Konoha's skies were overcast that day, without a trace of sunlight. Shisui stood outside Xingli's door, his heart deeply conflicted.
He knew that once he said it, Xingli would suffer a devastating blow. But he also felt that Xingli had the right to know.
After all, he had cared for Xingli like a younger sister ever since she was born. He should not keep hiding it from her.
Shisui took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock on Xingli's door.
Xingli's cheerful voice came from inside. "Coming!"
When the door opened and Xingli saw Shisui, her eyes immediately lit up. "Brother Shisui, why are you here so early today?"
Shisui forced out a faint smile and followed Xingli inside. As usual, Xingli pulled him over to sit on the tatami mats and chattered away about amusing things that had happened at school.
Shisui listened quietly, his heart filled with guilt. Finally, he interrupted Xingli. "Xingli, there's something very important I need to tell you."
Xingli looked at Shisui curiously. "What is it, Brother Shisui?"
Shisui's lips trembled slightly. He lowered his head, not daring to meet Xingli's eyes. "Xingli, about your father... You've grown up now. I think it's time I told you the truth."
Xingli's smile gradually froze, and unease flashed through her eyes. "Brother Shisui, what do you mean? Didn't my father die in an accident when I was very young?"
Shisui slowly shook his head, his voice low and hoarse. "Xingli, it wasn't an accident. Back then, the situation within the Uchiha clan was complicated. There was a conflict between the radicals and the peace faction. Your father was one of the radicals. To preserve the clan's stability, Clan Head Fugaku decided to eliminate the radicals. And I, as one of the younger generation of