Shisui's Evaluation

Shisui had not been a personal guard to the Third Hokage for long, but he deeply respected the kind elder.

Perhaps sensing this, Shisui was also often assigned the longest shifts.

Through constant exposure, Uchiha Shisui naturally came to understand more about the Senju Clan, once as famous as the Uchiha Clan.

He was also aware of the emergence of a new young representative figure from the Senju Clan, which had been silent for so many years.

He would never have imagined, however, that this glutton before him was the rising star the Senju Clan had put forward. Did Senju Senba have Akimichi blood?

"Although you haven't spoken, I can see the impolite thoughts in your eyes," Senba said, his voice muffled by the enormous bowl of perfectly separated rice, topped with several giant pieces of fried pork cutlet. After speaking, he buried his head in his food.

This made Uchiha Shisui, who felt apologetic for his impolite thoughts, swallow the apology he was about to offer, unsure of what to do next.

"Brother Shisui, this is yours," fortunately, Tsuki walked over, handing him a normal-sized bowl of ramen and a small portion of grilled fish. "Senba didn't mean anything by it. He's just like that, often likes to joke around."

Although Tsuki and Shisui weren't close, they were from the same clan. Furthermore, her younger sister, Uchiha Izumi, and Itachi Uchiha often saw Uchiha Shisui, so she followed Izumi's way of addressing him, not calling him "Senior."

Because Tsuki and Izumi's personalities were not as awkward as those of other clan members, Shisui had a good impression of the two sisters. If other clan members were like them, there would be no need to worry about the relationship between the clan and the village.

Thinking this, Uchiha Shisui picked up his ramen and began to eat. Across from him, Senba had already finished the entire basin of rice and was picking his teeth while watching him.

"It's fine, you eat yours. I'm not very hungry today, so I'm done," Senba said lazily, pushing the rice basin aside.

Not being familiar with him, Uchiha Shisui simply nodded slightly and then focused on the ramen and grilled fish in front of him.

However, as time passed, Uchiha Shisui's movements grew slower and slower. The gaze from across the table was scrutinizing him from head to toe, making him extremely uncomfortable.

"Kimi-kun, is there something wrong with me?" Uchiha Shisui sighed softly, putting down his chopsticks and bowl, and met the other's curious gaze directly.

This gaze didn't feel like a covetous look at his Sharingan; rather, it was like observing a novel species, which was a bit impolite.

Completely unaware of Shisui's gaze, Senba moved closer to Uchiha Shisui in a familiar manner. "Senior Shisui, please don't misunderstand. I've just never seen such a talented peer before."

"If Senior Shisui has time, could you offer some guidance?"

Looking at Senba's smiling eyes, Uchiha Shisui was momentarily unsure if the other was challenging him. Guidance? Once a genius from the Uchiha and a genius from the Senju engaged in a spar, the clan would pay attention.

"My duty is to protect Lord Third Hokage, so I apologize, Kimi-kun, I've disappointed you," Uchiha Shisui ultimately chose to use the Third Hokage as a shield.

"Mmm, that's right, that's right. Lord Third Hokage works day and night for the village. I shouldn't disturb him at this time. It was my mistake, I apologize."

The young man, though somewhat competitive in personality, was not unreasonable. Seeing Senba's apologetic expression, Uchiha Shisui inwardly assessed him.

At this moment, Uchiha Shisui was completely in the mindset of a senior evaluating a junior, forgetting that he himself was also just a youth.

"Bang!"

A loud sound echoed in the dark underground space. Danzo sat on a chair with a grim expression, several masked corpses lying in pools of blood at his feet.

Not far away, a group of Root ninja wearing the same masks knelt on one knee, awaiting his command.

Kou had been taken away by Hiruzen Sarutobi. The successful product he had poured countless efforts into was so easily taken over by him, and even Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu opposed him.

In Danzo's view, all of this was because Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Third Hokage; therefore, no matter what he did, he was always suppressed by the other.

Whenever this happened, Danzo would recall the choice that decided his fate back then. He was just a step too late, only one step.

His heart felt as if it were being gnawed by venomous snakes. Danzo's veins bulged as he clenched his fists. "Hiruzen Sarutobi, you took Kou, so I'll make you lose a disciple."

"Release the news that Orochimaru has been experimenting on our village's ninja, just like Hatake Sakumo back then. I want Hiruzen Sarutobi to personally kill his own disciple."

A sinister glint flashed in Danzo's eyes. He had already planned it: Hiruzen Sarutobi was old, and if he personally killed his disciple, his mind and body would surely suffer a severe blow.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi let Orochimaru escape, that would be even better. Then, with a little manipulation of public opinion, he would see how Hiruzen would explain himself to the villagers.

After his subordinates retreated, Shimura Danzō finally felt a slight sense of relief. He had failed countless times, yet his fighting spirit remained strong. But Hiruzen, can you withstand it?

Thinking of this, Shimura Danzō's thoughts turned to the eyes in the Land of Wind. Before the Mangekyo Sharingan appeared, the Three Tomoe Sharingan was the highest level he knew of.

"With such talent at such a young age, he will surely be a great threat to Konoha when he grows up," Danzo touched his right eye, recalling how his teacher had suppressed the Uchiha Clan when he was alive.

This power could only be controlled by him. Then, he would blame the Sand Shinobi for Uchiha Shisui's death, and he believed the Uchiha would surely be enraged.

Danzo had already decided. He would then collude with the other two advisors to force Hiruzen Sarutobi to send Uchiha to cause trouble in the Sand, and he would inadvertently leak some information.

By continuously bleeding the Uchiha Clan like this, Danzo was confident that he would have plenty of research material.

"What a pity, the Senju Clan has already declined," a hint of memory flashed in Danzo's eyes. It was the memory of countless talented Senju volunteers eagerly signing up to become consumables during the Wood Release experiments back then.

This overt reduction of the Senju Clan was actually a tacit understanding among the decision-makers, as the Senju Clan's foundation was too deep.

The village belonged to everyone, not to a single clan. This was all thanks to the First Hokage's command.

It was a pity that the Uchiha did not understand the village's difficulties and dared to cling together stubbornly.

"A mantis trying to stop a chariot!" With a cold voice, Danzo's figure merged into the surrounding darkness. Darkness was his refuge.

He was the root that protected Konoha. Without roots, how could there be leaves? He was the most important.