Shisui Uchiha's Decision

Under the sparse stars and bright moon, the Naka River lay beneath the cloak of night, reflecting a cold, round moon. Two figures stood alone on the riverbank.

"Have you really decided, Shisui?"

Itachi looked at his friend beside him, his face filled with concern.

"If Lord Hokage truly intends to move against the Uchiha Clan, then what you're doing is no different from walking into a trap..."

Hearing Itachi's words, Shisui smiled faintly. Endless warmth, like sunlight, blossomed in that smile, seeming capable of dispelling all gloom.

"Itachi, I believe in Lord Hokage."

Shisui's gaze followed the Naka River before him upstream until it reached the shrine standing by the river.

The Naka Shrine, which held immeasurable significance for the Uchiha Clan.

He spoke calmly. "Itachi, if we can't gain Lord Hokage's support, what choice would you make as the son of the Uchiha Clan head?"

Unlike Shisui, Itachi's identity and position were both quite delicate.

As Itachi, he did not want the Uchiha Clan to launch a coup, one that would bury the Uchiha Clan's glory while severely harming the village he loved.

But as the son of the Uchiha Clan head, Itachi also did not want to watch his clansmen die...

He was caught in a dilemma.

Seeing Itachi remain where he was, struggling inwardly, Shisui showed no disappointment. He merely smiled softly, reached out, and patted Itachi's shoulder. "It's okay."

"I'm sorry, Shisui, I..."

Itachi raised his head, his expression seemingly guilty.

He had always told Shisui that they needed to break free from narrow-minded clanism, yet when the time came to choose, he still could not make up his mind.

"It's all right. You don't need to apologize."

Shisui was not dissatisfied by Itachi's hesitation. Breaking free from so-called clanism had never been easy, especially