How About Finding Shisui a Girlfriend?

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month passed.

During this time, Konoha was shrouded in a strange atmosphere. The Anbu conducted investigations within the village from time to time, making it clear to almost everyone in Konoha that the Third Hokage was indeed going through the motions of an inquiry.

The official announcement issued by the Hokage Office also succeeded in temporarily suppressing the rumors circulating throughout Konoha.

Three days after the announcement, the Uchiha clan posted a recruitment notice outside the Police Force headquarters, taking advantage of the current climate to begin enlisting new members into their ranks.

Hayato was not sure how Fugaku had spoken to the Third Hokage, but ever since the notice was posted, civilian ninjas and members of smaller, declining ninja clans had been coming to apply.

For these applicants, Hayato had Shisui and the others conduct thorough screenings before admitting anyone.

"Are you saying that someone is approaching you, trying to get you to join the Anbu?"

Inside the Police Force building, Hayato had just finished interviewing a batch of applicants with Shisui. Upon returning to their private office, he heard Shisui say these words.

"Yeah, it's just that those people didn't really seem like Anbu."

Shisui scratched his head, sounding uncertain.

"Have you forgotten? The guys who intercepted us that night and tried to take you away?" Hayato realized, speaking up.

"You mean the Root?" Shisui blinked, his expression turning grim. "Didn't the Third Hokage order Danzo to stay home and reflect on his actions?"

The announcement issued by the Hokage Office had proven that all previous rumors regarding the Uchiha were false, and the punishment handed down was for Danzo to temporarily remain in seclusion and step down from his position on the Council of Elders.

"Give me a break. You actually believe that? Don't hold your breath waiting for Danzo to listen."

Hayato opened a scroll without looking up and said, "That was just a move by the Third Hokage to prevent Konoha from falling into constant internal strife at such a critical time. Recently, Kumogakure has started small-scale harassment along the borders again."

"At a time like this, Konoha still needs to rely on the ninja clans to mobilize resources for the front lines."

Ever since the Nine-Tails Incident broke out the year before last and the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, died in battle, Kumogakure had immediately taken advantage of the chaos to invade the borders, sparking a war.

However, since these were only small-scale skirmishes, Konoha had merely been stretching its lines to sustain a war of attrition with Kumogakure, all while remaining wary of the movements of other ninja villages.

Therefore, no large-scale battles had broken out for the time being.

However, Hayato paused as he looked at the scroll in his hand; he estimated it wouldn't be long.

Soon, there would be a battle that would cause Kumogakure to suffer heavy losses, leading them to propose peace talks and sign a treaty with Konoha.

In other words, the tragedy of Hyuga Neji was about to begin.

"Are you saying that a battle might break out on the front lines?" Shisui frowned. "Should we... tell someone?"

"Shisui, don't be naive." Hayato looked up, meeting Shisui's eyes. "Setting aside the fact that this is just my speculation, do you really think Konoha wouldn't know about this intelligence? Any news from the border is reported to the village leadership with the utmost speed."

"If you go to report it now, what exactly are you trying to express?"

Shisui, interrupted by Hayato, froze, and cold sweat began to break out on his face.

"It seems you've thought it through."

"The village's distrust of the Uchiha is carved into their bones. Even if the Third Hokage doesn't want to see the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha remain so rigid, it's not something he can stop. He can only focus on maintaining stability right now."

"Prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain. Besides, if someone like you, an Uchiha, goes to report this, it will only make the Council of Elders—and even the Hokage—think that the Uchiha clan has its own intelligence network at the border."

"If they truly believed that, what do you think the Uchiha's situation would be?"

Hayato's words left Shisui deep in thought. He felt a chill run down his spine, and after a long while, he let out a heavy sigh. "I was too naive."

"Don't overthink it, and don't overestimate yourself. You are an Uchiha first, and a ninja of Konoha second."

Hayato patted Shisui on the shoulder. "Our primary task right now is to solve our own problems. The 'smiling patrols' the Police Force has been conducting lately are already starting to show results."

Hearing this, Shisui smiled. He had always hoped that the clan could reach a reconciliation with Konoha.

Previously, no one had been willing to accept his suggestions, but for some reason, the clan was actually willing to carry out Hayato's arrangements.

"Don't get too happy yet; we're still a long way off. The clan only agreed because I revealed my Mangekyo. If something happens, it will derail this entire process."

Hayato shook his head, signaling Shisui not to celebrate too early.

"What do you mean?"

Shisui blinked, not quite understanding Hayato's words.

"Aside from what I've told you, you've looked into what kind of person Danzo is, haven't you?" Hayato said softly.

Shisui paused, recalling the information he had gathered.

Danzo was a teammate of the Third Hokage before he became Hokage, a companion who grew up with him, and a fellow disciple of the Second Hokage. He was known for his extreme personality.

This was what some of the older, more experienced members of the clan had told Shisui, and it was well known that Danzo was born with a deep-seated hatred and distrust of the Uchiha clan.

"Last time, he already had people intercept us to try and summon you. Now that he's using the name of the Anbu again, I suspect he must have some suspicions." Hayato rubbed his chin.

Most likely, Danzo suspected that Shisui had awakened the Mangekyo.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be so obsessed with Shisui—first sending people to intercept him, and now pretending to be Anbu to invite him. His goal was likely to verify his hypothesis.

Once Shisui actually went to him, the Mangekyo would no longer be a secret.

"If something happens to you, neither I nor the clan head will be able to hold back the rest of the clan."

"That's impossible, right? I've never revealed my abilities, and even within the clan, only you know." Shisui said, sounding unsure.

"There is no such thing as impossible. These people are old foxes who have survived several ninja wars; they have seen and heard more than we ever have." Hayato dismissed Shisui's wishful thinking; this was the conclusion he had reached after the incident last time.

Compared to these people, he and Shisui were still far too green.

Although he possessed a natural advantage regarding the plot, it did not mean he could act mindlessly based on that knowledge alone.

Perhaps his actions over these past few times were nothing more than a joke to them, like a child playing house, but... so what?

In the Ninja World, strength was the only thing that spoke in the end.

If his methods weren't enough, he would simply rely on raw power.

"From now on, don't run around by yourself. Stay in the Police Force when you're supposed to, and I'll accompany you when we head back."

"Understood."

Shisui nodded in agreement, though the expression on his face remained far from relaxed.

"Alright, why are you overthinking it?" Hayato patted Shisui's head with a huff. "I'm only telling you this to keep you alert, not to make you worry needlessly."

"You and I share the same goal, and we are teammates who can rely on each other. If you keep acting like this, how are we supposed to handle everything that comes next?"

Hayato's words moved Shisui deeply. Although their initial acquaintance hadn't been particularly friendly, they had reached a consensus on their goals over the following period.

"I'm sorry, Hayato. I will try my best to change." Shisui promised with a solemn expression.

"Good, let's work hard together. Only by constantly moving forward can we reach the goal we desire." Hayato was quite satisfied that Shisui was willing to listen to him.

Although the Uchiha clan had many flaws, they all shared one common trait: once they acknowledged someone, they would have no problem entrusting their very lives to that person.

It was just that Shisui's gaze seemed a bit too intense; at this, Hayato hurriedly picked up the scroll in his hand, wondering if he should find Shisui a girlfriend.