Danzo, I'm Here

"Brother Shisui, I heard you defeated Father's assistant, Inabi-senpai, in the Military Police Force. Brother Shisui is the best!"

Ever since Shisui awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, he had not rushed off to the Land of Water. Instead, he stayed home to study the forbidden techniques within the Scroll of Sealing to bolster his own strength.

During this period, four-year-old Itachi Uchiha had been staying at Shisui's home, training alongside him.

"Our Itachi is doing quite well too, having already mastered several D-rank ninjutsu. Once you grow a bit older, I will teach you some C-rank techniques that suit you."

As he spoke, Shisui subconsciously reached out to ruffle Itachi's hair. Itachi seemed to thoroughly enjoy the sensation, squinting his eyes and smiling happily.

"But I heard Father say that things in the clan have been very unstable lately. Elder Setsuna of the Hawk faction and Elder Tenwa of the Dove faction are clashing more intensely, and the conflict between the two sides is growing."

Speaking of the infighting within the clan, Itachi's small face furrowed in a frown.

"Brother Shisui, do you think they are being too narrow-minded?"

Whenever he couldn't find the answer to a problem, Shisui acted as Itachi's teacher.

However, this time, Shisui did not give a direct answer, instead asking in return: "Then what do you think is not narrow-minded?"

"I think both sides are too narrow-minded; they lack the Will of Fire that Lord Hokage possesses. They should think more about the village instead of fighting for their own selfish interests," Itachi replied very earnestly.

Hearing Itachi's answer, Shisui couldn't help but sigh at the power of historical inertia.

Shisui would not force any ideology onto Itachi; what he needed to do was guide Itachi to look past the surface and examine the underlying reality.

"Then, as the founder of the Will of Fire, do you think the First Hokage was right?"

As the primary founder of Konoha, the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, was the creator of the Will of Fire.

"The books say that Lord First established the village so that everyone would no longer have to live a life of displacement. Furthermore, the people in the village love one another and live together in peace and happiness."

In this life, following Shisui's requirements, four-year-old Itachi had not been sent to the Ninja Academy, yet he had still managed to come into contact with such books.

Shisui did not provide an answer; he wanted to guide Itachi to discover the answer for himself.

"Let's set aside whether it is right or wrong for a moment. What is the current situation of the Senju Clan in the village?"

"The Senju Clan..." Faced with Shisui's question, Itachi was stunned.

Ever since the last member of the Senju Clan, Tsunade, left the village a few years ago, the Senju Clan had completely vanished from the village.

Before Itachi could answer, Shisui continued to ask: "Since the First Hokage brought peace after the First Shinobi World War, why were there a Second and Third Shinobi World War? Why are newly graduated ninja sent to the battlefield—is this also the Will of Fire?"

"Ah..." For a four-year-old like Itachi, his little head couldn't process these questions, and he was effectively crashed by Shisui's inquiry.

"Listen more, observe more, and think more. A one-sided opinion is, to a certain extent, equivalent to prejudice, so do not jump to conclusions easily."

Finally, after another round of Shisui ruffling Itachi's hair, the two ended their discussion.

"Okay, Brother Shisui, thank you. I still have so much to learn."

Although Itachi still wore a bitter little face, Shisui knew he would seriously consider what had been said today.

Little guy, I can still handle you.

In this life, Shisui was going to lead Itachi down a different path.

"Alright, it's time for lunch. Let's go; I'll take you out for grilled meat today."

"Grilled meat? That's great! Brother Shisui is the best!"

A child's troubles come quickly and go just as fast. Once he thought of the deliciousness of grilled meat, all his worries vanished.

What Shisui did not know was that from the moment they stepped out of the clan grounds, they were being watched by two figures wearing cat masks.

"Lord Danzō, Shisui Uchiha has left the clan grounds. However, he is not alone; he is accompanied by Fugaku Uchiha's son, Itachi Uchiha."

In a hidden underground base within Konoha, Shimura Danzō was listening to his subordinate's report.

"Fugaku Uchiha's son? Although it will cause us trouble, that evil brat Shisui Uchiha cannot be left alive. Possessing a Three-Tomoe Sharingan at eight years old—if we don't take action now, he will become the next Uchiha Madara."

In this life, Shisui had not joined the Anbu, and Danzō viewed the uncontrollable Shisui as a threat. Now, Danzō intended to nip this threat in the bud.

As for Itachi Uchiha, who was nearby—without evidence, who could pin the blame on him, Danzō?

"Call all our men. This operation must succeed; failure is not an option," Danzō said while assigning the mission, contemplating whether there were any loopholes in his plan.

"Yes, Lord Danzō." Upon receiving the order, the subordinate immediately began to execute it.

"Just watch, Hiruzen. Even without you, I can accomplish great things."

On the other side, Shisui did not know he had been targeted by Danzō until his path was blocked on the road by two figures in cat masks.

"Shisui Uchiha, Lord Danzō has business with you. Please come with us."

In Shisui's memories, this scene was incredibly familiar.

"Is this Danzō's Root? Sneaking around—it really is Danzō's style."

In his previous life, Danzō had set an ambush for him because of the Kotoamatsukami in his Mangekyō.

What about this life?

"Uchiha brat, you are not allowed to slander Lord Danzō! Do you intend to commit treason?" The two cat-masked men were furious upon hearing Shisui's words.

"You really are good lapdogs for Danzō. Your Root is nothing more than street rats that can't be brought into the light; do you really think you're something special? But don't worry, I will go with you."

Hearing that Shisui was willing to go with them, the two cat-masked men temporarily suppressed the anger in their hearts.

They were well aware of the consequences of failing the mission.

"Itachi, come with me. It might delay us a bit, but it won't ruin our barbecue today."

Shisui patted Itachi's head, whispering his instructions.

He did not feel at ease letting Itachi leave alone; Shimura Danzō's bottom line was that he had none.

Staying by his side was the only way to ensure Itachi's safety.

"I'll listen to you, Shisui-nii. Don't worry about me; I am a ninja, too." At four years old, Itachi already understood many things, and he could feel the malice radiating from the two cat-masked figures.

"Very well. In a moment, I'll show you a good show."

Facing the ambush set by Shimura Danzō once again, the hatred Shisui had suppressed for so long began to surface, and his usually peaceful expression turned somewhat ferocious.

Previously, Shisui lacked the strength and the right opportunity, forcing him to bury that hatred deep within his heart.

Now that Danzō had taken the initiative to seek him out, this resentment finally had an outlet for release.

"Danzō, I'm here."