Tavern Chatter

"Shisui, Sasuke didn't cause you any trouble, did he?"

"What are you saying? That's too formal! I've always considered Sasuke my younger brother."

Izakaya.

Shisui was happily eating his skewers, while Itachi across from him was holding a large glass of draft beer; he didn't like grilled meat.

"I really don't understand why you don't like such good barbecue? The skewers here are amazing." Shisui quickly devoured the skewers in front of him, then looked at the proprietress behind the counter, "Proprietress, another Set Meal A, please."

"Okay!"

The proprietress answered readily: Shisui was one of the shop's regular customers, often coming with the young man who always ordered draft beer.

After glancing at the proprietress busy at the stove, Shisui picked up a glass of ice-cold draft beer, took a big gulp, and revealed an expression of utter satisfaction.

"Ah! That's great! Grilled skewers really do go best with ice-cold draft beer."

"I can still drink chilled beer for the next couple of days. After the temperature drops, I won't be able to drink it anymore." Itachi's draft beer wasn't chilled. After autumn arrived, the weather started to get colder day by Tenten. His body wasn't as strong as Shisui's, and he couldn't handle anything too cold.

"Sasuke has performed very well, and he has been very dedicated to his missions lately. However, he is still a bit too proud and too concerned about the honor of his clan."

"It's still water, "Shisui said softly.

Arrogance is a common problem in the Uchiha Clan.

People like Shisui and Itachi are a minority within the clan, just like the Otoha family, who are considered abnormal by most clan members.

"Thank you for your trouble."

Itachi smiled wryly.

He loved his younger brother Mind's Eye and devoted a lot of effort to teaching him.

However, he still had his own things to do and couldn't neglect the work of Root. So, without realizing it, Sasuke, like many of his clansmen, developed an arrogant and unassuming temperament.

"Itachi, don't worry too much. People change. Sasuke is only twelve years old. He'll mature even more in the future... Besides, I think the current environment is very beneficial for him. Shuyuan and Naruto have had a great influence on Sasuke."

Shisui spoke slowly.

"Although Naruto, that idiot, often gets into trouble, I think that kid, like Minato, possesses a very special charm. He values friendship and bonds with his comrades. With that kid around, I believe Sasuke will change."

Naruto? Minato- sama's son!

Itachi nodded, seemingly lost in thought.

"Although he has some personality issues, to be honest, Sasuke's strength is quite good. He should be able to become Chunin in this Chunin Ninja Exams, barring any unforeseen circumstances."

Hearing Shisui's praise, Itachi drank his beer in silence. If we're talking about geniuses, he and Shisui were the real geniuses. He graduated from the Ninja Academy at the age of seven, became Chunin at ten, and Jonin at thirteen.

Shisui was even more extraordinary than him, becoming Jonin at the age of twelve, breaking the record for achieving Jonin peacetime.

"Speaking of Shisui, why did the Lord Hokage agree to the Cloud Ninja's request to go to the Kumogakure to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams? What if the Cloud Ninja had ulterior motives..."

Itachi harbored deep distrust towards the Cloud Ninja.

Since assuming the position of Deputy Chief of the Root, he has protected the village and dealt with numerous spies.

Among the spies sent by so many forces, the Cloud Ninja had the largest number, and no matter how many died, it could not stop the Cloud Ninja's determination to send spies to Konoha.

In order to steal the secrets of the village, such as the Kekkei Genkai and Secret Technique of the various clans, and even the sealed Forbidden Jutsu, the spies of the Cloud Ninja used all sorts of methods. Itachi dealt with many spies who tried to deceive the young girls and boys of the various clans.

"I don't know why either!" Shisui scratched his head. "I haven't met the Lord Hokage as many times as you have."

"However!" Shisui then added, "I think the Lord Hokage definitely has some plans. Our Lord Hokage isn't one to suffer losses. Besides, it won't just be the Genin; we Jonin will be going too. The Cloud Ninja shouldn't be so bold as to cause trouble."

"Too."

Itachi nodded, thinking it made sense. He knew Shisui's strength better than anyone. If they really fought, Shisui's Genjutsu would be enough to give the Cloud Ninja a hard time.

"And quite a few people are planning to participate in this Chunin Ninja Exams! We Jonin who have kids Jonin get together to exchange ideas and such. I asked around yesterday, and it turns out that Might Guy- senpai, Asuma, Kurenai, and Kimimaro are all planning to recommend their respective subordinates to participate!"

"That's what Shisui said."

At that moment, the proprietress came over carrying a wooden tray.

"Please enjoy Set Meal A, which includes cartilage skewers, chicken skin skewers, chicken gizzard skewers, chicken wing skewers, chicken liver skewers, and chicken meatball skewers."

"Thanks, and by the way, another ice-cold draft beer, please."

"Okay, coming right away."

The proprietress took away the empty glass and soon brought over a large, full glass of chilled draft beer.

Shisui chewed the chicken meatball slowly, a look of satisfaction on her face.

"Itachi, are you really not going to eat?"

He waved the chicken meatball skewer in his hand and asked.

"No need, I made plans with Izumi to go to the dessert shop together later." Itachi calmly declined, and casually added another bowl of dog food for Shisui, feeling quite full!

The joy on Shisui's face faded, and his resentful gaze fell upon Itachi.

We really can't have a proper conversation anymore; he's still single! He's been celibate for twenty years, never dated a girl, not even held hands once.

"Shisui, do you know when we're leaving for Kumogakure?"

"What? Still worried? Don't overprotect them, kids these days have a strong rebellious streak." Shisui shook his head, then added:

"I don't know the exact time either. It seems that the Cloud Ninja is also planning to invite the Sand Ninja and Rain Ninja to participate as well. We'll let you know once the schedule is finalized... By the way, Itachi, aren't you the Deputy Chief of Root? Shouldn't you know more about this than I do?"

Shisui looked at Itachi with a puzzled expression.

"I took leave recently because my mom forced me to go out with Izumi. She even asked Aunt Kushina to help me put in a good word..." Itachi shrugged helplessly.

Mikoto and Kushina were very close friends, and because of this relationship, Minato readily gave Itachi a break.

After the holiday, in order to focus on Itachi Izumi spending time together, Mikoto even forbade him from contacting the Root subordinates, resulting in a temporary lack of information. He could only sneak out to ask Shisui for information when he had the chance.

In about ten minutes, he'd be going out for dinner and shopping with Izumi...

"That's wonderful! Aunt Mikoto is such a good mother!"

Shisui gritted her teeth as she bit into the grill skewer, her face full of resentment.

His parents and elders passed away early, so he had no elders to help him with important life matters. (To be continued)