The Arrival of Uchiha Shisui

After breakfast, Uchiha Ao prepared to head out. Today, he planned to teach Hinata Water Walking and check how much progress she had made.

His mind was entirely on training, and he had completely forgotten how angry Uchiha Izumi had looked the night before.

"Auntie, I'm heading out." As Uchiha Ao spoke, he opened the door. The morning sunlight spilled over him without reserve, warm and comforting, putting him in an especially good mood.

"Good morning, Ao-kun." A gentle voice drifted over, going straight into Uchiha Ao's ears.

In an instant, the smile froze on Uchiha Ao's face. He reflexively slammed the door shut and locked it, then turned and pressed himself against it, shouting inwardly, What the hell? Why's there a 'clan nose' outside my door?!

"Clan nose" was the nickname Uchiha Ao had privately given Shisui.

A year ago, he had run into Shisui by chance.

That day, Shisui had just finished an intense training session and looked utterly exhausted. A bold idea suddenly popped into Uchiha Ao's head.

Of course, he wasn't naive enough to think he could beat Shisui. As the saying went, even a skinny camel was bigger than a horse. Besides, Shisui was only tired from training; he wasn't seriously injured.

Uchiha Ao had thought that since they'd run into each other, he might as well see if he had Naruto's Talk-no-Jutsu. Maybe he could convince Shisui.

The result was obvious. Uchiha Shisui's conviction was like an iron wall, and Uchiha Ao's words had barely shaken it.

In the end, Shisui had given him a thorough beating. If Shisui hadn't kindly carried him home, then in the state he'd been in, he probably would've spent the entire night in the wilderness behind the mountain.

So now, whenever Uchiha Ao saw Shisui, he reflexively touched his backside, as if it still ached faintly.

"Ao, what's wrong?" Izumi's Mother heard the commotion from the kitchen and poked her head out, looking around in confusion.

"N-nothing, Auntie." Uchiha Ao forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

"Ao-kun, I'm not here to hit you on the backside." Uchiha Shisui's teasing voice came clearly through the door.

At that, Uchiha Ao was so furious he nearly jumped. He wanted nothing more than to open the door and punch Shisui hard.

But after quickly weighing the difference in their strength, he managed to suppress the urge. He didn't want to get beaten up again, after all.

"If you've got something to say, say it. If you've got gas to pass, pass it!" Uchiha Ao yelled through the door, trying to sound imposing, though he was panicking inside.

"Don't get so worked up." Shisui chuckled outside. Seemingly reminded of what had happened before, he sounded amused. "I really do have something important to discuss this time."

"Ao, is someone outside?" Izumi's Mother seemed to have faintly heard a voice from beyond the door. She poked her head out of the kitchen again and asked Uchiha Ao, looking puzzled.

"No, Auntie." Uchiha Ao answered, deliberately shaking his head as if to convince her there was no one there.

At that, Izumi's Mother relaxed and went back to her work in the kitchen.

"What is it? Quit beating around the bush." Uchiha Ao cautiously opened the door and took two steps forward, then quickly shut it again. Lowering his voice, he took hold of Shisui and led him farther away.

Shisui was as stubborn as a bull, but Uchiha Ao knew he generally didn't lie. And considering the main quest he'd inexplicably completed earlier, Uchiha Ao decided he should hear what Shisui had to say.

"I was wrong before. I trusted the village too much." Uchiha Shisui fell silent for a long while before speaking at last. His voice carried a hint of unmistakable gloom and regret.

"What, finally stopped being stubborn?" Uchiha Ao let go and stopped, then looked at Shisui.

Uchiha Shisui didn't answer right away. He simply stood there in silence.

He silently wondered to himself: Am I really that stubborn? He'd never thought so before. Back then, he'd devoted himself entirely to the village and the clan, naively believing their interests were perfectly aligned. But the cruel reality had hit him like a hammer, jolting him awake.

The rift between the clan and the village had grown ever wider, like an unfathomable chasm stretching before him, leaving him feeling utterly helpless and hopeless.

"Ao, I've kept thinking about what you said back then." Shisui gazed into the distance, his expression grave. "I thought I could find a clever way to balance everything, but now I see I was completely wrong. Wrong in every way.

Uchiha Ao's eyebrows rose slightly, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face. He truly hadn't expected Shisui to change so drastically.

The Shisui who had once been so certain and unwavering in his beliefs was beginning to waver. "So? What did you come to me for? Surely you didn't just come to apologize."

Shisui turned his gaze back to Uchiha Ao and said earnestly, "I need your help. I want to stop the conflict between the clan and the village. I can't let war break out on Konoha's soil."

Uchiha Ao furrowed his brow and fell briefly silent. After a moment, he said, "Shisui, do you know what's at the root of the conflict between the clan and Konoha?"

Shisui paused, clearly not expecting Uchiha Ao to suddenly ask him that.

But he soon regained his composure and answered calmly, "On the surface, it's a struggle for power. The village's leaders are wary of the Uchiha Clan's strength, especially the terrifying power of the Sharingan. They fear we'll threaten their rule."

"And what about the clan? They feel they've given so much to the village, shedding blood and sweat, yet they haven't received the respect or status they deserve. Neither side is willing to back down, so the conflict keeps deepening, like a knot being twisted tighter and tighter."

Uchiha Ao shook his head, his expression growing more solemn. "Those are only the surface-level causes. The conflict stems from a lack of trust and a difference in outlook.

"When the village was founded, the Senju and the Uchiha worked together to create Konoha. But from that point on, seeds of suspicion were quietly sown.

"The village leaders keep suppressing the Uchiha Clan under the pretext of maintaining stability. Our clan has been pushed to the margins, left with no standing in the village. How could we not grow resentful?

"And the clan is still lost in the glory of the past, unable to let go. They're determined to return to the center of power, but their methods are too aggressive. That's what has continually inflamed the conflict, bringing us to this state of open hostility."

Shisui sank into deep thought. He'd considered these problems before, but despite searching desperately, he'd never found an effective solution. "Then, in your opinion, how do we resolve this predicament?"

Uchiha Ao looked toward the village and said, "There are three ways."

"First: you replace Clan Head Fugaku."

Surprise flashed in Uchiha Shisui's eyes, and he instinctively shook his head. "Ao, that... doesn't seem right. Clan Head Fugaku is experienced and highly respected by the clan. How could I..."

Uchiha Ao raised a hand to cut him off, his expression utterly serious. "Shisui, hear me out. Clan Head Fugaku has many good qualities, but in my view, he isn't suited to lead the clan. He's too indecisive and always hesitates when it comes to crucial decisions."

"Shisui, I'm sure you know why we moved to the edge of Konoha."

Uchiha Ao fixed Shisui with an eagle-sharp gaze. "After the Nine-Tails Rebellion, the village became even more wary of us because the Sharingan's pattern had appeared in the Nine-Tails' eyes. They drove our entire clan to the outskirts of Konoha."

"Clan Head Fugaku didn't put up much of a fight. He simply accepted this unfair arrangement in silence. He may have been trying to consider the bigger picture, but to the clan members, it must have made him seem spineless and weak."

Uchiha Ao paused, took a deep breath, and continued, "Over the years, the clan's development has been restricted at every turn. He hasn't taken firm, effective measures to secure the rights we deserve.

"Faced with the village's relentless pressure, he hesitates. He wants to resist, but he's afraid of a complete break. As a result, he's repeatedly missed the best chances to ease tensions, leaving the clan in an increasingly difficult position."

Shisui furrowed his brow. Recalling all the hardships the clan had endured over the years, he had to admit that Ao had a point. "Even so, the moderates still dominate the clan. If we suddenly forced Clan Head Fugaku to step down, the clan elders wouldn't agree easily."

"Shisui, what does the Uchiha Clan stand by?"

Before Shisui could answer, Uchiha Ao continued, "Strength! As long as you demonstrate enough power to win the clan's respect, the elders will find it hard to oppose you. After all, among the Uchiha Clan, the strong are revered."