You have a mental problem

Seeing someone approach, Kabuto immediately leaped out of the earth, standing beside Izumi as he looked at the young ninja who wasn't much older than himself.

"Shisui... that name sounds familiar, like I've heard it somewhere before," Kabuto murmured.

"Shisui-senpai is a genius ninja of our Uchiha Clan. He was just promoted to jonin a little while ago. In terms of age, he became a jonin two years earlier than our teacher," Itachi introduced to Kabuto, his tone showing deep admiration for Shisui.

During the time Yusuke had been away, another genius ninja of the clan, Shisui, had also risen to jonin.

Shisui had already displayed considerable strength during the Third Shinobi World War and had racked up plenty of merits. By all rights, that should have been enough for promotion to jonin. But because he was an Uchiha Clan ninja, Danzo had obstructed his promotion process with the excuse of 'too young, immature mindset.'

Now that Danzo had been sent out of the village on a mission, the Third Hokage took this opportunity to push through Shisui's promotion.

Since Shisui was a descendant of Kagami Uchiha, and that branch of the Uchiha Clan had always supported the Will of Fire, the Third Hokage trusted them relatively well. And Shisui indeed served the Third Hokage with single-minded dedication.

With a Body Flicker Technique, Shisui appeared directly in front of the three children. He patted Itachi and Izumi on the head, smiling. "No need to call me senpai. Just Shisui is fine."

Finished speaking, Shisui looked at Itachi with an appreciative gaze. "Itachi, that move you just did with the kunai was very good. But I know an even better way to use tools."

"Shisui—Shisui, can you teach me?" Itachi had initially wanted to keep calling him 'Shisui-senpai,' but seeing Shisui's look that said not to be so formal, he changed his address.

"Of course. I'm telling you because I think you have talent for it," Shisui said with a smile. "If you want to learn, come find me tonight."

For some reason, Shisui felt a strong sense of closeness when he looked at Itachi.

He had occasionally run into Itachi in the clan before, but never had the chance to interact.

Today, after finishing his mission, he saw the children practicing in the clan's training ground and decided to come take a look.

"Thank you," Itachi nodded.

"Shisui-nii, can I learn too?" Izumi looked at Shisui with hopeful eyes.

"You little girl can't learn such fine-tuned tool-manipulation techniques. Better stick to learning escape jutsu with your brother," a voice called out from afar.

But in the next instant, the owner of the voice was standing before them—it was Yusuke, just returned from his mission in Amegakure.

Shisui was slightly surprised inwardly at Yusuke's Body Flicker Technique, which was almost on par with his own, but his expression didn't show it. Still, when it came to the application of the Body Flicker Technique, Shisui was confident he had the edge over Yusuke.

"Big brother!" "Teacher!" Seeing Yusuke appear suddenly, Izumi, Kabuto, and Itachi all called out in delight.

Yusuke patted Izumi's head. The girl, who had just been beaming, immediately put on a pout. "Who says I can't learn fine tool-manipulation techniques? Hmph, I'm ignoring you."

Though her words said she was ignoring Yusuke, the joy in her eyes betrayed her. Clearly, she was very happy that her brother had returned from his mission.

"Yusuke-senpai, greetings," Shisui said politely from the side.

"Shisui, I heard you were promoted to jonin. Congratulations," Yusuke said.

"I still need your guidance in the future, Yusuke-senpai," Shisui replied.

"No need to be modest. There aren't many people who can guide 'Body Flicker Shisui,'" Yusuke said with a smile.

After exchanging pleasantries with Shisui, Yusuke turned to the three children. "I can see you've all been training hard. I'm giving you the afternoon off. Go play."

"Really? That's great!" Izumi said happily, then turned to Yusuke. "Big brother, come with us."

Yusuke was about to nod in agreement, but Shisui suddenly spoke in an apologetic tone. "I'm very sorry to interrupt everyone's fun. This humble one has something he'd like to discuss privately with Yusuke-senpai. It will only take a moment of his time."

Yusuke glanced at Shisui with slight surprise, then smiled at Izumi. "You go play. I'll join you another time."

Though a little disappointed, Izumi obediently nodded and invited Itachi. "Let's go buy three-color dango. I know a really good shop."

Itachi accepted the invitation with restraint. After all, three-color dango was his favorite food.

Kabuto, however, wore a bitter expression. He was a savory-food person, but his younger siblings both loved sweets. What could he do?

In his heart, Kabuto already saw Itachi and Izumi, two years his junior, as his little brother and sister.

Seeing Kabuto's scrunched-up face from his inner conflict, Izumi giggled. "Don't worry, I picked this place specially. There's a snack shop next door that sells your favorite salt-grilled horse mackerel."

Watching the three small figures walk off chatting and laughing, Yusuke smiled with satisfaction. Then he glanced at Shisui beside him, only to see him staring 'longingly' at the distant Itachi.

"Too scary. I really don't understand the world of brother-con," Yusuke sighed inwardly.

"Ahem." Yusuke coughed twice to get Shisui's attention.

Shisui snapped out of it with a slight start, looking embarrassed. "Sorry, I was just lost in thought watching Itachi."

This time it was Yusuke's turn to be stunned. He had always thought Shisui was the reserved type, but he didn't expect such a direct expression.

"I don't know why, but I feel a strong connection with Itachi. It's as if he were my own little brother," Shisui continued.

Yusuke nodded expressionlessly. "I understand. I understand it all. You've already felt the bond with Itachi." Do whatever you want. As long as you're happy.

"Yes, exactly—a bond. As expected of Yusuke-senpai! You saw right through what I wanted to say." Shisui smiled, then continued. "Itachi's talent is extremely high, far surpassing mine. Though I'm not an outstanding ninja, I do have some experience and techniques I'm good at. I hope to teach them to Itachi. Since Yusuke-senpai is his teacher, I'd like your permission."

"Excessive modesty is just arrogance. As for talent, I'm not sure Itachi can surpass you, Shisui. If you want to teach him, I have no objection," Yusuke said with a smile.

That said, Yusuke was inwardly on alert. After all, Shisui had played a major role in shaping Itachi's philosophy of sacrificing himself and his clan for the sake of Konoha.

"Thank you, senpai," Shisui said.

Yusuke waved his hand. "That's not what you wanted to talk to me about, is it?"

Shisui nodded, reached out to catch a leaf falling from a tree, and softly recited: "Where leaves dance, fire burns ever brighter. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and let new leaves sprout."

"Yusuke-senpai, do you believe in the 'Will of Fire'?" Shisui looked at Yusuke, his gaze earnest and resolute.

Yusuke did not answer Shisui's question. After a moment of silence, he sighed and said, "The Will of Fire... what a beautiful sentiment."

But in the end, do all these countless people who silently burn themselves truly illuminate the village, truly illuminate the new sprouts? Yusuke kept this thought to himself, not voicing it.

How many shinobi had fallen in the struggles for power? Among Konoha's current higher-ups, how many truly embodied the 'Will of Fire'?

"Shisui-kun, just state your purpose directly," Yusuke said.

Shisui nodded. "Yusuke-senpai, the Third Hokage is asking if our clan has any recommendations for joining the Anbu. I greatly admire your strength, and both the village and the clan need someone who can act as a communication link. I hope you'll consider it."

"You might be disappointed on this point. I have no intention of joining the Anbu," Yusuke shook his head.

"Yusuke-senpai, please reconsider—" Shisui urged.

Yusuke waved his hand. "Don't say any more. I've never had any desire to join the Anbu."

Seeing Yusuke's firm refusal, Shisui could only leave with a look of disappointment.

After seeing Shisui off, Yusuke decided to visit his usual tea shop. Aside from training and developing jutsu, his only hobby now was probably going to the tea shop for a cup of tea.

"Hey, did you hear? They say Orochimaru-sama is conducting human experiments." In the tea shop, a boy with a blue cloth wrapped around his head and a tuft of pointed beard on his chin spoke up.

The boy wore standard Konoha shinobi gear. He was about the same age as Yusuke, but that tuft of beard added an oily, unkempt look.

This boy was named Tatami Iwashi, now a chūnin. At his table were two other chūnin companions—Shiranui Genma and Namiashi Raidō.

Shiranui Genma also had a blue headband wrapped around his head, a Senbon dangling from his mouth, giving him a very carefree air.

Namiashi Raidō had short brown hair, with a scar running from his left eye down to his cheek.

These three, along with Yusuke, Kakashi, Asuma, and others, were all shinobi of the same generation, now chūnin. According to the original story, Shiranui Genma and Namiashi Raidō would become Tokubetsu Jōnin. All three would later serve as the personal guards of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.

Among them, Yusuke and Shiranui Genma had carried out a mission together during the Third Shinobi World War, so they had some acquaintance. But seeing him chatting with other friends, Yusuke, who had entered the tea shop, didn't go over to greet him. Instead, he quietly found a seat on the side, alone, to enjoy this moment of leisure.

"Hey hey, you got a death wish? Keep your voice down. If word gets back to Orochimaru-sama, we might not see you tomorrow," Namiashi Raidō said softly.

Shiranui Genma nodded in agreement. "I'll never forget the first time I met Orochimaru-sama. When he looked at me, it felt like snakes were coiling all over my body."

"I was terrified!" Shiranui Genma wiped a cold sweat from his forehead, as if reliving that first encounter with Orochimaru.

Sitting in a corner, Yusuke listened to the three of them and frowned slightly. Orochimaru is already this reckless with his human experiments? Even chūnin are spreading rumors. Looks like his defection isn't far off.

What a pity. The village is about to lose another person I could discuss jutsu with, Yusuke sighed inwardly.

This time at the tea shop, Yusuke didn't see the girl who had claimed to be from the Ninja Academy last time. He guessed she might have devoted herself to her shinobi career and no longer worked at the tea shop. He felt a slight regret. After all, chatting a bit with that energetic girl last time had lifted his spirits considerably.

"Yusuke-kun! So you are here!" A voice interrupted Yusuke's idle thoughts.

Yusuke looked toward the voice—it was Uchiha Soichiro.

"What a coincidence. Every time I see you, it's at this tea shop," Yusuke said with a smile.

Soichiro sat down across from Yusuke, shaking his head with a smile. "Coincidence? Not at all. I came looking for you specifically. The clan head heard that the delegation sent to negotiate in Amegakure had returned to the village, so he immediately sent me to find you. He said he has important matters to discuss with you."

Soichiro had always been Uchiha Fugaku's trusted right-hand man. Ever since he learned from Fugaku that Yusuke was not someone who disregarded the clan, and that Fugaku had already reached a certain understanding with Yusuke, Soichiro was overjoyed.

He himself was a moderate within the clan, and seeing that Yusuke, a genius of the clan, had not clashed with the clan head but instead moved toward further cooperation, he was naturally very gratified.

Hearing Soichiro's words, Yusuke felt a surge of joy. Could it be that Uchiha Fugaku has already found the reason why I can't awaken the Sharingan?

"Since the clan head has urgent business with me, there's no time to waste. I'll go see him now," Yusuke said, nodding. He then headed with Soichiro to Uchiha Fugaku's residence.

Uchiha Fugaku saw Yusuke and led him to a secret room, clearly intending a private conversation.

Fugaku studied Yusuke for a moment, then spoke. "Seeing you safe puts my mind at ease. Though you're strong, I was still worried Danzo might make a move against you."

"He did make a move, but he couldn't do anything to me," Yusuke said without hiding anything, briefly recounting how Danzo had ordered his subordinates to ambush him.

Fugaku snorted coldly. "That old bastard goes too far. I've already made concession after concession, yet he still targets the Uchiha Clan like this." With no one else around, Fugaku no longer concealed his anger toward Danzo.

"Clan Head, you called me here so urgently—could it be that you've found some clue about my Sharingan?" Yusuke didn't want to dwell on the topic of Danzo and cut straight to the point.

Fugaku nodded. "Indeed. On this matter, I've consulted quite a bit of clan data. By all logic, at your current level of strength, it's impossible not to have awakened the Sharingan. Therefore, I deduce—"

"The problem must lie in your mental state!"

This book is now signed! Thank you all for your continued support, and for the generous tips from the big shots (●●)(●●)

The author is still working a day job, but I guarantee quality updates!

(°皿°)