Persuading Shisui!

"Shisui, I'm late, sorry about that..."

When Sasuke hurried to their usual spot and saw Shisui idly practicing shuriken throws, he quickly apologized.

"Haha, it's fine!"

Tossing the final shuriken at the target, Shisui smiled at Sasuke.

"What's wrong? Did you undergo some kind of training this afternoon?"

Seeing Sasuke panting and looking completely exhausted, Shisui asked instinctively.

"Yeah, I was doing chakra nature transformation training with Kakashi-sensei; it just finished."

Nodding, Sasuke explained slowly.

"That kind of training is incredibly draining on both stamina and chakra; it's truly grueling!"

Shisui had undergone such training himself, so he sighed in empathy.

"No choice, I have to keep at it if I want to master Lightning Style ninjutsu."

Sasuke scratched his head and chuckled.

"In your current state, you aren't really fit for adding weight to your belt or the Body Flicker training that follows. Why don't we start tomorrow instead?"

After three months of training, the weight of the belt was no longer enough to help Sasuke improve, so they had agreed yesterday to increase it today. However, worried that Sasuke's body wouldn't hold up, Shisui advised against it.

"Tomorrow and tomorrow, how many tomorrows are there... Only by seizing every moment for training can one become a qualified ninja."

Shaking his head and rejecting Shisui's suggestion, Sasuke slowly unbuckled the belt.

"Sasuke, among the Uchiha Clan, you are the most hardworking ninja I have ever seen!"

Sasuke's seriousness and persistence regarding his training moved Shisui to exclaim.

"So-called geniuses are just people who work hard. Take my brother, for example; his talent is better than mine, yet sometimes he trains even harder than I do."

Handing the belt to Shisui, Sasuke said earnestly.

After taking the belt, Shisui chuckled, "Sasuke, what you said is true, but at your age, why are you so desperate for the power of a ninja?"

Having accompanied Sasuke in training for several months, Shisui had noticed that Sasuke was exceptionally eager for power—to a degree that even surpassed his own—which left Shisui very puzzled.

Isn't it to protect you?

Hearing Shisui's question, Sasuke really wanted to roll his eyes and say it directly.

However, Sasuke naturally wouldn't say that. After a moment of silence, he said in a low voice, "The relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village is very delicate right now. The reason I want to improve my strength as quickly as possible is so I can protect my family in the conflicts to come."

"That won't happen. The clan won't clash with the village; I will intervene in time..."

Shisui's words were interrupted before he could finish.

"Shisui, you have to face reality. Unless, as I said before, someone from the Uchiha Clan can become Hokage, the clansmen will still plot a coup."

"Logically, the Konoha high-ups know through their intelligence that the Uchiha Clan wants a Hokage, but so much time has passed without any sign from them. This shows they don't agree to an Uchiha becoming Hokage, and I suspect they have already made up their minds to eradicate the Uchiha Clan."

"These two forces will definitely clash in the future. Of course, I don't want the clan and the village to fight either, but who can guarantee that won't happen?"

Knowing what Shisui wanted to say next, Sasuke responded quickly.

"Sasuke, your words make some sense."

Shisui nodded.

As a former member of the Anbu, Shisui naturally knew the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Anbu; the Konoha high-ups definitely knew the thoughts of the Uchiha Clan.

"Shisui, tell me, if the clan and the village clash, which side will you stand on?"

Sasuke pondered for a moment before asking suddenly.

"I will..."

Shisui was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer. If it were any other member of the Uchiha Clan, they would certainly choose the clan, but Shisui possessed a mindset that transcended narrow clan-centrism, making it easier for him to choose the village.

"Shisui, you are a member of the Uchiha Clan. You have the blood of the Uchiha Clan flowing through you, and your Sharingan is a bloodline limit granted by the clan. When people from the village come to slaughter your kin, will you still remain indifferent?"

Staring at the dazed Shisui, Sasuke asked fiercely.

"No, I will protect the members of the Uchiha Clan. I will never forget who I am!"

The thought of his kin being killed was something Shisui could not accept, so he shook his head hurriedly.

"Then remember your words. Don't forget your identity!"

"Even though I'm only six, I have the determination to protect the Uchiha Clan. As long as I have a breath left, I won't let anyone hurt my clansmen. Shisui, I have always looked up to you like an older brother, and I hope that in the future, we can fight side-by-side for the Uchiha Clan!"

Seeing that his "Talk no Jutsu" was about to succeed, Sasuke continued to stir his emotions.

He didn't know why Sasuke could say such passionate words, but Shisui nodded without hesitation, "Sasuke, don't worry. I will protect the Uchiha Clan with you."

"Good, let's start our training!"

Sasuke smiled slightly.

Following the plan he had envisioned, he had successfully persuaded Shisui to join his camp, and Sasuke felt incredibly excited inside.

"Alright!"

Nodding, Shisui increased the weight of the ninja tool belt to fifteen kilograms before guiding Sasuke through even more grueling taijutsu and Body Flicker training.

The next day, the fiery red sun broke free from the horizon, casting its warm rays over Konoha.

Although it was still early, Sasuke, Naruto, and Haruno Sakura had already gathered at the Ninja Academy. Since today was their first mission as official ninjas, everyone was quite excited.

Even Kakashi, who was always late, arrived promptly today.

"Alright everyone, we have two missions to complete today. Let's take a look at the first one."

Glancing over Sasuke and the others, Kakashi took a mission scroll from his pocket and examined it carefully.

"Kakashi-sensei, what kind of mission is it? I hope it's something with real combat!"

Staring at Kakashi, Naruto asked eagerly.

"Ahem... the mission is to clear weeds from the Kawade Family's flower garden."

Under Naruto's expectant gaze, Kakashi rolled the mission scroll back up and gave a faint smile.

"Clear weeds? Are you kidding me? You call that a mission?"

After hearing Kakashi's words, the high-spirited energy Naruto had displayed just moments ago quickly deflated.

"The mission is so simple..."

Blinking, Haruno Sakura also voiced her opinion.

"Heh, as expected, it's this kind of boring task!"

Actually, even without Kakashi saying it, Sasuke could have guessed it would be this kind of simple, low-level mission; after all, every Genin who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy started with tasks like these.

"Don't complain. No matter the mission, you can gain experience while performing it, which will be of great help to your future training."

"Take this weeding mission, for example—you must observe carefully while you work, otherwise, it's very easy to damage the flowers."

Kakashi offered his unique perspective on such simple tasks in a low, steady voice.

"Understood!"

Hearing these words from Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke and the others could only nod helplessly.

"Alright, let's not waste any more time. Let's move out!"

With a slight smile, Kakashi led the three of them toward the Kawade Family estate.