"Everything carries risks. But don't worry. At the very least, I won't let Anko take part unless I'm certain." Kagetsu comforted Shisui.
After the three finished testing, they went together to Ichiraku Ramen for a meal. When they parted ways, Shisui stared for a moment at the much quieter restaurant, a trace of confusion appearing on his face.
"Is something worrying you?"
Walking side by side down the road, Kagetsu's words jolted Shisui out of his distracted daze.
"No, it's just..." Shisui instinctively shook his head. He wanted to say something, but stopped himself.
"Are you worried about the coming war?" Seeing Shisui's conflicted, hesitant expression, Kagetsu asked bluntly.
"As expected, someone as smart as Kagetsu could tell." Shisui seemed somewhat relieved upon hearing that.
"Even without intelligence, couldn't you figure it out just by looking at how many merchants have been coming to the village lately, the volume of missions, how long ninja stay in the village, and how busy Orochimaru Sensei has been?" Kagetsu glanced around. Konoha's atmosphere during wartime was completely different from its atmosphere in peacetime.
The Anbu, the Hokage's directly controlled ninja force, had been absurdly active in the village these past few days. Ordinary people might have found it difficult to notice, but those with sensory abilities or special methods could clearly sense how active those Anbu ninja had become.
"The Ninja World has only been at peace for a few years." Shisui, who disliked war and killing, sighed softly.
Kagetsu smiled but did not launch into a lengthy attempt to correct Shisui's thinking, nor did he take the initiative to explain the causes and nature of war.
Through their past interactions, he had already explained the essence of many things to Shisui and Anko, including matters concerning war and peace.
They simply did