Indecisive Uchiha Shisui

The heavy topic cast a somber mood over the welcome-back feast. With Asuma injured, unable to drink or gorge himself on meat, everyone had lost interest by the end. Just then, Anbu arrived under Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders and took Asuma away. Kakashi's eyes flickered as he made an excuse about buying manga, while Guy had become sly as well, clutching his stomach and heading into the restroom—never to return.

By the time Houka realized what had happened, his face had gone dark.

Once upon a time, he had always been the fastest one to slip away. Who would have thought? Kakashi was one thing, but even Guy, with those thick brows and honest-looking eyes, had started shamelessly ditching him!

Still unwilling to give up, Houka used the Chakra Sensory Technique to probe the restroom. Guy was nowhere to be found.

"Forget it. If you roam the world long enough, you're bound to get cut eventually. A bloody lesson indeed."

Houka paid the bill and left the Yakiniku Restaurant.

"Hm?"

Houka suddenly sensed something. After weaving through several turns, he arrived at a dead end in a secluded alley.

"Shisui, come out," Houka said, turning around.

"So you noticed after all." Uchiha Shisui jumped down from a nearby rooftop. "Captain, did you come looking for me yesterday?"

Houka nodded. "You know that Itachi was transferred to Root, right?"

Uchiha Shisui nodded. "Yes, Captain."

Houka frowned. "Why didn't you stop Itachi? If it were you, you should have been able to make him refuse Danzo's recruitment."

Uchiha Shisui said, "Captain, this was actually Itachi's own wish. And I think it's an opportunity! Once Itachi enters Root, he can communicate directly with Lord Danzo and serve as a true bridge!"

Houka laughed. "Shisui, you're far too naive."

"What?" Uchiha Shisui did not understand.