kun said reasonable?" Shisui finally asked the question that had risen and fallen repeatedly in his heart.

"For a child to see part of the situation and offer such advice is already exceedingly rare. As expected of the Nara Clan, renowned as strategists."

Fugaku first affirmed Shisui's words, but before the joy on Shisui's face could fully appear, he shook his head again. "But clearly, he still doesn't know enough about us and the higher-ups."

"The situation within the clan has not deteriorated to the point where we would use you as a disposable wager. In fact, even I was surprised that you were able to join Orochimaru's team.

"You have already become a member of the village's Anbu. The only person truly capable of making the final decision is the Third Hokage.

"What I told you before was merely to have you build as much of a relationship with Orochimaru as possible. After all, ever since the White Fang's death, the only Fourth Hokage candidates with the loudest support and greatest prospects are the Sannin.

"From what I know of the Sannin, Tsunade has left the village and likely has no interest in competing for the position of Fourth Hokage. Of the remaining two, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, Orochimaru has the best chance.

"If Orochimaru becomes the Fourth Hokage, you may very well become his direct guard, just as the Third Hokage once was to the Second Hokage."

Fearing that Shisui might not understand, Fugaku patiently explained everything in detail.

"So the relationship between the higher-ups and the clan isn't as bad as I imagined?" Shisui asked, somewhat delighted.

"Of course not! This village was founded jointly by the ancestors of the Senju and the Uchiha! The Uchiha are an indispensable top clan of this village!

"The point of conflict between the higher-ups and us lies in the Second Hokage's wariness and suppression of us, as well as our desire for the position of Hokage.

"After all, the Senju Clan has already produced two Hokage. The third and fourth may also belong to the Senju's line of masters and disciples.

"Originally, your grandfather, Kagami-sama, had a chance. But he suddenly died."

Fugaku smiled and continued, "This is merely a game between us and the higher-ups. How could we be so utterly irreconcilable? I believe that it was precisely because the Third Hokage heard the Uchiha's demands that he transferred you into the Hokage's direct Anbu, then assigned you under Orochimaru.

"Looking at it that way, Orochimaru's chances of succeeding as the Fourth Hokage are even greater than Jiraiya's.

"It is good that Kagetsu did not analyze and explain these things to you, but his advice was correct. You can heed it.

"If possible, you should also deepen your relationship with him. Perhaps he will become the Fourth Hokage's strategist in the future."

"I understand." Shisui felt much more at ease. As long as there was no chance that the village and the clan would completely fall out, he was happy.

"Go see Itachi. Take him out to relax and have some fun." At this moment, Fugaku wore the expression of a loving father.

Though he demanded much of Itachi and often trained him with a stern face, he had always firmly believed that Itachi's future would surpass his own. His talent was far beyond that of anyone else in the clan!

If possible, Fugaku would also be happy to have Itachi follow the same path as Shisui: integrating into the village and receiving training in places such as the Anbu.

"I will." Shisui stood, respectfully bowed farewell to Fugaku, then pulled open the door and walked out.

"Are you Nara Kagetsu? Someone wishes to see you."

At the mouth of a pitch-black alley, a masked figure dressed in Anbu attire suddenly landed before Kagetsu as he was heading home.

"Who wants to see me?" Sensing a certain coldness and malice from the other person, Kagetsu immediately became wary. The arm hidden in the sleeve behind his back dropped, and a small snake swiftly darted out before slipping away under the cover of night.

"Just follow me. Do not make any pointless resistance." The visitor's voice was icy and devoid of emotion, like a machine carrying out a mission.

"I should at least be allowed to let my teacher, Orochimaru-sama, or my parents know who I'm going to meet, shouldn't I?" As Kagetsu spoke, he was already preparing to resist.

The malice emanating from the other person had become far too obvious. Kagetsu had no idea whom he had offended in the village to be targeted like this.

"Looks like I'll have to subdue you first." The visitor drew the Short Sword strapped to his back, its tip pointing at Kagetsu.